Even though numerous businesses rely on internal audits to ensure compliance, external audits are one of the best tools that can be used to ensure that health and safety systems and programmes are effective in managing and mitigating health and safety hazards and risks.
The health and safety audit conducted by SafetyWallet involves an in-depth process that examines the entire health and safety management systems of its subscribers, with considerable emphasis on identifying and effectively managing occupational health and safety in the workplace.
Why is it important to make use of SafetyWallet to conduct your audit?
It is imperative that the audit be conducted effectively and that areas for improvement are identified, with subsequent control measures identified and implemented. The reason for this is to ensure realistic and actual improvement, and that it can be monitored and measured for effectiveness.
To ensure that the health and safety audit is conducted effectively, it is therefore crucial to appoint a trained and experienced auditor. SafetyWallet offers its subscribers a qualified and professional audit team to conduct health and safety audits.
With SafetyWallet, subscribers are provided the necessary support, assistance and tools to ensure that their health and safety systems and programmes run smoothly and that they remain effective and relevant in protecting the employer, employees and visitors to the premises. 
What are the seven important steps to an effective health and safety audit?
Become a SafetyWallet subscriber
This can be done by visiting the SafetyWallet website and signing up from the homepage. Once that is done, the subscriber can select their subscription reward circle according to the number of employees in their organisation. Subscribers have a choice of the following:
- Friend Circle – with 1 to 50 employees.
- Family Circle – with 51 to 100 employees.
- Champion Circle – with 101 to 300 employees.
- Pinnacle Club – with 300 or more employees.
Calculate the audit fee
Once the subscription reward circle has been selected, the new subscriber can proceed to calculate their audit fees. This can be done by making use of the Compliance Audit Calculator on the website. When subscribing to SafetyWallet, various rewards and discounts are available for subscribers from the moment subscription begins.
Subscription reward status is determined by several factors and subscribers can obtain a discount of up to 80% on their annual audit, where the subscriber is only liable for the remaining 20%. Additional rewards are based on the annual health and safety compliance audit conducted by SafetyWallet.
Book the health and safety audit
Once the subscriber has calculated audit fees and have viewed the subscription monthly fees and rewards, the subscriber can proceed to book a health and safety audit. This can quickly be done by making use of the online portal provided for this purpose.
Set up the health and safety audit
As soon as the audit has been booked, the subscriber may rest assured that they will receive a dedicated and professional SafetyWallet team’s assistance and support in navigating SHE risk management principles. The SafetyWallet audit team will work to identify any strengths and weaknesses, and highlight any opportunities for improvement in safety, health and environmental risk management. 
Conduct a health and safety audit
Through the assistance and support offered by SafetyWallet, and the provision of a professional and qualified audit team, the audit can be conducted in an effective, structured manner. During the audit, the SafetyWallet auditor will perform an in-depth examination of the health and safety programme, highlighting areas for improvement and identifying areas of compliance, and lastly, help the subscriber understand their current level of compliance.
Finalise the health and safety audit
Once the audit has been conducted, the SafetyWallet auditor will consult with the subscriber and the audit team on their findings. The auditor will also provide recommendations, any control measures that could be implemented and a detailed action plan for consideration.
Feedback on the compliance of the OHS system
Once the SafetyWallet auditor has provided their feedback, the SafetyWallet subscriber will have a better understanding of their current OHS compliance. They will also know what to do to improve in certain areas, knowing that they have SafetyWallet’s support, assistance and the necessary tools to do so.
Subscribers can also use the feedback and communicate it throughout the organisation to ensure that all employees know what the status of safety is, and how they can work towards improving it, subsequently improving overall OHS compliance. In addition, once the subscriber has been found compliant, they will be provided with a compliance certificate that is valid for a year.
