Use of occupational health and safety audits at a large health laboratory service

Introduction
The Occupational Health and Safety Department of a large Health Laboratory Service identified the need for an organisation wide occupational health and safety audit at regional laboratories to evaluate the effectiveness of existing health and safety programmes. The first cycle of audits of 324 laboratories was conducted from April 2009 to March 2010 and the second cycle of audits of 344 (largely the same) laboratories from April 2010 to March 2011. The audits aimed to identify levels of compliance as well as identify areas requiring corrective actions.

Methods
An audit tool comprising 13 broad categories (which will be presented) based on OSHAS 18001 with72 individual questions was developed with particular focus on policy, organisation and systems. Eight trained auditors did the audits which took between 2 and 3 hours. Audits were scheduled in advance and Management and/or the Health and Safety Representative were present. Results were captured into a software package developed for the purpose which generated the relevant reports showing the score obtained as well as a comparison with the previous year. A comprehensive audit report pointing out specific areas of concern was forwarded to relevant managers together with a guide to assist with implementation of corrective actions.

Results
Substantial improvements were noted in the overall results for the organisation over the identified period. Region A improved by 10.1%. Region B improved by 11.6%. Region C improved by 21.8%. Region D improved by 20.4%.

Discussion
Although the study only covers a two year period, consistent improvement was noted over all Regions not only because the audit tool identified key areas for intervention but also because of the type of feedback provided to facility managers. This tool may be of interest to other health laboratories.