Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) Best Practice Guidance

a. Are they free from management interference.
b. How were they elected and was it by the workforce.
c. Do they feel they are permitted to be effective.
d. Do they have facilities for union duties including paid time off?
e. Whether there is instances of reps being discriminated against or unfairly dismissed.
f. Whether they have been given any training on how to negotiate with management.
g. Whether they are able to communicate grievances to management including supporting workers in
disputes between co- workers with supervisors etc.
h. Are they able to negotiate with management including collectively bargain.
3. Health & Safety
CODE REQUIREMENTS
3.1 A safe and hygienic working environment shall be provided, bearing in mind the prevailing knowledge of the
industry and of any specific hazards. Adequate steps shall be taken to prevent accidents and injury to health
arising out of, associated with, or occurring in the course of work, by minimising, so far as is reasonably
practicable, the causes of hazards inherent in the working environment. 3.2 Workers shall receive regular and
recorded Health & Safety training, and such training shall be repeated for new or reassigned workers. 3.3
Access to clean toilet facilities and to potable water, and, if appropriate, sanitary facilities for food storage shall
be provided. 3.4 Accommodation, where provided, shall be clean, safe, and meet the basic needs of the
workers. 3.5 The company observing the code shall assign responsibility for Health & Safety to a senior
management representative.
Notes: With reference to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Occupational Safety and Health Convention
155: “The measures taken to facilitate the cooperation referred to in Article 20 of the Convention should include,
where appropriate and necessary, the appointment, in accordance with national practice, of workers’ safety
delegates, of workers’ safety and health committees and / or joint safety and health committees; in joint safety
and health workers should have at least equal representation with employers’ representatives”.
AUDIT CHECKS AND EVIDENCE GATHERING
Document and system checks including management interview.
Auditors examine policies and written procedures in conjunction with relevant managers. In this section
the auditor checks whether the site knows, and is up to date with, relevant local and national law, the
ETI Code and the standards required. The auditor checks and reports on:
3.1. Checks whether there is a Health & Safety policy and procedures in place at the site, appropriate to the
size and complexity, both for the workplace and any associated residential facilities.
3.2. Whether there are appropriate Health & Safety risk assessments / site inspections carried out on a
regular basis, how is this recorded and what actions are taken to minimise the risks / hazards found.
These should cover at least (but not be limited to):
a. Working environment.
SMETA Best Practice Guidance (4-Pillar Version 4.0, May 2012)
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