Contractor Audits for Process Safety Management (PSM) Compliance

Many GBRIA member facilities have process plants that fall under OSHA's Process Safety Management Standard 29 CFR 1910.119 (h). This standard requires plants to obtain and evaluate information regarding the contract employer's safety performance and programs (see the standard below).

In order to maintain compliance, many plants were requesting audits of contractors, who were overwhelmed with multiple plant audits. In 1996, GBRIA developed a standard audit program using a 3rd party auditor. The idea is for a contractor to only go through an audit every 3 years with all the plants sharing the audit results.

See whether your contractors have a current audit on file with us!

PSM Audits Completed 2007 to 2010.pdf

GBRIA PSM Audit Program Overview

GBRIA Evaluation of Contractor Safety, Health & Security Performance.pdf - this is the form that contractors are audited against.

OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.119 (h) For Your Reference

1910.119(h)
Contractors.

1910.119(h)(1)
Application. This paragraph applies to contractors performing maintenance or repair, turnaround, major renovation, or specialty work on or adjacent to a covered process. It does not apply to contractors providing incidental services which do not influence process safety, such as janitorial work, food and drink services, laundry, delivery or other supply services.

1910.119(h)(2)
Employer responsibilities.

1910.119(h)(2)(i)
The employer, when selecting a contractor, shall obtain and evaluate information regarding the contract employer's safety performance and programs.

1910.119(h)(2)(ii)
The employer shall inform contract employers of the known potential fire, explosion, or toxic release hazards related to the contractor's work and the process.

1910.119(h)(2)(iii)
The employer shall explain to contract employers the applicable provisions of the emergency action plan required by paragraph (n) of this section.

..1910.119(h)(2)(iv)

1910.119(h)(2)(iv)
The employer shall develop and implement safe work practices consistent with paragraph (f)(4) of this section, to control the entrance, presence and exit of contract employers and contract employees in covered process areas.

1910.119(h)(2)(v)
The employer shall periodically evaluate the performance of contract employers in fulfilling their obligations as specified in paragraph (h)(3) of this section.

1910.119(h)(2)(vi)
The employer shall maintain a contract employee injury and illness log related to the contractor's work in process areas.

1910.119(h)(3)
Contract employer responsibilities.

1910.119(h)(3)(i)
The contract employer shall assure that each contract employee is trained in the work practices necessary to safely perform his/her job.

1910.119(h)(3)(ii)
The contract employer shall assure that each contract employee is instructed in the known potential fire, explosion, or toxic release hazards related to his/her job and the process, and the applicable provisions of the emergency action plan.

1910.119(h)(3)(iii)
The contract employer shall document that each contract employee has received and understood the training required by this paragraph. The contract employer shall prepare a record which contains the identity of the contract employee, the date of training, and the means used to verify that the employee understood the training.

..1910.119(h)(3)(iv)

1910.119(h)(3)(iv)
The contract employer shall assure that each contract employee follows the safety rules of the facility including the safe work practices required by paragraph (f)(4) of this section.

1910.119(h)(3)(v)
The contract employer shall advise the employer of any unique hazards presented by the contract employer's work, or of any hazards found by the contract employer's work.