Audit
Has the scope of the system changed?
Has the structure of the system changed?
Are team members clear on their tasks and scope of works?
Has top management assigned a representative/function with sufficient authority, awareness, competence & resources to ensure the establishment, maintenance & improvement of the EMS as well as to report to the top on environmental performance and present opportunities for improvement?
Does the policy commit to comply with or exceed applicable legal and other requirements?
Does the policy commit to the prevention of pollution?
Does the policy commit to continual improvement through environmental performance evaluation procedures and indicators?
Has the policy (most up to date) been appropriately communicated and displayed to wider G-MW?
Does each team member have a clear understanding of the activities, products & services that fall within the scope of the system?
Have aspects been identified, risk rated and assigned controls or investigation programs?
Do a set of criteria exist to determine the significance of risk?
Is there a program in place to ensure aspects are reviewed periodically?
Is there an up to date register or list of applicable legal and other requirements? (i.e. agreements with public authorities, voluntary principals, corporate requirements, agreements with community groups/NGOs)
Are G-MW's risks linked to the relevant legislation and other obligations?
Is there a process in place to anticipate and prepare for new or changed requirements?
Is there an effective process in place to track or monitor environmental performance against legal obligations?
Are the objectives and targets for the EMS clearly set out and documented in some form of program?
Do performance indicators exist to track progress in achieving objectives and targets? Are there performance indicators measurable and clearly allocated to someone?
Is the EMS reasonably resourced to carry outs its functions? i.e. to establish, implement, maintain and improve the EMS for current and future needs of the organisation.
Is the system encountering a shortage in resources/support in any of the following areas: infrastructure, information systems, training, technology, financial, human and any other resources specific to the EMS operation?
Are resources and their allocation reviewed periodically in conjunction with the Management Review to ensure their adequacy?
Is there a training program in place to identify the training needs of employees?
Does the design and development of the training plan address the defined training needs?
Have different training groups been identified and programs established for each?
Is there a system of documenting and monitoring the training received?
Is there a system of evaluating training received against training needs and requirements?
What internal communication procedures or processes exist to disseminate environmental communication? (i.e. demonstrating commitment and efforts to improve environmental performance as well as the results; raising awareness and encouraging dialogue about policy; performance and achievements; feedback and responding; promoting continual improvement). Are there adequate?
Is there a procedure for receiving, documenting, and responding to relevant communication from external parties? Is there a communication strategy?
Is there a central register of all EMS documents? Does it contain a provision of review to identify documents that need updating?
Are the current versions of the relevant documents available at all locations where required?
Are all obsolete documents promptly removed from all points of issue and use?
Are there a set of operational controls to meet the organisations environmental policy commitments, achieve its targets and objectives, comply with applicable legal and other requirements and to manage its significant environmental aspects?
Are these controls reviewed/evaluated periodically?
Is there a procedure detailing how to identify potential emergency situations, accidents and other incidents?
Is this procedure reviewed periodically?
Is there an effective and systematic approach for measuring, monitoring and reporting environmental performance?
Is there a procedure for periodically evaluating compliance to legal requirements applicable to environmental aspects? Is this procedure periodically reviewed?
Is there a systematic method in identifying actual and potential non-conformity(ies), making connections and taking corrective and preventative action.
Does the audit system ensure that all organisational units/functions, system elements and the full scope of the EMS are audited periodically?
Is a Management Review held annually to review the aspects of activities, products and services within the scope of the EMS?
Does top management contribute to the process of evaluating opportunities for improvement?
If opportunities are identified, are the implementation actions adequately resourced?
