On-site Bronze auditing for members based in England will resume on Monday, 15 June, FORS has announced.
FORS members in England will be able to book Bronze on-site audits from Monday 15 June, in the usual manner via their online dashboard. However, operators must adhere to new guidelines issued by FORS to be able to proceed with an audit.
FORS director, John Hix, said, “We know our members are keen to get back to business, but ensuring the safety of members and auditors as the organisation adjusts to these ‘new normal’ working practices is paramount.”
In order to minimise the risks of transmittal of COVID-19 and until further notice FORS is placing obligations on auditors, audit providers and the organisation receiving the audit. FORS has produced COVID-19 Bronze on-site auditing rules and requirements, which detail the steps that auditors and auditees must adhere to so that an on-site audit can go ahead.
Operators requesting an audit must complete a COVID-19 risk assessment, in-line with the government guidance on working safely during COVID-19 in offices.
John Hix added, “Members in England will need to confirm a variety of measures are in place to limit interaction between individuals during the auditing process, for example providing a single and only point of contact for the audit, as well as arranging for all evidence to be provided in the room where the audit is taking place.
“Our rules and requirements are based on information issued by the UK government, but the FORS document is only applicable to England as there are still regional, national and international restrictions that apply which may continue to prevent FORS audits being undertaken in other parts of the UK.”
Operators outside of England will also be able to book audits, but the delivery of these will be subject to future easing of local restrictions.
FORS has been maintaining member accreditation at their current levels since Bronze on-site audits were suspended on 23 March for those with expired accreditations.
John Hix said, “We understand these have been – and continue to be – very testing times for everyone in our industry. Road transport has been at the forefront of ensuring supply chains across the UK can continue to deliver, so it is vitally important that we support our operators who have taken great strides in improving standards through FORS and are keen to resume this process.
“Now we are beginning to reinstate auditing, we would encourage members who are able to follow the government guidelines to book and undertake their audits as soon as possible.”
For further information on the FORS COVID-19 Bronze on-site auditing rules and requirements, click here.
Government guidance on working safely during COVID-19 in offices can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/offices-and-contact-centres
