Unveiling Excellence: The Evolution of ARCA’s Site Audit Accreditation Scheme

In the ever-changing world of industry standards and safety protocols, evolution isn’t only a concept—it’s a necessity. The ARCA Site Audit Accreditation Scheme is a journey that spans over two decades, where a simple idea has matured into a comprehensive framework that safeguards workmanship, excellence, and unwavering commitment to safety. It has been a transformative journey that has shaped the way we ensure industry-leading standards and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Today’s ARCA SAAS contrasts sharply with its original incarnation. However, the fundamental objective remains unchanged – ensuring ARCA Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors (LARCs) consistently uphold high levels of workmanship and adhere to the rigorous health and safety standards expected in a highly regulated industry. The SAAS is now a mandatory requirement for all LARC ARCA members; their participation is a mandatory part of their ARCA membership. Audits under the scheme are no longer announced in advance, meaning that members are unaware of the time of the audit or its location. This shift is made possible through the provision of ASB5 notification data by the HSE on a weekly basis. ARCA utilises this data to identify the dates and locations of asbestos work conducted by ARCA LARCs, allowing the scheduling of auditors for selected sites. Under the revised SAAS, members undergo four unannounced site audits annually. Some members opt for additional audits outside the scheme to complement their internal quality assurance systems.

It’s important to remember that auditors are human and, as such, fallible. They spend a limited time on-site, during which they must grasp a comprehensive understanding of the work in progress and the methods employed, and record their observations using a standardised audit form. Auditors rely on the plan of work, the standard operating procedures, and verbal input from supervisors, to inform their assessment decisions. While every effort is made to minimise oversights or misinterpretations, occasional errors do occur. Where an ARCA LARC member disagrees with an auditor’s findings, a specific process is in place. Once an audit is completed, the audit form and an action log are emailed to the nominated site audit contact at the respective company. The audit is assigned a provisional grade and score to offer the company an initial indication of the audit outcome. The interim grade and score are subject to internal verification by ARCA, and a 14-day window is allotted for the company to raise any appeals concerning the findings. After this appeal period, internal verification, and an absence of appeals, a final, verified score is assigned to the audit. If appeals are lodged, the verified score is withheld until the appeal process is concluded.

ARCA recognises the significance ARCA LARCs attach to ARCA site audits as independent performance records, especially their role in HSE Asbestos Licence renewals. Therefore, we are committed to ensuring that our site audit reports accurately reflect on-site conditions and work practices, and therefore actively encourage members to contact us if they feel there is an error in any site audit report, we will gladly revisit any audit criteria that the company feels the auditor has wrongly assessed.

ARCA takes the responsibility of addressing audit findings seriously. If the audited company expresses concerns about accuracy, we conduct a thorough investigation. We will rectify obvious errors, and situations where we recognise the possibility of initial misjudgement will be reevaluated. However, we adhere to principle and do not alter assessments without evidence that supports the need to revise our initial evaluation. Upholding this position is paramount as it maintains confidence in the scheme, particularly amongst third parties, including clients and regulators.

Some members ask why non-conformances need to be recorded even when corrected as soon as identified by the auditor. Independent external audits are conducted to ensure impartial evaluation of compliance with standards, regulations, or industry best practices. When a non-conformance is discovered during an audit and then promptly fixed by the person being audited, it’s a positive sign of responsiveness and corrective action. However, the audit report still records the initial non-conformance for several reasons: w Documentation and Transparency: The audit report is a formal record of the audit process, findings, and outcomes. Recording the initial non-conformance demonstrates transparency and accurate documentation of what was observed during the audit. w Verification of Correction: While the immediate correction is important, the audit report should show that the non-conformance was present at the time of the audit. This helps to verify that the organization did indeed address the issue promptly and effectively. w Assessment of Root Cause: Recording the non-conformance allows assessment of the root cause of the issue, even if it was resolved quickly. Understanding the cause helps identify potential systemic or process-related concerns that might need further attention. w Audit Integrity and Objectivity: For the audit process to maintain its integrity and objectivity, it’s crucial that the audit findings are accurately recorded, regardless of whether they were subsequently resolved. w Trend Analysis:

Over time, tracking recorded nonconformances, even if they were fixed, can provide insights into recurring issues, areas of improvement, and the overall effectiveness of the corrective action process.

The objective of an external audit is not only to identify issues but also to check how well an organisation’s processes and systems work. Properly recording and documenting all relevant information helps in understanding the audit findings.

Whether you are currently an ARCA member or considering joining us, the Site Audit Scheme offers a pathway to elevate your workmanship, safety practices, and industry connections. If you’re not yet a part of ARCA, now is a great time to discover how our association can enhance your professional journey. Don’t miss out on the benefits of being part of a community dedicated to shaping a safer future.