Health and Safety audits are a critical part of maintaining a safe and compliant workplace. They help identify risks, ensure adherence to regulations, and foster a safe working environment for all employees. But when it comes to audits, you may be asking: How often should you audit? Who can conduct an audit? And how many days do you need? In this guide, we’ll answer all these questions and more.
Table of Contents
1. How Often Should You Do Health and Safety Audits?
A Health and Safety audit is essentially a health check for your workplace. It assesses your company’s compliance with safety regulations and identifies potential risks. HSE’s Introduction to Managing Health and Safety provides more detailed information on conducting these audits effectively.
Frequency:
In general, annual health and safety audits are recommended for most workplaces, but the exact timing depends on factors such as:
- Industry risks: High-risk industries (e.g., construction or manufacturing) may need more frequent audits.
- Changes in operations: New machinery, processes, or significant staff changes may warrant an immediate audit.
- Previous audit results: If past audits revealed major non-compliance issues, more frequent follow-ups may be necessary.
For low-risk industries or offices, a bi-annual or triennial audit may suffice, provided regular internal reviews are conducted between formal audits.
2. How Often Should You Review Your H&S Policy?
Your Health and Safety policy is the backbone of workplace safety. It outlines the company’s approach to managing risks and ensuring employee well-being.
Review frequency:
The minimum recommendation is to review your H&S policy annually. However, it’s best to also conduct reviews under the following conditions:
- Changes in law or regulations: Health and safety legislation frequently evolves. Updating your policy ensures compliance.
- Operational changes: If your business adopts new processes, machinery, or expands to new premises, these changes may introduce new risks that must be reflected in your H&S policy.
- After significant incidents: Any accidents or near-misses should trigger an immediate review to prevent future occurrences.
Regular reviews keep your policy relevant and aligned with the latest best practices and legal requirements.
3. How Many Days Do You Need For Health And Safety Audits?
Determining the number of days required for a Health and Safety audit depends on several key factors:
- Size of your business: Larger companies with multiple locations will naturally need more time to conduct thorough audits.
- Complexity of operations: If your business deals with high-risk materials, intricate machinery, or specialised processes, more time will be needed to audit these areas comprehensively.
- Level of compliance: Businesses that have a well-established H&S culture may require fewer audit days, whereas those with less frequent audits or higher risks may need more in-depth assessments.
On average, a small-to-medium enterprise (SME) may need anywhere from 1 to 3 audit days, while larger organisations might require up to 5 days or more, depending on complexity. It’s important to work with a qualified auditor to determine an accurate estimate based on your company’s unique needs.
4. Can Anyone Conduct an Audit?
While internal employees can sometimes conduct basic health and safety checks, an official H&S audit should always be conducted by a trained and certified professional.
Here’s why:
- Unbiased assessments: External auditors provide objective insights that internal teams may overlook due to familiarity or biases.
- Up-to-date knowledge: Certified auditors stay updated with the latest H&S regulations and best practices, ensuring your company remains compliant.
- Expert recommendations: Professional auditors don’t just highlight problems—they provide actionable steps to improve safety measures.
However, internal audits can still play a valuable role between formal audits. For smaller or lower-risk businesses, trained employees can perform regular reviews of equipment, practices, and compliance with internal policies.
Conducting regular Health and Safety audits, reviewing your policies, and ensuring compliance are all critical to creating a safe working environment. By performing annual audits, reviewing your H&S policy regularly, and involving qualified professionals in the audit process, you can rest assured that your company is doing everything possible to protect its people and reputation.
Need help with your Health and Safety audits or policy reviews?
At NCS, we specialise in providing comprehensive H&S audits, policy reviews, and expert advice to help your business stay compliant and safe. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your workplace safety efforts.
