Audit in the OHS-MS of companies from Manizales (Colombia): a system fissure (#1576)

Authors

Pantoja Ospina, Martin Alonso

Roa Quintero, Diana Maria

Giraldo Daza, Helver Augusto

Abstract

This article aims to identify the status of the audit of the Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHS-MS) in companies from Manizales (Colombia). Using an instrument designed according with the Colombian national regulations, the degree of compliance in the implementation of SG-SST was established and the status of the audit in these systems was identified in detail for a sample of 34 companies from different economic sectors in the city of Manizales (Colombia). The methodology used was analytical with a descriptive and cross-sectional scope. The results indicate that even though the general assessments of the OHS-MS of these companies reach acceptable levels, at the specific level of the audit the results together show a high dispersion and integrate 3 clearly differentiated groups, the third of which is the most critical that refers to the auditor training process and the scarce developtment of two- and three-party audits. It is concluded that the internal audit can become a ritual protocol of low impact and questionable value, a circumstance that constitutes a fissure in the OHS-MS of the companies in the sample.