ISO 45001 – Legal Compliance Strengthening & Recertification Success
Summary
A long-standing client sought our support ahead of their ISO 45001 three-year recertification audit – a critical milestone for maintaining certification, commercial continuity, and client reassurance. They needed expert guidance on legal compliance, COSHH management, workforce awareness, and audit preparation to ensure they were properly prepared for the audit process.
The result: successful ISO 45001 recertification, strengthened legal compliance evidence, improved COSHH awareness across the workforce, and increased confidence in managing future audits.
The Challenges
The client faced several compliance gaps and documentation issues that posed a risk to achieving recertification. Their previous audit had highlighted unresolved recommendations, including outdated legal registers and inconsistent COSHH management. Workforce understanding of hazardous substances needed improvement, and the organisation didn’t have a clear way of showing legal compliance.
As the recertification audit approached, the client required clear, practical guidance – not only to address the gaps but to ensure key personnel could demonstrate compliance confidently to accredited auditors.
Our Approach
We provided focused, practical support to help the client prepare for their ISO 45001 audit, including:
Detailed Review & Gap Analysis
Conducted in-depth meetings with senior management, reviewed the previous audit report, identified recurring issues, and highlighted gaps in COSHH compliance and legal documentation.
COSHH Improvement & Workforce Awareness
Developed a tailored COSHH improvement plan, created a bespoke awareness presentation based on actual site chemicals, and delivered face-to-face training for all staff to ensure practical understanding and competence.
Legal Register Update
Produced a fully updated, bespoke legal register for safety and environmental requirements, clearly aligned with the organisation’s activities, applicable legislation, and assigned responsibilities.
Audit Preparation & Coaching
Held structured preparation meetings to explain what to expect from accredited auditors, coached key personnel on demonstrating compliance, and clarified how evidence should be presented.
Post-Audit Legal Compliance Evaluation
When auditors raised the need for a formal legal compliance evaluation report, we collated evidence and completed a full review, clearly documenting how compliance was assessed in line with ISO 45001 requirements.
The Results
The client successfully achieved ISO 45001 recertification for a further three years, with the auditor specifically praising the quality and clarity of the legal compliance evaluation report. Internal systems were strengthened, COSHH awareness improved across the workforce, and the client gained renewed confidence in maintaining compliance and preparing for future audits.