Safety Audits A good health and safety record is a competitive advantage and a reflection of management strength. By auditing current performance, informed decisions can be made, actions prioritised and resources allocated. Furthermore, regular audits of safety performance will lead to a culture of continuous improvement. Why should employers be interested in safety auditing? Senior managers and directors with responsibility for setting and reviewing health and safety policy and for providing resources for achievement of such policy. An audit is defined by the HSE as: “The structured process of collecting independent information on the efficiency, effectiveness and reliability of the total safety management system and drawing up plans for corrective action.” HSE. To identify the most effective way to bring about improvement in the management of health and safety within an organisation, it is important to know the starting point. Strengths and weaknesses will be identified and appropriate solutions to promote improvement can be devised. The principle of auditing has been established for a long time in both financial management and quality assurance. The importance of audit as a tool in safety management was recognised by Desmond Fennel, QC, who, in his report on the King’s Cross disaster, stated: “It is essential that a system should be devised whereby safety of operation can be the subject of audit in the same way as efficiency and economy. If the internal audit has become a yardstick by which financial performance is measured only by such a tool can the board, and hence the general public be satisfied that all aspects of safety are maintained at the right level.” The pattern of health and safety legislation is quite clear since the introduction of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations in 1992, amended in 1999. Employers are required to create safety management systems which need to be supported by documented procedures if they are to be effective. To test how effective the system is a thorough audit has to be conducted. Effective and efficient management of an employer’s legal obligations will ensure that valuable resources are not wasted on the wrong solutions and ensure that legal compliance can be achieved. RoSPA is ideally placed at the forefront of safety and currently sits on the panel advising on the proposed new ISO 450001 standard. 68 Telephone +44 (0)121 248 2233 Email training@rospa.com Visit www.rospa.com
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