The situation for certification of OHSMS is less well defined than for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. This is because there is no ISO standard for OHSMS and accreditation bodies are less inclined to view OHSMS audit criteria as being within the 'ISO system'.
Currently certification is unaccredited, but certification bodies are able to offer certification that follows the management system that each accredited certification body uses for ISO 14001 and ISO 9001
It is understood that RvA (Dutch accreditation body is setting up an approval system to accredit certification bodies with the ability to provide accredited OHSMS certification.

A certification body should normally (subject to justification of any contrary approach) perform its audit of an organisation's system in two stages at the organisation's site. For the purposes of this guidance two stages are described: the document review audit and the certification audit. The key objectives of each, together with the minimum coverage, are described below: -

Document Review of the OHSMS Certification Process

1. In this stage of the audit the certification body should: -
   • plan and allocate resources for further document review where required and for the certification-audit
   • provide an opportunity for immediate feedback of information to the client which may assist in the certification-audit process
   • collect necessary information regarding the plant and process of the organisation.
2. The objectives of the pre-audit are to provide a focus for planning the certification-audit by gaining an understanding of the OHSMS in the context of risk assessments, policy objectives and regulations, and of the organisation's state of preparedness for audit.

Audit of the OHSMS Certification Process

The purpose of a document review is to ensure that the organisation's management system is ready for the certification audit: -

• safety licences are in place;
• the OHSMS is designed to achieve compliance with regulatory requirements;
• the implementation of the OHSMS justifies proceeding to the certification audit;
• the internal audit complies with the requirements of the standard and can be used as a basis for the conduct of the certification-audit;
• the information gathered can be used to determine the way in which the certification-audit has to be conducted (planning, capacity and expertise).

  OHSMS Certification Audit

What does the certification body look for?

• Records of Regulatory compliance, follow-up & acceptance of satisfactory compliance by regulators
• Communication with Interested Parties on risks and accident potentials
• Documented Evidence of effective monitoring, checking, effectiveness of resultant corrective & Preventive actions
• Documented Evidence of systematic planning, execution, recording reporting of results & Follow-up activities to ensure continued suitability of Management system
• Management Review Records to establish effectiveness of actions
• Availability of relevant Authorisations and Permits
• Documented Management Programme in pursuance of Objectives and targets and Legislative/Regulatory Compliance
• Trained & Competent Manpower
• Documented Procedures understood and followed by personnel

  Surveillance Audits

At each surveillance the certification body should pay attention to the following: -

• the effectiveness of the OHSMS with regard to achieving the objectives of the organisation's OH&S policy;
• an interview with management, responsible for the OHSMS;
• the functioning of procedures for notifying authorities of any accidents that breach legal requirements;
• progress of planned activities aimed at continuous improvement of safety performance and achievement where applicable;
• follow up of conclusions resulting from internal audits;
• action taken on non conformities identified during the last audit.