By Steven Baybutt on Thursday, 28 March 2019
Category: PROCESS SAFETY

WHAT COMPANIES SHOULD LOOK FOR IN A PROCESS SAFETY AUDITOR

Every three years, companies in the process industries must perform a compliance audit for their Process Safety Management (PSM) systems and Risk Management Programs (RMP). Many companies turn to third parties for assistance in conducting their PSM / RMP compliance audits in order to gain an outside perspective regarding implementation of PSM and RMP practices at their facility. However, companies often focus on the wrong factors in making a decision on selecting a third-party auditor. 

 Common decision factors include:

The most important factor to consider is the competency of the PSM/RMP auditors, although often this is not given the attention it deserves. Process safety auditors should be certified to ensure their competency. PSM/RMP audits require not only auditing skills but also detailed knowledge of the performance-based process safety regulations. Certification ensures that auditors meet a defined standard of competency through education, experience, practice, training, and knowledge to ensure quality audits are performed.

Does your company use third-party process safety auditors? Are you considering competency when selecting auditors for your triennial PSM / RMP compliance audits? Are they certified?