Five Star Occupational

Health and Safety Audit

Specification August 2017

Membership · Training · Qualifications · Audit and Consultancy · Policy and Opinion · Awards
 Contents Page
1 Introduction to the Five Star Audit model 1
2 Five Star Audit process 2
3 Scoring and grading system 3
4 Audit report and action planning 4
5 Preparing for the audit 5
6 Standardisation and quality assurance 5
7 Specification details 6
8 Specification guidance 8

© British Safety Council 2017 Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit specification 2017 D
1. Introduction to the
Five Star Audit model

This document is intended to provide a summary of the

British Safety Council Five Star Audit process, together
with details of the audit specification.
The Five Star Audit process involves an in-depth examination of an organisation’s
entire health and safety management system(s) and associated arrangements.
The audit focuses on the key aspects of managing occupational health and safety
in the workplace and offers a structured path for continual improvement towards
best practice status.

Utilising extensive worldwide industry experience and acknowledging aspects of

internationally recognised occupational health and safety management systems
and standards, the British Safety Council has developed a unique Five Star
Audit model that objectively evaluates occupational health and safety systems
and arrangements against current best practice techniques. The audit model is
reflective of the recognised PLAN – DO – CHECK – ACT management cycle.

Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit: 2017 specification

Pl
an

Organisational
commitment and
structure

Senior (top)
Act

Management
Strategic

review and
Five Best planning
continual
improvement
Practice
Indicators

Performance Implementation
evaluation and operation

Ch
e ck
Do

Five Best Practice Indicators:

• Leadership
• Stakeholder participation
• Risk management
• Organisational health and safety culture
• Continual improvement

© British Safety Council 2017 Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit specification 2017 1
 2. Five Star Audit process

The Five Star Audit is carried out using the following process
of objective verification:
The auditor will review all aspects of the organisation’s health and safety
systems and supportive arrangements against the requirements of the British
Safety Council’s Five Star Audit specification. The auditor will also assess the
effectiveness of implementation of these arrangements through an inspection of
relevant (agreed) site(s) and sampling of operational activities.

During the audit process, management, staff and other stakeholders will be
interviewed (as agreed) to confidentially discuss aspects of occupational health
and safety relevant to their roles and responsibilities.

A subsequent report is produced identifying the strengths and areas for

improvement within the organisation’s health and safety management systems.
The report also includes observations and recommendations, together with
action planning, for consideration.

Five Star Audit 2017: Audit delivery process steps

Review of health and safety

management documentation

Interview with management,

staff and other stakeholders

Site tour, inspection and operational sampling

© British Safety Council 2017 Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit specification 2017 2
3. Scoring and
grading system

The Five Star Audit process outcome is determined by

application of the British Safety Council’s quantified system
of evaluation (see below).
The overall audit grading is as follows:

Marks % Star rating

92 – 100: Excellent
(best practice verified in most elements)

85 – 91.9: Very good

(best practice verified in many elements)

75 – 84.9: Good
(best practice verified in some elements)

60 – 74.9: Adequate
(significant improvements required
to achieve best practice)

50 – 59.9: Less than adequate

(extensive improvements required
to achieve best practice)

The Five Star Audit process focuses on five sections (59 elements) and five best
practice indicators (BPI) as shown below:

Section Audit criteria Maximum accredited audit figure

1. Organisational commitment 750 points
and structure
2. Strategic planning 1,125 points
3. Implementation and operation 1,500 points
4. Performance evaluation 1,125 points
5. Senior (top) Management review 500 points
and continual improvement
Total: 5,000 points

BPI 1: Leadership
BPI 2: Stakeholder participation
BPI 3: Risk management
BPI 4: Organisational health and safety culture
BPI 5: Continual improvement

The five sections of the audit are divided into 59 elements which attract a maximum
numerical value of 5,000 points. Several of these elements are considered as
essential components within a best practice safety management system, reflected
by their inclusion within more than one section of the audit model. Wherever an
element of the audit is not applicable to the organisation, it is excluded from the audit.

Individual element findings and outcomes are detailed within the subsequent
audit report.

Throughout the audit, five best practice indicators are evaluated either as
elements in their own right, or alternatively as scoring areas within other
elements. The overall scoring for each of these indicators is illustrated
separately within the report’s executive summary against an indicative level
of best practice. This aspect of the audit process is designed to encourage
organisations to focus upon continually developing their health and safety
management systems and culture.

© British Safety Council 2017 Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit specification 2017 3
4. Audit report and
action planning

Upon completion of the audit process, a comprehensive

report is prepared by the auditor and will be issued within
28 days. The report content will include:
• Executive summary (including graphical performance indicators)
• Overall star grading and sectional scoring
• Observations
• Recommendations for improvement
• Action planning tables.

The recommendations against the requirements of the Five Star Audit

specification are presented in tabulated colour coded format as per the key below:

Grading system
Colour code Priority Definition
High: Recommendations to be
Less than 60% awarded implemented as a high
in this element priority action

Medium: Recommendations to be
Between 60% and 99.9% implemented as a medium
awarded in this element priority action

Low: Monitor existing

100% awarded in this arrangements in this area
element to maintain best practice

Not applicable The requirements of this

element are not applicable

The green coded area indicates full marks have been awarded in respect of
the Five Star Audit scoring criteria. The organisation should continue to monitor
these elements in order to maintain best practice.

The amber coded area indicates were some marks have been deducted.

The red coded area indicates were significant marks have been deducted in
respect of the Five Star Audit scoring criteria.

Wherever marks have been deducted, a recommendation will be provided that,

if followed and effectively implemented, will assist the organisation in working
toward best practice standards.

The action planning tables are also designed to allow the organisation to plan for
implementation of the recommendations by self populating the relevant columns
as appropriate.

If any elements of the audit specification are not applicable to the audited organisation
then these will be left blank within the relevant table and indicated as N/A.

As with any time-bound audit, observations and recommendations made are

based upon the agreed scope and depth of information made available during
the audit process.

© British Safety Council 2017 Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit specification 2017 4
5. Preparing for the audit

In order for the audit process to be as effective as possible,

it is considered important that pre-audit preparations are
agreed and completed.
Once all logistical arrangements have been confirmed with the relevant British
Safety Council account manager, the allocated auditor will make contact with
the appropriate person within the organisation no later than 10 days before
the audit start date to discuss and agree the audit details (timings, interviews,
site inspections, induction process, security / PPE arrangements, etc)

This specification document (see section 8) outlines the various forms of

information and documentation that the auditor is likely to request for review,
together with personnel who may be requested for interview.

It would be advantageous if documentation is readily available (either electronically

or in hard copy) for the auditor. Some of this material may be retained by the
auditor during the audit process (with explicit consent of the auditee).

All British Safety Council auditors are mindful of operational demands and
requirements and will apply as much flexibility with the audit schedule as is
reasonably practicable to accommodate such matters.

6. Standardisation and
quality assurance

British Safety Council auditors are appropriately qualified, highly

experienced health and safety professionals who are subject
to a robust internal quality assurance and appraisal process,
in addition to the requirements of relevant professional bodies
with whom they are members.
All audit reports are technically verified and quality endorsed before being issued
to clients. Auditors are also subject to “on-site” monitoring (subject to client
agreement) on a sampling basis.

Mandatory auditor standardisation meetings also take place on a regular basis.

This specification document is reviewed at least annually to reflect changes in

legislation and relevant developments and trends in occupational health and
safety management best practice technique.

© British Safety Council 2017 Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit specification 2017 5
7. Specification details

Element headings
Plan Do Check Act

Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Section 5

Organisational Commitment Strategic planning Implementation Performance evaluation Senior (top) Management
and structure (1,125 points) and operation (1,125 points) review and continual
(750 points) (1,500 points) improvement
(500 points)
1.01 S
 cope, nature and scale 2.01 Status assessment 3.01 Identification of 4.01 Monitoring of 5.01 Senior (top)
of occupational health (including hazards, opportunities occupational health management review
and safety management benchmarking) and assessment of risk and safety objectives process
system
1.02 O
 ccupational health and 2.02 Occupational health 3.02 Safe operating 4.02 Monitoring of 5.02 R
 eview of effectiveness
safety policy statement and safety objectives procedures (safe occupational of leadership,
systems of work) health and safety resources and support
programmes and
plan(s)
1.03 S
 tructure (roles, 2.03 Occupational 3.03 Management and Proactive measurement 5.03 Continual improvement
responsibilities, health and safety Control of Work (evaluation and
accountabilities and programmes and equipment 4.03 Auditing (internal and planning)
authorities) planning external)

1.04 C
 ompetence and 2.04 Competence and 3.04 Manual handling 4.04 Monitoring systems 5.04 Corporate social
capabilities capability (planning) (including inspection, responsibility
risk assessment
review, sampling,
surveys)
1.05 L
 eadership and 2.05 Strategic leadership 3.05 Management and 4.05 Evaluation of legislative
commitment control of workstation (and other) compliance
ergonomics (including
DSE)
1.06 S
 takeholder consultation 2.06 Provision of resources 3.06 Workplace welfare 4.06 Health surveillance
and participation and support (Housekeeping, monitoring
storage, welfare
facilities, etc)
1.07 Information and 2.07 Risk management, 3.07 Management of 4.07 Monitoring of
communication risk profiling and occupational road risk contractors, suppliers
management operational control (including traffic and and outsourced
transport management) function(s)
1.08 Organisational 2.08 Occupational health 3.08 Permit to work and 4.08 Evaluation of
commitment toward and wellbeing safe isolation systems effectiveness of
health and wellbeing (planning) information and
communication
management
1.09 C
 hange management 2.09 Emergency incident 3.09 Working at height Reactive measurement
and post-event
recovery planning 4.09 Accident, incident,
near miss report
and investigation
monitoring
1.10 L
 egislative (and other) 2.10 Procurement, 3.10 Lifting equipment 4.10 Ill health and
compliance outsourcing and absenteeism
contractor approval monitoring
2.11 Planning for a positive 3.11 Pressure systems 4.11 Loss/damage analysis
health and safety
culture
3.12 Control of hazardous 4.12 Non-conformance
substances (including monitoring and
biological agents) evaluation

© British Safety Council 2017 Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit specification 2017 6
7. Specification details cont.

Element headings
Plan Do Check Act

Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Section 5

Organisational Commitment Strategic planning Implementation Performance evaluation Senior (top) Management
and structure (1,125 points) and operation (1,125 points) review and continual
(750 points) (1,500 points) improvement
(500 points)
3.13 Management and
control of asbestos
3.14 Management and
control of electrical
hazards
3.15 Management and
control of noise
3.16 Management and
control of vibration
3.17 Personal protective
equipment
3.18 Competence
and capability
(implementation)
3.19 Management and
control of psycho-
social hazards
3.20 Implementing a
positive health and
safety culture
3.21 Implementing
emergency incident
and post-event
recovery controls
3.22 Fire safety
management
(protective and
preventive controls)

© British Safety Council 2017 Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit specification 2017 7
8. Specification guidance

Five Star Audit 2016: Specification details (Please note: This table contains typical information likely to be
reviewed during the audit process but is not a definitive index)
Plan Do Check Act

Subject area S1: Organisational S2: Strategic S3: Implementation S4: Performance S5: Senior(top)
Commitment and planning and operation evaluation management review
structure (750 points) (1125 points) (1500 points) (1125 points) and continual
Example of typical Example of typical Example of typical Example of typical improvement
information required information required information required information required (500 points)
Example of typical
information required
Organisational Explicit commitment Policy statement Policy statement Review of training Evidence that top
Commitment within the policy consistent with readily available to, records (senior) management
and occupational statement to: subsequent OH&S and understood by, all carry out a formal
Interviews with senior
health and safety objectives and levels of management, review of OHSMS
Legislative (and management
management system planning staff and other performance
other) compliance;
stakeholders (verified Accident/incident/near
continual improvement; Description of how Evidence of policy
through interview) miss/non-conformance
periodic review, OHSMS elements statement reviewed
analysis
prevention of injury & interlink with Training and induction
Evidence of strategy
ill health; provision of each other records Corporate and other
planning reflective of
adequate resources; management reports
Evidence of OHSMS Effective top management review
management of risk;
planning aligned implementation of Minutes from outcomes
consultation with
with overall business OHSMS through management and other
stakeholders Interview with top
strategy and processes observation and relevant meetings
senior management
Policy readily available interviews
Evidence of OHSMS Inspection and audit
and provides the Corporate health and
status assessment Effective reports
framework for safety reporting
implementation of
occupational health Evidence of internal Evidence of risk
risk assessment and Primary related
and safety (OH&S) and/or external assessment review
controls (sampling) elements
objective setting and OHSMS performance
is consistent with OH&S objectives and All elements in this
benchmarking Primary related
corporate values programme monitoring section
elements
OHSMS programme/
(3.01)(3.02) Evaluation of
Endorsed by top plan
remainder of legislative compliance
management
Evidence of strategic applicable section 3
OHSMS is defined leadership and elements Primary related
and suitably scoped provision of suitable elements
including consideration resources and support (4.01)(4.02)(4.03)
of the full context of (4.04)(4.05) (4.09)
the organisation’s Primary related (4.10)(4.12)
activities elements
(1.06)(2.01)(2.03)
Operational procedures (2.05)(2.06)(2.07)
and arrangements are (2.11)
clearly stipulated within
OHSMS

Stakeholder awareness
of policy and OHSMS
content (verified
through interview)

Primary related
elements
(1.01)(1.02)(1.10)

© British Safety Council 2017 Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit specification 2017 8
8. Specification guidance cont.

Plan Do Check Act

Subject area S1: Organisational S2: Strategic S3: Implementation S4: Performance S5: Senior(top)
Commitment and planning and operation evaluation management review
structure (750 points) (1125 points) (1500 points) (1125 points) and continual
Example of typical Example of typical Example of typical Example of typical improvement
information required information required information required information required (500 points)
Example of typical
information required
Structure Defined roles and Defined roles and Evidence of effective Evaluation of training Regular CPD/appraisal
(Roles and responsibilities within responsibilities within supervision and role records reviews
responsibilities, OHSMS OHSMS competency
Confirmation Role development plans
authorities and
Defined organisational OH&S objectives Training records of awareness,
accountabilities) Improvement planning
structure (organisational and understanding and
CPD programmes
individual) development of job Records of management
Leadership and Appointed top
Employee roles through interview review
commitment level management Appraisal planning
understanding and and appraisal records
responsible for OH&S Corporate reports
Role development awareness (verified
Accident/incident
Policy statement through interview and Primary related
Responsible actions statistics, ill health,
endorsement by top inspection) elements
allocated within OH&S non conformance
level management All elements in this
planning Appraisal records monitoring and
analysis section
Demonstrable
Demonstrable Suitable levels of
commitment (verified
involvement in OHSMS supervision and Review of OH&S
through interview) at
status assessment resource objectives and plans
all levels
process
Evidence of effective Demonstrable
Ownership of
Demonstrable management of evidence of
relevant health and
support for lines of operational risk management
safety issues by top
responsibility (including psycho- involvement (minutes
management
social) of meetings,
Evidence of stakeholder investigations, site
Primary related
engagement (minutes Evidence of inspections, risk
elements
of meetings, training, participation in health assessment, etc)
(1.01)(1.02)(1.03)(1.05)
etc) and safety of non- in the evaluation
(1.06)(1.08)(1.10)
managerial roles of effectiveness of
Evidence of managing
change Primary related proactive and reactive
elements measures
Demonstrable
All applicable Primary related
involvement in
elements in this elements
promoting positive
section All elements in this
health and safety
culture section

Primary related
elements
(1.06)(2.01-2.08)(2.11)

© British Safety Council 2017 Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit specification 2017 9
8. Specification guidance cont.

Plan Do Check Act

Subject area S1: Organisational S2: Strategic S3: Implementation S4: Performance S5: Senior(top)
Commitment and planning and operation evaluation management review
structure (750 points) (1125 points) (1500 points) (1125 points) and continual
Example of typical Example of typical Example of typical Example of typical improvement
information required information required information required information required (500 points)
Example of typical
information required
Information and Policy/process for OH&S planning Current information Internal/external Top management review
communication information control documentation and documentation inspection and audit process factor
management and communication and information readily available outcomes
Stakeholder
management consistent with policy
Policy requirements Evidence of effective involvement in continual
requirements
Clear link to quality verified document control improvement
management systems Training schedules
Effective Evidence of effective Corporate reports
(if referenced)
OH&S objectives/ understanding monitoring of change
Records of management
Evidence of effective programmes/plans and awareness of management process
review
communication of risk assessment,
Primary related Evidence of effective
policy statement and operational controls Primary related
elements monitoring of
content of OHSMS and procedures elements
(2.02)(2.03)(2.04) internal and external
(verified through (5.01)(5.04)
Primary related (2.06)(2.07)(2.09) communication
interview and
elements (2.11)
observation) Primary related
(1.01)(1.02)(1.03)
elements
(1.04)(1.05)(1.06) Primary related
(4.01)(4.02)(4.08)
(1.07) elements
(3.02)(3.20)(3.21)
(3.22)
Stakeholder Policy/process for Evidence of Evidence of Evaluation of training Evidence of stakeholder
consultation and consultation with stakeholder stakeholder Involvement in
Evidence of completed
participation stakeholders (internal involvement in OH&S involvement in management review
actions arising from
and external) objective setting, development of OH&S process
OH&S committee
planning and risk risk management
Policy/process meetings (and other Communication of top
management process and controls (verified
for stakeholder such forums) management review
through sampling,
participation in Schedule for OH&S
interview and review) Evidence of completed Corporate reporting
policy and OHSMS committee meetings
actions arising from
development Risk assessments Internal reporting
Terms of reference for leading and lagging
Organisational stakeholder forums Training records performance indicators Audit reports
structure (inspections, audits,
Training schedule Evidence of OH&S Primary related
accident investigation
Defined roles and committee meetings elements
Primary related etc)
responsibilities (and other such (5.01)(5.03)(5.04)
elements
forums) Evidence of monitoring
Consultation and (2.02)(2.03)(2.04)
of objectives
participation in change (2.06)(2.07)(2.08) Site induction records
management (2.11) Primary related
Permit to work records
elements
Primary related
Primary related All elements in this
elements
elements section
(1.01)(1.02)(1.03)(1.05)
All elements in this
(1.06)(1.09)
section

© British Safety Council 2017 Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit specification 2017 10
8. Specification guidance cont.

Plan Do Check Act

Subject area S1: Organisational S2: Strategic S3: Implementation S4: Performance S5: Senior(top)
Commitment and planning and operation evaluation management review
structure (750 points) (1125 points) (1500 points) (1125 points) and continual
Example of typical Example of typical Example of typical Example of typical improvement
information required information required information required information required (500 points)
Example of typical
information required
Competence and Policy/process for Training needs analysis Training records Accident/incident Top management review
capability ensuring competency analysis and
Plan/programme for Evidence of trainer Appraisal records
requirements investigation reports
ensuring competency competency
Effective continual
Defined roles and Audit findings
CPD/appraisal planning Training evaluation improvement process
responsibilities
Risk assessment
Mentoring/coaching Role competency Review of statutory
Organisational reviews
plan records training requirements
structure
Statutory training
Primary related Effectiveness Primary related
Primary related compliance
elements of operational elements
elements
(2.02)(2.03)(2.04) controls (verification CPD maintenance (5.01)(5.02)(5.04)
(1.01)(1.02)(1.04)(1.05)
(2.05)(2.06)(2.07) through interview,
(1.06)(1.10) Appraisal records
(2.09) observations)
Review of training
Risk assessment
records and schedules
sampling
Primary related
Permit to work records
elements
Evacuation drill All elements in this
records section

Primary related
elements
All elements in this
section
Occupational health Policy/process for OH plan/schedule Evidence of first aid Accident/ill health/ OH plan review
and wellbeing OH and wellbeing provision (including absenteeism statistics
Lifestyle/wellbeing Review and setting of
(including psycho- equipment and
promotion plan/ Risk assessment OH&S objectives
social hazards) personnel)
schedule reviews
Corporate reporting
Defined roles and Training records
Health surveillance Stakeholder perception
responsibilities Primary related
schedules Health surveillance and awareness
elements
Demonstrable records (interviews)
Training plan (5.01)(5.02)(5.04)
commitment (verified
Evidence of lifestyle First aid records
through interview) at OH and wellbeing
and wellbeing
all levels objectives Stakeholder surveys
promotion
Ownership of Primary related Health surveillance
Return to work
relevant health and elements records
interviews
safety issues by top (2.02)(2.03)(2.05)
management Primary related
(2.08)(2.11) Support mechanisms
elements
Primary related Risk assessments (4.01)(4.02)(4.04)
elements (4.06)(4.09)(4.10)
(1.01)(1.02)(1.04)(1.05) Primary related
(1.06)(1.08)(1.10) elements
(3.01)(3.02)(3.05)
(3.06)(3.07)(3.12)
(3.13)(3.15)(3.16)
(3.19)(3.20)

© British Safety Council 2017 Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit specification 2017 11
8. Specification guidance cont.

Plan Do Check Act

Subject area S1: Organisational S2: Strategic S3: Implementation S4: Performance S5: Senior(top)
Commitment and planning and operation evaluation management review
structure (750 points) (1125 points) (1500 points) (1125 points) and continual
Example of typical Example of typical Example of typical Example of typical improvement
information required information required information required information required (500 points)
Example of typical
information required
Change management Policy/process for Examples of Effective risk control Effective monitoring of Review of change
management of planning for change implementation audit outcomes management policy/
change (organisational, and (observation and process
Inspection records
operational) interview)
Defined roles and Continual improvement
Project meeting
responsibilities Design and project Training records planning
minutes
plans
Evidence of OH&S committee Change management
Safety surveys
consultation with Evidence of meeting minutes project review
and participation of stakeholder Risk assessment
Risk assessment Top management review
stakeholders with consultation in reviews
(change management) process
change management planning for change
sampling Effective
process Corporate reporting
Evidence of risk understanding and
Inspection and audit
Primary related assessment for change awareness of amended Primary related
outcomes
elements management risk assessment, elements
(1.01)(1.03)(1.04) Primary related operational controls (5.01)(5.03)(5.04)
Primary related
(1.06)(1.07)(1.09) elements and procedures
elements
(1.10) (3.01)(3.02)(3.03) (verified through
(2.03)(2.04)(2.05)
(3.18)(3.19)(3.20) interview and
(2.06)(2.07)(2.09)
(3.21) observation)
(2.10)
Primary related
elements
(4.02)(4.03)(4.04)
(4.05)(4.07)(4.08)
(4.12)
Occupational health Reference to OH&S OH&S objectives set Awareness of OH&S Evidence of monitoring Top management review
and safety objectives objectives within at organisational, objectives throughout of OH&S objectives of OH&S objectives
policy statement functional and organisation (eg audits, senior
Revised planning for
individual levels (interview) management meeting
Policy/process achievement of OH&S
minutes and OH&S
for setting OH&S Evidence of Evidence of objectives
committee meeting
objectives stakeholder consultation and
minutes) Corporate reports
participation during involvement of relevant
Reference to
setting of objectives stakeholders (eg.OH&S Management reports Management meeting
objective setting
committee meeting minutes
within stakeholder Planning for provision Appraisal records
minutes, appraisal
involvement process of resources required Primary related
records) Audit outcomes
to achieve objectives elements
Primary related
Sampling of Primary related All elements within
elements OH&S plans reflective
progression of OH&S elements section
(1.01)(1.02)(1.05)(1.06) of targets
objectives (4.01)(4.02)(4.03)
Appraisal process
Risk profiles
Primary related (organisational and
elements operational)
(2.02)(2.03)(2.04)
Primary related
(2.05)(2.06)(2.09)
elements
(2.11)
(3.01)(3.19)(3.20)

© British Safety Council 2017 Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit specification 2017 12
8. Specification guidance cont.

Plan Do Check Act

Subject area S1: Organisational S2: Strategic S3: Implementation S4: Performance S5: Senior(top)
Commitment and planning and operation evaluation management review
structure (750 points) (1125 points) (1500 points) (1125 points) and continual
Example of typical Example of typical Example of typical Example of typical improvement
information required information required information required information required (500 points)
Example of typical
information required
Occupational health Commitment to OH&S Documented OH&S Sampling of OH&S Audit outcomes Top management review
and safety planning planning within policy plan plan (inspection and
Minutes from Continual improvement
statement interview)
Link to other management and
Evaluation of
Policy/process for operational plans Risk assessments OH&S committee
compliance records
OH&S planning and (sampling) meetings (or other
Audit planning
review such forums) External accreditation
Maintenance records
Training schedules
Defined roles and Accident/ill health Financial and project
Statutory inspections
responsibilities Evidence of OH&S analysis reviews
etc
considerations within
Evidence of Management reports Management reports
financial planning Effective
participation of
implementation of OH&S objective Corporate reports
stakeholders in Documented OH&S
OH&S plan/control monitoring
OHSMS development budget Primary related
arrangements
Risk assessment elements
Primary related Project planning (inspection, and
reviews All elements within
elements interview)
(1.01)(1.02)(1.03) Business recovery section
Evaluation of
plans PTW documentation
(1.05)(1.06) compliance records
Evidence of stakeholder Evidence of resource
Audit and inspection
involvement in OH&S provision
records
planning
Training records
Primary related
Primary related
Primary related elements
elements
elements (4.01)(4.02)(4.03)
(2.01)(2.03)(2.04)
(3.01)(3.02)(3.19) (4.04)(4.05)(4.06)
(2.05)(2.06)(2.07)
(4.12)
(2.08)(2.09)(2.11)
Procurement, Policy/process for Strategic planning for Approved contractor/ Audit outcomes Planning and review of
outsourcing outsourcing, and the outsourcing supplier index resources
Contractor
and contractor procurement of goods
Risk profiling Interview with performance Top management review
appointment and services
contractors and monitoring reports
Evidence of
Policy/process for suppliers
consultation with OH&S plan monitoring Interviews with senior
approval, appointment
contractors during Risk assessment and management
and management of Permit to work
appointment process operational control
contractors/suppliers sampling Continual improvement
sampling (interview
Defined roles and of OHSMS
Commitment to and observation) Non conformance
responsibilities
provision of resource reviews Primary related
Permit to work process
within policy Inclusion of elements
sampling Management reports
statement outsourcing (5.01)(5.02)(5.03)
and contractor Evidence of contractor Accident/ill health
Defined roles and
appointment within understanding and analysis
responsibilities
change management awareness of OH&S
Primary related plans and resource issues Primary related
elements consideration process elements
Primary related (4.02)(4.03)(4.04)
(1.01)(1.03)(1.06)(1.10)
Primary related elements (4.05)(4.07)(4.08)
elements (3.01)(3.02)(3.08) (4.09)
(2.03)(2.04)(2.06) (3.20)
(2.07)(2.10)

© British Safety Council 2017 Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit specification 2017 13
8. Specification guidance cont.

Plan Do Check Act

Subject area S1: Organisational S2: Strategic S3: Implementation S4: Performance S5: Senior(top)
Commitment and planning and operation evaluation management review
structure (750 points) (1125 points) (1500 points) (1125 points) and continual
Example of typical Example of typical Example of typical Example of typical improvement
information required information required information required information required (500 points)
Example of typical
information required
Risk management, Commitment to Planning for risk Risk assessment External accreditation External accreditation
risk profiling and a process of risk profiling, hazard (sampling) and (statutory and
Records of top
operational control control within policy and opportunity evidence of alignment otherwise)
management review
statement identification, with SOPs and incident
Management reports
management, and reports Evidence of legislative
Policy/process for
control Audit and inspection updates to OHSMS
risk management/ Effective
records
assessment & control Risk/hazard matrix/ implementation of Management meeting
index/register controls (observation Non-conformance records
Defined roles and
and interview) monitoring
responsibilities OH&S plan Primary related
Training records OH&S objective elements
Process for Planning for provision
monitoring All elements within
stakeholder of suitable resources Maintenance records
section
involvement in risk and support Statutory compliance
Statutory examination
management and records
Change management records
control
planning Accident investigations
Inspection records
Primary related
Training schedules Health surveillance
elements Evacuation drill
(1.01)(1.02)(1.03) records
Business recovery records
(1.04)(1.05)(1.06)(1.10) planning Primary related
Permit to work records
elements
Primary related
Primary related (4.02)(4.03)(4.04)
elements
elements (4.05)(4.06)(4.09)
(2.03)(2.04)(2.05)
All elements within (4.12)
(2.06)(2.07)(2.08)
section
(2.09)
Emergency incident Commitment to Business recovery/ Evidence of emergency Review of evacuation Records of management
planning manage emergency emergency planning procedure testing (fire tests review of OHSMS
events, staff welfare drills, environmental
Emergency procedure Loss/damage analysis Improved emergency
etc. incidents, recovery
planning planning and
tests, etc.) Audit and inspection
Emergency arrangements
Risk assessment reports
management policy/ Stakeholder awareness
process Evidence of legislative
process (interviews) Primary related
updates to OHSMS
Training/competency elements
Defined roles and Signage (escape routes
matrix (4.02)(4.03)(4.04) Primary related
responsibilities etc.)
(4.05)(4.09) elements
OH&S plan
Competency policy/ Provision of equipment (5.01)(5.02)(5.03)
process OH&S objectives (fire extinguishers, first
aid etc.)
Consultation with Change management
and participation of planning Inspection and
relevant stakeholders maintenance records
in development of Primary related
elements Training records
arrangements
(2.03)(2.04)(2.05)
Risk assessment
Primary related (2.06)(2.07)(2.08)
sampling
elements (2.09)
(1.01)(1.02)(1.03) Primary related
(1.04)(1.05)(1.06) elements
(1.07)(1.10) (3.01)(3.02)(3.03)
(3.08)(3.14)(3.17)
(3.18)(3.21)(3.22

© British Safety Council 2017 Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit specification 2017 14
8. Specification guidance cont.

Plan Do Check Act

Subject area S1: Organisational S2: Strategic S3: Implementation S4: Performance S5: Senior(top)
Commitment and planning and operation evaluation management review
structure (750 points) (1125 points) (1500 points) (1125 points) and continual
Example of typical Example of typical Example of typical Example of typical improvement
information required information required information required information required (500 points)
Example of typical
information required
Development and Commitment Training matrix/ Evidence of Staff surveys Stakeholder
maintenance of a to develop and programme stakeholder OH&S objectives involvement in OHSMS
positive health and continually improve CPD development and involvement, monitoring reviews
safety culture Policy/process appraisal empowerment External accreditation
Accident/incident
for competency, and management
Mentoring and analysis and reports Forward planning and
consultation and commitment
coaching Management reports objective setting
communication (interviews and
OH&S plan observation) OH&S plan monitoring Appraisal reviews
Defined roles and
OH&S objectives Minutes from health External accreditation Corporate reports
responsibilities
Specific development and safety meetings Primary related
Process for Evidence of
programmes Training records stakeholder elements
stakeholder
Terms of reference for participation in All elements within
consultation and Audit reports
health and safety (and performance reviews section
participation Stakeholder surveys
other) forums Contractor approval
Evidence of top Inspection reports
management Occupational health records
and wellbeing plans/ Change management
commitment and Review of training
programmes plans
ownership needs
Planning for Risk assessment
Primary related Review of health
participation of sampling
elements surveillance records
(1.02)(1.03)(1.04) stakeholders in Appraisal and
Primary related
(1.05)(1.06)(1.07)(1.10) development of development records
elements
OHSMS Primary related (4.01)(4.02)(4.04)
Occupational health elements (4.06)(4.07)(4.08)
support programmes (3.01)(3.02)(3.06) (4.09)(4.10)(4.12)
and planning (3.19)(3.20)
Primary related
elements
All elements within
section

© British Safety Council 2017 Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit specification 2017 15
8. Specification guidance cont.

Plan Do Check Act

Subject area S1: Organisational S2: Strategic S3: Implementation S4: Performance S5: Senior(top)
Commitment and planning and operation evaluation management review
structure (750 points) (1125 points) (1500 points) (1125 points) and continual
Example of typical Example of typical Example of typical Example of typical improvement
information required information required information required information required (500 points)
Example of typical
information required
Proactive and Policy/process OH&S plan Stakeholder Accident/incident Records of top
reactive performance for performance understanding and analysis management review
Procedures/processes/
measurement monitoring awareness of OHSMS
plans for: Ill health and OH&S objective review
(interview)
Commitment to • Auditing absenteeism reviews and forward planning
continual improvement • Inspection Audit records
OH&S plan reviews External accreditation
within policy • Accident
Inspection records (planning and review)
statement investigation Management reports
• Ill health monitoring Accident/incident Corporate reports
Defined roles and Website/corporate
records
responsibilities Process for information and Primary related
assessment of PTW documents reporting elements
Commitment to
OHSMS including All elements within
legislative compliance Contractor induction OH&S objective
benchmarking (internal section
within policy records monitoring
and/or external)
statement
Incident/loss/near Approved contractor/ Audit records
Process for supplier index
miss/non-conformance External accreditation
stakeholder
reporting Risk assessment(s)
consultation and Statutory records
participation Contractor/supplier sampling
monitoring Review of training
Primary related Site inspection
records and
elements Training plan Health and safety effectiveness of
(1.01)(1.02)(1.03)(1.05) meeting minutes training content
Risk assessment
(1.06)(1.10)
planning Notice board Primary related
Primary related information elements
elements All elements within
Statutory records
(2.01)(2.02)(2.03) section
(2.04)(2.07)(2.10) Staff surveys

Training records

Primary related
elements
(3.01)(3.02)(3.08)
(3.19)(3.20)

© British Safety Council 2017 Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit specification 2017 16
© British Safety Council 2017 Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit specification 2017 17
No-one should
be injured or
made ill at work.

British Safety Council

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© British Safety Council Five Star Audit Specification Document 2013 18