Safety Inspection vs Safety Audit

There's no one “right” way to assess the effectiveness of workplace safety programs. Safety inspections look for hazards, risks, & other tactics that might prevent a company from operating safely. Meanwhile, safety audits examine whether programs & strategies are meeting a company's goals.

Safety Inspection

Safety inspection looks for safety hazards & unsafe practices throughout a facility.

The inspection should:

Determine whether safeguards are in place
Examine whether the equipment presents any hazards
Gather air, water, and other samples to test for hazardous substances
Observe work practices to identify unsafe actions

Safety Audit

A safety audit evaluates safety programs & practices within an organization.

Employers conducting an audit should:

Measure and collect information about a safety program's reliability & effectiveness
Look at whether a safety program meets the company's stated goals
Examine safety training and response efforts

Similarities Between a Safety Inspection and Safety Audit

There are several similarities between safety inspections & safety audits:

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 & Safety Audit

For all their similarities, a few key differences separate safety inspections & safety audits.

Scope: An audit reviews safety programs & strategies, while an inspection examines current tactics & routine employee actions.
Responsible parties: Safety inspections are usually performed by those familiar with the workplace, while independent employees (whether from outside the company or in another department) should conduct a safety audit.