How to Prepare for an IS-BAO Audit
- jcox41
- Apr 24
- 1 min read

Preparing for an IS-BAO audit requires more than documentation—it demands a fully functioning Safety Management System (SMS) and a culture of operational discipline.
Key Steps for IS-BAO Audit Preparation
1. Conduct a Gap Analysis
Evaluate current operations against IS-BAO standards to identify deficiencies.
2. Strengthen Your SMS
Ensure policies, procedures, and reporting systems are fully implemented—not just documented.
3. Organize Documentation
Manuals and SOPs
Training records
Safety reports and corrective actions
4. Train Your Team
Personnel should understand procedures and be able to demonstrate them during the audit.
5. Perform a Pre-Audit
A third-party audit can identify issues before the official review.
Common Pitfalls
Incomplete documentation
Weak safety reporting culture
Lack of staff readiness
Safety Operating Systems provides audit preparation and pre-audit services to ensure a successful IS-BAO certification. Learn more here.


