Health and safety audits aren’t just for ticking boxes: they’re essential tools for identifying risk, strengthening your compliance strategy, and keeping your people safe. Whether you’re running a warehouse, office, factory, or retail site, regular audits ensure your procedures are working in the real world, not just on paper.
In this guide, we’ll break down the five most common warning signs that your workplace might need a safety audit and how to take proactive action:
1. You’ve Had a Near Miss (or Several)
A “near miss” is an unplanned event that didn’t result in injury but could have. These incidents are often ignored because no one was hurt. However, that’s a dangerous assumption to make.
Why it matters: Near misses are often precursors to more serious incidents. Ignoring them is like ignoring a warning light on your dashboard.
Action steps:
– Log all near misses consistently.
– Investigate the root causes, not just the outcome.
– Use a safety audit to uncover systemic failures contributing to the risk.
2. Your Risk Assessments Haven’t Been Reviewed in Over a Year
Risk assessments are not “one and done”. If yours haven’t been reviewed in the last 12 months or since a significant change in operations, they may no longer reflect reality.
Why it matters: Outdated risk assessments can leave you legally exposed. Under UK law, assessments must be ‘suitable and sufficient’ at all times.
Action steps:
– Schedule regular annual reviews.
– Include input from supervisors and staff on current practices.
– Use a third-party audit to validate or refresh your approach.
3. Your Training Records are Incomplete or Inconsistent
Training is only effective if it’s tracked. Missing records, expired certificates, or ad-hoc onboarding practices create major gaps in compliance.
Why it matters: If an incident occurs and you can’t prove that someone was trained, the liability falls squarely on you, even if verbal training was provided.
Action steps:
– Maintain a digital training matrix.
– Schedule automatic refreshers and reminders.
– Include training compliance checks in your next audit.
4. Employees are Reluctant to Report Hazards
If staff aren’t speaking up about hazards or incidents, that’s a major red flag. Silence often signals fear, apathy, or a lack of trust in the system.
Why it matters: A disengaged workforce is a vulnerable one. A strong safety culture depends on open communication and shared accountability.
Action steps:
– Conduct anonymous surveys to understand barriers.
– Train managers to listen and respond constructively (we recommend the IOSH Managing Safely course).
– Use an audit to assess the culture, not just the paperwork.
5. You’re Expanding, Tendering, or Pursuing Certification
Growth is exciting, but it also introduces new risks. Whether you’re bidding for a contract or adding new locations, now is the time to ensure your health and safety systems are robust.
Why it matters: Many tenders, especially public sector ones, require proof of compliance. ISO 45001, CHAS, and other certifications, which may depend on an audit.
Action steps:
– Book a safety audit before expansion or certification.
– Identify gaps in documentation or site procedures.
– Use audit findings as evidence in procurement processes.
Case Study: Preparing for Certification & Identifying Problem Areas
A food distribution company preparing for ISO 45001 certification booked a KeyOstas audit. Our consultant uncovered three key issues:
- Fire evacuation signage was inconsistent across depots.
- Staff training logs were incomplete in one location.
- Risk assessments didn’t reflect current shift patterns.
Within 30 days, the business corrected these issues and passed their ISO audit on the first try.
What could have been a costly and lengthy certification process was easily avoided with an audit and suitable preparation was made before booking the certification.
What to Expect in a KeyOstas Audit
Our audits include:
– Review of safety policies, training records, and risk assessments.
– Physical walkthrough of your site(s).
– Staff engagement and feedback (optional).
– A prioritised action plan with practical recommendations.
We don’t just highlight issues, we help you fix them.
Protect Your Business. Safeguard Your People.
If any of these signs sound familiar, it’s time to act. A professional audit from KeyOstas could be the difference between proactive improvement and costly incidents.
Contact our team today to book your workplace safety audit or explore our full range of consultancy services at https://www.keyostas.co.uk.