Recognize the Difference Between an OHS Inspection and Audit
An effective way is needed to measure and assess the effectiveness of K3 (Occupational Health and Safety) procedures in a company. That is why K3 audits and K3 inspections are carried out.
Before carrying out an audit and inspection, you need to know what is the difference between the two? Let’s find out what exactly is the difference between these two things!
Definition of K3 Audit
If you want to understand the difference between an audit and an OHS inspection, you need to know what the two mean first. This audit is an attempt to assess the effectiveness of a system. In this case, it means that the audit will evaluate whether the K3 system in a company is effective or not.
It can be said that this audit focuses on efforts to determine whether the company has implemented an appropriate OSH system or not. In addition, this audit is also carried out to identify any weaknesses in the K3 system in a company.
Definition of K3 Inspection
Then what is K3 inspection? This inspection is a systematic and thorough examination of a working environment condition. Later this inspection will document various types of hazards or practices that are considered unsafe in that environment.
When compared to an audit, this K3 inspection has a much wider scope. The focus is more and covers various types of aspects. In the end, the inspection will come to a conclusion whether the K3 system meets the standards or not.
Differences in K3 Audit and Inspection
Let’s make a comparison so that we can more easily differentiate K3 audits and inspections. Here is a comparison table that can make you understand more about the differences between the two.
| K3 Audits | K3 Inspection |
| Focusing on the overall applicable OSH management system. | Focusing on efforts to identify and control hazards in the application of OSH in the company. |
| Efforts are being made in the form of worker training programs so that there are no more hazards arising from the wrong application of OSH. | Efforts are made in the form of observing practices in the work environment in order to draw conclusions whether there are aspects of operations that are considered unsafe. |
| Detects the presence of a hazard and attempts to eliminate it. | Carry out inspection efforts on all work equipment and determine whether the security system is sufficient or not. |
| More emphasis on process. | More emphasis on the end result. |
| The audit process will be carried out by external company personnel, which could be an audit institution appointed by the minister. | The inspection process is carried out by the company’s internal personnel. Usually it will be carried out by people who are familiar and competent with the work operating system that applies to the company. |
From this it can be seen clearly that audits and K3 inspections are actually two things that really have real differences. But both of them want to achieve one goal. The goal is to achieve a safe and effective company operational system.
One of the striking differences between an audit and an OSH inspection is the person carrying out the task. Specifically for inspections, the person carrying out the task comes from within the company. However, workers may not carry out inspections in their own work area.
Meanwhile in the audit system there will be external parties who make observations. The existence of this external party will provide an objective assessment of the K3 system in the company so there is no subjective assessment.
K3 audit will be carried out by competent and professional institutions outside the company. SUCOFINDO is an auditing institution that has been widely trusted in Indonesia. Consists of a team of professionals who are competent in conducting assessments or audits in various industrial sectors.
For more information on inspection and audit services. You can read our article here. If you and your company need further information regarding our services, contact and consult about it here.
