The insurance industry as a qualified third-party auditor

All safety, health, environmental and risk management professionals are stakeholders in issues involving safety, health and environmental protection. The insurance industry, in particular, is a major participant in the modern safety movement. As such, it exerts substantial influence on SH&E protection and regulatory compliance in various industrial, nonindustrial and commercial areas (including boiler and machinery safety, fire safety, building and construction safety, and security). Many would argue that the insurance industry's influence through underwriting criteria - especially premium credits for good safety performance and premium surcharges for increases in risks - has been a primary societal influence on improving overall community safety. The idea of using third parties as auditors was extensively tested and reviewed during two pilot studies at both water chlorination and ammonia refrigeration facilities. The first study was conducted in 1999 by Delaware's Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. EPA Region III completed the second study in Pennsylvania in 2000.