Discover what exactly are mechanical integrity program audits and why they matter and how they impact your overall business performance here.
Keyword(s): Program Audits
Industrial accidents are far more frequent than they should be. Over one hundred accidents occur every week that lead to the loss of life of a worker, which is something that you can avoid. You should be ensuring you do not add to that statistic with regular mechanical integrity program audits.
But what are these audits and how can they help you? This article will elaborate on these things to help you understand how we can benefit you by undertaking them. By the end, you should have the ability to understand why they are necessary as well as have the knowledge necessary to request one from us yourself.
What is Auditing?
An audit is a type of inspection. What is being audited depends on the type of audit you wish to do.
Many people understand audits from the concept of their financial records receiving scrutiny. This is only one type of audit. There are also mechanical audits, software audits, or several others.
We specialize in services such as:
- Mechanical Integrity Program Audits
- Compliance Program Audits
- Preventative Maintenance Program Audits
What are Mechanical Integrity Program Audits?
You can think of mechanical integrity as the process by which we check if your equipment is being cared for. This can include a wide range of processes, such as:
- Equipment maintenance
- Ensuring inspections and testing are occurring
- Checking the proper documentation is available for the equipment you have
- Looking for proof that processes involving the equipment are being handled in the correct manner
We base the work we do on the standards the equipment manufacturers recommend, as well as industry best practices.
In these audits, we work with your company to inspect how you maintain the mechanical integrity of equipment in your company. There are several regulations that you must adhere to. A Mechanical Integrity Program Audit inspects such regulations to ensure they are being followed.
These include:
- OSHA Code of Federal Regulations 1910.119(j)
- EPA Risk Management Plan
- 40 CFR 68.93
- IIAR 6 standards
- RAGAGEP
How Often Should I Do An Internal Audit?
While some have different opinions on how often mechanical integrity audits should occur. If you look at OSHA regulations, though, they make this quite clear. Mechanical integrity audits are to be performed every 5 years.
OSHA Process Safety Management Title 29 CFR §1910.119 states that:
“Inspection and test frequency follows manufacturer’s recommendations and good engineering practice, and more frequently if indicated by operating experience.”
In summary, you must follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the frequency of testing. If you do not have this information, you should get in contact with us or your equipment manufacturer at the earliest opportunity.
What’s Next?
You should by now have a strong idea of what mechanical integrity program audits are. If you still have questions, you can always ask for more information. We are on hand to give you the help you need going forward.
So get in touch with us – We have been in operation for almost half a decade and are here to help you out.
