SMP specialists have experienced both sides of the ISO and VPP audit process. This background offers clients seeking certification in either program a broad perspective on how to efficiently achieve their goal. The first step in this process is to analyze the present system against the requirements of the standard. This is called a gap analysis and clearly points out any weakness or vulnerability that may exist in the company's safety program. The preparation of the gap analysis generally takes only a few days and results in a document that delineates where action is required, thus focusing limited resources where they are most needed.
OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program, also known as STAR, is a prestigious award given only to companies that can demonstrate their commitment to safety. After reviewing a submitted application, OSHA compliance personnel will verify injury and illness data to ensure that the companies injury and illness records are below their industry average. This is followed by an in depth audit, with 3 to 6 auditors spending a week talking to employees and managers, reviewing records and observing site operations. At the conclusion of the audit, if all goes well, a 'punch' list is presented of audit findings which must be corrected within a certain amount of time (usually a few months). Once the corrections are made and verified by the VPP Team, the process becomes administrative and within a short time the certificate is issued.
