Skip to main content
MapTrack
Skip to download form

Free ISO 45001 internal audit checklist

Free ISO 45001:2018 internal audit checklist as PDF or Excel (XLSX). Covers leadership, risk assessment, operational controls and emergency preparedness.

Updated 28 Sept 2026

ISO 45001 Internal Audit Checklist

OH&S management system audit per ISO 45001:2018 (Clauses 4-10)

Your logo here
0 of 30 checks

Clause 4 - Context of the Organisation

14.1
24.2
34.3
44.4

Clause 5 - Leadership and Worker Participation

55.1
65.2
75.3
85.4

Clause 6 - Planning

96.1.1
106.1.2
116.1.2
126.1.3
136.2

Clause 7 - Support

147.1
157.2
167.3
177.4
187.5

Clause 8 - Operation

198.1.1
208.1.2
218.1.3
228.1.4
238.2

Clause 9 - Performance Evaluation

249.1.1
259.1.2
269.2
279.3

Clause 10 - Improvement

2810.2
2910.2
3010.3

How to use: download the PDF, print or complete digitally on any device.

  • PDF format, ready to print or fill on screen
  • Use as-is or customise to suit your operation
  • Go digital in MapTrack for photos, reminders and audit trails

Download formats

Two ways to use it

Use in MapTrack →

Download the free PDF

PDFXLSX

Use it digitally instead

Unlimited users

These same 30 checks, already built.

G2 rating 4.9 out of 5
Capterra rating 5.0 out of 5GetApp rating 5.0 out of 5Software Advice rating 5.0 out of 5
All MapTrack reviews
  • Scan the asset’s QR tag with any phone
  • Submitted forms can trigger alerts
  • Photos on fails, audit-ready records
  • Export responses, PDF reports with your logo

Free trial. No credit card needed.

Trusted by teams across Australia and New Zealand

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.

These templates are free general guides provided as-is. They do not constitute legal, safety or compliance advice. You are responsible for ensuring any form meets your specific workplace obligations, industry standards and applicable regulations.

Don't just download it - use it live. Start a free workspace with this ISO 45001 internal audit checklist already built, so your crew can run it from a phone.

Jarrod Milford

Jarrod Milford

Co-Founder & Commercial Director

Updated 28 September 2026
Also see:Compliance and inspections →Best inspection software →MapTrack vs SafetyCulture →

Short answer

An ISO 45001 internal audit checklist records an auditor's clause-by-clause check of an OH&S management system, with the evidence sighted, nonconformities and opportunities for improvement. OH&S coordinators and trained internal auditors use it for each planned audit, most often covering the whole system once a year. Clause 9.2 of ISO 45001:2018 requires internal audits at planned intervals but sets no fixed frequency.

Checked against ISO 45001:2018 (Edition 1) with Amd 1:2024 (climate action changes) on by the MapTrack templates team. How we check templates

Key takeaways

  • The MapTrack ISO 45001 internal audit checklist contains 30 checks across 7 sections. Sections covered: Clause 4 - Context of the Organisation, Clause 5 - Leadership and Worker Participation, Clause 6 - Planning, Clause 7 - Support, Clause 8 - Operation, Clause 9 - Performance Evaluation, Clause 10 - Improvement.
  • Works through the management system clause by clause, recording conformity, evidence sighted and findings, so the audit produces actions rather than impressions.
  • Built around the internal-audit requirement in ISO 45001:2018: audits at planned intervals, by auditors independent of the area audited, with results reported to management.
  • Audit evidence is what was seen, not what was said. Record document names, dates and observations, so a finding survives challenge at certification.
  • Grade findings as major nonconformity, minor nonconformity or observation, and give each an owner and a close-out date.

Enter your email below to download this ISO 45001 internal audit checklist as a ready-to-use PDF.

Used by construction, mining and field service teams

Saunders InternationalMineral ResourcesSupagasHacer GroupMetro TunnelUltrabuilt

What is an ISO 45001 internal audit checklist?

An ISO 45001 internal audit checklist is a structured document used to plan and record the findings of an internal audit of an occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system against the requirements of ISO 45001:2018. The checklist systematically walks auditors through each clause of the standard, from context of the organisation and leadership commitment, through planning and support, to operational controls, performance evaluation and improvement. For each requirement, the auditor records whether the organisation conforms, has a minor or major non-conformance, or has an opportunity for improvement, with supporting evidence and observations.

ISO 45001:2018 replaced OHSAS 18001 as the international standard for occupational health and safety management systems. Clause 9.2 of the standard requires organisations to conduct internal audits at planned intervals to confirm the OH&S management system conforms to the requirements of the standard, the organisation own requirements, and is effectively implemented and maintained. Internal audits are a core mechanism for identifying non-conformances, driving corrective actions, and supporting continual improvement of workplace health and safety outcomes. This checklist ensures auditors address every clause systematically and produce consistent, evidence-based audit reports.

Learn more about compliance and inspections in MapTrack.

Get the free template

Enter your email above to download the full ISO 45001 internal audit checklist as a PDF.

Download free PDF

Benefits of using this ISO 45001 internal audit checklist

  • Systematic coverage: ensures every clause of ISO 45001:2018 is assessed, preventing gaps that could lead to certification audit findings.
  • Audit consistency: a standardised checklist produces repeatable, comparable audit results across different auditors and audit cycles.
  • Non-conformance identification: structured evidence gathering identifies both major and minor non-conformances with clear clause references for corrective action.
  • Continual improvement: audit findings feed directly into the management review and corrective action processes, driving measurable improvement in OH&S performance.
  • Certification readiness: regular internal audits using this checklist prepare the organisation for external certification or surveillance audits by identifying and resolving issues beforehand.
  • Worker participation evidence: the checklist specifically covers worker consultation and participation requirements (Clause 5.4), ensuring this critical element is assessed.

Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack

When you move your checklists from paper to MapTrack, you get:

  • Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
  • Email the right people when a form is submitted, with an automation you set up.
  • File every completed form against the asset, location or person it covers.
  • Download any completed form as a PDF, with failed answers listed at the top.
  • Fill in forms offline; they upload when the device is back online.
  • Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
  • Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
  • Electronic signatures.
  • Edit forms later without reprinting.
  • Set who can view, fill in or edit forms with user roles.
  • Upload a paper form (PDF, Word, Excel or a photo) and MapTrack's AI builds a digital version for you to check.
  • Assign audits and send reminder emails to the people doing them.
  • Keep every audit, inspection and sign-off against the asset or site it covers.
  • Track corrective actions as work orders from finding to close-out, with each change in the activity log.

Book a demo to see how MapTrack handles checklists.

Try MapTrack free

Full access to every feature. No credit card required. Per-asset pricing so you scale as your fleet grows.

Start free trial
  • No credit card required

1-2 days/week saved

“Bloody amazing! We used to spend 1-2 days a week tracking and managing our generators alone.”
Saunders International

Steve McAllister

Asset Coordinator, Saunders International

What to include in an ISO 45001 internal audit checklist

This ISO 45001 internal audit checklist covers 11 key areas:

  • Audit details: audit reference number, audit date, auditor name and qualifications, department or process being audited, audit scope.
  • Clause 4 - Context of the organisation: internal and external issues, interested parties, scope of the OH&S management system.
  • Clause 5 - Leadership and worker participation: top management commitment, OH&S policy, roles and responsibilities, worker consultation and participation.
  • Clause 6 - Planning: hazard identification, risk assessment, legal and other requirements, OH&S objectives and action plans.
  • Clause 7 - Support: resources, competence, awareness, communication, documented information.
  • Clause 8 - Operation: operational planning and control, emergency preparedness and response, management of change, procurement, contractors.
  • Clause 9 - Performance evaluation: monitoring and measurement, internal audit programme, management review.
  • Clause 10 - Improvement: incident investigation, non-conformity and corrective action, continual improvement.
  • For each clause item: conformity status (conforms, minor NC, major NC, observation or opportunity for improvement), evidence reviewed and notes.
  • Audit summary: total findings by category, follow-up actions, next audit date.
  • Sign-off: auditor and auditee management representative.

How to use this ISO 45001 internal audit checklist

  1. Prepare the audit by completing the header details including audit reference, date, auditor qualifications, scope and the department or process to be audited.: Review the previous audit report and any open corrective actions before starting. Confirm the audit scope covers the planned clauses and processes. Notify the auditee of the audit schedule, scope and any documents to have available, such as the OH&S policy, risk register, training records and incident reports.
  2. Audit Clause 5: Leadership and worker participation. Assess top management commitment, the OH&S policy, defined roles and responsibilities, and evidence of worker consultation.: Interview management to confirm they can articulate the OH&S policy and their role in the management system. Review the OH&S policy for adequacy and communication. Check that roles, responsibilities and authorities are defined, documented and communicated. Verify evidence of worker consultation and participation mechanisms such as safety committees, toolbox talks and hazard reporting systems.
  3. Audit Clause 6: Planning. Review hazard identification processes, risk assessment records, the legal register, and OH&S objectives with their action plans.: Examine the hazard identification and risk assessment process for coverage of routine and non-routine activities, including contractor activities. Review a sample of risk assessments for completeness and currency. Check the legal register for inclusion of relevant legislation and verify a process exists to monitor changes. Review OH&S objectives for measurability, assigned responsibilities and target dates.
  4. Audit Clause 8: Operation. Examine operational controls, emergency preparedness and response plans, management of change procedures, and procurement and contractor controls.: Review operational procedures and safe work method statements for high-risk activities. Check that emergency response plans are documented, communicated and tested through drills. Examine the management of change process for recent changes to plant, processes or chemicals. Verify that procurement and contractor management processes include OH&S requirements and prequalification checks.
  5. Audit Clause 8 continued: Emergency preparedness. Verify that emergency plans are documented, drills have been conducted, and workers know their emergency roles.: Review emergency response plans for fire, chemical spill, medical emergency and natural disaster scenarios. Check drill records for frequency and participation. Interview workers to confirm they know evacuation routes, assembly points and their specific emergency responsibilities. Verify that emergency equipment (first aid kits, spill kits, fire extinguishers) is available and maintained.
  6. Audit Clause 9: Performance evaluation. Review monitoring and measurement records, the internal audit programme, and management review minutes.: Check that OH&S performance indicators are defined, measured and reported. Review the internal audit programme for planned coverage of all clauses and processes. Examine management review minutes for evidence that audit findings, incident trends, compliance status and improvement opportunities are discussed and actioned by top management.
  7. Audit Clause 10: Improvement. Review incident investigations, non-conformity and corrective action records, and evidence of continual improvement initiatives.: Sample recent incident investigations for root cause analysis, corrective actions and effectiveness verification. Check the corrective action register for timely closure and evidence of implementation. Look for evidence of continual improvement projects driven by audit findings, incident trends, worker suggestions or management review decisions.
  8. Complete the audit summary, record all findings by category, assign follow-up actions and sign off the checklist with the auditee management representative.: Tally findings as conforming, minor non-conformance, major non-conformance or opportunity for improvement. Present findings to the auditee in a closing meeting, agree on corrective action owners and target dates, and confirm the next audit date. Both the auditor and auditee representative sign the completed checklist. File the report and distribute to relevant stakeholders.

In MapTrack, you can automate compliance tracking and audit trails. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.

Get the free templateEnter your email above to download the full ISO 45001 internal audit checklist as a PDF.Back to download form

How often should you complete this checklist?

ISO 45001:2018 Clause 9.2 requires internal audits to be conducted at planned intervals. Most organisations audit the entire OH&S management system at least once per year, with high-risk processes or areas with previous non-conformances audited more frequently (e.g. every 6 months). The internal audit programme should consider the importance of the processes concerned, changes affecting the organisation, and the results of previous audits. Certification bodies typically expect to see at least one complete internal audit cycle between surveillance audits. New management systems or those with significant changes should consider more frequent auditing until the system is mature and stable.

Try MapTrack free

Full access to every feature. No credit card required. Per-asset pricing so you scale as your fleet grows.

Start free trial
  • No credit card required

Frequently asked questions

ISO 45001:2018 is the international standard for occupational health and safety management systems. It replaced OHSAS 18001 and provides a framework for organisations to manage OH&S risks, prevent work-related injury and ill health, and provide safe and healthy workplaces. Clause 9.2 requires organisations to conduct internal audits at planned intervals to determine whether the OH&S management system conforms to the requirements of the standard and the organisation own requirements, and is effectively implemented and maintained. Internal audit results must be reported to relevant management and used to drive corrective actions and continual improvement.

The standard requires audits at planned intervals but does not specify a fixed frequency. Most organisations complete a full audit cycle annually, covering all clauses and processes at least once per year. High-risk areas, processes with previous non-conformances, or recently changed processes may be audited every 6 months. The audit programme should consider process importance, organisational changes, and previous audit results. Certification bodies expect at least one complete cycle between surveillance audits.

Internal auditors must be competent and, where practicable, independent of the activity being audited. Competence includes understanding of ISO 45001 requirements, audit principles and techniques (typically ISO 19011 guidelines), and relevant OH&S legislation. Auditors should not audit their own work. Many organisations train internal staff as auditors through recognised courses (e.g. Exemplar Global certified lead auditor courses). External consultants can also be engaged to perform internal audits.

ISO 45001:2018 replaced OHSAS 18001:2007 as the globally recognised standard for OH&S management systems. Key differences include adoption of the ISO High Level Structure (Annex SL) for easier integration with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, stronger emphasis on leadership and top management accountability, explicit requirements for worker consultation and participation, a risk-based approach to planning and operational control, and consideration of the context of the organisation including external and internal issues and interested parties. Accredited OHSAS 18001 certificates had to migrate to ISO 45001 within three years of its March 2018 publication, a deadline the International Accreditation Forum extended because of COVID-19 to 30 September 2021.

Yes. Digital audit platforms such as MapTrack allow you to build this checklist as a mobile form, schedule recurring audit cycles, capture findings with evidence photos, track corrective actions to closure, and generate audit reports for management review. Digital records improve consistency, reduce administrative overhead and provide real-time visibility of audit status across multiple sites. Book a demo to see how MapTrack supports OH&S compliance.

Look for evidence that it happens, not just a policy statement. The checklist covers worker consultation and participation under clause 5.4: interview management about their role in the system, then look for records of safety committee meetings, toolbox talks and hazard reports raised by workers. Talking to workers directly, for example about their emergency roles, shows whether consultation reaches the people doing the work or stops at the policy.

Review the emergency response plans for fire, chemical spill, medical emergency and natural disaster scenarios, and check drill records for how often drills happen and who takes part. Interview workers to confirm they know the evacuation routes, assembly points and their own emergency responsibilities. Then check that emergency equipment such as first aid kits, spill kits and fire extinguishers is available and maintained.

Every finding should leave the closing meeting with a corrective action owner and a target date agreed with the auditee, and the next audit date should be confirmed. The auditor and the auditee's management representative both sign the checklist, and the report is filed and shared with the relevant people. Findings then feed the corrective action process and management review, and the next audit samples closed actions to check they were implemented and effective.

Applicable regulatory standards

This template is a starting point. Check the current requirements that apply to your equipment, work and location. The template alone does not establish compliance.

  • Occupational health and safety management systems - Requirements with guidance for use

    Edition: ISO 45001:2018 (Edition 1) with Amd 1:2024 (climate action changes)

    Clause 9.2 sets the internal audit this checklist records; 10.2 covers the corrective actions that follow findings.

    • 9.2: Internal audit of the OH&S management system at planned intervals.
    • 10.2: Incident, nonconformity and corrective action, including investigation of causes.
    • 5.4: Consultation and participation of workers in the OH&S management system.
    • 6.1: Actions to address risks and opportunities, including hazard identification and assessment.

    International Organization for Standardization (ISO)Sold by the publisher

  • Occupational health and safety management systems - Requirements with guidance for use

    Edition: AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 (incl. Amd 1:2024)

    The Australian and New Zealand adoption of ISO 45001:2018.

    Standards Australia and Standards New ZealandSold by the publisher

  • Guidelines for auditing management systems

    Edition: ISO 19011:2026 (Edition 4)

    Guidelines for auditing management systems: audit programmes, auditor competence and audit methods.

    International Organization for Standardization (ISO)Sold by the publisher

Each source was read at its publisher and the page checked on 26 October 2026. The publisher's current text is the authority.

Check the current source

ISO 45001 Internal Audit Checklist preview

ISO 45001 Internal Audit Checklist template preview showing fields and layout

The numbers behind this ISO 45001 internal audit checklist

The pages below gather the figures behind this kind of check. Each figure on them carries its source and date, so you can quote it in a toolbox talk, a budget case or a board paper without chasing the original report.

Get the free template

Enter your email above to download the full ISO 45001 internal audit checklist as a PDF.

Download free PDF

Embed this free template on your website

Run an industry blog, trade association site, or training resource? Drop a preview of this free ISO 45001 internal audit checklist straight into your page. The snippet is self-contained, needs no scripts, and links readers back to the full free template.

<div style="max-width:480px;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,'Segoe UI',Roboto,sans-serif;border:1px solid #E5E7EB;border-radius:12px;padding:20px;background:#ffffff;">
  <p style="font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#071D49;margin:0;">Free template</p>
  <p style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#071D49;margin:6px 0 0;">ISO 45001 Internal Audit Checklist</p>
  <ul style="margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:18px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;">
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Audit details: audit reference number, audit date, auditor name and qualifications, department or process being audited, audit scope.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Clause 4 - Context of the organisation: internal and external issues, interested parties, scope of the OH&amp;S management system.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Clause 5 - Leadership and worker participation: top management commitment, OH&amp;S policy, roles and responsibilities, worker consultation and participation.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Clause 6 - Planning: hazard identification, risk assessment, legal and other requirements, OH&amp;S objectives and action plans.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Clause 7 - Support: resources, competence, awareness, communication, documented information.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Clause 8 - Operation: operational planning and control, emergency preparedness and response, management of change, procurement, contractors.</li>
  </ul>
  <p style="font-size:13px;color:#6B7280;margin:14px 0 0;padding-top:12px;border-top:1px solid #E5E7EB;">Free <a href="https://www.maptrack.com/templates/iso-45001-internal-audit-checklist" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">ISO 45001 Internal Audit Checklist</a> by MapTrack</p>
</div>

Free to reuse, including commercially. This template is published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. Copy it, adapt it, put it on your own site or in your own docs. All we ask is that you credit MapTrack with a link back to this page. The snippet above already includes that credit, so if you use it as-is you’re covered.

Cite this template

Writing about this topic? You’re welcome to quote this checklist. Here’s the wording to use so your readers can find the original.

The MapTrack ISO 45001 internal audit checklist contains 30 checks across 7 sections.

Short attribution
MapTrack ISO 45001 Internal Audit Checklist, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/iso-45001-internal-audit-checklist
Reference list
MapTrack. (2026). ISO 45001 Internal Audit Checklist [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/iso-45001-internal-audit-checklist

Free to reuse with credit under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. If you’d rather link straight to it, the page is https://www.maptrack.com/templates/iso-45001-internal-audit-checklist.

Need to automate compliance tracking and audit trails?

Register every asset in MapTrack, attach digital forms, and get a complete history of every inspection, service and compliance record.

Start free trialBook a demo

Compliance and inspections · All templates · Pricing · Book a demo