Since the early 1970s, private industry has recognized the benefits of implementing environmental, health and safety audits at regulated facilities. In general, the purpose of an environmental assessment, health and safety, to ensure compliance with numerous environmental regulations, health and safety, which were by the Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) in compliance with the guarantee of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and many other federal, state and local governments. In addition to the tests include the implementation of contemporary environmental and health systems and security management, such as ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 and compliance with corporate standards or guidelines. For an environmental audit, health and safety in order to be successful, the author offers the following tips:

First A lead auditor must be attached. This person will have primary responsibility for the assembly of the audit team, defining the scope of the examination, preparation of the agenda and the audit plan review, the draft report and follow up with all corrective actions are required to complete the exam.
Second Contact the primary site should be allocated. In most cases, this is one of environmental managers, health and safety or a person with similar responsibility to be. This person should have access to all major areas of environmental, health and safety records and permits, as well as free access to all areas of the physical installation. In addition, make sure, first contact site communicates with the senior management of the location of the check and calendar. Nothing creates more turmoil than an environmental assessment, health and safety audit in a facility where the management team is not known, their occurrence. Of course, if your company has a policy that “surprise audits” are acceptable, while that’s another story.
Third Are planning an environmental assessment, safety and health as important as the examination itself Much of the success of an environmental audit program, health and safety depends on careful planning. At least two weeks before the on-site activities, the lead auditor prepare and distribute an agenda for all staff involved, including the contact page.
4th Enter a list of required documents and programs to the local contact. Copies of these documents must be received by the audit team in advance of the on-site activities. Important documents for inclusion in this list are regulatory approvals such as air permits, wastewater permits, radioactive material licenses, permits for storm water programs, etc. Written and training materials associated with regulatory programs such as risk communication, chemical hygiene, respiratory protection, blood pathogens and hazardous wastes. If you are unsure whether any of these programs are intended to apply to a specific installation, go ahead and where they are on the list and give the respondents as “not applicable” option. For large installations have a site map can also be useful.
5th Examination of written material. The amount of time you will have in place to limit the rule to a week or less. For larger installations, you must use your time wisely on the spot. Where possible, the test as many documenst written permission for activities on site. Take notes of important points that you check in on-site activities. Prior to the on-site activities, to return with the key regulatory requirements, and review of national and local requirements
6th Evaluation of publicly available databases for the site of regulatory information. Go online databases maintained by various agencies OSHA to obtain EPA and state agencies historical information about the regulatory inspections, air emissions, hazardous waste, etc. What you search is to determine the regulatory history of the site and any history of injuries. If violations have occurred in the past, if available on the website, you want to check that the systems are to prevent repeat offenses.
7th Refine the agenda. Based on document to verify, to refine the agenda, so that sufficient time is available to the elements, which may have problems or areas in which may be at higher risk, check. Do not waste your valuable time on site for trivial matters.
8th Make sure, first contact site devoted enough time. Nothing more frustrating for an audit team to a main contact page that will constantly leave is to attend meetings or do other tasks. In addition to sufficient time for the audit team at the main site also should have a conference room of sufficient size, will have an Internet connection, and can be secured at night. In an audit, you will work long hours and to discuss many sensitive documents. You do not want the time to pack your gear at the end of each day of waste.
9th Once there, run an opening conference. Who will be the opening of the conference include the members of the audit team, the primary site of contact, key operational staff, and if available, the site manager. During the conference opening introductions should be made, the review of the day, the purpose of the audit review of the key schedule and the timing of the closing conference. Additionally, personnel on site should consider whether specific events rather than prevent that, that it is prevented for any further details.
10th Following the opening conference, I generally like to take a brief tour of the facility. This visit was no significant detail, but rather a series to familiarize you with the institution. Make notes of areas you want to return to a more detailed investigation.
11th Compare the statements in the plans and programs with real issues and activities. The differences between the two may be an indication of the shortcomings of the program.
12th At the end of each day of the audit team should be the primary contact site meeting to review all open issues. Enter the required primary contact page with a list of possible outcomes or areas for further investigation. In many cases this can simply by selecting the correct records are released.
13th The night before the final conference, plan on a long evening. You want to prepare a draft list of audit findings. Audit findings should be described as accurately as possible. Avoid subjective terms such as “All”, “a lot”, “marginal” or “unsatisfactory”. Give evidence to support their conclusions. If further investigation is required, state Sun
14th the implementation of the final conference. The last day of the test should be conducted a closing conference. It is preferable that participants who were in the same opening conference will be present. During the closing conference of the audit team should them for their time and cooperation to thank all the conclusions of the audit of the project must be reviewed, the biggest concern must be expressed, and plan and distribution lists are shown on the draft report. It is important that all conclusions will be presented in the draft report. It should come as no surprise to find in the draft report.
15th Prepare and submit draft report to the mailing list for consideration. Make sure that the distribution of the test report of the project is monitored. In some cases, where important discoveries of regulation, should be avoided e-mails written to the draft report. Printed copies of the draft report overnight express delivery are preferred sent. If there are significant regulatory conclusions, to check with your legal advisor before the distribution.
16th After review and comment a draft report to provide the report and prepare a corrective action plan. This is the most important part of each test. Now that the deficiencies were, corrective actions must be performed. A follow-up to completion of all knowledge, and the priority of the responsible person (s) is essential. Otherwise, can correct defects found in time a significant liability for the company? Simple and inexpensive software systems available, and corrective action should be a must for any environmental, health and safety audit program have.

Conduct an environmental assessment is safety and health is a valuable tool for improving performance EH & S at a particular location. But plan to be successful, the audit team and site staff must carefully review and ensure that adequate monitoring of corrective measures to be implemented throughout.

Dean Calhoun is the president of the CIH Affygility solutions and has over 25 years and more professional environment, health and safety experience. Affygility Solutions provides environmental, health and safety services and compliance management software for the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device industries. Mr. Calhoun has personally dozens of tests carried out in research institutions and pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing facilities. In addition to providing environmental, health and safety audits provides solutions Affygility industrial hygiene, occupational toxicology, safety, security made powerful, workplace exposure limits, and validation services delivery. Its flagship product Affytrac Affygility solutions is called a simple and cost effective, helping the environment, health and safety manager in the life sciences industry here, the compliance task management, corrective action and potent compounds.

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