Measuring & evaluating OH&S performance
Plain-language summary
Measuring how your safety system is actually performing, with the right indicators, calibrated equipment and proper analysis.
What the clause is really asking
You cannot manage what you do not measure. The clause requires you to decide what to monitor, the methods, when, and how results are analysed and evaluated, so you genuinely know whether controls are working and objectives being met. Where you measure health hazards like noise, dust or fumes, the equipment must be calibrated. The intent is evidence-based knowledge of your OH&S performance, balancing leading and lagging indicators.
What auditors look for
Auditors check what you monitor and whether it tells you anything useful, looking for a mix of leading indicators like inspections and near-miss reports and lagging ones like injuries. They verify calibration of monitoring equipment such as noise meters and gas detectors. They test whether results are analysed and acted on, or just collected and filed.
Typical evidence
Monitoring plan defining what, how and when; inspection and observation records; occupational hygiene monitoring results such as noise, dust and air quality; calibration records for monitoring equipment; analysis of trends and performance against objectives; leading and lagging indicator data.
How to comply — recommendations
Decide what to monitor so it reflects whether your real risks are controlled, and use both leading and lagging indicators. Calibrate any equipment used for health monitoring like noise dosimeters and gas detectors, and keep the certificates. Analyse the data for trends rather than just logging numbers, and feed the findings into review and action. Make sure occupational health, not just injuries, is part of what you watch.
Common nonconformities
Only injury counts monitored, with no leading indicators; monitoring equipment such as noise or gas meters not calibrated; data collected but never analysed or acted on; occupational health hazards like dust and noise not monitored; no defined plan for what to monitor and when.
Related clauses
ISO 9001 9.1.1; ISO 14001 9.1.1
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Qlause provides interpretive guidance only and is not a substitute for the standard. Refer to your licensed copy of the relevant standard for the authoritative text.