An increase in the level of awareness for a safe working environment has resulted in the design of a well-organized structure of management known as HSE (health safety and environment) audit management. At the core of this auditing process (for most forward-thinking businesses anyway) is the use of an HSE software.

Managing HSE audits comes with a lot of responsibility. Whether you are the business owner or you are paid to audit by a business owner, there are guidelines for being successful at the task.

1. Encourage Employees When They Embrace Safety Ethics.

It takes a measure of effort to embrace safety ethics. These efforts need to be applauded, else staffs may become less passionate about HSE standards. You need to constantly remind them that by embracing HSE standards, they are benefiting themselves and other staffs.

Also, make it clear that you observe and appreciate their level of commitment to HSE standards and its importance to the continued existence of the business. This will move them to want to do more.

2. Demand or Staff Participation.

The members of staff are the subject matter when it comes to HSE audit management. They are basically the ones to be protected. It makes perfect sense for you to carry them along in your safety plans.

You do this when you give room for complaints and suggestions and also you respond to them appropriately. A good HSE auditor is a good listener. Even when their claims appear not to be valid or their suggestions seem not to be the right way to go, give them attention.

3. Reward Staff Participation.

There are several ways to do this could come in forms of incentives, a rise in their wages, a surprise treat, and many more.

If you are not the business owner, perhaps you are paid to work as an HSE audit manager, it is very unlikely you will be able to influence the giving of monetary tips to employees with right safety attitude. However, an honest compliment will do just as much as monetary tips when you do it rightly.

When giving compliments, be specific about the actions they took and how it promotes a safe working environment. They won’t forget that in a long time and would want to do more. whichever way you choose to do it, let them know you are rewarding their right attitude to HSE standards.

4. Lead by Example

Action speaks louder than words. Simply telling them about safety standards is not enough. You have to adopt them yourself. Your actions and attitude to HSE ethics are being observed by the staffs. This is even more important if you are the business owner. This includes provision and usage of safety equipment when on duty.

When staffs see you follow even the most humbling safety precautions as a business owner, they will get the message clearly. Hence, they would have no option but to follow them, at least, to the standard to which they observe you do without being supervised.

5. Invest in your staffs.

Training workers goes beyond talking and your actions. You can bring in some health personnel to give a lecture on special occasions such as during retreats, you can also finance their participation in Annual general meetings and workshops where a safe working environment is taken seriously.

If you are a paid auditor, you can send videos or articles of a home safety training to all staffs or specific employees who you think might need special assistance in playing along with safety rules.

6. Work Towards a Simplified Working Environment.

Removing hazards where possible should also do to ease the efforts of workers in adopting HSE ethics. Although longtime staffs may have enough experience in following safety rules, new employees may have a hard time getting along with the work environment.to avoid casualties, make the work environment simple enough for them. Also, ensure your auditing software design is simple enough for seamless management.

For example, a construction company may decide to have newbies work on the ground floor so as to avoid exposing them to the risk of falling off the upper floor of the uncompleted building. This will give them enough time to get familiar with their new work environment and adopt safety ethics with time.

7. Conduct regular inspection.

It is not out of place to take a stroll through the workspace. Your physical presence in the workspace will be a constant reminder to the staffs of what you represent – a safe working environment. That way, even if they get carried away with and refuse to adopt her standards, it won’t happen for long.

This will also help you take note of new developments such as a newly purchased equipment, a faulty machine, e.t.c, and the effect this will have on set HSE standards. Do not be overly strict during inspections. If there is a need for a correction, do it in a friendly way. Let them know you are there to help them and not for their inconvenience.

8. Be Accommodating.

Being an HSE audit manager, you might have the authority of removing and installing some facilities. However, do not forget that the staffs are the ones who work with this equipment. Therefore, the right thing to do is to tell them about new developments and ask what they think about it.

Let them know the reason why you are changing that drilling machine. Also, additional advantages the newly installed equipment has in line with ensuring a safe working environment Should be communicated to them.

Cases of non-interactive HSE audit managers have been reported to have led to friction in working dynamics and losses and casualties have been incurred due to this. See yourself for who you should be –  a part of the working team.

9. Know the Workers by Name.

Being identified by name promotes closeness amongst workers. Even if you feel the size of your workforce is too large for that, try to know 60 to 70 % of the workers by name. they will feel good knowing you have a personal interest in them and not just what they have to offer your business.

If you are in a production or construction company, most workers believe administrative staffs do not really understand their challenges. Knowing them by name is a basic step to overcoming this challenge. It will open communication channels on a deeper level and foster understanding between you and them.

10. Get New Information Daily.

the HSE sector is evolving every day. Developments and new trends are the order of the day. Competence in HSE audit management requires that you keep up with these trends and see ways in which they can be incorporated into your workspace.

You can subscribe to blogs with articles on workplace safety, health, and related issues. Most of them are free or at little cost.

STEP UP YOUR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TODAY

Improving your management skills is the right way to go if you want to be a successful audit manager and maintain the status. At Bekon, Training is delivered through a learning management system that simplifies staff training.

Your location is not a barrier as you can opt for one on one training or distance learning. A flexible Leaning management system ensures that a wide range of organizations can adopt our software. Look up other interesting features of our LMS and start with a free trial today.

Related Articles You Might Also Like:

HSE Audit Checklist: 10 Things You Need to Do

4 Strategic Ways to Justify Switching to a new QHSE Software

What to Look for When Choosing an HSEQ Compliance software

HSE Incident Management Best Practices: 6 Tips to Improve Your Process