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:
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.
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Why it matters: Outdated risk assessments can leave you legally exposed.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.
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.
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.
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.
A food distribution company preparing for ISO 45001 certification booked a KeyOstas audit. Our consultant uncovered three key issues:
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.
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.
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.
Clear signs that a workplace needs to investigate further — or conduct a workplace safety audit — include a rise in workplace accident reports, near-miss incidents, or equipment failures. Other indicators are outdated risk assessments, low staff morale, and reports of unsafe working conditions, especially if reported anonymously. Businesses should also audit after structural changes, introducing new equipment, or reporting hazards in the workplace.
If your business has experienced recent health and safety incidents, a full safety audit is essential to protect employees and meet your legal obligations under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
A high-quality health and safety audit examines whether your workplace complies with UK regulations, including:
Look for evidence that occupational health report processes and workplace safety audit reports are reviewed regularly and acted upon.
A safety audit isn’t just about compliance — it’s about fostering a culture where employees feel safe and supported.
UK law (The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996) defines four main types of safety signs:
These signs are vital in preventing health and safety incidents and ensuring staff respond appropriately in emergencies.
All workplaces must display relevant signage in line with UK regulations to maintain compliance.
HSE inspectors evaluate how well your business complies with UK health and safety law. They typically assess:
Inspectors may also review whether previous recommendations have been implemented or ignored.
Having a current health and safety compliance audit on file demonstrates due diligence and can prevent legal consequences.
HSE inspectors have the authority to issue two types of enforcement notices:
Receiving a notice often follows a failed workplace health and safety audit or poor incident reporting processes.
An inspector checklist is a structured guide used during a workplace safety audit or HSE visit. It helps evaluate whether the business is meeting its health and safety responsibilities.
Common checklist items include:
Using an inspector-style checklist internally can help identify and resolve issues before a formal HSE inspection.
