What Is the National Audit Tool?

Self Insurance is a risk management method where businesses that meet certain criteria can put aside funds for potential insurance claims instead of paying out premiums to a third party insurer. There are several requirements with self insurance, and in order to make sure that things run smoothly and fairly for both workplaces and employees, it is a heavily regulated way of doing things. Part of these regulations is the National Audit Tool or NAT, a program that has been developed in order to test the efficiency of OHS practices across Australia in self-insured businesses. It requires consistency and harmonisation, and ensures that all self-insurers meet the high standards of workplace health and safety dictated by the Australian government.

Auditable and Informative Criteria

The NAT provides information for self insurers about the type of criteria they are required to meet in regards to their self-insurance and OHS practices. It also provides them with details of what they will be assessed on. In addition to this, the NAT provides auditors with an auditing criteria to ensure that all businesses are tested against the same structure.

Not an Auditing System

It is important to note that while the NAT outlays criteria for auditing, it is not in itself an inspection tool for the workplace.

1st Element

The first element of the NAT outlines the areas of health and safety in the workforce that need to be addressed and operational functions that need to be committed to. These can include risk management, the distribution of the appropriate health and safety information and education of people in the workforce among other things.

2nd Element

The second element related to the planning section, which provides very useful and very detailed information about how practices relate to organisations. It explains regulations as they apply to organisations and can be used as a starting point for the implementation of certain programs.

3rd Element

This concerns itself with the implementation of OHS procedures and protocols and provides reference points for self insurers to approach their own audits.

4th Element

The fourth element concerns evaluation and measurement, and is a vital section for monitoring progress and compliance with regulations. It allows organisations to measure themselves to a generic benchmark, although obviously safety management specifics will vary between organisations depending on their situations.

5th Element

Management review makes up the 5th element of the NAT, and pertains specifically to the responsibilities and performance of upper management in implementing safety management and OHS protocols throughout the organisation. It also provides opportunities for agreements to be made and programs to be built upon based on the outcomes of the review.

By the way, do you want to learn more about Workplace Safety? If so, I suggest you check Self Insurance and Safety Management Consulting.