This confidential client is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of treated-wood products. EHS Support was retained to perform comprehensive health and safety (H&S) compliance audits at eight facilities throughout the United States. The assessments evaluated compliance with federal, state, and local H&S laws and regulations. The audits were conducted in accordance with the client’s Auditing & Inspection Policy and focused on the following H&S compliance topics:
| · Medical Services and First Aid · Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records · Noise · Control of Hazardous Energy · Personal Protective Equipment · Respiratory Protection · Emergency Action · HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations & Emergency Response) · Fire Prevention · Ladder Safety · Asbestos · Walking-Working Surfaces · Materials Handling and Storage | · Powered Industrial Trucks · Fall Protection · Cranes · Welding, Cutting, and Brazing · Hazardous Materials · Electrical · Hazard Communication · Bloodborne Pathogens · Confined Space · Hand and Power Tools · Fall Protection · Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Recordkeeping |
Each site audit consisted of the following activities to gather audit evidence:
- Pre-audit preparation/document review
- Site visits, comprised of an opening meeting, site inspection (tour), interviews, file/document review, and closing meeting
- Audit evidence evaluation
- Audit report preparation
EHS Support’s audits identified compliance risks at the subject properties. The audit information helped the client evaluate the business risks associated with H&S compliance liabilities, which allowed for strategic decision making and corrective actions to protect the company from potential regulatory compliance issues.
EHS Support was later retained to provide technical H&S support and industrial hygiene services. The scope of work consisted of the development and implementation of H&S programs such as job safety analyses (JSAs), lockout/tagout, and confined-space procedures. Improvement in compliance included machine guarding, fall protection, and electrical safety. Employees were also evaluated for exposure to chemicals and noise.