Environmental and OHS Auditing

OSHEM Solutions undertakes a range of Workplace Safety Audits, Environmental Audits and Integrated Management System Audits across a range of industries including mining, manufacturing, construction and transport.

For organisations accredited to a particularly management system standard, we can provide qualified, experienced and accredited OHS Auditors / Environmental Auditors to provide ’fresh eyes’ and additional independence to an internal audit program. Alternatively, our Environmental and OH & S Auditors can assist organisations to develop or improve environmental and OHS audit tools, an audit program and their internal environmental / OHS audit team through coaching.

Whether you wish to be audited against a recognised standard such as AS/NZS 4801:2001, ISO14001 or the Workers Compensation Self Insurers NAT Audit or otherwise against an internal corporate standard, we have highly trained, experienced and independently recognised / accredited (RABQSA) Environmental and OH&S Auditors.

Following a few examples of some of our most recent Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Audit-related projects. Please note that these are examples only. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your proposed assignment, please contact us for a no obligation discussion with one of our Principal Consultants.

Safety & Environmental Auditing

Workers’ Compensation Self Insurance National Audit Tool (NAT)
Integrated Management System (OH&S, Environment and Quality) Auditing
OHS and Environmental Legal Compliance

National Workers’ Compensation Self Insurance Scheme Gap Analysis

Many large organisations seek to become self insured for the Workers’ Compensation instead of paying a premiums through an insurance company. One of our clients, a NSW government-owned corporation, had been self insured, under the state based system for several years prior to the move to a national approach.

This nationalisation of the scheme was a good trigger for this organisation to review their Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS), including undertaking a gap analysis audit against the National Audit Tool (NAT). To ensure this OHS Audit was independent, they went to the market for an external OHS Auditor who was qualified, certified, industry experienced and familiar with the Workers Compensation National Audit Tool (NAT). OSHEM Solutions, along with some of our competitors, were invited to submit proposals. OSHEM Solutions was successful in winning the work.

After a thorough document review of their OHSMS, OSHEM Solutions provided a detailed OHS Audit Report which included a list of recommended actions related to the modification to their OHSMS documentation to ensure it complied with the regulator’s requirements.

The client then put together a team to address the actions (including an OSHEM Solutions Consultant) and when WorkCover NSW audited them in December 2010 they passed with flying colours. Congratulations!

Integrated Management System Auditing (OH&S, Environmental & Quality Management Systems)

Some organisations seek to have their management system certified under one or more Standards. Within Australia, this is often AS/NZS4801 for OHS, ISO14001 for Environmental Management and ISO9001 for Quality Management Systems. Under the requirements of these systems, such organisations undertake a range of internal and external Environmental Audits, OHS Audits, Quality Audits or Integrated Management System Audits.

One of our clients, a leading manufacturer of building materials in Qld, NSW, Vic & Tas shows its commitment to continuous improvement by being certified to all three of these Standards. With a high risk and diverse portfolio including underground and above ground mining operations, truck, rail and shipping transport, large processing / manufacturing plants and hazardous chemical facilities, this client recognises the value of qualifications, independence and most of all experience in its audits. For this reason it chooses OSHEM Solutions to undertake its audits all over Australia.

The audits we undertake for this client focus on ensuring each of their operations are:

  • Complying with legal obligations
  • Meeting corporate requirements
  • Managing risk

However, we also play a role in coaching their line management to continuously improve their Workplace Health and Safety, Environmental and Quality Management.

Example 1
Auditing is the collection of evidence for the purposes of evaluating conformance to particular criteria. When it comes to health & safety and environmental management, this evaluation also includes the auditee’s compliance with their relevant legal obligations.

However, occasionally a prospective client will be interested in receiving an independent determination of its legal compliance. Often this is at the request of the Board of Directors who are seeking some level of assurance or otherwise inputs into their strategic plan for the organisation.

OSHEM Solutions recently undertook such an assessment of a white collar organisation which employs several hundred employees but also provides facilities for many other organisations. This review identified several key areas requiring attention and provided suggested actions to address the gaps.

OSHEM Solutions is available to assist organisations action their areas of non-conformance, can alternatively provide coaching to in-house teams to manage the issues themselves or simply provide recommendations only.

Example 2
Another client is in the midst of rolling out the OHS, Environmental & Quality Management System, which OSHEM Solutions assisted in developing, and are using auditing as a component of this implementation.

Due to the nature of its operations, this organisation is not only subject to the standard OHS & environmental legislation but also that for railway and mining. To add further complexity the organisation operates in two jurisdictions within Australia.

It is no wonder that the National Executive General Manager and his team of General Managers were keen to monitor the organisation’s legal compliance. In response, OSHEM Solutions undertook a side-by-side audit using their integrated management system requirements as one criterion and all the relevant legislation, as the other.

It should be noted that OSHEM Solutions does not employ legal professionals but we do employ experienced, qualified and independently certified auditors.

Call us on 1300 657 279 to discuss how a member of our safety and environmental auditor team can help your business.