To ensure that Safety and Health Management System (SHMS) audits are conducted in a manner acceptable to the Occupational Safety and Health Division (OSHD), approved Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Auditing Organizations and WSH Auditors are required to adhere to the GUIDELINES ON THE AUDITS OF SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
The guideline provides the scope of the audit where the safety and health management system must be conducted in accordance with the relevant WSH legislation and guidelines set out for each industry. The audit must evaluate the SHMS based on the WSH Act and its subsidiary legislation as well as Singapore Standard as well as Singapore Standard SS ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use .
In the engagement of external independent auditor, an organization have to ensure the engaged external Auditor is an independent external auditor where the auditing organization nor it’s employees have any prior business relationship under a contract for service or provides safety consultancy services in order to ensure the objectivity and impartiality in an SHMS audit
Two approved WSH Auditors shall be engaged by the organization and both WSH Auditors may be a full-time employee of the WSH Auditing Organization or a part-time WSH Auditor engaged by the same Organization.
And during the on-site SHMS audit , the auditors shall adhere to the audit protocol which comprises of the following steps:
(i) Opening meeting;
(ii) Familiarization tour;
(iii) Assessment of written SHMS;
(iv) Verification of the effective implementation of SHMS, which includes review
of documents, interviewing of personnel and physical inspection
(v) Evaluation of findings; and
(vi) Exit meeting.
The auditors shall prepare and signed the audit report presenting the findings and conclusions on all elements of the SHMS upon completion of the audit
