ISO 45001 Lead Auditor Exam – Practice MCQs with Answers
Introduction to ISO 45001 Lead Auditor Exam
Thinking about leveling up your career in Occupational Health and Safety? The ISO 45001 Lead Auditor Exam might just be your ticket. It’s designed for professionals who want to audit and certify organizations against the ISO 45001:2018 standard — the gold standard in OHSMS.
What is ISO 45001?
ISO 45001 is an international standard that specifies requirements for an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS). It helps organizations proactively improve safety performance, reduce risks, and ensure employee well-being.
Who Should Take the Lead Auditor Exam?
If you’re a:
- Safety Manager
- HSE Officer
- Consultant
- Internal Auditor
- Aspiring third-party auditor
Then this certification is for you!
Why ISO 45001 Lead Auditor Certification Matters
It proves your expertise in auditing OHSMS, boosts your resume, and opens doors to global job opportunities. You also gain authority to conduct audits for certification bodies.
Structure of the ISO 45001 Lead Auditor Exam
Format and Duration
- Type: Objective MCQs + case-based questions
- Duration: 2 to 3 hours (depending on the training provider)
- Mode: Usually paper-based or online, proctored
Types of Questions
- Knowledge-based MCQs
- Clause-interpretation questions
- Auditing process scenarios
- Case study evaluations
Scoring and Passing Criteria
- Passing marks: Typically 70%
- No negative marking
- Some exams require 100% on key questions to qualify
Tips to Prepare for the Lead Auditor Exam
Study the ISO 45001:2018 Standard Thoroughly
Understand each clause (0 to 10), especially context, leadership, risk-based thinking, and performance evaluation.
Focus on Audit Principles and Techniques
Know audit types (1st, 2nd, 3rd party), the PDCA cycle, and ISO 19011 guidelines.
Practice MCQs Regularly
Mock questions simulate the real pressure of the exam and sharpen your decision-making.
Top 50 Practice MCQs with Answers
📘 Section A – General Knowledge
Q1. What is the full form of OHSMS?
A. Occupational Hazard and Safety Management System
B. Organizational Health and Safety Management Structure
C. Occupational Health and Safety Management System ✅
D. Organizational Hazardous Substance Monitoring System
Q2. Which clause of ISO 45001 deals with ‘Leadership’?
A. Clause 4
B. Clause 6
C. Clause 5 ✅
D. Clause 8
Q3. Which is the governing body for ISO standards?
A. International Standardization of Organizations
B. International Organization for Standardization ✅
C. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
D. Global Quality Association
Q4. What does PDCA stand for?
A. Plan-Design-Control-Act
B. Plan-Do-Check-Act ✅
C. Prepare-Develop-Control-Analyze
D. Process-Define-Control-Audit
Q5. Which document provides guidelines for auditing management systems?
A. ISO 45001
B. ISO 31000
C. ISO 19011 ✅
D. OHSAS 18001
Q6. What is the primary aim of ISO 45001?
A. To reduce financial losses
B. To ensure product quality
C. To reduce occupational injuries and illnesses ✅
D. To increase marketing reach
Q7. ISO 45001 replaces which previous OHS standard?
A. ISO 9001
B. ISO 14001
C. ISO 18000
D. OHSAS 18001 ✅
Q8. Is ISO 45001 certifiable?
A. No
B. Yes, only for manufacturers
C. Yes ✅
D. Only applicable to government bodies
Q9. What is a ‘risk’ as defined in ISO 45001?
A. A certain hazard
B. A guaranteed incident
C. Effect of uncertainty ✅
D. A job-related illness
Q10. Who is responsible for OHS performance in an organization?
A. Safety Officer
B. HR Department
C. Top Management ✅
D. Supervisors only
📘 Section B – ISO 45001 Clause-Based Questions
Q11. Clause 6 of ISO 45001 deals with:
A. Support
B. Leadership
C. Planning ✅
D. Improvement
Q12. ‘Documented Information’ is addressed in which clause?
A. Clause 4.4
B. Clause 7.5 ✅
C. Clause 6.1
D. Clause 10.2
Q13. What does Clause 4.1 cover?
A. Legal compliance
B. Emergency response
C. Understanding the organization and its context ✅
D. Objectives and planning
Q14. What does Clause 9.1 refer to?
A. Nonconformity
B. Monitoring, Measurement, Analysis and Evaluation ✅
C. Competence
D. Risk management
Q15. Clause 10 relates to:
A. Leadership
B. Planning
C. Improvement ✅
D. Performance evaluation
Q16. Communication is addressed in:
A. Clause 8.2
B. Clause 9.3
C. Clause 7.4 ✅
D. Clause 10.1
Q17. Clause 8.1 focuses on:
A. Strategic planning
B. Operational planning and control ✅
C. Resource allocation
D. Documentation management
Q18. Internal audit requirements are found in:
A. Clause 10.2
B. Clause 8.1
C. Clause 9.2 ✅
D. Clause 6.1
Q19. Hazard identification is part of which clause?
A. Clause 5.1
B. Clause 6.1.2 ✅
C. Clause 7.3
D. Clause 8.3
Q20. What is the clause number for Emergency Preparedness and Response?
A. Clause 7.2
B. Clause 6.1.1
C. Clause 9.3
D. Clause 8.2 ✅
Q21. Which clause refers to worker participation?
A. Clause 5.4
B. Clause 5.4 ✅
C. Clause 6.1
D. Clause 8.4
Q22. Context of the organization is in which clause?
A. Clause 7
B. Clause 8
C. Clause 4.1 ✅
D. Clause 9.1
Q23. Clause 5.1 addresses:
A. Leadership and commitment ✅
B. Planning
C. Operational control
D. Competency
Q24. What does clause 9.3 relate to?
A. Internal audit
B. Management review ✅
C. Non-conformity
D. Hazard assessment
Q25. Clause 6.2 focuses on:
A. Competency
B. OHS objectives and planning to achieve them ✅
C. Documentation
D. Emergency control
📘 Section C – Auditing Principles and Practices
Q26. The first step in the audit process is:
A. Reporting findings
B. Audit Planning ✅
C. Conducting interviews
D. Risk assessment
Q27. Which principle is NOT part of auditing?
A. Integrity
B. Evidence-based approach
C. Profitability ✅
D. Fair presentation
Q28. Auditors must remain:
A. Subjective
B. Objective and impartial ✅
C. Directive
D. Emotional
Q29. A major non-conformance is:
A. Minor deviation from documentation
B. Not relevant
C. Failure to meet a requirement affecting system effectiveness ✅
D. Administrative issue only
Q30. What is a closing meeting?
A. Team building session
B. Audit start briefing
C. Session to present audit findings ✅
D. Group discussion among auditors
Q31. What should an auditor do during the opening meeting?
A. Announce nonconformities
B. Confirm audit scope and objectives ✅
C. Start interviews
D. Review all records
Q32. Which type of audit evaluates suppliers?
A. Internal audit
B. Third-party audit
C. Surveillance audit
D. Second-party audit ✅
Q33. Sampling during audit means:
A. Skipping processes
B. Checking a selected portion of data ✅
C. Investigating every detail
D. Asking only open questions
Q34. An audit plan should include:
A. Only checklist
B. Budget and expenses
C. Scope, criteria, timing, team members ✅
D. Test answers
Q35. Root cause analysis is used for:
A. Training
B. Identifying underlying reason of a non-conformance ✅
C. Budget preparation
D. Planning resources
Q36. What is audit evidence?
A. Opinions of staff
B. Records, statements, and facts ✅
C. Speculations
D. Assumptions
Q37. What is audit scope?
A. Training program
B. Extent and boundaries of audit ✅
C. Checklists used
D. Audit team details
Q38. What is the role of an audit checklist?
A. Skip formalities
B. Guide conversations
C. Ensure all key areas are covered ✅
D. List workers’ names
Q39. What does competence mean in auditing?
A. Experience only
B. Knowledge, skills, and experience ✅
C. Only technical education
D. Age and tenure
Q40. Which ISO gives guidance on audit principles?
A. ISO 45001
B. ISO 9001
C. ISO 19011 ✅
D. ISO 31000
📘 Section D – Real-Life Scenario-Based Questions
Q41. During an audit, you observe that the fire exits in a manufacturing plant are blocked with raw material. What should be your response?
A. Ignore it if it’s temporary
B. Make a verbal suggestion to clear the area
C. Raise a major non-conformance ✅
D. Record it as an observation only
Q42. While interviewing a forklift operator, you find he has not received training in the past three years. Which clause of ISO 45001 is affected?
A. Clause 5.4 – Worker Participation
B. Clause 9.3 – Management Review
C. Clause 7.2 – Competence ✅
D. Clause 8.1 – Operational Planning
Q43. You notice that risk assessments haven’t been updated for several years. What’s the most appropriate action?
A. Consider it as minor
B. Recommend updating in the future
C. Raise a non-conformance under Clause 6.1.2 ✅
D. Leave it to be reviewed by top management
Q44. If an organization does not have documented emergency procedures, what issue should you raise?
A. Lack of awareness
B. Non-compliance with Clause 8.2 – Emergency Preparedness ✅
C. Poor planning
D. Communication failure
Q45. During an audit, the auditor finds that leadership is not aware of OHS objectives. Which clause is directly violated?
A. Clause 4.1
B. Clause 5.3 – Organizational Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities ✅
C. Clause 7.3
D. Clause 10.1
Q46. In a site visit, you discover that a contractor is not using PPE and there is no supervision. What should you do?
A. Ignore the issue
B. Warn the worker only
C. Raise a non-conformance under Clause 8.1 ✅
D. Inform the HR department
Q47. If documented information is not properly controlled or versioned, which clause does this violate?
A. Clause 6.1
B. Clause 9.1
C. Clause 7.5 – Documented Information ✅
D. Clause 10.2
Q48. An organization does not analyze trends in near-miss incidents. This reflects a gap in which clause?
A. Clause 8.3 – Management of Change
B. Clause 6.2 – OHS Objectives
C. Clause 9.1 – Monitoring, Measurement, Analysis and Evaluation ✅
D. Clause 10.3 – Continual Improvement
Q49. Management has never conducted a formal review of the OHSMS. Which clause is non-compliant?
A. Clause 7.3 – Awareness
B. Clause 5.1 – Leadership
C. Clause 9.3 – Management Review ✅
D. Clause 6.1.1 – Hazard Identification
Q50. You find multiple non-conformities but the organization has no system to manage them. Which clause applies?
A. Clause 7.4 – Communication
B. Clause 9.2 – Internal Audit
C. Clause 10.2 – Nonconformity and Corrective Action ✅
D. Clause 6.2 – Objectives and Planning
Mistakes to Avoid During the Exam
- Skipping ISO clause numbers
- Overlooking definitions and terms
- Ignoring audit evidence importance
Exam-Day Strategies
- Read questions twice
- Mark and review tough ones
- Use elimination for tricky MCQs
Additional Resources to Ace the Exam
- Books: “ISO 45001:2018 Explained” by IRCA, “Auditing for Dummies”
- Websites: ISO.org, IRCA.org
- Practice Tests: CQI IRCA mock tests, online MCQs
Conclusion
The ISO 45001 Lead Auditor Exam isn’t just a test — it’s a career milestone. With the right mindset, consistent practice, and a good grasp of the standard, you’ll pass with flying colors. Use these MCQs to sharpen your skills and understand real-world auditing better. Remember, confidence comes from preparation.
Top Interview Questions for Safety Officers in 2025 – With Sample Answers
Manufacturing Safety Questions and Answers
Oil & Gas Safety Questions and Answers
Construction Safety Questions and Answers
Shutdown Safety Officer Interview Questions and Answers
FAQs
Q1. Is the ISO 45001 Lead Auditor exam difficult?
A: It’s challenging but manageable with proper preparation and practice MCQs.
Q2. Can I take the exam online?
A: Yes, many certification bodies offer online options now.
Q3. How long is the certification valid?
A: Typically, the certificate is valid for 3 years with periodic refreshers.
Q4. Do I need prior auditing experience?
A: It’s recommended but not mandatory — training programs will guide you.
Q5. What if I fail the exam?
A: You can retake the exam after a waiting period, usually 7–30 days.
