According to Alexander Stepanov, Severstal's technical director, the audit lasted for 3 days. Twelve company units were inspected. Upon its completion Severstal's Occupatioan Health and Safety Management System (OHAS) was recommended for a certifying audit. The certification will be conducted by BVQI on December 16-19. Severstal has been developing its OHAS for two years with help of Russian Academy of Labor and Social Relations, Russian Ministry of Labor and other state institutions.

The company's principles of building the new system, its goals and objectives in the area of industrial safety were outlined in the industrial safety policy. The policy declares that the company should not allow any production activity or business process, which will be damaging to life, health and property of its employees. It acknowledges the company's responsibility for preserving health and life of its personnel.

The OHAS processes were outlined in the manual, which was introduced on June 1, 2002. The manual has set up paperwork requirements, pertaining to functioning of OHAS at Severstal.

In 2001 -2002, several standards of industrial safety, part of OHAS, were introduced at Severstal. "It took hard work to incorporate written procedures of OHAS, review instructions on labor protection, conduct inner audits by Industrial Safety Department's staff and various managers in the production units", said Stepanov.

Severstal was the first Russian steel mill which is certifying its OHAS to the OHSAS 18001:1999. According to BVQI experts, Severstal is also the first company in Russia, which is certifying all business and production processes in all company units, as compared to Lukoil, which is certifying only its head office in Moscow.

OHSAS 18001 is Severstal's third international certificate. In February 2002, Lloyd's Register of Quality Assurance issued it an ISO-9000 certificate for its quality management system. In October 2002, Severstal became the first steel mill in Russia to receive an ISO 14001 for its environmental management system. This certificate was also issued by BVQI.