Compliance Auditing Services
Ensure Your Company's Process Safety Management Program Complies with Regulatory Requirements
Our process safety specialists are dedicated to supporting safe industrial practices and have the experience and know-how to deliver quality auditing services. We can perform audits to determine conformance to OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Standard (29 CFR 1910.119) Process Safety Management (PSM) of highly hazardous chemicals, the Risk Management Plan (RMP) from EPA’s risk management rule (40 CFR Part 68) chemical accident prevention provisions, the New Jersey Toxic Catastrophe Prevention (NJTCPA) Consolidated Rule, or even your corporate process safety standards and programs.
Not only do our auditors have the expertise, credentials and background to ensure dependable, professional results, but we also have the soft skills to make partnering with us a successful experience in every way. Our emphasis on good communication and friendly collaboration is paired with a global scientific rigor, all in the service of safety.
A Three-Step Auditing Process for Facilities
Our process safety audits follow a three-step process beginning with information collection prior to a site visit followed up with a report and documentation.
Prior to the on-site visit, our process safety specialists work closely with site personnel to collect pertinent Process Safety Information (PSI) required for the audit. Time spent on this activity helps to optimize the time during the on-site visit so we can maximize our time spent with workers and making field observations. Information needed may include process descriptions and flow diagrams, material property data, site equipment layout drawings, written policies, and procedures.
In the second step, we conduct the site audit. During this visit, we complete record reviews, make visual observations, and conduct interviews with site operations and maintenance personnel as well as contract personnel in order to assess compliance. For OSHA, EPA, and NJTCPA compliance, a detailed checklist is completed addressing all aspects of the standards.
Finally, we submit a written report to the client that contains our findings, checklists, observations, and suggestions concerning any gaps found in the PSM, RMP, and/or NJTCPA covered portions of the site. We offer insight and recommendations as necessary to support the advancement of the site’s safety programs and come into compliance with legislated requirements and best industry practices.
A process safety management audit is a structured evaluation of an organization’s process safety program. A PSM audit determines whether the program complies with applicable regulations, internal requirements, and recognized standards. It also verifies that required practices have been implemented effectively, identifies compliance gaps, and supports ongoing process safety improvement.
Process safety audits help organizations identify compliance gaps, evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs, and reduce risks that could contribute to fires, explosions, or chemical releases. Regular process safety auditing also helps facilities verify conformance with regulatory requirements, strengthen management systems, and prioritize corrective actions that support safer and more reliable operations.
A process safety compliance audit may evaluate requirements under OSHA Process Safety Management, including 29 CFR 1910.119, and the EPA Risk Management Plan program. Depending on the facility, an OSHA PSM audit or EPA RMP audit may also assess applicable New Jersey Toxic Catastrophe Prevention Act requirements, internal standards, and company specific process safety programs.
A process safety audit typically includes a review of documents and records, interviews with personnel, field observations, and an evaluation of applicable process safety management elements. DEKRA’s compliance auditing services follow a three step approach consisting of information gathering, an onsite audit, and a final report outlining findings and recommendations.
A process safety audit evaluates whether an organization’s overall process safety management program complies with applicable requirements and is being implemented effectively. A Process Hazard Analysis focuses on identifying and evaluating hazards associated with a particular process and determining whether existing safeguards are adequate. Both activities support risk reduction, but they evaluate different aspects of process safety.
A PSM audit should be conducted at the intervals required by applicable regulations and the organization’s internal standards. Facilities may also schedule additional audits after significant operational changes, to verify completed corrective actions, or to evaluate program effectiveness. Regular auditing helps maintain compliance and supports continuous improvement within the process safety management system.
An independent process safety management audit provides an objective evaluation of the organization’s program and can reveal gaps or blind spots that internal teams may overlook. Independent process safety auditing also provides specialized regulatory knowledge, insight into industry practices, and practical recommendations for strengthening compliance and improving program performance.
Before a process safety audit, organizations are typically asked to provide process descriptions, process flow diagrams, material property data, equipment drawings, written policies, operating procedures, and other relevant records. This information allows the audit team to understand the operation, evaluate applicable requirements, and prepare an efficient process safety compliance audit.
After the audit, the organization receives a report containing findings, observations, completed checklists, identified compliance gaps, and recommended actions. The report provides a structured foundation for resolving deficiencies, strengthening process safety management systems, tracking corrective actions, and supporting continuous improvement after the compliance auditing services are completed.
A process safety compliance audit is valuable for facilities that handle highly hazardous chemicals, combustible dusts, flammable materials, or other processes with potentially serious consequences. This may include chemical manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, food processors, energy companies, and other organizations subject to PSM or RMP requirements.
