An Audit of Safety Management System Elements

Occupational Health and Safety Management System 

Basically, Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS) are viewed as an arrangement that combines and surveys the overall administration actions in a firm. Therefore, OHSMS is perceivably an explicit system of elements that play some very crucial roles of joining forces as well as coordination of processes so as to make sure that the overall reinforcement process is substantial and the security in process execution is guaranteed. In affirming this, Robson et al. (2007) purport that OHSMS are crucial in that they help create a working environment with settings that obligate the pertinent company to ensure they are accountable in terms of enhanced health and safety (OHS). As such, the obligations to the company involves making sure that there are coordinated administration frameworks that act as critical impromptu remedies and structures.

From this point of analysis, OHSMS is viewed to have undergone various changes over the past few decades; more so, in Australian companies and alternative created economies. Apparently, this has been made possible by the fact that the overall development process is associated with various operational varied variables. For example, a critical analysis of how OHSMS has been embraced in different operational areas shows that it is seen as blemished administration strategies. Arguing from this perspective, OHSMS is evidently founded on the idea of being focused on OHS. Hence, OHSMS is important in demonstrating the connection that exists between quality administration and ceaseless changes; specifically, in understanding increased business intensity. What this means is that if OHSMS is critically analyzed, then it is seen to be more focused on the aspects of Total Quality Management (TQM). This supposition is evident in that OHSMS is associated with doubtless involvement with new applications that improve security cognizance.

Occupational Health and Safety Policy 

Based on the idea of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS), occupational health and safety policies in the organization were evaluated from the approach where the focus was on how the company made it all possible. For example, from the perspective of whether the organization has documented safety and health policies, it was evidently clear that it had them, and they were categorically world class. The objective evidence for this was that safety and health policy documents were found.

Responsibility and Authority 

The issue of responsibility and authority in the organization was evaluated based on whether the Chief Executive or their designate had signed off the safety and health policies. The answer to this is yes and in a world-class manner as they observed the OHS performance. The objective evidence in this was that signatures on the same were found in the relevant documents. Secondly, there was also an evaluation based on the integration of safety and health policies in the organization’s strategic plans. Apparently, the incorporation was world class, and this was apparent in that there were plan reports regarding the same. The third point of evaluation of this was based on the idea of whether employees, supervisors, and managers were fully aware of their responsibility in safety and health. From the evidence of structural reports, it was evident that they were aware and in a way that they could be categorized as world class because they observed OHS performance.

Employee Participation 

With the evaluation of employees’ participation, several factors were considered, one of them being whether all the workers have access to safety and health training. The organization made sure that all employees were trained and in a world-class manner, and this was evident in that every employee had trainee certificates on the same. Second, in the evaluation of whether the workers were aware of their duties, there was the evaluation of whether they attended these safety and health training. From the witness statements from various workers, this could be categorized as significant non-conformances exist; meaning that it needed more focus. Next was the evaluation of whether there is training needs analysis for all employees, and the answer was yes, and the organization did so in a world-class way; though no objective evidence was found on this. In the employees’ involvement, the question of whether management ensured that the implementation of the training program was substantial was also perceived to be crucial, and the answer to this was yes. The organization’s world-class approach to this was obvious in its company policies. Finally, there was the question of whether all training records are maintained, and the answer was yes and in a way that OHS performance was observed, and this was found in the company’s database.

Review Process, Assessment, and Prioritization 

In assessing assessment, prioritization, and review processes, the first question was whether the organization had formal methods that allowed for its periodical review of its safety and health management systems and the answer was yes, even though no objective evidence was found. On the same note, there was the assessment of whether the company’s review processes was comprehensive in covering the key elements particular to safety and health management systems. The answer was yes, but in a significant nonconformance exist manner, and the objective evidence was that the review report was found. The third most crucial approach was whether the review processes were documented. The answer was yes and categorically as world class, which was evident in the company’s review report.

Risk Assessment 

Risk assessment was approached in a way that there was the question of whether there were adequate systems that allowed the company to carry out hazard identification and risk evaluations. Apparently, evidence from the risk analysis report showed that there were adequate systems in place, and they were world class type. The employees also need to be involved in the risk assessment, which is why the focus were also on whether there were designated employees trained to make sure they carry out a risk assessment and hazard identification. Based on the objective evidence of training center certificates, it was irrefutably clear that the answer was yes and in ways that OHS performance was observed. To further understand this, there was the question of whether employees had been consulted in the overall risk assessment process. The answer to this was yes and strongly, though there was no objective evidence to confirm that. Finally, the focus was on whether management had a thorough understanding of some of the possible hazards in the workplace, and the answer was yes. The company acted in a world-class manner, and the objective evidence for this was the various hazard charts found in various areas.

Hierarchy of Controls 

The issue with hierarchy controls focused on the primary concept of whether the organizational charts clearly indicated the roles and responsibilities of every employee. From the objective evidence of organizational structure documents, the answer was yes and in a world-class manner.

Design Review 

In assessing design reviews, the primary focus was on the company’s ability to provide safety reviews that involved the designing and prevention through outlined concepts and procedures. The answer to this was that the company had everything planned and strongly, as shown in the general checklists.

Management of Change (MOC) 

The evaluation of change management in the organization first focused on whether MOC effectiveness was considered in the company’s recent job performance assessments. The answer to this was that the company did so but moderately and there was no objective evidence to confirm that. Another crucial approach in the management of change was whether the newly recruited personnel received MOC training, and the answer was yes and in a world-class manner that ensured that OHS performance was observed. Objective evidence for this was in the training certificates in MOC.

Procurement 

In procurement, the analysis questioned whether the institution ensured that there was an appropriate assessment of needs. The objective evidence of an assessment report showed that the company made sure of this and in ways that it was categorically a world class. Secondly, was the issue of whether the procurement procedures helped the company provide value for its money and the answer was yes and in a world-class manner. The comparative cost charts were the objective evidence found in regards to this assessment.

Monitoring and Measurement 

The evaluation of monitoring and measurement questioned whether the company’s machines and instruments were normally tested before they could be used. Apparently, the answer was yes, and this was done the world-class way, as it was seen in the found test reports. Further assessment was on the issue of having all the measurements recorded for future reference and the answer to this was yes and in a way that OHS performance was maintained as shown in the recorded documents.

Incident Investigation 

In the incident investigation, the audit was first focused on the company’s procedures for immediate investigations. As of this approach, it was clear that the organization had appropriate procedures, which were categorically moderate, as shown in the documented procedure sheets. The second was the question of the company having designated investigating personnel and whether they are adequately trained. The answer to this is that the company trains its designated investigating employees in world-class design, as shown in the objective evidence of training certificates. Finally, the other addressed issue therein was having a proper record of incidents and availability of these reports. A critical investigation of this showed that the company reports the various incidents as documented in the objective evidence of incident reports.

Audits 

Does the company have trained and competent employees that can comprehensively carry internal audits? This was the posed question on the company’s audit process, and the answer was yes, and it does so in a world-class manner, and this was evident in the found training certificates. Additional to the issue of whether the workers are competent, analysis of this concept confirmed that the company exceptionally ensures that OHS performance is maintained as the people responsible for the audit process are professionals. Evidence for this was the workers’ experience certificates and their degrees. In overall, does the audit process involve recording the necessary information, and the answer was yes and according to world-class standards. This was found in the audit reports.

Corrective and Preventive Actions 

In terms of corrective and preventive actions, posed questions addressed matters regarding whether the results of the audit were conveyed to the senior managers and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that corrective actions were substantial. Evidently, the company had everything in place, and it did so strongly, though there was no objective evidence to support this supposition. Next, was the analysis of whether the company has strategies that enhances the implementation of corrective actions, and the answer was world class yes, as shown in the found action reports. Finally, did the company have preventative measures that could help it address previous cases of non-conformity? The answer to the question was that it moderately had specific strategies in place, and this was documented in preventative action reports.

Feedback to the Planning Process 

On matters relating to feedback regarding the planning process, the analysis process questioned the company’s ability to have a timely generation of daily reports. The answer was world class yes as the documentation process involved making sure that the feedback report was accurately dated. Thus, does the company have a proper feedback system, and the answer is strongly yes, and the objective evidence in it was found in the feedback comments.

Management Review 

Final audit process evaluated the company’s overall management review. To exhaust this, there was the question of whether the review meetings were documented and whether the management statement also included review mechanisms. For the first question, the answer was that the company was doing it in a world-class manner, and the objective evidence was in the review reports. On the second question, the answer was strongly yes, though there was no objective evidence to show that.

Deduced Concept 

In summary, the analyzed company, my workplace, is argued to have conveyed the message that it is strongly focused on providing the workers with favorable and protected workplaces (Frick, Jensen, Quinlan, & Wilthagen, 2000). Apparently, in the substantiation of all this, various stakeholders are involved, with each one of them being aware of their roles. For instance, in the preparation of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) enactment, it was notably clear that this was the director’s obligation to ensure that everything was right. On this note, the kind of specialization embraced in this company was admirable as it enhanced further upgrade of the company’s security association; more so, in processes of incident resolutions. Thus, with the right action plans, there is the surety that it will help in aiding the company towards a methodical path that sets a priority on things. In fact, in risk control, the company will have to ensure that it focuses on recognition and actualization of every single practice, as this will help decrease the possibility of ailment, harm, or infections at work occurring (Chaturvedi, 2005). Recognition of danger control measures is therefore seen to be this company’s greatest priority as it ensures that it embraces the best control measures. As a result, if unrealistic dangers occur, then, the company is sure to follow steps that are focused on maximum minimization of the dangers by having the appropriate control mix strategies.

Recommendations 

Despite the company being commendable for its world-class OHS performance, various areas need improvement for guaranteed effectiveness. One, in employees’ participation, the organization needs to ensure that the workers are aware of their duties, which needs to be replicated in their attendance of the various safety and health trainings (Alli, 2008). Thus, having an awareness program that sensitizes workers the essence to attend these programs is vital. Secondly, there is a need for course materials to be reviewed and updated for a surety that they match the OSHA standards (OSHA, 1970). Risk assessment is that other field that needs improvement in terms of involving the workers in hazards evaluations as this will help improve risk control processes. Management of change also needs to be addressed by seeing that the setup strategies help address issues of inadequate training time. Finally, the incident investigation should be improved such that there is enhanced accountability; specifically, in ensuring that developed scenarios are plausible and help with overall immediate incident investigations (Manuele, 2014).

References

Alli, B. O. (2008). Fundamental principles of occupational health and safety Second edition.  International Labour Office, Geneva .

Chaturvedi, P. (2005).  Managing Safety Challanges Ahead . Concept Publishing Company.

Frick, K., Jensen, P. L., Quinlan, M., & Wilthagen, T. (2000).  Systematic occupational health and safety management: perspectives on an international development . Pergamon Press.

Manuele, F. A. (2014). Advanced safety management: Focusing on Z10 and serious injury prevention (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

OSHA. (1970). Training Requirements in OSHA Standards. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha2254.pdf

Robson, L. S., Clarke, J. A., Cullen, K., Bielecky, A., Severin, C., Bigelow, P. L., ... & Mahood, Q. (2007). The effectiveness of occupational health and safety management system interventions: a systematic review.  Safety Science ,  45 (3), 329-353.