Worker engagement and simple conversation, is perhaps the best, yet most underutilized tool available to EHS compliance auditors. Auditors spend a lot of their time touring the facility; observing workplace conditions, machinery, processes and procedures; reviewing piles of facility records and assorted documents, and filling out compliance checklists. Organizations always benefit from an auditors “fresh set of eyes”; however, I’ve learned that management relishes a set of “fresh ears” as well.

Worker interviews are an important aspect of auditing, but are vastly underutilized in my opinion. Employers can’t fix EHS problems they don’t know about, and oftentimes, the best source of information is obtained from the workforce itself. Savvy employers who place safety over profits encourage, if not expect, auditors to engage and interact with their workforce. (I sense that is because management feels that it does not do enough of this by itself in that regard). Auditors may only be onsite for a few days at best to assess an operation, while frontline workers are onsite daily.

Depending on the auditor's plan, engagement can occur in the workplace setting, or can be arranged in a one-on-one discussion in a more private setting. Worker engagement, when done appropriately and without judgement, provides an opportunity for the workforce to be heard and reveal things that may escape even a seasoned auditor’s observations. Only through careful questioning and discussion can an auditor evaluate the effectiveness of training, labor’s awareness of hazards, unreported mishaps, defective or ineffective tools/equipment, or a myriad of potential employee safety and environmental issues. I like to think that my audit style reminds individuals to think about of the risks associated with their work and how their responsibilities effect co-workers’ safety and contribute to the success of the organization. Conversations with workers usually conclude with me thanking the worker for their information, input, and positive contribution to the company’s safety efforts.

Over the years, I’ve developed a series of general questions that I use on audits to stimulate conversation with the workforce and unlock good information and elicit meaningful feedback from the workforce. If you’re looking to step up the effectiveness of your audits and inspections and would like to receive an emailed copy of sample audit questions I use to gauge EHS risk, please send a request to info@elliottconsultingflorida.com.