Free Practice Questions for PECB ISO-45001-Lead-Auditor Exam

Hazard: A potential source of harm or adverse health effects.

Risk: The likelihood of harm occurring as a result of the hazard.

Danger: An immediate threat that requires urgent action.

Analysis of Options:

A. Conference room emergency sign directs people to an exit that is no longer available for use (Hazard): Correctly identified as a hazard since it poses a potential risk during emergencies.

B. The carpet on the main staircase is peeling off (Risk): This is a hazard, not a risk, as it represents a source of potential harm.

C. The emergency light in the gift shop did not work when checked (Risk): This is a hazard because it is a condition that could lead to a risk during emergencies.

D. The fire extinguishers in the Natural World area have not been serviced in the last five years (Risk): Correctly identified as a risk because the likelihood of fire-related harm increases without proper servicing.

E. The head of the dinosaur suspended over the main hall has become detached from the rest of the skeleton (Risk): This is a hazard, not a risk, as it represents a potential source of harm.

F. The non-slip mats have been removed from the restaurant (Risk): This is a hazard, not a risk.

G. There is a high possibility of unfit food being sold due to the failure of the oven temperature indicator in the visitors ' restaurant (Hazard): This is a risk because it specifies the likelihood of harm occurring (selling unfit food).

H. There is a water leak next to the electric heater in the admissions area (Danger): Correctly identified as a danger because it represents an immediate and critical threat.

ISO References:

Clause 6.1.2: Hazard identification and assessment of risks and opportunities.

ISO 45001 defines " documented information " as information required to be controlled and maintained by an organization. This can include policies, procedures, records, or other relevant data in any format (Clause 3.19). It encompasses all information used to establish, operate, and demonstrate the effectiveness of the OH and S management system.

Analysis of Options:

A. Any paperwork generated when the system is in operation: Incorrect. This is too narrow and excludes digital or other formats.

B. Any information about the system, or generated by it, held in any format: Correct. This aligns with the ISO 45001 definition in Clause 3.19.

C. Paperwork such as Permits to Work and risk assessments: Incorrect. These are examples of documented information but do not encompass the full scope of the term.

D. The master copies of the documents used to operate the system, held in any format: Incorrect. This definition is limited to master copies, while documented information includes records as well.

ISO References:

Clause 3.19: Definition of documented information.

Clause 7.5: Control of documented information.

ISO 45001 Clause 8.1.3 Management of change states that the organization must establish processes for the implementation and control of planned temporary and permanent changes that impact OH and S performance . It also says this includes new products, services and processes , and changes to existing products, services and processes . That makes A true. It also supports B , because the clause is specifically about changes that impact the organization’s OH and S performance .

Statement E is also true. If the organization decides, after an emergency preparedness and response exercise, that it needs to change part of the OHSMS to improve OH and S performance, then that change has to be implemented in a controlled way under the organization’s management-of-change process. ISO 45001 links emergency preparedness with improvement and requires changes impacting OH and S performance to be controlled.

Why the others are false:

C is false because ISO 45001 does not limit management of change to planned changes only. It says the organization must also review the consequences of unintended changes and take action to mitigate adverse effects.

D is false because Clause 8.1.3 does not require retaining documented information of all changes . The clause requires establishing processes for implementation and control, but it does not state a blanket requirement to retain documented information for every change.

F is false because developments in knowledge and technology are explicitly included in management of change, not excluded.

G is false because changes are not limited to those identified by the organization itself; the clause also includes changes in legal and other requirements , and changes in knowledge or information about hazards and risks .

H is false because ISO 45001 explicitly says management of change applies to temporary and permanent planned changes.

Worker participation is a fundamental principle of ISO 45001 (Clause 5.4). It ensures workers at all levels are involved in key activities to enhance the OH and S management system ' s effectiveness.

Analysis of Options:

A. Determining competence requirements: Incorrect. Determining competence is primarily the responsibility of management, though workers may provide input.

B. Establishing OHS objectives: Correct. Worker involvement ensures objectives are realistic and relevant to workplace conditions (Clause 6.2).

C. Managing internal audit programme: Incorrect. Managing audits is typically a managerial responsibility, though workers may participate in audits.

D. Determining actions to eliminate hazards: Correct. Workers’ insights are critical in identifying and implementing actions to eliminate hazards (Clause 8.1.2).

E. Determining what needs to be communicated: Incorrect. While communication strategies impact workers, their participation in determining communication needs is not explicitly required.

F. Establishing OHS policy: Correct. Workers should be involved in developing policies to ensure relevance and buy-in (Clause 5.2).

ISO References:

Clause 5.4: Worker participation.

Clause 6.2: OHS objectives.

Clause 8.1.2: Hierarchy of controls and hazard elimination.

The correct answer is C. Planning the Occupational Health and Safety policy .

ISO 45001 explicitly identifies several planning activities across Clauses 4 to 10. For example, Clause 6.1.4 requires the organization to plan actions to address risks and opportunities, legal requirements and other requirements , and to prepare for and respond to emergency situations . This means A and D are both genuine planning activities named in the standard.

ISO 45001 also identifies planning, establishing, implementing and maintaining audit programmes in Clause 9.2.2 , so B. Planning an audit programme is clearly a planning activity within the requirements.

By contrast, the OH and S policy is covered in Clause 5.2 Policy . The standard requires top management to establish the OH and S policy and ensure it is communicated, available, and appropriate. It does not identify this as “planning the OH and S policy.” In ISO 45001 wording, policy is something to be established, maintained, and communicated, not described as a planning activity.

Therefore, the option that is not identified as a planning activity in ISO 45001 Clauses 4–10 is:

C

Clause 10.2 of ISO 45001 pertains to Nonconformity and Corrective Action . Organizations are required to evaluate incidents, investigate their causes, and implement effective corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Issue Identified: The incidents in the five old shops are related to VOC emissions from outdated equipment, leading to staff and customer health concerns. This indicates inadequate risk management and failure to act on known safety issues.

Analysis of Options:

A. Display an emergency phone number. This is a reactive approach and does not address the root cause of the issue, i.e., VOC emissions. It also does not align with ISO 45001’s emphasis on preventive measures.

B. Evaluate and update the PPE requirements. While PPE is important, relying solely on PPE without addressing the root cause (emission of VOCs) is insufficient. PPE is considered the last line of defense under the hierarchy of controls.

C. Reassess the OH and S risks associated with the laundry process in the five old shops. This option aligns with ISO 45001, Clause 8.1.2, and Clause 10.2, as it emphasizes reassessing risks and taking steps to mitigate them. A thorough risk assessment could lead to interim measures such as process improvements or administrative controls until the equipment is replaced.

D. Review the current safety procedures. While reviewing safety procedures is useful, it does not address the specific nonconformity related to the equipment’s inability to operate safely.

Best Action: Reassessing the risks in the five shops (Option C) ensures a comprehensive review of the hazards posed by outdated equipment, leading to appropriate preventive and corrective actions.

ISO References:

Clause 10.2: Requires identifying and addressing nonconformities to prevent recurrence.

Clause 8.1.2: Emphasizes the hierarchy of controls and risk assessment as a foundation for mitigating hazards.

According to Clause 3.32 of ISO 45001:2018 , an audit is defined as a systematic, independent, and documented process for obtaining objective evidence and evaluating it to determine the extent to which audit criteria are fulfilled.

This involves assessing the effectiveness of health and safety measures implemented in the organization ' s OH and S management system.

Analysis of Options:

A. A systematic process to assess the risks in a workplace: Incorrect. While audits may include risk assessments, the purpose is broader and involves evaluating the entire OH and S management system.

B. An evaluation of the effectiveness of health and safety measures: Correct. This aligns with the definition of an audit as per ISO 45001:2018.

C. A legal requirement to comply with health and safety standards: Incorrect. An audit is not necessarily a legal requirement but a process to assess conformity.

D. A document that outlines safety procedures and guidelines: Incorrect. An audit is a process, not a document.

ISO Reference:

Clause 3.32: Audit definition.