HSE audits are conducted to control working conditions and analyze the actual state of safety and hygiene regulations prevailing in a given workplace. These actions aim to prevent threats to the life and health of employees and improve their working comfort. Additionally, they involve a series of activities to check whether the marketing and technological strategies implemented by the company yield the expected results.
FAQ
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Despite legal regulations not explicitly indicating the obligation to conduct OHS audits, it is worthwhile to do so because we can achieve many benefits:
- We will verify whether individual processes are managed in accordance with legal regulations regarding safety and hygiene at work.
- We will check if, as an employer, we have the appropriate OHS documentation.
- The path to obtaining certification, for example, in the ISO 45001 scope, may be shorter and easier (we will map the regulations that apply to your company).
The regulations do not specify the frequency of OHS audits; however, we recommend that clients conduct an OHS audit by an external auditor at least once a year. Nevertheless, determining the quantity of audits depends on several factors, including the number of processes, departments in the company, the industry, accident rates, etc.
The duration of the audit is agreed upon with the client each time. From our experience, the quantity of audit days is particularly dependent on the size of the organization. For example:
- A facility with up to 100 employees in the service industry requires 1 audit day.
- A facility with 200 to 1000 employees in the manufacturing industry requires a minimum of 2 audit days.
The audit is conducted to compare the current state with requirements such as legal regulations or ISO standards like 45001, 14001, 9001.
The ultimate outcome of the audit should provide information about which processes in the organization are correct (depending on the adopted reference point) and which ones need improvement.
An audit conducted by an independent external expert often provides a fresh perspective on matters that may have been overlooked or not fully understood on how to address.
Here is an example of one of the audits conducted for a client:
In 2020, a fatal accident occurred involving an employee overseeing excavation work. Between 2020-2021, in addition to preparing post-accident documentation, the employer and management in the company were uncertain about the next steps in this case.
After the audit, various actions were taken, including:
- Compilation of a list of particularly hazardous tasks (also taking into account work in confined spaces),
- Specification of how supervision over the execution of particularly hazardous tasks should be conducted,
- Development of necessary instructions and procedures,
- Training of staff (considering the division into laborers, personnel directing employees, as well as engineering and technical positions),
- Provision of employees with appropriate equipment – personal and collective protective measures.
Result: a reduction in accidents by over half, employees reported hazardous incidents more frequently, and successful implementation of actions specified by the State Labour Inspectorate’s order.
The cost depends on:
- Scope and duration – specify the areas you would like to verify, e.g., workstations (and specify the sector: production/warehouse/services, etc.), as well as occupational health and safety documentation,
- Location – provide the planned audit location,
- Special requirements – for example, if you are preparing for ISO 45001, 14001 certification, or if you have specific tasks to complete after external inspections.
- a visit from an auditor with specific experience and education (e.g., required qualifications for a lead ISO 45001 auditor or fire protection inspector),
- preparation of an audit report that will provide suggestions for areas of improvement,
- ongoing contact and the possibility of telephone and email consultations (remember that you are not left alone with the report; we are here to help you!).
1.
Contact
The first step is to contact us by phone or email
2.
Conversation
The second step is to understand the client’s needs and propose conditions
3.
Conversation
The second step is to understand the client’s needs and propose conditions
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What is an OHS audit and why is it so important?
An OHS audit refers to the documented and independent process of obtaining an objective opinion and assessment of compliance with occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations. The primary criteria for such an evaluation are the Polish legal requirements related to labor law, in accordance with the Act of June 26, 1974, and the Labor Code (Journal of Laws of 1998, No. 21, item 94, as amended).
Additionally, OHS regulations impose a range of obligations and recommendations on employers. Failure to fulfill these obligations may result in various irregularities and financial penalties. In the event of any incident within the business premises that causes harm to an employee, the employer may incur financial losses as well as criminal liability and post-accident claims.
Therefore, conducting an OHS audit in a company is crucial. If your company is seeking professionals who approach their work in this area with passion, EHS Consulting will conduct a professional OHS audit in Warsaw or any other city, ensuring your company operates in compliance with prevailing regulations and meets all safety standards.
Why is it called a systematic, independent, and documented OHS audit?
This is because, to achieve the intended results, the verification of the state of occupational safety should occur regularly and in accordance with an established audit plan. Another essential factor is objectivity—every auditor should contribute, through advisory and verifying actions, values that legally fulfill the correct state of working conditions and individual worker protection within the organization. A well-conducted OHS audit in a workplace also requires a structured assessment of processes, which, to present audit evidence effectively, is presented in the form of patterns, checklists, or internal organization regulations such as procedures and work policies.
An OHS audit in a company is not the same as OHS inspection!
Internal audits assessing risk and OHS status should not be confused with OHS inspections!
The aim of such an activity is to define all discrepancies and causes of unfavorable phenomena, problems, and report any irregularities that could lead to undesirable situations, such as workplace accidents. Additionally, it may act preventively by indicating risks related to the work environment, fire protection, machine and equipment handling, and the use of personal protective equipment.
On the other hand, OHS inspection is an activity carried out by the state labor inspectorate, with results often addressing symptoms of undesirable phenomena prevalent in a company. During such inspections, poor OHS conditions are identified, and the person responsible for the undesirable situation is identified, with subsequent imposition of punitive sanctions.
The role of an OHS audit is to determine the state of occupational safety and health, and then strive for continuous improvement and implementation of all legal regulations in a given company.
What is the scope of OHS and fire protection audits?
All control activities in the field of occupational safety and fire protection aim to meet all legal regulations contained in the Labor Code and regulations related to occupational safety, such as the Regulation of the Minister of Labor and Social Policy of September 26, 1997, on general occupational safety and hygiene rules.
The review of OHS and fire protection documentation includes, among others:
- Work regulations;
- OHS training;
- Occupational risk assessment;
- Environmental working conditions;
- First aid system;
- Adaptation of workstations in the workplace;
- Adaptation of work processes;
- Employee examinations;
- Fire protection;
- Adaptation of sanitary rooms;
- Accident and occupational disease registers;
- Principles of managing personal protective equipment;
- List of particularly dangerous works;
- Environmental test results;
- Machine and equipment efficiency—inspection reports and instructions;
- Presence of harmful, hazardous, and burdensome factors;
- Building and facility inspection protocols;
- Fire safety instructions;
- Reports on conducted evacuation drills;
- Reports on the inspection of portable fire protection equipment and hydrants.
During the OHS audit, attention is paid to the working conditions prevailing in the company, the employees’ knowledge of applicable procedures (safety and hygiene training and thematic training), the appearance of the workplace, and the assessment of working conditions in terms of safety in the company. A properly conducted occupational risk assessment, audit of the OHS state, and updating of applicable procedures in areas such as machine and equipment use play a significant role.
How to conduct an OHS audit in Warsaw?
To achieve the intended goals and results, every audit, including occupational safety, should be conducted by a person with the appropriate knowledge and experience.
In EHS Consulting, we collaborate with a large group of OHS and fire protection specialists who approach their tasks with passion and professionalism. We will conduct a professional OHS audit for you in Warsaw and the surrounding areas, delivering a detailed internal audit report and an assessment of safety and health. At EHS Consulting, we provide advisory services to organizations aiming for ever-improving results. Choose professional OHS services in Warsaw.