Safety auditing is defined as the systematic measurement and validation of an organisation's management of its health and safety programme against a series of specific and attainable standards.

An audit must validate the effectiveness of the health and safety policy and to maintain and improve upon standards within the organisation.

The standards against which performance is measured may simply be those laid down in regulations made under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Increasingly, however, health and safety performance will be judged by progressive organisations against their own internal policies that have been designed to aspire to excellence.

Audits can be carried out by in-house personnel or by external consultants. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. In-house personnel will be more familiar with the tasks and are, therefore, better equipped to make any subjective judgments. They will also have greater insight into the way that procedures and systems function within the organisation. External auditors will be less able to appreciate the nuances and subtle points but have complete impartiality and independence and will be more conversant with auditing practice.

Areas requiring audits:

• accident reporting and investigation
• cleaning and waste disposal
• control of contractors
• display screen equipment
• electrical safety
• emergency lighting
• fire prevention
• first aid
• hazardous substances
• health surveillance
• hearing conservation
• housekeeping
• information and communication
• kitchens and catering
• lifts and lifting equipment
• manual handling operations
• plant rooms and machinery
• personal protective equipment
• risk assessment requirements
• roof and curtilage
• safety signs
• safety training
• use of vehicles
• ventilation and air conditioning
• welfare provision
• work environment.

Once the results have been circulated, an action plan should be drawn up. This must address the identified areas of weakness and should include a procedure that allows progress to be monitored.