Safety audit and Safety inspection with Checklist

Every workplace and organisation requires safety, and the necessity of maintaining a safe work environment cannot be stressed. An risky work environment can have disastrous consequences, resulting in accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. As a result, safety audits and inspections are essential for guaranteeing workplace safety at all times.
The information below describes what safety audits and inspections are, how to conduct an effective safety audit, and why safety audits and inspections are so important.

What exactly is a safety audit?

A safety audit is an organized audit of a workplace’s safety rules, procedures, and practises to identify potential dangers, risks, and places for improvement. A safety audit determines the level of compliance with safety legislation and standards, identifies gaps, and provides recommendations for improvement.
An internal security audit can be performed by the company’s security professionals or by an independent auditor. The purpose of the audit, regardless of who conducts it, is to uncover any concerns that could lead to accidents, injuries, or diseases and make plans to mitigate such risks.

The steps for performing an effective safety audit are as follows:

  • preparing: identify the audit scope, develop audit objectives, and identify the audit team.
  • Development: create an audit plan outlining the methods, tools, and resources needed to carry out the audit.
  • Implementation: carry out the audit according with the audit plan, which includes interviews, observations, and certificate reviews.
  • Reporting: prepare a complete report summarising audit findings and highlighting any areas of concern.
  • Monitoring: Create a plan to resolve issues discovered during the audit and monitor corrective action execution.

What is meant by a safety inspection?

A safety inspection examines a workplace to identify potential hazards, risks and areas for improvement. Unlike a safety audit, a safety inspection is usually conducted by company safety personnel to ensure that safety regulations and standards are being met.


During a safety inspection, safety personnel examine the workplace, equipment and procedures to identify problems that could lead to accidents, injuries or illnesses. Safety personnel then develop recommendations for improvement and work with management to take corrective action.

Why are safety audits and inspections so important?

Safety audits and inspections are critical to maintaining a safe work environment. Regular inspections can identify potential hazards before accidents occur, preventing injuries and property damage. Safety inspections also ensure that the workplace complies with all applicable codes and standards. This can help avoid costly fines and penalties and reduce the risk of legal consequences if an incident occurs.

One of the most important benefits of safety inspection is that they help create a culture of safety in the workplace. By conducting regular inspections, employers show that they take safety seriously and are committed to protecting their employees. This can improve morale and increase productivity because employees can be confident that they are working in a safe environment.
There are many types of safety inspections, each addressing specific risks and hazards. For example, a fire safety inspection identifies potential fire hazards such as faulty wiring or overloaded electrical circuits. An ergonomic inspection examines the workplace for potential ergonomic hazards, such as repetitive motion injuries or back problems. A chemical safety inspection looks at the use and storage of hazardous chemicals, such as cleaning agents or industrial chemicals.
Safety inspections can be performed by trained internal employees or by outside contractors. In either case, the inspector should be trained and experienced for the particular type of inspection. They should also have a thorough knowledge of the relevant regulations and standards, as well as the hazards associated with the particular workplace.
In summary, safety audits and inspections are critical to maintaining a safe work environment. They help identify potential hazards, evaluate the effectiveness of safety controls and ensure safety protocols are being followed. Regular inspections can prevent injuries and property damage, reduce the risk of legal liability, and improve employee morale and productivity. Employers should make safety inspections an important part of their workplace safety program.

Safety Checklist

There are various steps involved in creating a safety checklist:

Determine the following potential hazards in your workplace: Physical dangers (such as slick floors or exposed electrical wires), chemical hazards (such as harmful chemicals or fumes), and biological hazards (such as bacteria or viruses) are examples of such hazards.

Determine the relevant safety requirements and standards for your workplace: Federal, state, and local regulations that pertain to your industry or type of business are included.

Develop a list of safety procedures and controls, like these: Emergency procedures, training requirements, personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, and safety equipment checks are all examples of this.

Organise the checklist as follows: Sort the safety processes and controls into logical groups such as hazard control, emergency response, and PPE needs.

Sort the checklist by priority: Sort the safety procedures and controls by importance and risk level.

Put the checklist to the test: Check the checklist to ensure that it is comprehensive and simple to use.

Upgrade the checklist: Maintain the safety checklist by reviewing and amending it on a regular basis to reflect changes in rules, procedures, and equipment.

Following these steps will allow you to construct a safety checklist that will assist you in ensuring that your workplace is safe and in compliance with applicable legislation and standards.

send a message

Let us know your request

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *