Safety Audit
A Safety Audit is a systematic and independent process to assist you to evaluate your workplace health and safety system and test its’ effectiveness against a known standard. Through undertaking auditing on a regular basis, organisations will improve their health and safety management systems. While many organisations undertake their own internal audits, it is beneficial to use a third-party independent auditor like DRA to verify your systems.
Safety management system audits provide confirmation and verification of the effectiveness of a safety management system, identify corrective actions and demonstrate to stakeholders that the system is being implemented and monitored.
Safety Audit Overview
As part of our WHS Safety Services, DRA Safety Consultants perform a range of independent auditing for businesses according to client requirements.
These include:
– Legislative regulatory compliance audit
– Client audit using the clients audit tool;
– ISO or Australian Standard Audit – complying with specific standard requirements
– Safety management system audit (SMS Audit or WHS Audit)
– Walkthrough hazard identification inspection
– Corrective action audit – follow up on corrective safety actions implemented
The Safety Consultant will also provide clients with a comprehensive audit report on completion of the audit and a post-audit briefing to identify opportunities for immediate learnings from the audit. This is completed irrespective of the type of audit that we undertake to ensure that we have not mistaken any information provided. Additionally, the Safety Consultant will provide a range of images or references to support audit findings i.e. we specifically identify and reference the legislative or standard non-compliance.
Our Safety Consultant services also include the provision of and supporting for Safety Management System that espouses the ISO 45001 principles. The Safety Direct set of documents is a good starting point for any business that does not have a system in place or are seeking to expand their procedures and systems.
Safety Auditing Outline
DRA Safety Consultants have completed audits across a range of businesses including:
– Agriculture
– Construction
– Buildings
– Call Centre
– Childcare
– IT Developers/Gaming Developers
– Local Government (Range of tasks)
– Manufacturing
– Office
– Retail
– Schools/Colleges and Universities
– Warehousing and Logistics
Safety Auditing Outline
DRA Safety Consultants have completed audits across a range of businesses including:
– Agriculture
– Construction
– Buildings
– Call Centre
– Childcare
– IT Developers/Gaming Developers
– Local Government (Range of tasks)
– Manufacturing
– Office
– Retail
– Schools/Colleges and Universities
– Warehousing and Logistics
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Purpose of a safety audit?
Regular audits are an important element of any effective workplace health and safety program. An effective auditing program completed by a qualified Safety Consultant will verify that your safety systems and safety procedures are working. Audits also identify where there are any opportunities for improvement in your work methods, hazard identification, safety procedures, risk assessments and general business practices.
The different types of audits can be conducted by a Safety Consultant to evaluate:
– Your own safe working standards/practices
– Compliance audit to an Industry Code of Practice
– Compliance with a legislative framework (Procedures Audit)
– Compliance with a known safety systems standard such as AS/NZS ISO 45001
– Compliance with a technical product safety standard.
Regular audits can be conducted internally by your own trained staff or externally by one of our Safety Consultant who are certified auditors. There are advantages and disadvantages of both internal and external audits. Each type of safety audit is designed to address specific health and safety risks and requirements, and organisations may choose to conduct one or multiple types of audits, depending on their specific needs and objectives. In either instance we are available to further assist by providing general consultancy to see recommendations implemented and working as planned.
Why establish regular Safety Audit schedule?
Regular audit programs are normally established according to an organisation’s risk profile and risk appetite with higher risk industries undertaking annual external audits to evaluate compliance status.
We also recognise that compliance auditing is a journey rather than a destination, and success of audit programs will often be dependent on the organisation’s maturity level in respect of the safety system and the workplace health and safety program implemented.
Regular auditing can ensure that your safety journey heads in the right direction. There are a range of critical factors in determining the frequency of the regular audit, who will complete the audit and what your expected outcomes of the audit may be.
By undertaking audits on regular basis, you will build a platform to improve your business, the health and well-being of your staff and mitigate risks of litigation and other regulatory compliance issues.
If you are seeking further information on this topic, we provide Internal Auditor training and Safety Audits in general is discussed further in a post on the subject.
If you are seeking further information on Audits er have more information in posts and general information, at
- Internal Safety Auditor Training,
- The difference between a WHS Site Inspection and Compliance Safety Audit and
- What is a Safety Audit and why have one?
We also offer a range of other health and safety courses including the Internal Safety Auditor training course and WHS consultancy services.
Contact us today for an obligation free quote on any of our services.
Following are some general questions asked before completing a safety audit.
Why establish regular Safety Audit schedule?
Regular audit programs are normally established according to an organisation’s risk profile and risk appetite with higher risk industries undertaking annual external audits to evaluate compliance status.
We also recognise that compliance auditing is a journey rather than a destination, and success of audit programs will often be dependent on the organisation’s maturity level in respect of the safety system and the workplace health and safety program implemented.
Regular auditing can ensure that your safety journey heads in the right direction. There are a range of critical factors in determining the frequency of the regular audit, who will complete the audit and what your expected outcomes of the audit may be.
By undertaking audits on regular basis, you will build a platform to improve your business, the health and well-being of your staff and mitigate risks of litigation and other regulatory compliance issues.
If you are seeking further information on this topic, we provide Internal Auditor training and Safety Audits in general is discussed further in a post on the subject.
If you are seeking further information on Audits er have more information in posts and general information, at
- Internal Safety Auditor Training,
- The difference between a WHS Site Inspection and Compliance Safety Audit and
- What is a Safety Audit and why have one?
We also offer a range of other health and safety courses including the Internal Safety Auditor training course and WHS consultancy services.
Contact us today for an obligation free quote on any of our services.
Following are some general questions asked before completing a safety audit.
What is safety audit and why is it important?
The audit may also identify any potential hazards or risks that may affect the safety of workers or others. The results of a safety audit should be used to develop and implement effective strategies to reduce risk and improve safety in the workplace.
Who can conduct a safety audit?
However, it is important to note that the ultimate responsibility for conducting a safety audit lies with the organisation itself, which must ensure that the audit is conducted in a comprehensive, accurate, and effective manner.
What are the general areas checked during a safety audit?
Policies and procedures: This includes reviewing the organisation’s written health and safety policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure they are comprehensive, up-to-date, and aligned with relevant regulations and standards.
Training and education: This includes evaluating the effectiveness of the organisation’s health and safety training programs, as well as assessing the level of awareness and understanding among employees regarding health and safety policies and procedures.
Hazard identification and control: This involves evaluating the organisation’s procedures for identifying, assessing, and controlling hazards in the workplace. This may include reviewing the use of personal protective equipment, fire prevention systems, and emergency response plans.
Monitoring and measurement: This involves evaluating the organisation’s procedures for monitoring and measuring the effectiveness of its health and safety management system, including tracking accidents and injuries, conducting safety inspections, and evaluating the effectiveness of risk mitigation strategies.
These general areas are critical to ensuring that an organisation has effective health and safety management systems in place to protect employees, customers, and the public. By conducting a thorough safety audit, organisations can identify areas for improvement and improve safety in the workplace.
For more information on Preparing for a Safety Audit, a post outlines steps in this process to ensure that the desired outcome of the Safety Audit is achieved.