Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:03 AM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Conduct a WHS audit under the guidance of a lead auditor

Conduct a WHS audit under the guidance of a lead auditor

Unit of competency
National Code
BSBWHS614
State Code
OBA82
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
30/08/2019
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
13/12/2019
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
13/12/2019
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to conduct a work health and safety (WHS) audit in a work area to establish if an organisation is implementing planned arrangements for managing WHS risks. It involves systematic examination against audit criteria to determine compliance against identified benchmark criteria.The unit applies to those required to conduct a WHS audit under the guidance of a lead auditor. The WHS audit may be conducted by an individual or by a team, and may be concurrent with other management system audits or conducted as a standalone exercise.NOTES1. The terms ‘occupational health and safety’ (OHS) and ‘work health and safety’ (WHS) are equivalent, and generally either can be used in the workplace. In jurisdictions where model WHS laws have not been implemented, registered training organisations (RTOs) are advised to contextualise this unit of competency by referring to existing WHS legislative requirements.2. The model WHS laws include the model WHS Act, model WHS Regulations and model WHS Codes of Practice. See Safe Work Australia for further information.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for WHS audit under the guidance of the lead auditor
  • 1.1 Define scope, objectives and benchmarks of audit under lead auditor’s guidance
  • 1.2 Identify and obtain relevant documentation about operation of organisation
  • 1.3 Identify and arrange resources required to conduct audit under lead auditor’s guidance
  • 1.4 Assign timing, schedule and responsibilities for audit under lead auditor’s guidance
  • 1.5 Develop draft audit plan according to organisational policies and procedures under lead auditor’s guidance
  • 1.6 Submit draft audit plan to required personnel for consultation and feedback
  • 1.7 Finalise documented plan in response to feedback and distribute to required personnel
2. Select audit tools suitable to nature and scope of WHS audit under the guidance of the lead auditor
  • 2.1 Confirm own and lead auditor role in tool selection process with lead auditor
  • 2.2 Identify range of available WHS audit tools and assess their suitability for intended purpose and work area
  • 2.3 Establish that audit tools can be used with consistent outcomes by all members of audit team
  • 2.4 Review audit tools to ensure they enable collection of evidence in a timely and efficient manner
  • 2.5 Trial audit tools and modify as required
3. Undertake WHS audit activities in work area under the guidance of the lead auditor
  • 3.1 Confirm own and lead auditor role in WHS audit activities with lead auditor
  • 3.2 Undertake preliminary audit meetings and work area familiarisation
  • 3.3 Use selected audit tools and consult with stakeholders to gather WHS information, data and records about work area, as required by the audit plan and according to organisational requirements, standards for safe work practices and applicable WHS laws
  • 3.4 Promptly report uncontrolled hazards and related assessed risks identified during audit to key personnel, stakeholders and/or person in control of workplace
  • 3.5 Note discrepancies in risk controls and risk management arrangements, and reasons for discrepancies, according to organisational policies and procedures
  • 3.6 Check reliability and validity of WHS information, data and records supporting audit activities with required sources
  • 3.7 Undertake exit audit meetings with required personnel and stakeholders
4. Report on outcomes of WHS audit
  • 4.1 Compare results of audit with audit benchmark criteria
  • 4.2 Develop summary audit findings and recommendations, consulting with stakeholders as required
  • 4.3 Present summary audit findings and recommendations to key personnel
  • 4.4 Document final audit outcomes according to organisational policies and procedures
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
AUJ71 BSBWHS606 Conduct a WHS audit Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
BEQ8 BSB60619 Advanced Diploma of Work Health and Safety Qualification