There is more to a Safety Program Manual than policies, forms, and reports.
Many people think that a COR Audit is just a process of following industry Standards and Regulations. While this is the goal, a COR Audit really should be an opportunity to look at how well your health and safety management system (HSMS) works.
You may think your HSMS works well. But there is more to it than having a Safety Program Manual with all the policies, forms, and reports. The reason the questions asked in an audit seem so repetitive is that the audit is trying to do two separate things.
First; it is checking the HSMS by reviewing documentation, interviewing employees and observing worksites.
Second; it is making sure that everybody knows how to use the HSMS correctly.
What is the point of having a great manual if no one knows how to use it?
The following table has two similar questions, which demonstrate two different things.
The first question asks the auditor if there is a material handing policy.
The second question asks if the policy contains tools that employees are actually using.
If an organization gets full points on both questions, we can say it has an HSMS that works.
The second question asks the auditor to review documentation, interview workers and observe the worksite. If all three guidelines get full points, the HSMS is good to go.
If one of the questions does not get full points, then it is time to fix you HSMS.
The system will not work successfully if the workers don’t know, don’t understand or don’t use it.
Auditing your HSMS is not only about following the regulations; it is also about making sure your employees have the tools to stay safe and healthy and know how to use them.
If you take the time to ensure your employees can use your HSMS you should have no problem getting COR Certified.
For more information on the COR program check it out here.