• Record Type:
    OSHA Instruction
  • Current Directive Number:
    EAA 01-00-003
  • Old Directive Number:
    EAA 01-00-003
  • Title:
    Management Accountability Program
  • Information Date:
Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

OSHA INSTRUCTION

DIRECTIVE NUMBER: EAA 01-00-003 EFFECTIVE DATE: 7/23/07
SUBJECT: Management Accountability Program


ABSTRACT

Purpose: This instruction revises agency policy and procedures for conducting a Management Accountability Program (MAP) audit component applicable to agency programs and activities conducted by Regions and Area Offices.
Scope: OSHA-wide.
References: OMB Circular A-123, Subject: Management Accountability and Control, Revised June 21, 1995, which provides guidance on and establishes requirements for improving the accountability and effectiveness of Federal programs and operations. See paragraph III of this Instruction for additional references.
Cancellations: OSHA Instruction EAA 01-00-002, October 1, 2005, Management Accountability Program.
State Impact: State adoption not required. See Paragraph IV.
Action Offices: National, Regional and Area Offices.
Originating Office: Directorate of Evaluation and Analysis
Office of Evaluations and Audit Analysis
200 Constitution Ave., NW, Room N3641
Washington, DC 20210


By and Under the Authority of

Edwin G. Foulke, Jr.
Assistant Secretary





Executive Summary

This Instruction establishes agency policy and provides procedures and guidelines for conducting a Management Accountability Program (MAP) audit component applicable to agency programs and activities conducted by Regions and Area Offices. OMB Circular A-123 sets out the policy that management controls should be an integral part of the entire cycle of planning, budgeting, management, accounting, and auditing. Controls should support the effectiveness and integrity of every step of the process and provide continual feedback to management. The MAP established by this Instruction is one component of OSHA's internal control system, as required by OMB Circular A-123.

Significant Changes

This Instruction revises the Management Accountability Program contained in OSHA Instruction EAA 01-00-002 , October 1, 2005 by maintaining and updating audit policies contained in that directive that still have current relevance, improving communication of audit priorities and response to audit findings, and clarifying and providing flexibility in the frequency, scope and methodology of field audits.

This Instruction updates the Management Accountability Program in the following manner:

- Change in Section IX. Responsibilities, A. & B.

- Change in Section X. Audits; A. Audit Topics; 2.

- Change in Section X. Audits; B. Conduct of Audits; 2. Scope & 3. Methodology c.

- Change in Section X. Audits; C. Audit Reports; 4.

- Add Attachment A; Audited Program Areas.





Management Accountability Program

Table of Contents
  1. Purpose

  2. Scope

  3. References

  4. Cancellations

  5. Federal Program Change

  6. Action Information

  7. Significant Changes

  8. Policy

  9. Responsibilities

  10. Audits

  11. Audit Results

    Attachment A





  1. Purpose. This Instruction sets forth agency policy and procedures for conducting a Management Accountability Program (MAP) audit component applicable to agency programs and activities conducted by Regions and Area Offices.

  2. Scope. This instruction applies OSHA-wide.

  3. References.

    1. OMB Circular A-123, Internal Control Systems, Revised June 21, 1995, or current update.

    2. GAO-03-673G, Government Accountability Office, Government Accounting Standards, 2003 Revision, or current update.

    3. OSHA Instruction CPL 02-00-103 (CPL 2.103), Field Inspection Reference Manual (FIRM), September 26, 1994, or current update.

    4. OSHA Instruction CSP 01-00-002 (STP 2-0.22B), State Plan Policies and Procedures Manual, March 21, 2001, or current update.

    5. OSHA Instruction FIN 02-00-003 (FIN 3.2), Financial and Administrative Monitoring of OSHA Grants and Cooperative Agreements, October 17, 2003, or current update.

    6. OSHA Instruction CSP 02-00-001 (TED 3.6), Consultation Policies and Procedures Manual, August 6, 2001, or current update.

    7. OSHA Instruction CPL 02-03-002 (DIS 0-0.9), Whistleblower Investigations Manual, August 22, 2003, or current update.

    8. OSHA Instruction CPL 02-03-001 (DIS .7), Referral of Section 11(c) Discrimination Complaints to "State Plan" States, February 27, 1986, or current update.

    9. OSHA Instruction CSP 03-01-002 (TED 8.4), Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Policy and Procedures Manual, March 25, 2003, or current update.

    10. OSHA Instruction CSP 03-02-002, OSHA Strategic Partnership Program for Worker Safety and Health, December 9, 2004, or current update.

    11. OSHA Instruction CSP 04-01-001, OSHA Alliance Program, June 10, 2004, or current update.

  4. Cancellations. OSHA Instruction EAA 01-00-002, October 1, 2005, Management Accountability Program

  5. Federal Program Change. This Instruction describes a Federal program change for which State adoption is not required. However, States are required by CSP 01-00-002 (Chapter 7, section F), or current update to establish their own internal evaluation programs and are encouraged to follow guidelines in this Instruction in establishing priorities, frequency, scope and methodologies for their own internal evaluation programs.

  6. Action Information.

    1. Responsible Office. Directorate of Evaluation and Analysis (DEA), Office of Evaluation and Audit Analysis.

    2. Action Offices. National, Regional, and Area Offices.

    3. Information Offices. National, Regional, Area Offices and State plans.

  7. Significant Changes. This Instruction revises the Management Accountability Program contained in OSHA Instruction EAA 01-00-002, October 1, 2005, by maintaining and updating audit policies contained in that directive that still have current relevance, improving communication of audit priorities and response to audit findings, and clarifying and providing flexibility in the frequency, scope and methodology of field audits.

  8. Policy. OSHA shall operate a MAP, which meets the requirements of OMB Circular A-123 and comports with the GAO Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards. The MAP shall:

    1. Assess the efficiency and effectiveness of field activities in relation to established policies and procedures, and

    2. Identify best practices and deficiencies in performance with the goal of improving program results.

  9. Responsibilities.

    1. The Director of Evaluation and Analysis shall be responsible for:

      1. Establishing policy and procedures, and overseeing the MAP through periodic review of IMIS data and the Regions' audit reports.

      2. Ensuring that agency-wide audit priorities and critical audit topics are identified and are communicated as appropriate subjects for audit.

      3. Identifying OSHA-specific audit training needs and establishing training guidelines for Regional Audit Coordinators.

      4. Communicating critical audit topics identified by the Assistant Secretary for inclusion in Regional audit plans.

      5. Providing periodic, independent participation in Area Office and Regional Audits.

      6. Informing the Regional Administrators (RAs) of indications of potential problems identified from oversight of the MAP and, where appropriate, requesting explanations from the RAs.

      7. Providing feedback, as appropriate, on audit work plans, report findings and recommendations to the RAs.

      8. Serving as the focal point for the collection and dissemination of information concerning audits.

    2. Each RA shall be responsible for:

      1. Designating a regional Audit Program Coordinator and ensuring that staff assigned to audits is familiar with this Instruction and audit requirements.

      2. Preparing and submitting an annual audit plan to the DEA at the beginning of each fiscal year.

        1. The annual audit plan will cover audit activity scheduled for the fiscal year and will include identification of offices/programs to be audited, descriptions of the types of audits scheduled and the time frames for the conduct of the audits.

        2. Each Region's annual audit plan must schedule approximately one-fourth of its Area Offices and Regional Office programs for a comprehensive on-site audit.

        3. The DEA shall be advised in writing of any major changes in these plans during the course of the year.

      3. Preparing reports for Regional and Area Office audits, whether on-site or not, in accordance with paragraph X.C. of this Instruction.

      4. Ensuring that corrective actions have been taken to remedy any deficiencies identified as a result of Regional and Area Office audits.

      5. Notifying the DEA of any policy and procedural issues having potential national implications. This action will be taken immediately upon discovery of these issues.

  10. Audits. Audits of field activities are the main component of the MAP and (RAs) shall have responsibility for the audit of all operations within their Regions, and shall carry out this responsibility in accordance with the following:

    1. Audit Topics.

      1. Critical audit topics. These are defined as programs, policies, and practices which relate directly to OSHA's mission and which, if improperly executed, can seriously impact agency performance. These critical audit topics include programs, policies, and practices, which directly affect employers and employees and/or substantially influence the perceptions of both the public and government concerning OSHA's effectiveness. The checklists of audit topics are listed in Attachment A of this Instruction. These checklists will be updated, as needed, in consultation with appropriate program offices within the following major categories of agency operations and potential audit subject areas:

        • Safety and Health Enforcement

        • Whistleblower Programs

        • Compliance Assistance Activities

        • Cooperative Programs

        • State Plan Monitoring

        • Consultation Program Monitoring

        • Information Systems Management

        • Office Management

        • Staff Training

      2. Other Audit Topics. Additional programs, policies, and practices may be audited. These other subjects, if any, may be designated by the Assistant Secretary, DEA or RAs.

    2. Conduct of Audits. The frequency, scope and methodology of Regional and Area Office audits should be based on factors such as management continuity, audit history and nature of potential critical audit topics for the subject office.

      1. Frequency.

        1. Some aspect(s) of each Regional and Area Office's operations shall be audited on an annual basis.

        2. A comprehensive on-site audit of each Area Office shall be done on a regularly scheduled basis, but at least every four years.

        3. A comprehensive audit of any program(s) conducted by the Regional Office shall be audited on a regularly scheduled basis, but at least every four years.

      2. Scope. In the intervening years between comprehensive audits, an audit can focus on one or more selected audit topics or other aspects of an office's operations. If focused, RAs must select audit topics in which potential operational deficiencies would pose a significant vulnerability, including any critical audit topics identified by the National Office.

      3. Methodology. There are three basic methodologies available for Regional and Area Office Audits:

        1. Off-site audits, consisting of data reports or other documentary information.

        2. Self-audits, consisting of an internal review of aspects of an operation(s). Self-audits may be comprehensive or focused. RAs are encouraged to use the self-audit approach to increase the scope of their audit programs and to provide indications of possible critical audit topics. However, self-audits shall not be used as the sole means to address subjects designated as critical audit topics.

        3. On-site audits, consisting of an independent review of the subject office's operation(s). In order to provide independent quality control, the DEA will participate in a selected comprehensive on-site audit at least once per quarter.

    3. Audit Reports.

      1. Audit reports initially should be submitted to the audited office in draft form. This permits the office being audited to comment upon the accuracy of the findings before the report is finalized.

      2. The report should list audit history, scope, period audited and the methodology used for the audit, along with significant findings and supporting documentation. The report should identify if any findings are repeat items since the last audit. Where corrective actions are not completed by the report date, specific time frames should be specified by the audited office management in the written response and may be modified at the discretion of the RA.

      3. Normally, no more than 90 calendar days should elapse between an on-site closing conference and the response to the final audit report, except in extraordinary circumstances. The RAs should establish a process to accomplish the 90-day goal, including timelines, draft audit reports and comment period, and final audit report with formal response.

      4. A summary of each audit must be submitted to the DEA, for National Office review, within 30 days of completion and copies of full audit reports and responses must be available to the DEA upon request. The summary shall contain the following elements in a DEA-approved format:

        1. Audited office location, date of audit, date of last audit, period being audited.

        2. Scope of audit (i.e., comprehensive or focused). If focused, identify the topics.

        3. Methodology (i.e., off-site, self-audit, or on-site).

        4. Significant findings. Identify any repeat or unresolved findings.

        5. Recommendations, if any.

        6. Corrective Action/Dates/Disposition for each recommendation.

        7. All Summary Reports must include a list of the audited program areas with an assessment for each or identify the program area(s) having no deficiencies and/or applicable to the audit. (See Attachment A for a list of program areas.)

        8. Best Practices

      5. In addition, if the audit has identified significant weaknesses in agency policies or procedures, the RA should include such findings in the audit summary and recommend appropriate program improvements.

      6. The content of the audit reports may contain information pertaining to internal agency personnel practices and evaluations reflecting internal deliberations of the agency. Therefore, requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for information contained in audit reports shall be evaluated carefully in conjunction with the agency FOIA officer and, if necessary, the Office of the Solicitor.

    4. Follow-Up. Follow-up actions shall be taken by the RAs to ensure that all problems identified by the audits have been corrected in a timely manner Audit Results.

  11. Audit Results.

    1. The DEA's oversight of the MAP shall include tracking Regional compliance with this Instruction and the Regions' own audit plans. The DEA shall review Area and Regional Offices' operations as deemed necessary. Methods of oversight shall include review and analysis of IMIS data and the Regions' audit reports. Further, the DEA shall be responsible for revising the critical audit topics as necessary to ensure that they are current and complete. The RAs and National Office Directors shall be consulted concerning the designation of subjects as critical audit topics.

    2. The DEA shall serve as the focal point for the collection and dissemination of information concerning audits. This sharing of information shall include:

      1. Disseminating to appropriate offices any innovative ideas and approaches to solving problems, audit findings of general interest, special audit techniques which have proven to be effective, and identified training needs.

      2. Reporting to the Assistant Secretary and/or responsible program or field offices significant weaknesses in agency policies or procedures identified through the audit process and recommending appropriate corrective actions.

    3. The DEA will facilitate communications through appropriate means with and among Regions on all aspects of the MAP and audit function.

    4. The DEA will report annually to the Deputy Assistant Secretary on the status of the MAP and significant findings and/or trends.





Attachment A
Audited Program Areas

  1. Inspection Targeting and Scheduling
  2. Programmed Safety and Health Inspections
  3. Construction Inspections
  4. Fatality/Catastrophe Investigations
  5. Complaints
  6. Referrals
  7. Verification of Abatement
  8. Settlement of Cases
  9. Case File Documentation
  10. Citation Processing
  11. Petitions to Modify Abatement
  12. Technical Equipment/PPE
  13. Information Technology
  14. Response to Significant Events
  15. Denial of Entry/Warrant Application
  16. Management Controls
  17. Freedom of Information (FOIA) Requests
  18. Federal Agency Programs
  19. Area Office Outreach Activities
  20. Discrimination Complaints
  21. Safety and Health Program
  22. Teams
  23. State Plan Policies
  24. Partnership Programs
  25. VPP Programs
  26. Alliance Program
  27. Monitoring Consultation Projects
  28. Property Accountability
  29. GSA Vehicles
  30. Records Systems
  31. Space Management
  32. Personnel Management
  33. Personnel Actions and Procedures
  34. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
  35. Timekeeping
  36. Labor Relations ¿ NCFLL Contract
  37. Financial Management
  38. Procurement
  39. Debt Collection
  40. Field Libraries
  41. Training