Occupational health and safety management systems in the Canadian pulp and paper industry: methods of auditing

The Canadian Pulp and Paper Association has developed eight "Guiding Principles for Management of Occupational Health and Safety" (OH&S) for its member companies. As part of a study to assess member companies' OH&S activities, an on-site audit was performed for 11 sites. The audit assessed five key components of a management system for a number of OH&S activities. Management-system components more likely to be in place included system ownership and goals and procedures, whereas measures of performance, a review of measures, and corrective action were less likely to be present. Environmental surveillance and injury reduction were most actively monitored, as indicated by the number of measures of performance relating to these activities. The auditing process demonstrated leadership and communicated the OH&S priorities of the Canadian Pulp and Paper Association to the sites.