OHS Auditing – A timely check

The new year is a good time to look at your auditing systems, and to keep your OHS systems on track reports SARAH ANDREW.

REGULAR maintenance programs exist for all mobile and fixed plant. These ensure the plant is running well and aim to prevent unplanned stoppages from occurring. The same theory applies to occupational health and safety (OHS) systems.

Now is an opportune time to ensure OHS systems are in place, current and being used. It is also a good chance to ensure control mechanisms are in safe working order, providing an insight into where further work is required.

Audits are a simple-to-use and formal means of doing this, determining the effectiveness of a system and identifying any strengths or weaknesses. They are readily applied to OHS management systems, ensuring they too are in top working condition.

TYPES OF AUDITS

There are several forms of audits with a varying degree of formality, training requirements and coverage. Th e various audits are suited to different applications, and it may be that a combination is best.

At the top level of auditing, your OHS systems may be certified to a recognised system such as SafetyMAP (a Victorian based OHS auditing system). These audits require structured, periodic audits that are conducted by skilled auditors who must meet particular criteria. It will look at systems and compliance to these systems.

A mid level audit would be one which looks at an overview of the site. It is oft en constructed internally giving consideration to specific compliance requirements the site has. The audit may be conducted internally and refer to the work conducted by others.

Areas that may be covered include:

• Employee health monitoring, including dust and noise exposure
• Emergency management systems, including ensuring fire management devices have been inspected, response systems are tested, and first aid devices are safe to use
• Periodic testing arrangements, including electrical installations, hand tools, lifting devices and plant testing
• Compliance to licensing obligations, including Work Plan or Planning Permit conditions

Hazard audits would be the least formal option utilised to assess a particular area or item. Th is type of audit has a narrow focus and looks at the effectiveness of policies and procedures in dealing with specific hazards.

It may for instance look at:

• Compliance with hot work/confined space/height permits and other OHS procedures
• The safety of a particular item of plant (i.e. crusher guarding)
• Ensuring the controls of a risk assessment are in place and in safe working order.

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