Audits

Types of Audits

Process Safety Management (PSM) Systems Audits

Process Safety Management (PSM) systems audits are necessary to track and monitor the safety systems and procedures implementation. They identify opportunities where systems can be strengthened. The PSM system has 12 major elements and many sub-elements that can guide the monitoring of the system. The progress should be periodically reviewed and improved.

Process Safety Audits

Process safety audits provide increased assurance that facilities are being operated and maintained in a way that properly protects the safety and health of the employees, the environment, the surrounding community, plant assets and continuity of operations. These audits cover items such as:

Correct materials of construction
Correct codes, standards and engineering practices
Operating and maintenance procedures

Compliance Reviews

Compliance reviews verify adherence to government health regulations, such as Process Safety Management (PSM) programs under OSHA 26 CFR 1910.119 or Risk Management Programs (RMP) under Clean Air Act, and to company/plant standards and procedures. Audits have to be conducted systematically and periodically and corrective actions implemented. The implementation of these must be followed up.

Safety Audits

Safety audits examine and assess in detail the standards of facets of a particular activity. They extend from complex technical operations and emergency procedures to job descriptions and attitudes.

Management system audits are crucial to loss prevention and it is essential that this system itself be monitored. This is for ensuring that company/plant procedures are being implemented.