Last Updated on December 24, 2025 by Melissa Lazaro

Understanding ISO 45001 Clause 7 Support Requirements

Here’s what I’ve noticed after sitting through countless ISO 45001 audits:
Clause 7 is where good systems quietly succeed—or quietly fail.

Not because people don’t care about safety.
But because support elements are often assumed instead of managed.

Many organizations believe:

• Training equals competence
• Emails equal communication
• Existing staff equals sufficient resources

Auditors don’t see it that way.

Clause 7 exists to make sure your OH&S system is actually supported—by people, skills, communication, and information. In this article, I’ll break down each part in plain language and show you how auditors check it in the real world.

ISO 45001 Clause 7.1 – Resources for the OH&S Management System

Clause 7.1 asks a simple question:
Do you have what you need to run your OH&S system effectively?

Resources include:

• People and time
• Equipment and infrastructure
• Financial support
• External expertise, where needed

Auditors don’t expect unlimited budgets.
They expect evidence that risks are adequately resourced.

Pro tip:
If a control exists on paper but no one has time to implement it, auditors will question resource adequacy.

Common mistake:
Assuming resources are “obvious” and don’t need to be demonstrated. During audits, gaps often appear when staff are overstretched or equipment is outdated.

In strong systems, resource decisions clearly reflect OH&S priorities—not just operational convenience.

ISO 45001 Clause 7.2 – Competence of Workers Affecting OH&S

Competence is more than attending training.

Clause 7.2 requires you to ensure workers can perform tasks safely based on:

• Education
• Training
• Skills
• Experience

Competence must be linked to hazards and risks.
High-risk tasks require higher assurance.

Pro tip:
Use risk assessments to define competence requirements. That keeps training relevant and defensible.

Common mistake:
Relying on training records alone. Auditors often test competence by asking workers to explain what they do and why controls exist.

In my experience, competence gaps usually show up during interviews—not document reviews.

ISO 45001 Clause 7.3 – Awareness Requirements

Awareness is about understanding—not memorization.

Workers must be aware of:

• The OH&S policy
• Risks related to their work
• Their role in the OH&S system
• Consequences of not following procedures

This doesn’t require formal testing.
It requires consistency.

Pro tip:
If workers can explain safety expectations in their own words, awareness is usually sufficient.

Common mistake:
Assuming awareness because information was once communicated. Auditors often ask simple questions—and inconsistent answers raise concerns.

In effective systems, awareness feels natural. People understand why controls exist, not just that they exist.

ISO 45001 Clause 7.4 – Communication (Internal & External)

Clause 7.4 focuses on how information flows.

You’re expected to determine:

• What needs to be communicated
• When communication is needed
• Who should receive it
• How feedback is captured

Communication must work both ways.

Pro tip:
Two-way communication is easier to demonstrate than one-way announcements.

Common mistake:
Treating communication as sending information only. Auditors often ask how worker concerns are raised and addressed.

In real audits, communication weaknesses usually surface after incidents—when people say they didn’t know or weren’t informed.

ISO 45001 Clause 7.5 – Documented Information

Clause 7.5 isn’t about creating more documents.
It’s about controlling the right ones.

You must ensure documented information is:

• Available where needed
• Up to date
• Controlled to prevent unintended use
• Protected from loss or damage

Auditors sample documents to see whether they reflect reality.

Pro tip:
If documents are too complex to use, they won’t support safety.

Common mistake:
Over-documenting. Too many procedures often confuse workers and weaken system effectiveness.

Strong systems keep documentation lean, current, and practical.

Linking Clause 7 Support to Planning & Operational Control

Clause 7 doesn’t stand alone.

Resources, competence, communication, and documentation directly support:

• Clause 6 planning
• Clause 8 operational control
• Clause 9 performance evaluation

If support is weak, controls fail—even if planning looks good on paper.

Pro tip:
When incidents occur, auditors trace them back to support gaps—training, communication, or resources.

Common mistake:
Treating Clause 7 as administrative. In reality, it’s what keeps the system alive.

In effective systems, support mechanisms adapt as risks and operations change.

FAQs – ISO 45001 Clause 7 Resources, Competence & Communication

How much training is required for ISO 45001?
There’s no fixed amount. Training should be proportional to risk and task complexity.

Is documented information mandatory for every Clause 7 requirement?
No. Some elements must be documented, others only demonstrated. The key is consistency and evidence.

Can lack of competence lead to major nonconformities?
Yes. I’ve seen major findings raised when workers performing high-risk tasks lacked verified competence.

Conclusion – Getting ISO 45001 Clause 7 Support Right

Clause 7 is what turns your OH&S system from intent into action.

When support is effective:

• People know what to do
• Risks are controlled properly
• Communication flows naturally
• Audits feel straightforward

When support is weak, even good plans fail.

If there’s one takeaway, it’s this:
An OH&S system is only as strong as the support behind it.

Next step:
Review whether your resources, competence, communication, and documentation truly support safe work. If they don’t, that’s where improvement should start.