UNDERSTANDING AUDITING

5 common pitfalls in auditing an Integrated Management System

If you’re responsible for managing audits across quality, safety and environmental systems, you already know how complex it can get. Each standard has its own requirements, and with limited time or support, it’s easy to feel like you’re just trying to keep up.

Add the pressure of external audits or certification renewals, and it’s no wonder internal audits often become a box ticking exercise. But when integrated audits are done well, they offer valuable insights into how systems support each other and where improvements are possible.

Here are five common pitfalls to watch for when auditing an integrated management system, and what works better in practice.

1. Auditing each standard separately

What often happens:

Auditors treat the ISO standards as three independent audits, running separate checklists for quality, environment and safety.

What works better:

Start with the shared structure of the standards. ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 all follow the Annex SL framework. This makes it possible to audit topics like leadership, planning and performance in a single conversation. It saves time and reveals more about how the system works together.

2. Overlooking process interactions

What often happens:

Each part of the system is audited in isolation, without considering how they overlap.

What works better:

Many key business processes impact all three systems. Procurement, onboarding, training, contractor management and emergency planning are just a few. When auditing an IMS, it helps to look at where these interactions occur and whether they’re aligned.

3. Focusing too much on documentation

What often happens:

The audit focuses on whether policies and procedures exist and meet the clause wording.

What works better:

Documentation is important, but it’s only part of the picture. Strong integrated audits also test how systems are used, ensuring they are also effective. That means talking to the people doing the work and observing how processes are applied.

4. Interviewing only HSEQ staff

What often happens:

The audit conversations happen mostly with managers or compliance leads.

What works better:

The more perspectives you include, the better. Talk to warehouse staff, site supervisors, field teams and others directly using the system. These conversations often reveal hidden issues or practical strengths that documentation alone can’t show.

5. Reporting issues without linking them to system performance

What often happens:

Audit findings are listed without clearly showing why they matter.

What works better:

A finding is more powerful when it includes the impact. Does it create safety risk? Reduce environmental performance? Affect customer satisfaction? Linking issues to outcomes helps organisations take action and improve.

These kinds of insights are a focus in our Integrated Management Systems Lead Auditor course, where participants learn how to plan, lead and report on integrated audits across ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001. The course uses real audit scenarios to build confidence and practical skill.

Upcoming course dates are listed on our training page for those looking to formalise their auditor credentials this year.

Why train with us?

Auditor Training Co is powered by Southpac International Group, with over 20 years as management systems specialists in aviation and other high risk industries. Our auditor training offering has developed as a result of understanding the components of both developing effective management systems for countless organisations, and providing third party auditing of management systems as a JAS-ANZ accredited certification body. Our courses are certified by Exemplar Global and are facilitated by some of the industry’s most experienced trainers with auditing backgrounds.

We offer comprehensive training courses for various auditing roles, from those looking to specialise in auditing Integrated Management Systems of Quality, Safety and Environment, to those wanting to learn the skills to conduct effective internal audits or external, third-party audits.

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