Thus, when conducting an audit, these organisations must ensure that the audit effectively performs the following functions:
- Identify risks in the workplace and determine the level of such risks, whether high, medium, or low.
- Identify strengths and weaknesses in both OHS procedures and the OHS programme.
- Compare current documentation and practices against best practice, legal requirements and SafetyWallet protocols.
- Highlight and recommend improvements that must be made in both OHS procedures and the OHS programme.
- Ensure enough resources are available to manage occupational health and safety.
- Ensure that these resources are devoted to effective implementation and that they are used.
What does a health and safety audit involve?
The SafetyWallet Occupational Health and Safety Audit on a subscriber’s OHS management system and OHS programme works to identify whether the system is operating efficiently and effectively, or whether either or both need to be improved. An audit can either form part of a continuous system, such as internal audits conducted by an appointed audit team, or they can form part of an independent programme, such as the case with external audits conducted by SafetyWallet for its subscribers. OHS audits can also focus on the following:
- Specific activities, for example, how hazardous substances and exposure to them are controlled.
- Specific parts of the organisation, for example, packing areas.
- The overall performance of the OHS system and programme.
When OHS audits are conducted systematically and effectively, the following areas can be addressed:
- Planning
- OHS duties and responsibilities
- Organisational structure
- Arrangement with consultations
- Implementation of procedures and activities
- The identification of hazards and the assessment and control thereof
- Training and competence
- Measurement, reporting and evaluation, and
- The review of the OHS system and programme as well as the overall performance thereof.
What are the steps involved in a health and safety audit?
Once a specified topic or area has been identified for the audit, or the entire OHS system and/or programme is selected, the following steps can be followed.
Sequencing questions and provide answers
The audit questions must be based on both legislation and standards, thus on the requirements as stipulated in the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The first component that must be audited involves documented safety procedures and compliance. Once this has been audited, the level of compliance with such procedures can be audited. This is done by doing a workplace inspection to ensure that these standards are being followed and to gauge how effective they are.
Compilation of the audit report
Once the audit is concluded, the next step is to compile a comprehensive audit report that reflects the findings noted, regardless of whether they are positive or whether they indicate improvements or areas of non-compliance. The audit report can be used to identify risks noted during the audit and during the report phase, their level can be assessed and actions for their control can be identified in the following step.
Action plan to address findings
Risk controls to be applied to the risks identified must be prioritised according to the hierarchy of control, allowing for an effective action plan to be developed. This action plan must be communicated with all employees and, where needed, necessary training or retraining must be provided.
What can be expected from a SafetyWallet health and safety audit?
The SafetyWallet OHS Audit involves an in-depth examination into the subscriber’s overall health and safety management system. The audit focuses on key aspects involved in effectively managing occupational health and safety in the workplace. In addition, the SafetyWallet subscriber is offered a structured path for continuous and consistent improvement towards OHS compliance and best practice status. The SafetyWallet OHS Audit process involves the following:
- A review of the overall aspects contained in the subscriber’s occupational health and safety programme. This is done against the Occupational Health and Safety Act, relevant regulations and SafetyWallet audit protocols.
- Both the implementation and effectiveness of these measures will be assessed once the SafetyWallet auditor inspects the workplace and samples operational activities.
- The SafetyWallet auditor will proceed with interviewing key personnel. Their roles, functions, duties and responsibilities towards OHS aspects will be discussed confidentially.
- Once the audit concludes, the auditor will compile a comprehensive audit report that will be presented to the subscriber and their management team.
- During this presentation, the strengths found in the programme will be highlighted as well as key areas for improvement.
- The auditor will provide observations and recommendations and will offer the subscriber and their team an action plan for consideration.
Once the subscriber has been found competent, they will be issued a compliance certificate proving this. The certificate is valid for a year and will require that another OHS audit be conducted. 
