What an audit is
An ESD audit is an independent assessment of the entire protection system — equipment, grounding, marking, procedures and documentation. It does not look at individual products, but at whether they work together and whether the measures are actually being followed. It is usually the fastest way to find out where an operation has a weak spot.
What gets checked
Work surfaces, mats, flooring and grounding components are measured, and personnel grounding is verified along with the condition of wrist straps and footwear. The EPA boundary, marking and entry conditions are reviewed. Alongside the measurements, the documentation is examined as well — the compliance verification plan, measurement records and assigned responsibilities.
How an audit usually runs
The scope is agreed first, based on the size of the operation and on what needs to be evidenced. Measurement on site then follows, together with interviews with the people who actually use the workplace. Finally, the results are evaluated and compared against the required limits.
What the audit delivers
The output is a report with the measured values, a list of the deviations found and recommended next steps. Some findings are trivial and can be corrected on the spot; others mean adding equipment or adjusting procedures. The report also serves as evidence during internal and customer audits.
When an audit makes sense
Most often after a new workplace is set up, to confirm that everything really meets the required parameters. Then periodically, because wear and daily operation change the situation. And always when a customer or internal rules require compliance and it has to be documented.