Internal Audit Report¶

Audit Identification: IA202508
Area: Health & Safety Management
Audit Date: 25/09/2025
Auditor: Sean Ashton
Date Completed: 25/09/2025
Findings: 0 Non-conformities, 2 Observations
Scope: ISO 45001:2018 Specific Requirements
Document Number: FORM_INTAR001 Rev 1 ID 01/09/2025

Executive Summary¶

The audit of A M Water Services' Health & Safety Management System demonstrates strong compliance with ISO 45001:2018 specific requirements. The company maintains an exemplary safety record with zero RIDDOR incidents and has established comprehensive procedures addressing all major health and safety risks inherent to water industry operations. The audit identified robust systems for hazard identification, risk assessment, and control implementation. Worker participation mechanisms are well-developed through the HSQE Committee structure, and emergency preparedness procedures are appropriate for the company's operational profile.

Two minor observations were noted regarding the enhancement of near-miss reporting rates and formalisation of HAVS monitoring schedules. These observations do not constitute non-conformities but represent opportunities to strengthen an already effective system. The company's commitment to its "#TEAM - Together Everyone Achieves More" philosophy is evident throughout the safety management approach, creating a positive safety culture that supports continuous improvement.

Introduction¶

This audit examined A M Water Services' Health & Safety Management System against the specific requirements of ISO 45001:2018, focusing on those elements unique to occupational health and safety management beyond the common ISO structure. The audit assessed the effectiveness of water industry-specific safety controls, worker consultation and participation mechanisms, hazard elimination processes, and emergency preparedness arrangements. This forms part of the 16-audit programme designed to verify IMS compliance ahead of surveillance audits.

Aims & Objectives¶

Verify compliance with ISO 45001:2018 specific requirements including hazard identification, risk assessment, and determination of controls
Assess the effectiveness of worker consultation and participation processes as defined in Section 5.4 of ISO 45001
Evaluate the implementation of the hierarchy of controls for eliminating hazards and reducing OH&S risks
Review emergency preparedness and response procedures specific to water industry operations
Confirm health surveillance arrangements meet regulatory requirements for identified occupational health risks
Validate that incident investigation and corrective action processes support continuous improvement

Audit Method¶

Document Review:

S.O.P_8.1 - Accident, Incident and Near Miss Reporting and Investigation Rev 2
S.O.P_8.2 through S.O.P_8.15 - Health & Safety specific procedures Rev 2
S.O.P_2.2 - Communication, Consultation & Worker Participation Rev 2
S.O.P_3.1 - Identification and Evaluation of Risk Rev 2
APP_07 - Hazard Identification Log Rev 1
APP_25 - Accident Statistics Register Rev 1
POL_HSQE_16 - Health & Safety Policy Statement Rev 2

Interviews Conducted:

Aaron Mason - Director (Operations/H&S)
HSQE Committee representatives
Team Leaders (2)
Operatives (3)

Observations:

HSQE Committee meeting minutes review (last 3 months)
Toolbox talk delivery and records
Site inspection reports and close-out actions
Emergency drill records (Q2 2025)

Sampling:

Risk assessments for water main installation activities (June-September 2025)
Training records for confined space and excavation work
COSHH assessments for chlorination procedures
Incident investigation reports (last 12 months)

Non-conformities¶

No non-conformities identified.

Observations¶

Ref	Observation	Impact	Recommendation	Ref
OBS-01	Near-miss reporting rate below target KPI	While no incidents have occurred, the near-miss reporting rate is below the target of 10 per month, potentially missing learning opportunities	Implement positive reinforcement programme for near-miss reporting; consider monthly recognition for best near-miss identification	CAR-2025-012
OBS-02	HAVS monitoring schedule informal	Although HAVS assessments are conducted, the monitoring schedule relies on supervisor memory rather than systematic triggers	Formalise HAVS exposure monitoring using the app mentioned in legal compliance register; establish automatic alerts for exposure limits	CAR-2025-013

Corrective Action Summary¶

Not applicable - no non-conformities identified.

Conclusions¶

The audit confirms that A M Water Services has established and maintains an effective Health & Safety Management System that meets ISO 45001:2018 specific requirements. The following areas demonstrate particular strength:

Areas meeting requirements:

Comprehensive hazard identification covering all water industry-specific risks including confined spaces, excavations, and chlorination
Robust incident investigation procedures with clear RIDDOR compliance pathways
Effective worker consultation through bi-monthly HSQE Committee meetings with documented participation
Emergency preparedness procedures tested quarterly with documented outcomes
Health surveillance arrangements in place for noise, HAVS, and COSHH-related risks
Zero RIDDOR incidents maintained demonstrating effective control implementation

What's working well: The company's safety performance significantly exceeds industry benchmarks with zero lost time injuries against an industry average LTIFR of 1.2 per million hours. The hierarchy of controls is consistently applied across all SOPs, with elimination and substitution prioritised where feasible. Worker participation is genuine and effective, with documented examples of operative suggestions leading to safety improvements. The integration of safety management with quality and environmental systems creates operational efficiencies whilst maintaining focus on critical safety requirements.

Integration across three standards: The health and safety management system demonstrates excellent integration with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 requirements. Risk assessment processes (S.O.P_3.1) address quality, environmental, and safety aspects simultaneously. Document control and records management systems serve all three standards effectively. The HSQE Committee structure ensures coordinated management of all three disciplines without compromising the specific focus required for occupational health and safety.

Recommendations¶

Enhance near-miss reporting culture: Introduce a monthly "Safety Champion" recognition programme celebrating the best near-miss report, with emphasis on learning value rather than severity. Share lessons learned through enhanced toolbox talk materials.
Digitalise HAVS monitoring: Implement the HAVS monitoring app identified in the legal compliance register to automate exposure tracking and trigger health surveillance requirements systematically.
Strengthen mental health provisions: While physical safety is excellently managed, consider appointing Mental Health First Aiders to support the workforce, particularly given the isolated nature of some water industry work.
Develop safety observation app: Create a simple mobile app allowing operatives to quickly report safety observations, near-misses, and good practices directly from site, reducing barriers to reporting.

Feedback & Acknowledgments¶

The audit process was fully supported by all personnel interviewed, with open and honest discussions about safety management practices. Aaron Mason's hands-on involvement in safety leadership was evident through his detailed knowledge of operational risks and controls. The Team Leaders demonstrated strong understanding of their safety responsibilities and actively promote the company's "#TEAM" philosophy. Operatives showed good awareness of safety procedures and felt genuinely empowered to stop work if unsafe conditions arise. The positive safety culture observed reflects the family business values and creates an environment where safety concerns can be raised without fear of blame.

Audit Report Prepared By¶

Name	Position	Signature	Date
Sean Ashton	HSQE Consultant	S.Ashton	25/09/2025
Aaron Mason	Director	A.Mason	25/09/2025

Corrective Action Close Out¶

Not applicable - no corrective actions required.

This audit report forms part of A M Water Services Limited's Internal Audit Programme (APP_23) and should be read in conjunction with the IMS Manual (MAN_01) and relevant Standard Operating Procedures.