🔍 Knowledge & Skills for HSE Auditors and Audittees

Practical Audit Training by M. S. Akhter – Certified Lead Auditor, HSE System Expert, & Global Mentor

With over four decades of hands-on experience, I have personally:

• Developed certified HSE Management Systems (ISO 45001 & ISO 14001)

• Trained hundreds of professionals to become confident auditors and compliant auditees

• Led thousands of internal and third-party audits in construction, oil & gas, and industrial sectors across the Middle East

My audit training doesn’t stop at theory—I train professionals to perform real audits, detect issues, respond confidently, and drive continual improvement.

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🧠 Knowledge & Skills Required – HSE Auditor & Auditee

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✅ 1. Understanding ISO Standards and the Audit Process

What you learn:

• Full understanding of ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 14001:2015

• Definitions of audit, non-conformance, objective evidence, compliance

• Audit principles as per ISO 19011 (audit guidelines)

• Types of audits: internal, external, compliance, surveillance, certification

Why it matters:
Both auditors and auditees must speak the language of the standard to succeed in any audit.

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✅ 2. Audit Planning & Preparation

What you learn:

• Preparing audit plans, checklists, schedules, and scopes

• Gathering background documents (manuals, SOPs, legal registers)

• Selecting audit team and defining audit objectives

• Pre-audit communication with departments

Why it matters:
An organized start ensures effective audits and builds trust with auditees.

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✅ 3. Interviewing, Observing & Gathering Objective Evidence

What you learn:

• How to conduct fact-based interviews without intimidation

• Observing site activities and verifying compliance

• Reviewing documentation and cross-checking data

• Identifying gaps, good practices, and improvement areas

Why it matters:
Objective evidence is the heart of audit integrity—you must learn how to gather it correctly.

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✅ 4. Writing Clear, Actionable Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs)

What you learn:

• Drafting NCRs that are specific, fact-based, and traceable to the standard

• Categorizing findings: Major, Minor, Observations, Opportunities for Improvement

• Using root cause language (e.g., “inadequate procedure,” “lack of training”)

• Supporting NCRs with photos, data, or document samples

Why it matters:
Poor NCRs lead to poor corrective actions—clarity is essential for system improvement.

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✅ 5. Auditee Preparation & Confidence Building

What you teach auditees:

• How to prepare documents and demonstrate compliance

• How to respond confidently and honestly

• What to do when you don’t know an answer

• Building audit readiness culture throughout the team

Why it matters:
Even compliant teams can fail audits due to poor preparation or fear—training builds confidence.

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✅ 6. Root Cause Analysis & Corrective Action Planning

What you learn:

• How to conduct root cause analysis (5 Why, Fishbone, etc.)

• Writing effective corrective & preventive actions (CAPA)

• Assigning responsibility, due dates, and measurable outcomes

• Tracking CAPA effectiveness over time

Why it matters:
Audits must lead to real improvement, not just documentation changes.

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✅ 7. Audit Closing Meeting & Report Presentation

What you learn:

• Summarizing findings professionally and respectfully

• Communicating non-conformances without blame

• Creating a final audit report with evidence, rating, and recommendations

• Conducting a constructive closing meeting with management and workers

Why it matters:
Closing meetings can build or break trust—learn to present with impact.

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✅ 8. Post-Audit Follow-Up & Continual Improvement

What you learn:

• Monitoring corrective action implementation

• Verification audits and evidence review

• Using audit data to adjust objectives and KPIs

• Feeding audit lessons into future training and awareness programs

Why it matters:
A true audit ends only when the system has improved.

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✅ 9. Legal and Client-Specific Compliance Auditing

What you learn:

• Verifying compliance with local laws, regulations, and codes of practice

• Aligning with client-specific HSE requirements (e.g., ARAMCO, ADNOC, QP)

• Linking legal obligations to ISO clauses and site controls

Why it matters:
Legal non-compliance can lead to prosecution, project shutdown, or reputation loss.

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✅ 10. Using Digital Tools and Templates

What you learn:

• Creating digital audit checklists in Excel or online systems

• Using audit software and mobile inspection tools

• Document control, versioning, and audit trail management

Why it matters:
Modern audits demand digital readiness and documentation discipline.

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🎯 Who Should Learn This?

• ✅ HSE Officers preparing for internal auditor roles

• ✅ Engineers, supervisors, and coordinators wanting to pass audits

• ✅ Managers aiming to build audit-ready teams

• ✅ Safety professionals preparing for ISO Lead Auditor roles

• ✅ Companies working toward ISO certification or client HSE audits

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🏆 Why Train with Me?

With thousands of audits conducted, dozens of companies certified under my system development, and hundreds of professionals trained to be confident auditors and auditees—I deliver results, not just slides.

You’ll gain:

• Hands-on training from real audit cases

• Templates, checklists, and reporting formats

• Mock audit sessions and role-playing exercises

• Insider knowledge on how auditors think and what they look for

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