internal auditing guidelines to conduct an effective ISO 9001 ISO 14001 oHSAS 18001 internal audit

 

Effective internal audits act as a solid foundation and growth engine for an organization. There are many organizations that make internal audit process just a documentary compliance process without really putting an effort towards realizing true potential of an effective internal audit.

 

Internal audit if done properly through a qualified internal auditors / consultants with full commitment and correct approach, can do wonders for the organization it its drive towards improving operational excellence by identification of areas of improvement and present or future non – conformances.

 

If you / your team is conducting internal audit, below are some points that will be helpful to you to conduct the audit with correct approach.

 

·        Identify what all requirements from the ISO 9001 QMS, ISO 14001 EMS AND OHSAS 18001 standard will be applicable to the particular department you are auditing & check compliance of all of them.

·        Then ask for SOP

·        Once you get SOP see if it is in editable or non-editable form. It must be the pdf form or if paper based then must be stamped as controlled copy.

·        Check for input and out put of the sop. They must be clearly identified.

·        Check for description of the process in SOP. It must be nicely written that covers what a department does for that process in reasonable depth.

·        Check for reference documents as mentioned in the reference doc part  SOP. All the documents mentioned must be available and followed.

·        Check for any other documents they are using but not part of SOP.

·        Ask for quality objective list. Make sure the quality objectives are measurable and time bound.

·        Check about awareness of quality policy and quality objectives with HOD, process owner and other employees. They must be knowing if not completely but partly.

·        Ask for plan for achieving of quality objectives

·        Ask for tracking of quality objectives / HSE objectives.  Achievement data must be available against each objective.

·        Take notes while auditing

·        Summarize the findings and find out NCs if any

·        Share with the auditee and get approval of the NC from the auditee. Give full freedom to the auditee to prove that it is not a non conformity. Prepare NC report with objective evidence and  give it  to the auditee.

·        Follow-up with the auditee to ensure actions are taken within the predetermined time frame.

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