Workplace Health and Safety Audit
Create security and foster development in your workplace
Would you like to ensure that your workplace complies with health and safety legislation while also creating the best conditions for wellbeing and safety? A workplace health and safety audit provides you with an in-depth overview of your organisation’s working environment, along with specific recommendations for strengthening both physical safety and psychosocial wellbeing.
What is a workplace health and safety audit?
A workplace health and safety audit is a thorough review of your organisation’s overall working environment. You receive a systematic examination of processes, practices, and documentation, enabling you to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas with potential for development. The audit is based on current legislation, your organisation’s internal guidelines, and any relevant certification requirements – such as ISO 45001.
How does an audit work?
- Review of policies and procedures: We conduct a detailed assessment of your workplace’s health and safety policies, risk assessments, instructions, and emergency plans.
- Interviews and observation: We involve both management and employees in the process, while observing everyday workplace activity. This ensures the audit accurately reflects the real working environment.
- Documentation check: All relevant documents – such as workplace risk assessments, accident reports, and absence statistics – are thoroughly reviewed.
- Report and action plan: You receive a clear, easy-to-understand report with an overview of the results and actionable suggestions for improvements that can be directly integrated into your daily health and safety efforts.
Who conducts the audit?
A workplace health and safety audit can be carried out either internally or externally, depending on your organisation’s needs and objectives.
Internal audit
With an internal audit, one or more of your organisation’s own employees conduct the audit. This could be a health and safety representative, a member of your health and safety organisation, or others with particular knowledge and experience in your workplace environment.
The advantage of an internal audit is that those involved have an in-depth understanding of your organisation’s daily routines and workflows. However, it can be challenging to ensure sufficient objectivity and to identify blind spots, as internal auditors may find it difficult to view things from a truly independent perspective.
External audit
In an external audit, your organisation engages an outside expert – such as a health and safety consultant or a certification body – to conduct the review. An external audit often provides greater objectivity, specialist knowledge, and experience in identifying both obvious and hidden health and safety issues. An external audit is also typically required if your company is seeking official health and safety certification.
Why conduct a workplace health and safety audit?
A workplace health and safety audit gives you a comprehensive overview of your current working environment. It enables you to identify both physical risks (such as hazardous manual handling in production) and psychosocial challenges (such as stress). At the same time, you gain insight into areas where your organisation is already performing well, so you can continue to build on those strengths.
An audit also prepares you for inspections by regulatory authorities, supports you through certification processes, and helps you meet external requirements – reducing the risk of unexpected problems and penalties. Additionally, it sends a clear signal to both management and employees that wellbeing and safety are top priorities, allowing you to proactively work towards a healthy, secure working environment.
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