Task 6: Monitoring and measuring (audits)

Comment on the strength of Secure National’s approach to the audit

Based on the scenario I have considered following appropriate for the above Question.
1. Health and Safety Documentation: Secure National's preparedness in furnishing
necessary documentation for the audit process was praiseworthy. They provided the
consultant with a file containing essential health and safety documents, including the
health and safety policy, a generic risk assessment, and lone and remote working
activities guidance. They were updating their safety procedures and were kept handy.
2. Third Party Health and safety Consultant: Secure National's decision to engage
an experienced, external health and safety consultant, who is also a Chartered member
of a health and safety professional body, demonstrates a commitment to obtaining expert
insights and recommendations for improving safety practices at the windfarm site.
3. Reporting and Recordkeeping Protocols: The ROM explained the
organization's protocols for recording accidents and incidents, indicating a systematic
approach to incident management and reporting. While acknowledging potential
underreporting, the ROM's awareness of the importance of documenting incidents
suggests a commitment to data-driven safety improvement efforts.
4. Adherence of Audit Process Importance: Despite initial skepticism expressed
by the ROM regarding the effort required for the audit, the engagement and cooperation
of the ROM and site personnel during the audit process underscore the recognition of its
importance in identifying safety improvements and ensuring regulatory compliance.
5. Compliance with Regulatory Standards: Their approach to the audit should
ensure compliance with relevant regulatory standards and legislation governing health
and safety in the workplace. This includes adherence to local, national, and international
regulations to mitigate legal risks and ensure a safe working environment.
6. Commitment of Management Team: Management team were very proactive in
implementing the shortcomings put forwarded by the consultant. This shows their
commitments towards the health and safety protocols.
7. Employee feedback and Concerns Addressed: The DSO highlighted a lack of
refresher training during induction and raised it as an issue in multiple one-to-one
meetings. This indicates a culture of open communication and a proactive approach to
addressing employee concerns related to training and safety practices.
8. Workers participation and consultation: The MT instructed that an SO from
each site must be involved in annual risk assessment reviews. This decision promotes
employee involvement in safety planning and decision-making processes, fostering a
culture of shared responsibility for safety outcomes.
Secure National's approach to the audit demonstrates several strengths, including the
engagement of external expertise, provision of relevant documentation, collaboration
during site tours, acknowledgment of working conditions, responsiveness to employee
feedback, robust reporting protocols, consideration of audit findings by management,
involvement of site personnel in risk assessment, adoption of annual risk assessment
reviews, acknowledgment of audit process importance, and commitment to delivering
audit reports to management. These strengths indicate a proactive stance towards safety
management and a commitment to continuous improvement in safety performance at the
windfarm site.
Reference: Study material, Class notes and Nebosh Manual.