edpManagement Systems
for Health Safety + Environment
health, safety and environment consultants
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Audit and Review
Sustained Health and Safety
HSG 65
The focus of an audit is more on the arrangements you have in place rather than how well they are being practiced.
However, practical aspects are not ignored, since the audit examines how well information is being communicated and determines how familiar members of staff are with the arrangements and procedures.
HSG 65 defines an audit as:
"The structured process of collecting independent information on the efficiency, effectiveness and reliability of the total health and safety management system and drawing up plans for corrective action"
The rationale for this approach is that it ensures a sound foundation/infrastructure is in place for health and safety and that it continues to be up-to-date with legislation and with changes in the organisation and its activities.
The audit begins with an examination of all health and safety documentation and records. This is followed by interviews (or questionnaires) with a representative group of employees from across the organisation.
To ensure an objective view, the audit is normally conducted by an external body.
OHSAS 18001
Your organisation needs an audit programme and procedures for periodic Occupational Health and Safety Management System audits to be carried out.
The objective is to determine whether or not your Management System:
- Conforms to planned arrangements for Occupational Health and Safety Management, including the requirements of the OHSAS specification.
- Has been properly implemented and maintained.
- Is effective in meeting your organisation's policy and objectives.
The audit should:
- Review the results of previous audits.
- Provide information to management on the results of audits.
The audit programme, including any schedule, should be based on the results of risk assessments of your organisation's activities and the results of previous audits.
The audit procedures should cover the scope, frequency, methodologies and competencies, as well as the responsibilities and requirements for conducting audits and reporting results.
Wherever possible, audits should be conducted by personnel independent of those having direct responsibility for the activity being examined.
As part of the audit programme (and at intervals determined by themselves) your organisation's top management should review your Occupational Health and Safety Management System to ensure its ongoing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness.
The management review process should ensure appropriate information is collected to allow management to carry out this evaluation and the review should be documented.
The management review should address the possible need for changes to policy, objectives and other elements of the Occupational Health and Safety Management System, in the light of audit results, changing circumstances and your commitment to continual improvement.