The Health and Safety Executive recommends that all organisations undertake health and safety audits. Audits reveal how well health and safety processes are working and where improvements need to be made. An audit can look at the whole management system or focus on specific areas.
There are many reasons why health and safety audits are important. Here are some of the benefits for your organisation.
1. Supports compliance
Regular health and safety audits help ensure your workplace complies with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.
The main health and safety laws in the UK are the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. There is also a wealth of other legislation, including:
- Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
- Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (amended 2002)
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
- COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) 2002
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998
- Working Time Regulations 1998
An audit assesses your organisation’s health and safety practices, policies, and procedures against regulatory standards, identifying areas of non-compliance and potential gaps.
A plan is then developed which prioritises actions and the measures needed to comply with specific regulations.
Regular follow-up audits help to assess the effectiveness of implemented control measures, identify any new compliance issues, and track progress towards achieving compliance goals.
2. Protects employees’ safety
A health and safety audit is a comprehensive assessment of an organisation’s commitment to protecting the health and safety of employees.
The audit may evaluate:
- Senior management’s commitment to health and safety. A strong commitment from senior management sets the tone for the entire organisation, signalling that safety is paramount and encouraging compliance at all levels.
- Identification of hazards and risks. Assessing how effectively the organisation identifies and evaluates potential hazards based on the level of risk.
- Implementation of risk control measures. Examining the measures implemented by the organisation to eliminate or mitigate identified risks.
- PPE provision. Reviewing whether employees have access to the PPE they need to protect themselves from workplace hazards. This includes evaluating the availability and maintenance of PPE and employee training on proper use.
- Employee competence and training. Examining the organisation’s processes for assessing and maintaining employee competence in health and safety. This involves reviewing training programs, competency assessments and refresher courses to ensure employees have the knowledge and skills to do their jobs safely.
- Safe systems of work. Assessing the effectiveness of safe systems of work, including standard operating procedures and work instructions. Evaluating whether employees understand and follow these systems.
- Emergency preparedness. Finding out whether the organisation is prepared for emergencies such as fires, chemical spills, and medical emergencies. This includes evaluating emergency response plans, evacuation procedures, training drills and the availability of emergency equipment and resources.
3. Prioritises resources
An audit provides a structured review of an organisation’s procedures and processes. By identifying priority areas for improvements, your organisation can allocate capital where it will make the most difference, so money is not wasted making unnecessary changes.
4. Helps boost productivity
Employees feel more valued when they know their organisation prioritises their health and safety. Conducting audits demonstrates a commitment to their wellbeing, leading to improved morale and higher job satisfaction. High employee morale has been shown to boost productivity.
Workplace safety is a significant factor in employee satisfaction and retention. Reduced turnover means less time and resources spent on recruiting, hiring, and training new employees which contributes to improved productivity.
A safer workplace also results in reduced absenteeism through workplace injuries, illnesses, and accidents. Workplace injuries and ill health costs UK employers billions of pounds every year, so effective health and safety measures are vital.
5. Reduces incident costs
Improved procedures resulting from audit recommendations can lead to fewer workplace accidents. This reduction in accidents minimises human suffering and the associated financial costs.
Accidents can entail significant expenses such as medical treatment, compensation, legal fees, and damage repair as well as the unquantifiable cost of reputational damage (see below).
By supporting legal compliance, a health and safety audit also reduces the likelihood that an organisation will incur fines and court costs.
6. Safeguards reputation
Conducting regular health and safety audits demonstrates a commitment to health and safety which helps to build brand trust and credibility. This strengthens relationships with employees, customers, suppliers, investors, and regulatory authorities.
In a competitive marketplace, a strong health and safety record can be a valuable differentiator, contributing to an organisation’s long-term sustainability. When pitching business to new clients, health and safety audits and related documents support an organisation’s reputation as a responsible partner.
81% of UK executives believe health and safety significantly impacts their organisation’s brand image. Preventable accidents can seriously harm an organisation’s hard-earned reputation and brand equity.
7. Increases employee engagement
Encouraging employees to participate in audits empowers them to take ownership of their safety and the safety of their colleagues. It also increases the effectiveness of the audit by bringing valuable insights from those who are most familiar with day-to-day operations and potential hazards.
When employees feel that their opinions and concerns are heard and respected, they are more likely to participate in safety activities and adhere to safety protocols. This increased participation and awareness leads to a safer work environment, reducing accidents and injuries.
The goal of involving employees in health and safety audits is to cultivate a positive safety culture. This is characterised by a shared commitment to safety, open communication about safety concerns, and a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks.
How can Praxis42 support health and safety audits?
Our health and safety audits are a detailed assessment of your organisation’s health and safety management systems. A thorough audit maximises your resources, ensures compliance and builds a positive safety culture so your organisation can prosper.
At Praxis42, we customise our health and safety audits to meet your exact needs. Please get in touch with us today on 0203 011 4242 or via email at info@praxis42.com
