Lancaster University

HASMAP - The Audit Protocol

The audit will follow the HASMAP (Health and Safety Management Profile) protocol and will investigate the control of specific hazards present within a Department. It can be divided into the following 5 discrete steps;

1. Hazard Identification

   The number and nature of the hazards included in an audit will depend on the work being carried out within the Department. It is the responsibility of the lead auditor to ensure an appropriate range of hazards are covered. A list of the hazards to be included will be sent to the Head of Department by the lead auditor at the start of the audit process.

2. Scoping Meeting with Head of Department

   A meeting will be held between the Head of Department and the lead auditor in which the hazard list will be reviewed and discussed. The Head of Department may request that this list be modified. In order for the audit procedure to be independent, the final decision as to which hazards are to be regarded as 'in scope' rests with the lead auditor.

3. Evidence Gathering

   The audit team will conduct interviews, carry out observations and review documentation relevant to the control of the hazards. Every effort will be made to minimise disruption to the Department during this process. It is estimated that this stage will take several days and be conducted over the course of not more than two weeks. Any weaknesses identified during this process will be communicated to the Head of Department who will be given the opportunity to ask for additional evidence to be collected in support of the findings.

4. Draft Report

   Recommendations will be drafted and HASMAP indicator scores allocated. The latter are determined by the meeting of objective criteria stipulated in the HASMAP process and will be presented in a tabulated format.

   Recommendations will be summarised at the end of the report in a draft Action Plan. The draft report will be sent to the Head of Department who will be invited to highlight any factual inaccuracies and complete and endorse the Action Plan

5. Publication of Completed Audit Report

   The final audit report will be sent to the Head of Department as well as to members of the University Health and Safety Committee and the Vice Chancellor.

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