WHY IS A HSE AUDIT SYSTEMATIC?
In order to achieve the intended results, work safety should be verified on a regular basis, in line with the adopted audit plan.
WHY IS A HSE AUDIT INDEPENDENT?
The main feature of a good auditor is objectivity through advisory and verification activities aimed at improving the organisation’s operations and adding value to it.
WHY IS A HEALTH AND SAFETY AUDIT DOCUMENTED?
The results of a structured process evaluation should be presented. Certain standards, benchmarks, checklists, legal provisions, norms or the organisation’s internal regulations (policies, procedures) are presented in order to present the audit evidence reliably.
A HEALTH AND SAFETY AUDIT IN A COMPANY IS NOT THE SAME AS A HEALTH AND SAFETY AUDIT!
A health and safety audit in a company should not be confused with a health and safety inspection!
The aim of conducting an audit is to define the cause of an unfavourable phenomenon or problem, which means that we diagnose irregularities before an undesirable situation occurs, e.g. an accident at work. A health and safety audit in a company may have a preventive effect by indicating the risk connected with a given hazard. The result we aim at is improving the effectiveness of actions in an organisation.
On the other hand, we often associate a HSE inspection with an inspection of authorities supervising work safety, e.g. the National Labour Inspectorate. Usually, such inspections are the result of a response to symptoms of an undesirable phenomenon. During the inspection, irregularities are identified and the person responsible for the undesirable phenomenon is found.
When carrying out a health and safety audit in a company, it is not about identifying the “culprit”. The audit focuses on determining the cause of phenomena and strives for continuous improvement of processes and, consequently, of the whole enterprise.
ROLE OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AUDIT
The aim of conducting an audit is to define the cause of unfavourable phenomena, problems, which means that we diagnose irregularities before an undesirable situation occurs, e.g. an accident at work. A HSE audit at a workplace may act as a preventive measure by indicating the risks connected with a given hazard. The result we aim at is improving the effectiveness of actions in an organisation.
ROLE OF HSE AUDITS
On the other hand, we often associate a HSE inspection with an inspection of authorities supervising work safety, e.g. the State Labour Inspectorate. Usually such inspections are a result of responding to symptoms of occurrence of an undesirable phenomenon. During the inspection, irregularities are identified and the person responsible for the undesirable phenomenon is found.
When conducting a health and safety audit in a company, it is not about identifying the “culprit”. During the audit, the emphasis is placed on determining the cause of phenomena and striving for continuous improvement of processes, and thus, of the entire enterprise.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY AND FIRE PROTECTION AUDIT
The audit in the area of work safety and fire protection is aimed at meeting the legal regulations contained primarily in the Labour Code, but also in regulations related to the area of work safety, such as the regulation of the Minister of Labour and Social Policy of 26 September 1997 on general regulations of work safety and hygiene.
The scope of the review of health, safety and fire protection documentation includes, among others:
- work regulations,
- occupational health and safety training courses (time limits),
- occupational risk assessment,
- working environment conditions,
- first aid system,
- adaptation of workstations in the workplace,
- adaptation of work processes,
- employee health checks,
- fire protection,
- adaptation of sanitary facilities,
- records of accidents at work and occupational diseases,
- principles of managing personal protective equipment,
- list of particularly hazardous work,
- results of environmental tests,
- the efficiency of machinery and equipment – inspection reports and instructions,
- occurrence of harmful, hazardous and onerous factors,
- inspection protocols of the building, facility,
- fire safety instructions,
- test evacuation reports,
- inspection reports on hand-held fire-fighting equipment and hydrants.
During the audit, attention is paid to work processes, employees’ knowledge of the procedures in force (occupational health and safety training and thematic training). An important role is played by a reliably conducted risk assessment, occupational health and safety audit, updating of procedures in force, e.g. with regard to the use of machines and equipment.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY AUDIT IN WARSAW – USE EHS CONSULTING SERVICES
In order to achieve the intended results, each audit, also the one in the field of occupational safety, should be conducted by a person with adequate knowledge and experience.
If you are looking for specialists in occupational health and safety and fire protection who are passionate about their tasks – you have come to the right place. We will carry out a professional audit for you and then provide you with an internal audit report on occupational health and safety in Warsaw and the surrounding area.
At EHS Consulting, we provide consultancy to those organisations that are striving to achieve better results.
We will be happy to carry out health and safety audits in Warsaw or any other city! What is the price for OHS audit in Warsaw in our office? Check our price list.