This session will focus on techniques to help auditors get more practical value while conducting audits of management systems based on ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. The presenter will review basic good auditing principles, look at some suggestions on setting up an internal audit program, and discuss the use of a systematic method to estimate the amount of time needed to complete an effective audit. The presentation will then go into some tips on ways to plan and prepare for audits to make the best use of allocated audit time, and will finish with recommendations on how to write findings that focus specifically on gaps in system process effectiveness.

Rick Gehrke has 25 years of experience in environmental, health, and safety with work in diverse industries, including food production, automotive and aerospace manufacturing, government and defense, electric power generation, chemicals, and more. He is a veteran EHS consultant, auditor, and trainer. Prior to joining Intertek Alchemy, he worked for Intertek as green services associate program manager. Rick is an Exemplar Global-certified management systems lead auditor with experience in ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001, LEED green building certification, business development, and certification program management. He is a U.S. Air Force airborne operations veteran.

In this session, the presenter will discuss the initial idea, evolution, and development of the new international standard for occupational health and safety performance evaluation. This standard provides guidance to help measure all the positive things a business does to maintain effective OH&S performance. The presenter will also provide an update on all the other international occupational health and safety management standards that are under development by ISO/TC 283.

David Solomon has worked in the building and construction industry for more than 32 years. He is the Master Builders Association of NSW executive officer of safety and risk as well as a fellow and dual international ISQEM Safety Award Distinction recipient (2015 and 2016) for his commitment and involvement in developing a positive safety culture in the building and construction industry. David was recently appointed to the board as an international director of ISQEM. David is recognized as a standards expert who is the chairman of Standards Australia’s Occupational Health and Safety Management Committee, and Standards Australia’s ISO 45001 international head of delegation. He is the convenor of ISO/TC 283/WG 4 leading the working group responsible for the development of a new standard ISO 45004, “OH&S Performance Evaluation,” which is intended to complement ISO 45001. David is a director on the board of the Crane Council of Australia as well as an Exemplar Global-certified management systems specialist (lead), a master OH&S auditor, and their ISO 45001 exam and scheme chairman. He is also the chairman of PwC’s External Advisory Board for their certification accreditation body. He regularly reviews documentation for Australian state and national government departments, including auditing, safety, and transport for relevance, corporate governance, and compliance.