Posted By Agnes Chow I have prepared an audit tool which is in the form of a checklist. Can anyone tell me if this approach is on the right direction or some other forms of auditing tool will be more effective?

Posted By Ian Waldram You need to be careful in the use of checklists. The essence of a SYSTEM for OHS management is that there is a continuous improvement cycle, so in most cases it is unlikely that there is just one 'right answer' re what to do to manage a particular hazard - with experience those responsible should be able to identify additional controls to reduce risk, or ways to keep the risk the same, but be more cost-effective. Therefore a list is good as a reminder of what areas to examine, but bad if it tries to give 'right answers'. The essence of a true audit is that the auditor 'collects evidence' about the state of the risk controls, and 'forms an opinion' based on that evidence - this process requires much more than just "ticking a box", which is what some audit checklists can become. If you avoid that trap, your lists may be OK.