Audit Fatigue - Perhaps you need a fresh approach

http://www.ishn.com/Articles/Feature_Article/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000919171

Auditing can become mundane, especially when done by the same person or group of people every year, year after year. Your procedure and timing may be too predictable and you expect the same results. Perhaps it is time for a change in pace. Try doing your audit more spontaneous and with a different person or group. If you hire an outside source for your audits, check with them to see how they are changing their process or approach. At a minimum, there should be new safety rules and regulations that apply from the last audit.

The auditor can interview different people and change the questions. Sending out a survey in advance can provide the people being interviewed with time to think about the questions and write out comments. But it can also be important to plan surveys by reviewing the records available and incorporating some key points and statistics into the surveys. It shouldn't surprise you to find out people don't always know the happenings outside their own work area. A simple question about if they knew something that happened in the company from a different division or department will help you to know very quickly if there is some communication barriers.

If you think you are not considering the human factors, such as stress, trust, teamwork and leadership, why not phase your questions towards these factors? Or maybe try performing the interview portions of the audit as a group meeting. Brainstorming about safety in the workplace can be beneficial when a group discusses the issues. Getting people involved more with the process helps to create buy-in and accountability.

All too often the audit is looked at as a snapshot in time, while the goal for safety is longterm. Sharing the audit information and follow-up are ways to keep safety in the minds of everyone. In order to build the perception that the workplace is safe, there needs to not only be support in leadership but thinking about safety needs to be a continual behavior that involves all levels of the company.