IOSH forums home
»
Our public forums
»
Career forum
»
Safety Auditing Training and Qualifications
Rank: New forum user 
|
Im a Chartered member but have no experience or training in Auditing formal safety management systems and would appreciate any advice on which way to approach it. I'm looking at OHSAS 18001 courses through IOSH and BSI but having so little experience wonder if I need to look at preliminary work and training on general auditing before going into it too early and find myself out of my depth.
Many thanks
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
19195
Key issues.
1. Is the system designed to facilitate compliance or are there gaps?
2. Design of protocol e.g. based on key elements of OHSAS 18001, HSG65 or similar
3. What happens in practice? i.e. (a) Is system implemented? (b) Is compliance achieved despite gaps in the system
4. Balanced reporting highlighting the positives as well as areas for improvement. Avoid prescriptive recommendations as to how to close out the non-conformances - there's usually more than one way to skin a cat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
I find it hilarious when training companies offer, and people go on "internal auditor training for 18001" or similar for 9001, 14001 etc courses. The fact is, auditing is the same no matter what the system is. It is a skill set.
To be sure, the standards have their own differring content however if you are an auditor you can just about audit anything - you look at the perforence of the organisation against there own internal policies and procedures or against a standard. You look at 3 sources of info ie interview people, documents and then observation.
The only "clever" bit is being able to interpret what is meant by the individual elements of the standard and what would constitute compliance with it.
So I would reccomend general internal auditor training and then familiarise yourself with the standards and systems eg HSG65, 18001, 9001, 14001 etc
Hope this helps
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: New forum user
|
Many thanks for the advice, general auditing training initially, goes with my gut feeling on the topic before getting wrapped up in training on any particular system as we all know it appears there are lots of adverts for magic bullets and instant expertise and the systems change to the mark 2b super system fast as they are developed I want to learn my skills properly so I appreciate you taking time out to respond and help.
Cheers
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
I agree with Pikeman. If you work for an organisation that is going for external accreditation to 18001 or similar then you need to understand the standard so that you can assess compliance with the standard specifically & don't get any nasty surprises when the external auditor turns up. If you are looking at a purely internal audit then you perhaps have greater freedom to determine whether existing systems comply with broad requirements of the law as described in the Management Regs / HSG65.
Auditor training might give you a 'leg up' / refresher / confidence, but I don't think you need it if you have the time to put into understanding the management system standards your organisation follows. Shadowing an experienced auditor might be useful if you get the opportunity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: New forum user
|
DFH wrote:I agree with Pikeman. If you work for an organisation that is going for external accreditation to 18001 or similar then you need to understand the standard so that you can assess compliance with the standard specifically & don't get any nasty surprises when the external auditor turns up. If you are looking at a purely internal audit then you perhaps have greater freedom to determine whether existing systems comply with broad requirements of the law as described in the Management Regs / HSG65.
Auditor training might give you a 'leg up' / refresher / confidence, but I don't think you need it if you have the time to put into understanding the management system standards your organisation follows. Shadowing an experienced auditor might be useful if you get the opportunity.
Be careful not to get Accreditation muddled up with Certification. UKAS is accredited to 'certify to ISO 9001. 14001. 18001. An organisation would be certified bu=y an accreditation body such as UKAS.
As a Lead auditor I look for evidence on what the organisation does to meet the requirements of the particular standard. Don't just look for a process.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: New forum user
|
Chrisevans41 wrote:DFH wrote:I agree with Pikeman. If you work for an organisation that is going for external accreditation to 18001 or similar then you need to understand the standard so that you can assess compliance with the standard specifically & don't get any nasty surprises when the external auditor turns up. If you are looking at a purely internal audit then you perhaps have greater freedom to determine whether existing systems comply with broad requirements of the law as described in the Management Regs / HSG65.
Auditor training might give you a 'leg up' / refresher / confidence, but I don't think you need it if you have the time to put into understanding the management system standards your organisation follows. Shadowing an experienced auditor might be useful if you get the opportunity.
Be careful not to get Accreditation muddled up with Certification. UKAS is accredited to 'certify' to ISO 9001. 14001. 18001. An organisation would be certified by an accreditation body such as UKAS.
As a Lead auditor I look for evidence on what the organisation does to meet the requirements of the particular standard. Don't just look for a process.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
You are well advised to take the advice of Peter.
having attended and passed at IOSH the BSI 18001 course, I would advise that in order to understand the requirements start with HSG 65, as the 18001 course you have to forget your health and safety advisors head and think auditor.
Good health and safety knowledge is vital part of the 18001 role, also read 19011[
quote=peter gotch]19195
Key issues.
1. Is the system designed to facilitate compliance or are there gaps?
2. Design of protocol e.g. based on key elements of OHSAS 18001, HSG65 or similar
3. What happens in practice? i.e. (a) Is system implemented? (b) Is compliance achieved despite gaps in the system
4. Balanced reporting highlighting the positives as well as areas for improvement. Avoid prescriptive recommendations as to how to close out the non-conformances - there's usually more than one way to skin a cat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
I did the IOSH OHSAS 18001 at the Grange and highly recommend it, it was a long time ago but since have implimented systems in two large companies and currently, maintain to a good standard in a large company, with a good robust management system
It gave me the base knowledge of the standard which has allowed me to apply to a number of management systems to get the best out of them and improve the safety culture via the management system measuring results. There are a number of component parts that need to be in place,but I found the course very beneficial.
dave
|
|
|
|
|
|
IOSH forums home
»
Our public forums
»
Career forum
»
Safety Auditing Training and Qualifications
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.