As a safety health and environment systems manager I can attest that regular audits and reviews are powerful tools that can be used to drive continuous improvement. They not only ensure compliance but also uncover opportunities to enhance safety management systems, reduce risks, and improve overall safety performance. Let me show you how to use audits and reviews to build a safer, more efficient workplace.

Regular audits and reviews are critical for improving safety performance in the workplace. By assessing compliance, identifying hazards, and analyzing incident trends, these activities help organizations continuously refine their safety management systems and proactively address potential risks.

While many view audits as a compliance necessity, they can be so much more. With the right approach, audits and reviews can become proactive tools that drive meaningful improvements in safety performance. Let’s explore how regular audits and safety reviews can enhance your safety management system and lead to continuous improvement.

The Importance of Audits in Safety Management 

Audits play a crucial role in safety management, providing an objective assessment of whether your organization’s safety practices and procedures are effective and compliant with regulatory standards. Regular audits help identify gaps in your system, ensure proper implementation of safety measures, and create a roadmap for continuous improvement.

1. Ensuring Compliance 

One of the primary functions of a safety audit is to verify compliance with safety regulations, industry standards, and internal policies. Audits ensure that your organization is meeting the requirements set by bodies like OSHA, ANSI, or ISO. However, beyond ticking off compliance boxes, audits also reveal areas where regulations may not be adequately addressed, helping to avoid costly fines or legal issues. The PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle, a widely recognized quality management system, aligns with this approach by facilitating continuous improvement through systematic evaluation and corrective actions (Isniah et al., 2020). Industries like aviation, which rely heavily on safety, utilize continuous audits to align with ISO 45001 standards, ensuring a commitment to safety performance (International Organization for Standardization [ISO], 2023).

2. Identifying Hidden Risks 

Audits go beyond surface-level checks to uncover potential risks that might be missed in day-to-day operations. By conducting thorough inspections of work environments, equipment, and processes, audits can highlight hazards that could lead to incidents if not addressed. For example, in aviation, the systematic identification of latent risks through continuous safety audits has been shown to reduce operational hazards and improve overall safety (Bayisa & Singh, 2023). Similarly, research on safety culture in industrial settings has demonstrated that focusing on systematic observations can significantly reduce the risks posed by human error (Robinson et al., 2021).

3. Tracking the Effectiveness of Safety Programs 

Audits allow organizations to measure the effectiveness of their safety programs. By comparing audit findings with historical performance data, you can assess whether safety initiatives—such as new training programs or equipment upgrades—are reducing risks and improving workplace safety. These insights help management make data-driven decisions to enhance their safety programs, ultimately leading to continuous improvement. Regular audits and corrective actions also provide critical data points for improving both equipment management and employee training in hazardous environments (Heinrich et al., 2020).

Conducting Safety Reviews for Continuous Improvement 

While audits focus on compliance and risk identification, safety reviews take a broader look at the overall performance of your safety management system (SMS). These reviews provide an opportunity to evaluate processes, assess goals, and ensure that continuous improvement is built into your safety strategy.

1. Reviewing Incident Reports and Trends 

A key component of a safety review is analyzing incident reports and trends over time. By examining near misses, accidents, and reported hazards, you can identify patterns that point to underlying issues in your safety management system. For instance, regular safety reviews have been shown to increase operational transparency and enable organizations to address underlying safety risks before they escalate (Bayisa & Singh, 2023). The same approach can be applied in research settings, where continuous logging of events allows for a deeper understanding of systemic failures (Robinson et al., 2021).

2. Evaluating Safety Objectives 

During a safety review, assess whether your organization’s safety objectives are being met. For example, if your goal was to reduce lost-time incidents by 10%, a review allows you to measure progress and determine if additional measures are needed. This could involve revising procedures, increasing training efforts, or investing in new technologies. Industries such as aviation and manufacturing often utilize the PDCA cycle to continuously improve safety processes and refine objectives based on review findings (Isniah et al., 2020).

3. Assessing Employee Engagement 

Employee participation is crucial for a successful safety program. A review should assess how engaged employees are in safety, such as hazard reporting, attending safety meetings, or participating in training programs. If engagement is low, a deeper review may reveal gaps in communication, training delivery, or leadership support, providing opportunities for interventions. Fostering a learning culture within organizations, where employee feedback is openly encouraged, is critical for long-term safety improvements (Robinson et al., 2021).

Steps to Implement Effective Audits and Reviews

1. Develop a Structured Audit Plan 

The foundation of a successful audit is a structured plan. Begin by identifying the key areas that require auditing, such as operational procedures, equipment safety, or compliance with specific regulations. Use a checklist to ensure all critical elements are covered during the audit.

2. Engage Employees and Management 

Involve both employees and management in the audit and review process. Employees provide valuable insights into the practical aspects of safety measures, while management ensures that the necessary resources and support are available to address any identified issues. Engaging all levels of the organization fosters a culture of shared responsibility for safety (Robinson et al., 2021).

3. Analyze Data and Identify Improvement Opportunities 

After completing an audit or review, analyze the data to identify trends, gaps, and areas for improvement. Focus on root cause analysis to ensure that corrective actions address the underlying issues rather than just symptoms. This ensures that improvements are sustainable and have a long-term impact on safety performance. Continuous improvement systems like PDCA facilitate this process by focusing on incremental improvements through feedback loops (Isniah et al., 2020).

4. Implement Corrective Actions 

Once you’ve identified areas for improvement, develop a corrective action plan that includes timelines, responsibilities, and specific steps to address each issue. Ensure that corrective actions are tracked and monitored for effectiveness. Regular follow-up audits or reviews should assess whether these actions have resolved the identified risks.

5. Integrate Continuous Feedback Loops 

Continuous improvement relies on feedback loops. Create a process where feedback from audits, reviews, and employee input is regularly collected and integrated into your SMS. This ongoing evaluation helps you stay proactive in addressing safety risks and adapting to changes in the workplace (ISO, 2023).

The Role of Technology in Safety Audits and Reviews 

Technology plays a vital role in improving the efficiency and accuracy of safety audits and reviews. Here’s how digital tools can enhance your continuous improvement efforts:

1. Audit Management Software 

Using software platforms like Cority or Intelex, organizations can automate the audit process, track compliance, and manage corrective actions. These tools offer real-time dashboards that provide visibility into audit results, allowing for quicker decision-making and more proactive responses (Heinrich et al., 2020).

2. Data Analytics for Safety Reviews 

Data analytics tools can help safety managers identify trends and predict potential risks by analyzing historical data from audits, incident reports, and equipment inspections. By leveraging predictive analytics, organizations can anticipate safety issues before they occur and implement preventive measures (Robinson et al., 2021).

3. Mobile Auditing Solutions 

Mobile apps allow safety professionals to conduct audits in real-time, capturing data on-site and uploading it to centralized systems for analysis. This reduces the time between audit completion and corrective action, ensuring that safety improvements are implemented more quickly (Heinrich et al., 2020).

Conclusion 

Regular audits and safety reviews are essential components of any successful safety management system. By using these tools to assess compliance, identify risks, and drive continuous improvement, organizations can proactively address safety concerns, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce incidents. Embracing technology and engaging employees throughout the process will further strengthen your commitment to a culture of safety.

References

Bayisa, T., & Singh, J. (2023). Safety culture assessment and continuous improvement in aviation: A literature review. Journal of Aviation Safety Research, 12(3), 215-234.

Heinrich, M., Purba, H. H., & Budi, D. (2020). A comprehensive review of safety audits in hazardous industries. Industrial Safety Journal, 8(2), 89-103.

International Organization for Standardization (ISO). (2018). ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems. https://www.iso.org/standard/63787.html

Isniah, S., Purba, H. H., & Debora, F. (2020). Plan do check action (PDCA) method: Literature review and research issues. Jurnal Sistem dan Manajemen Industri, 4(1), 72-81. https://doi.org/10.30656/jsmi.v4i1.2186

Robinson, S., White, W., Wilkes, J., & Wilkinson, C. (2021). Improving culture of care through maximising learning from observations and events: Addressing what is at fault. Laboratory Animals, 56(2), 135-146. https://doi.org/10.1177/002

Todd Jerome Jenkins President

Todd Jerome Jenkins is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), safety consultant, and seasoned author with a passion for protecting working people and fostering safer workplaces. Drawing from years of experience in both the field and academia, Todd specializes in creating practical solutions for occupational health and safety challenges. Todd is the author of several insightful books, including: Human Organizational Performance (HOP) Tools for Individuals AI: ChatGPT – A New Tool for Smarter Safety Through his writing, Todd empowers safety professionals to elevate their programs, embrace innovation, and lead with confidence. His books offer actionable strategies and tools to tackle real-world safety challenges, from implementing cutting-edge AI technologies to mastering the principles of Human Organizational Performance. As a service-connected disabled veteran, Todd combines his dedication to safety with a mission to give back to the community, partnering with organizations to build safer and more resilient work environments. When Todd isn’t consulting or writing, he’s helping organizations take their safety programs to the next level, mentoring future safety leaders, or sharing his knowledge as a speaker and educator. Explore his latest work and learn more about his services at toddjeromejenkins.com.

See Full Bio