Safety auditing is defined as the
systematic measurement and validation of
an organisation's management of its
health and safety programme against a
series of specific and attainable
standards.
An audit must validate the effectiveness
of the health and safety policy and to
maintain and improve upon standards
within the organisation.
The standards against which performance
is measured may simply be those laid
down in regulations made under the
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Increasingly, however, health and safety
performance will be judged by
progressive organisations against their
own internal policies that have been
designed to aspire to excellence.
Audits can be carried out by in-house
personnel or by external consultants.
Each method has its own advantages and
disadvantages. In-house personnel will
be more familiar with the tasks and are,
therefore, better equipped to make any
subjective judgments. They will also
have greater insight into the way that
procedures and systems function within
the organisation. External auditors will
be less able to appreciate the nuances
and subtle points but have complete
impartiality and independence and will
be more conversant with auditing
practice.
Areas requiring audits:
- accident reporting and
investigation;
- cleaning and waste disposal;
- control of contractors;
- display screen equipment;
- electrical safety;
- emergency lighting;
- fire prevention;
- first aid;
- hazardous substances;
- health surveillance;
- hearing conservation;
- housekeeping;
- information and
communication;
- kitchens and catering;
- lifts and lifting equipment;
- manual handling operations;
- plant rooms and machinery;
- personal protective
equipment;
- risk assessment
requirements;
- roof and curtilage;
- safety signs;
- safety training;
- use of vehicles;
- ventilation and air
conditioning;
- welfare provision;
- work environment.
Once the results have been circulated,
an action plan should be drawn up. This
must address the identified areas of
weakness and should include a procedure
that allows progress to be monitored.
What
is employers-solicitors ?