- HSE Guidance HSG65: Managing for Health and Safety
- ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health & Safety Management
Two different tools, two different purposes
A health and safety audit is a structured, systematic review of your *management system* — the policies, procedures, responsibilities and records that govern how risk is managed. It asks: "Is the system designed correctly and is it working?" This aligns with HSE's HSG65 and ISO 45001.
A workplace inspection is a physical walk-through of a site to identify *conditions* — hazards, defects, housekeeping issues and immediate risks. It asks: "Is this workplace safe right now?"
Why you need both
An audit can reveal that your policy is excellent on paper but never implemented on site. An inspection can reveal a leaking valve that no policy will fix. Together they provide a complete picture of compliance and real risk.
LRMS approach
We conduct both. Audits use statuses like Conforming, Improvement Opportunity, Action Required and High Priority — never a simplistic pass/fail unless the method genuinely operates that way.
Cited Sources & Official References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a health and safety audit and an inspection?
An audit is a structured review of your management system — policies, procedures and records. An inspection is a physical walk-through to identify immediate hazards and conditions. An audit asks if the system works; an inspection asks if the workplace is safe right now.
Does an organisation need both audits and inspections?
Yes. An audit can reveal that a policy is excellent on paper but never implemented, while an inspection can reveal immediate physical hazards. Together they provide a complete picture of compliance and real risk.
How are audit findings rated?
Findings are rated as Conforming, Improvement Opportunity, Action Required, or High Priority — never a simplistic pass/fail unless the method genuinely operates that way.
About Louanne Lanahan
Founder & Director · CMIOSH · OSHCR
Chartered Safety Practitioner (CMIOSH), registered on OSHCR, MIFSM, AIFireE, and NFRAR. Founder and Director of Lanahan Risk Management Services Ltd since 2014.