ON-SITE SAFETY AUDITS

Ritz Safety Site Safety AuditsSafety audits examine whether safety programs and strategies are meeting your company’s goals.

A safety audit evaluates safety programs and practices within an organization. Employers conducting an audit should:

  • Measure and collect information about a safety program’s reliability and effectiveness
  • Look at whether a safety program meets the company’s stated goals
  • Examine safety training and response efforts
  • Get a Facility Safety Audit Guide
  • Stay in compliance and improve efficiency!

Are Safety Audits and Safety Inspections the same?

While there are several similarities between safety inspections and safety audits, there are some very distinct differences:

Broad goals: Both strive for a safer workplace that complies with all regulations and standards.

  • Safety checklists: Both may use a safety checklist that includes relevant OSHA standards, best practices, and other recommended precautions.
  • OSHA requirements: OSHA does not require safety audits or inspections, but the agency views both as components of an effective safety plan.

 

Differences between a Safety Inspection and Safety Audit

For all their similarities, a few key differences separate safety inspections and safety audits. An audit reviews safety programs and strategies, while an inspection examines current tactics and routine employee actions.

An employee who is familiar with the workplace typically performs a safety inspection. An independent employee (whether from outside the company or in another department) should conduct a safety audit.

How does OSHA view safety audits?

OSHA does not request safety audit reports before conducting an inspection. That said, OSHA might request audits as part of an ongoing review. Should a voluntary audit identify a hazardous condition, OSHA looks at the following:

  • Has the employer corrected the hazardous condition before an inspection?
  • Has the employer taken appropriate steps to prevent a recurrence?
  • If a permanent solution isn’t in place, has the employer provided interim employee protection?
  • If the above are true, OSHA will treat the audit as evidence of good faith and will not issue a citation.

Looking for greater protection for you employees and company? Want to improve handling efficiencies and cost saving opportunities? Need assistance with regulatory code compliance to OSHA and EPA standards?

Call (800) 451-3077 or Contact Us to schedule a qualified representative to conduct a facility safety site audit at your business. They will identify potential hazards, physical conditions and workplace practices as they relate to specific federal and state regulations.

"Ritz Safety has been instrumental in implementing our Fall Protection training in each of our 106 branches around the country... This training was one of the most important things we have ever done for our employees." - Global Elevator Design, Service and Installation Company Ritz Safety Client Since 2004

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