Health and Safety Auditing 4.3

Question 1

Why should health and safety management systems be audited?

Answer 1

• Confirms H&S systems in place are effective
• Ensure legal compliance
• Encourages management commitment

Question 2

What are some advantages of audits?

Answer 2

• Numerical/ranking systems easy to analyse
• Measures performance against a predetermined standard
• Easy to spot areas to improve

Question 3

What are the disadvantages of audits?

Answer 3

• Only infrequent or they can loose effectiveness
• Can get audit fatigue if too many
• Can look negative with a long list of areas to improve

Question 4

What are the differences between audits and inspections?

Answer 4

Length - A- Long I- Short
Report - A- Full I- Short
Who - A- Auditors I- Safety rep/supervisor
When - A- Infrequently I- Regularly
Resource - A- Considerable I- Little
Standards - A- Picks up standards that have already declined I- Picks up declining standards

Question 5

Advantages of internal audit

Answer 5

• Skilled member of the team
• less expense
• good awareness of practicability in industry

Question 6

Disadvantages of internal audits

Answer 6

• May not have experience in other areas
• May be subject to internal pressure
• Less likely to criticise management

Question 7

Advantages of external audit

Answer 7

• Fresh pair of eyes
• more experience from other industries
• Well trained/qualified
• More likely to criticise management

Question 8

Disadvantages of External audits

Answer 8

• Cost

- Auditor may not be familiar with workforce

Question 9

What are the stages of audits

Answer 9

• Notification and timetable
• Pre audit prep
• Info gathering
• Info analysis
• Audit report