Safety Management System (SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM): Internal Auditing

Periodic safety management system internal audits are conducted to ensure that the safety management system has been properly implemented, maintained and activities show signs of continual improvement.  The findings of these audits are presented to management.  safety management system audits are performed according to a time schedule that is based on the environmental importance of an activity and the results of previous internal or external safety management system audits.

INTERNAL AUDITING

Internal auditing can be considered as a “get out of jail” ticket.  It is best to know any hiccups within the safety management system during an internal audit as compared to an external certification audit or regulatory audit.

Here is an example of an EMS Internal Audit Procedure

1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
   • This procedure defines internal auditor qualifications and the process for performing internal Safety Management System (safety management system) audits.

2. REQUIREMENTS
   • Internal SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Audit Team Qualifications
     • Auditors must be selected in order to ensure objectivity. Internal safety management system Auditors may not audit their own facility.  The Internal safety management system Audit Team may be comprised of employees from various subsidiaries or facilities and/or third party consultants, as long as the auditors have been deemed qualified in accordance with this procedure.

• The Internal Audit Team shall be comprised of at least one Lead Internal Auditor. Extra auditors and audit days should be added based on the size and complexity of operations.  All auditors shall complete the 36-hr Lead Auditor training prior to serving on the audit team.

• Lead Internal SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Auditor Roles and Responsibilities
  • Ensure that an internal audit is conducted at least once every year (within 365 days) and more than 45 days ahead of an external audit. AllSAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM elements shall be reviewed during each internal audit

• Select, or approve, the facility’s Internal safety management system Audit Team members.

• Develop an Internal safety management system Audit Plan prior to each internal safety management system The amount of time assigned to various elements in the audit plan should be allocated based on the environmental importance of the activity concerned and the results of previous audits.

• Hold an opening and closing meeting with the facility’s available safety management system Management Team. The sign in sheets from both meetings shall be included with the final audit report and retained.

• Prepare a final Internal safety management system Internal Audit Report following each internal safety management system audit, obtain the necessary signatures, and distribute the report.

• Internal SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Audit Team Roles and Responsibilities
  • Audit the facility in accordance with the safety management system Audit Plan and Internal safety management system Audit Agenda.

• Record audit information using the internal safety management system Audit Checklist. Information noted on the checklist should describe in detail items checked, individuals interviewed, any nonconformities or other concerns identified, as well as any corrective or preventive actions completed during the audit.

• Safety Management Representative, or a Designee Roles and Responsibilities
  • Ensure that all of the members of the safety management system audit team have access to a room for the duration of the audit.

• Coordinate interviews between the auditing team and onsite personnel.

An example of an Internal Audit Schedule:

In conclusion, Internal Auditing provides a “snapshot” on the effectiveness of an safety management system.  An internal audit will ensure the validation that the safety management system is effective and showing signs of continuous improvement.  The internal audit process should be treated just as serious, if not more as an external corporate or third party certification audit.