What are the best practices for conducting QHSE audits and reviews?

1 Define the scope and objectives

Before you start any QHSE audit or review, you need to define the scope and objectives of the activity. What are you trying to assess, measure, or verify? What are the criteria, standards, or benchmarks that you will use? Who are the stakeholders, auditors, or reviewers involved? How will you communicate the results and recommendations? By defining the scope and objectives clearly, you can ensure that your QHSE audit or review is relevant, focused, and aligned with your QHSE strategy and policy.

2 Plan and prepare the resources

Once you have defined the scope and objectives, you need to plan and prepare the resources for the QHSE audit or review. This includes selecting the appropriate audit or review methods, such as interviews, observations, surveys, inspections, or tests. It also includes developing the audit or review plan, checklist, or questionnaire, as well as collecting and reviewing any relevant documents, data, or records. Additionally, you need to allocate the time, budget, and personnel for the QHSE audit or review, and ensure that they have the necessary skills, training, and authorization.

3 Conduct the audit or review

The next step is to conduct the QHSE audit or review according to the plan and methods. During this step, you need to follow the audit or review protocol, such as informing the auditees or reviewees, obtaining their consent, respecting their confidentiality, and maintaining your impartiality and objectivity. You also need to collect and record sufficient and reliable evidence to support your findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Moreover, you need to communicate effectively with the auditees or reviewees, and address any issues, concerns, or questions that may arise.

4 Report the results and recommendations

After conducting the QHSE audit or review, you need to report the results and recommendations to the relevant stakeholders, such as the management, the QHSE team, or the external parties. The report should be clear, concise, accurate, and consistent with the scope and objectives of the QHSE audit or review. It should also highlight the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that you identified, as well as the corrective and preventive actions that you suggested. Furthermore, you need to ensure that the report is delivered in a timely and appropriate manner, and that it complies with any legal or contractual requirements.

5 Follow up and monitor the actions

The final step is to follow up and monitor the actions that resulted from the QHSE audit or review. This means that you need to verify that the corrective and preventive actions have been implemented effectively and efficiently, and that they have achieved the desired outcomes. You also need to measure and evaluate the impact of the actions on the QHSE performance and culture of your organization. Additionally, you need to provide feedback and recognition to the auditees or reviewees, and encourage their continuous improvement and learning.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?