The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) department regularly visits EPFL laboratories and units to help protect the health and safety of all employees.
The purpose of the audit is to verify compliance with safety standards and applicable legal requirements, as well as to gain a better understanding of the activities, work procedures, and specific risks associated with your unit. It thus serves as a preventive tool to identify potential non-compliance issues, propose improvement measures, and enhance day-to-day safety.
Announced audits
The date of an audit is generally announced about one month in advance via email. The audit is conducted in the presence of the COSEC representative from the unit being visited, as well as when possible, the head of the unit.
To ensure the best possible preparation for the visit, the OHS provides the COSEC with a list of the audit criteria used for EPFL laboratory visits. An updated inventory of chemicals is also requested prior to the audit date to ensure proper chemical management within EPFL.
We also encourage you to contact the OHS to bring any specific issues unique to your unit our attention. This information allows the OHS team to better prepare for its visit and provide you with support tailored to your situation.
Unannounced audits
Occasionally, the OHS may also conduct an unannounced audit. In such cases, the exact date of the visit is not disclosed in advance, and the presence of the COSEC or the unit manager is not required. This format allows for the observation of working conditions and safety practices under the unit’s normal operating conditions.
Complementary audits
The OHS may now also conduct complementary audits, regardless of whether the main audit was announced or not.
The purpose of these visits is to supplement the information gathered during the main audit. They can thus contribute to a better understanding of the risks and the safety culture within the unit.
These complementary audits will not be conducted systematically. The OHS team will assess the need for them based on the situation and the findings from the main audit.
This approach, combining announced audits, unannounced audits, and, when relevant, complementary audits, aims to provide as representative a picture as possible of actual working conditions within the units.