4.5.3.2 Nonconformity, corrective action and preventive action

The organization shall establish, implement and maintain a procedure(s) for dealing with actual and potential nonconformity(ies) and for taking corrective action and preventive action. The procedure(s) shall define requirements for:

identifying and correcting nonconformity(ies) and taking action(s) to mitigate their OH&S consequences;

investigating nonconformity(ies), determining their cause(s) and taking actions in order to avoid their recurrence;

evaluating the need for action(s) to prevent nonconformity(ies) and implementing appropriate actions designed to avoid their occurrence;

recording and communicating the results of corrective action(s) and preventive action(s) taken; and

reviewing the effectiveness of corrective action(s) and preventive action(s) taken.

Where the corrective action and preventive action identifies new or changed hazards or the need for new or changed controls, the procedure shall require that the proposed actions shall be taken through a risk assessment prior to implementation.

Any corrective action or preventive action taken to eliminate the causes of actual and potential nonconformity(ies) shall be appropriate to the magnitude of problems and commensurate with the OH&S risk(s) encountered.

The organization shall ensure that any necessary changes arising from corrective action and preventive action are made to the OH&S management system documentation.

Back to Standard