Audits -Uncovering Hidden Dangers
Whilst there is no specific regulation requiring safety audits, all businesses have a general duty to provide a safe workplace, and safety audits are an excellent method of demonstrating and testing this obligation.
A safety audit confirms appropriate systems are in place to identify and control health and safety risks, and whether they are widely understood and followed.
Safety audits:
• Provide information on the status of your safety program.
• Should provide clear practical recommendations for addressing identified deficiencies.
• Assist with continuous improvement.
• Contribute to satisfying due diligence for both managers and the organisation.
What Standard to Use?
People ask us, “What standard should we use to assess our system?” There numerous options exist, including: AS/ IS0 45,001, AS4801, National Audit Tool, SafetyMap and company specific audit tools.
When deciding what tool to use, consider what your objectives are. For example, strict compliance, commercial advantage, contractual or customer requirements, or continual improvement of your system.
Regardless of which standard you decide to use, your system needs:
• All procedures documented and centrally filed e.g., master copy.
• Procedures communicated to all, and relevant personnel trained in their use.
• A process to manage changes; and
• Systems integrated into existing business practices in each department.
• Periodic reviews.
What is Safety Certification?
A safety certification audits are conducted by specialist auditors who assess compliance with all mandatory elements before issuing the certificate. These audits are conducted to set audit criteria (e.g., the ISO AS45,001), and the company must satisfy all key items to achieve certification.
Certification is a requirement for self-insured companies and some business ventures. However, certification audits will not necessarily assist your business in moving beyond the certification requirements as they are very prescriptive and rarely identify best practice.
Timing and Frequency of Audits:
Internal audits (conducted by your safety team) aim to assess effectiveness and adherence to your own systems. We recommend you conduct these annually.
External audits (usually conducted by an independent specialist) to challenge existing standards and compliance and offer ideas for improved strategic direction and best practice. Independent audits are recommended every 3 to 5 years based on your business risk level.
An audit program may include one or more reviews, depending on the size and complexity of the organisation and chosen scope. A full certification audit typically takes over a week or more whilst sampling compliance of your systems and your key needs can typically be completed in a single day for one site.
Where your company has various sites, you will need to schedule audits assess each location, over an appropriate period of time, ensuring that you obtain a good representative sample of sites, annually.
What to Look for in an Auditor
Auditor’s essential skills:
• Thorough comprehensive knowledge about applicable legislation and standards, including the required audit tool.
• Diplomatic, and able to communicate with persons in various positions, circumstances, and situations.
• Adaptable and flexible to working in a way which suits your people, business and any changes that may occur.
If you are having difficulty developing your safety system or don’t know where your opportunities for improvement lie, the Safety Action team are highly experienced in conducting independent audits and we can help you. Contact us on 03 8544 4300 or email.
