Scope of the OH&S management system
Plain-language summary
Defining clearly what activities, sites, people and processes your safety system actually covers, in writing.
What the clause is really asking
The scope draws the boundary of your system so everyone, including auditors and workers, knows what is in and what is out. It must reflect your context, your interested parties, and the real work you do and control. The intent is honesty: you cannot quietly exclude a hazardous activity or a group of workers just because they are inconvenient.
What auditors look for
Auditors compare the written scope against what they see on the ground, looking for activities, areas or worker groups that have been left out. A favourite test is whether contractors, night shifts, off-site work or a hazardous process are genuinely covered. They check the scope is documented and available, not buried.
Typical evidence
Documented scope statement; site and process boundaries; organisational charts showing covered functions; certificate scope wording; map of included locations.
How to comply — recommendations
Write the scope to match reality, naming the sites, activities and worker groups covered, including shifts and contractors who do work under your control. Avoid carving out hazardous work to make life easier, as auditors look for exactly that. Keep the documented scope where staff and auditors can find it and revisit it when you add a line, site or major activity.
Common nonconformities
Hazardous activity or worker group excluded without justification; scope on paper does not match operations seen on site; contractors or temporary workers omitted; scope not documented or not available.
Related clauses
ISO 9001 4.3; ISO 14001 4.3
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