Imagine this all-too-common scenario: a thorough third-party safety audit uncovers potentially fatal flaws in a construction company's safety protocols, helping them avoid a catastrophic accident that could have occurred.
Thankfully, the company hired professional safety auditors, but this scary situation highlights audits' invaluable role in workplace safety.
A third-party safety audit objectively evaluates a company's safety practices and procedures to ensure compliance, identify risks, and build a proactive safety culture. Professional safety auditors do much more than check regulatory boxes; they can be the difference between smooth and safe operations and a costly, dangerous workplace accident.
Choosing the right safety audit partner is the first step in ensuring your company receives tailored solutions from a professional who is knowledgeable about your industry, regulatory guidelines, and unique risks.
A safety audit is a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of workplace safety policies, procedures, and practices. The process typically starts with a risk analysis, where a safety auditor identifies potential hazards in the workplace. Next, the auditor reviews and communicates strategies to ensure worker safety and protection and conducts a human reliability assessment, analyzing employee behavior and interactions with equipment.
Third-party safety audits should always be conducted by professionals with a deep knowledge of your industry, compliance regulations, and safety protection and promotion strategies specific to your workplace.
Consider these benefits if you're wondering whether a third-party safety audit is worth the investment.
Naturally, internal biases often mask safety risks, so a neutral and objective third-party auditor is critical for an unbiased and accurate evaluation.
Third-party auditors specialize in varying industry-specific regulations, such as the ever-changing OSHA or EPA standards.
Audits are about working with your team to improve safety policies and adopt long-term sustainable measures, not punishing shortcomings.
Safety auditors should always have specialized experience in your industry, as risks and regulations can significantly differ. For example, a construction company will look for an auditor familiar with equipment-related hazards, while a manufacturing company might seek out expertise in machinery safety.
Research has found that OSHA audits brought 9.4% fewer injury claims and 26% lower worker's compensation expenses.
Choose a partner that offers a full suite of services, such as mock OSHA inspections, risk analysis and hazard identification, safety promotion strategies and recommendations, worker safety training, and accident investigations.
The best safety auditors work with your team to address short and long-term safety concerns and create practical solutions. An auditor won't assign blame or point fingers but instead focus on pinpointing actionable solutions and taking a collaborative approach to improvement and education.
Always make sure your safety auditor holds relevant certifications, such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP) credentials or other affiliations related to your industry, such as an OSHA-certified auditor.
Choose an auditor with a proven track record of success. Ask for references, review reviews, and case studies, and gather other information that can provide insight into their efficacy and past client experiences.
Going with a third-party auditor who offers services beyond the initial report is highly recommended. Ideally, your third-party audit partner will additionally support implementing corrective action plans, providing ongoing training, and guiding your team through all necessary compliance improvements.
To ensure you're choosing the right partner, start by asking the following questions:
Get a firm grasp on the auditor’s familiarity and experience in your industry, and be sure they will identify sector-specific risks and provide relevant support and recommendations.
Ask for details about their audit process to evaluate whether or not their approach aligns with your company’s needs and goals.
A collaborative approach together with your team ensures that your auditor works with the goal of creating practical solutions and guidance that you can continue implementing afterward.
Verifying certifications such as CSP or OSHA affiliations confirms the auditor’s qualifications and ability to navigate all necessary regulatory requirements.
Always ask for references, read reviews and case studies, and gain other possible insights into the auditor’s track record.
Advanced tools like digital checklists and real-time reporting indicate the auditor's commitment to staying current with modern safety standards and tools.
Post-audit support ensures the auditor remains engaged in helping your team continue addressing identified gaps in the initial audit.
At SafetyPro Resources, we have extensive experience across industries to ensure that our audits address all unique and pressing challenges each sector faces. Our services are holistic, ranging from risk analysis and safety promotion strategies to human reliability assessments, comprehensive safety solutions, and implementation support. We believe in fostering a culture of improvement rather than focusing on fault-finding, helping companies improve their safety culture with ease and confidence.
Choosing a third-party safety audit partner can feel daunting. However, it is a critical decision that can profoundly impact your company's future safety culture and compliance. By going with an auditor who guarantees expertise, collaboration, and a commitment to post-audit support, you can rest assured that your workplace will stay safe and compliant for years.