Auditing is a critical element in any electrical safety program

Auditing is a critical element of an electrical safety program. It is the verification of what is working and what is not working within company policies, procedures, and programs. It identifies gaps in a company's standards, programs and work practices that do not meet the local or federal regulations or industry consensus standards, such as NFPA 70E and/or CSA Z462 that apply to the facility. There are three basic types of audits: internal, external and regulatory. This paper will focus on the major elements of an audit which include: 1) pre-audit activities, involving selection of auditors, and scope of audits, 2) on-site audit activities including protocols and criteria involved, and 3) post-audit activities outlining findings and recommendations for improvement. Auditing is important to the electrical safety program because the focus is on continuous improvement in safety. It also verifies that the policies, procedures and work practices of the company are technologically sound, abreast of the regulations, and include the best practices of the industry.