EHS Audit Checklist: A Guide for Navigating Workplace Safety and Compliance

An EHS audit checklist is a comprehensive assessment used to evaluate an organization’s compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations. It serves as a roadmap for reviewing safety programs and procedures by providing structure, consistency, and a standardized approach to help identify potential risks, hazards, and non-compliance issues.

What’s Included in an EHS Audit Checklist?

The scope and scale of an EHS audit will vary, depending on the organization and its specific operations, but an effective checklist typically includes the following components:

Regulatory Compliance: Helping to ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and permits.
Risk Assessment: Identifying and evaluating potential dangers, including hazardous materials where applicable, and assessing the level of associated risks.
Documentation and Record Keeping: Reviewing the organization’s EHS documentation and records.
Training and Competence: Assessing employee training programs and individual competencies.
Emergency Preparedness: Evaluating emergency response plans and procedures.
Workplace Inspections: Conducting physical inspections to help identify safety hazards, ergonomic issues, and potential environmental impacts.

Types of Audits

There are various types of EHS audits, each serving a different purpose. It all depends on the organization’s objectives, industry requirements, and various regulatory obligations, but some common audits include internal, external and compliance audits.

Internal audits

Internal audits are usually conducted by a team within the organization to assess current health and safety programs. The intention is to identify potential risks and suggest improvements for workplace health and safety.

External audits

These are performed by a third-party professional and may include a review of the physical space, equipment, and procedures to help identify potential risks and hazards. The external auditors will typically recommend ways that workplace health and safety can be improved.

Compliance audits

Regulatory agencies will typically conduct a compliance audit in an effort to evaluate an organization’s current health and safety programs. These are intended to ensure the business is in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

Benefits of an EHS Audit

EHS audits can play a pivotal role in safeguarding employees, the environment, and the overall reputation of a business. According to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), any safety and health programs that provide for audits deliver benefits such as “reduced absenteeism, lower workers’ compensation premiums and payments for medical treatment and disability, and favorable treatment from OSHA.”

By conducting regular audits, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to continuous improvement and may see advantages in areas including:

Compliance

Audits help to ensure adherence to local, regional, and international regulations, potentially preventing costly violations and penalties.

Operational Efficiency

Audits may uncover inefficiencies and gaps in processes, enabling organizations to implement improvements that can enhance productivity and reduce waste.

Risk Mitigation

Identifying potential hazards and risks in the workplace allows for proactive measures to be taken that may help to minimize accidents and injuries.

Cost Effectiveness

When hazards are eliminated, so are the costs associated with accidents and injuries, which can result in significant savings.

How to Prepare

To ensure a smooth and successful EHS audit, businesses and organizations can take the following steps:

Establish Clear Objectives

Define the purpose and scope of the audit, aligning it with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.

Gather Documentation

Organize relevant documents, such as permits, policies, procedures, assessments, and training, ensuring they are up-to-date and in compliance.

Staff Training and Awareness

Interview employees to gain an understanding of their concerns, and train them on their roles and responsibilities regarding safety, compliance, and audit participation.

Internal Readiness

Regularly perform self-audits to identify and address potential compliance gaps before an official audit.

After the Audit

Once the audit is complete, it is important to review the findings from the EHS checklist. Supervisors, managers, and department heads should review the recommendations and develop a plan to address any deficiencies.

Prioritize these concerns and take immediate corrective action on the areas of greatest need. Then develop and document action steps for implementing preventative measures and procedures to help ensure health and safety issues are compliant. Finally, schedule and conduct follow-up reviews to confirm that these actions were implemented and are effective.

Overcoming Common Challenges

Conducting an EHS audit can pose certain challenges including but not limited to:

Identifying Potential Hazards

Particularly in larger workplaces and when working under a time crunch, it can often be difficult to hone in on specific hazards.

Navigating Complex Regulations

Environmental, health, and safety regulations can be intricate and are continuously evolving. Keeping up with the latest regulatory requirements and ensuring compliance across various jurisdictions can be a daunting task.

Organizing Documents and Data

Gathering and managing all of the required information, such as permits, training records, and incident reports can be overwhelming. But it is important to ensure that these documents are accurate, complete, and accessible throughout the auditing process.

EHS Audit Best Practices

To help overcome these challenges and conduct effective EHS audits, organizations can adopt the following best practices:

Have Open and Honest Communication

Open communication and responsiveness with regulatory agencies is key. Once you are aware of any code violations or required improvements, act on them as quickly as possible and document the steps you’re taking, especially if it will take time to implement. Showing that you have a plan underway could prevent hefty fines.

Stay Up-to-Date

Stay informed about relevant regulations, standards, and industry best practices. Establish processes to track and monitor regulatory changes to ensure ongoing compliance.

Engage Stakeholders

Involve key stakeholders, such as employees, management, and external experts, throughout the audit process. Foster open communication, collaboration, and engagement to gain diverse perspectives and valuable insights.

Prioritize Risk Assessment

Focus on identifying and assessing the most critical risks and hazards within your organization. Allocate resources and prioritize actions based on the level of risk to help mitigate potential impacts.

Implement Continuous Improvement

Treat the EHS audit as an opportunity for continuous improvement. Use audit findings to develop action plans, implement corrective measures, and monitor progress over time.

Foster a Culture of Compliance

Promote a strong culture of compliance and safety throughout your entire organization. Encourage employee participation, provide regular training, and recognize and reward compliance efforts.

EHS audits are a useful tool to help businesses or organizations maintain compliance, mitigate risks, and enhance safety and environmental performance. Using an EHS checklist to prepare can better equip you to successfully navigate the audit process.

If you would like help conducting an EHS audit or could benefit from an EHS checklist, reach out to speak with one of AEI’s consultants today.

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