Health and Safety Audits

A health and safety audit provides a detailed snapshot of your organisation’s safety practices, covering everything from policies and training to equipment checks and emergency preparedness. Omny’s safety audits review how well standards are followed across the board—ensuring compliance, spotting opportunities for improvement, and building a stronger safety culture for your team.

While not mandatory for every organisation, health and safety audits are strongly recommended to maintain compliance with UK safety regulations and to help prevent incidents. They provide a proactive way to keep your workplace aligned with best practices.

Omny’s auditors review key documents such as your health and safety policy, risk assessments, and training records to get a full understanding of your current safety protocols. This ensures we provide insights that are specific to your organisation’s needs.

Regular health and safety audits are essential, particularly if your workplace has changing processes, new equipment, or updated regulations. Many organisations conduct audits annually, but your exact needs may vary based on your industry and operations.

A safety inspection focuses on spotting immediate hazards in specific areas, equipment, or behaviours, aiming to prevent accidents. In contrast, a safety audit reviews the organisation’s entire safety management system, assessing policies, training, and overall compliance with regulations, with a focus on long-term improvements.

Start by gathering essential documents—safety policies, risk assessments, and training records—to keep everything accessible and up-to-date. Do a final walkthrough to catch any visible issues, and make sure safety equipment is in place. Talk with your team about the audit’s purpose, answer questions, and assign roles so everyone’s ready.

Internal audits are led by a “competent person” within the organisation, focusing on continuous improvement with familiar insights into the company’s operations. They’re more flexible, cost-effective, and allow for easier access to internal resources.

External audits, on the other hand, are conducted by independent experts, following industry standards like HSE Best Practice guidelines. They provide objectivity, benchmarking against industry standards, and a fresh perspective on compliance. Together, internal and external audits create a well-rounded approach to managing and improving workplace health and safety.

The HSE Best Practice Document HSG65, published by the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE), is a trusted guide for managing workplace health and safety. Known as Managing for Health and Safety, it provides a clear framework that follows the Plan, Do, Check, Act model, helping organisations continuously improve. By using HSG65, businesses can build a proactive safety culture, ensure compliance, and make health and safety a seamless part of everyday operations.