How to Use Remote Auditing to Improve Hazardous Materials Management

How to Use Remote Auditing to Improve Hazardous Materials Management

Remote auditing, which is described in ISO 19011 Guidelines for Auditing Management Systems (2011), has numerous advantages over on-site auditing.  When properly used, remote audits can be more economical, more efficient, and more effective than on-site auditing of hazardous materials management. 

Remote auditing

1. eliminates travel expenses,

2. eliminates auditor travel time,

3. supports short, targeted (1 hour) audits instead of burdening an auditee with an entire lost day,

4. allows the auditor to go places virtually that cannot be audited physically,

5. provides electronic, visual evidence, and

6. encourages the improvement of the audit program.

However, remote auditing requires an adequate (conformant with ISO 19011) audit program and a verifiable trust among client, auditor, and auditee. 

The presenter, one of the US experts on the revision of ISO 19011, provides three years of examples from remote internal (conformance and compliance) audits.    If conditions allow, the presenter will also conduct an environmental audit of a client’s site.