What to Include in Your WHS Audit: A Guide for Employers

Put simply, a WHS audit is an assessment an organisation's WHS performance. The audit can be conducted against:

• WHS legislation (WHS Act, Regulations and Code of Practice)

• Internal requirements:

  • Internal WHS Management Systems

  • Internal policies or procedures

• External standards:

  • AS45001 (requirements for OHS Management Systems)

A WHS audit shouldn't only be a one-time check but rather a continuous process throughout your company's operations.

It can be quite overwhelming trying to conduct it on your own. Here are some pointers on what should be included in a WHS audit in Australia:

Prefer to work through it yourself first? Our WHS audit tool covers the same ground question by question and shows you which elements are missing before you engage an auditor.

WHS Audit Objectives

The WHS audit is a snapshot in time of how well safety is being managed and crucially identifies where deficiencies exist so they can be addressed. It can be done for a specific project (such as the construction of a new building), or it can be done as part of a company's overall health and safety management.

A diagram outlining WHS audit objectives, crucial for employers assessing workplace safety

A WHS Audit can have the following objectives:

• Ensure Compliance with Legislation: Verify that the organisation adheres to relevant WHS laws and regulations.

  • Example: Checking if safety signage meets the standards set by local WHS regulations.

• Identify Hazards and Risks: Detect potential hazards and assess the risks associated with them.

  • Example: Inspecting machinery for proper guarding to prevent accidents.

• Evaluate Effectiveness of Safety Procedures: Assess how well current safety procedures are implemented and followed.

  • Example: Reviewing incident reports to see if emergency response procedures were effectively executed.

• Promote a Safety Culture: Foster a culture of safety within the organisation.

  • Example: Conducting regular safety meetings and encouraging employees to report unsafe conditions.

• Monitor Compliance with Internal Policies: Confirm that internal WHS policies and procedures are being followed.

  • Example: Auditing the use of safety checklists during routine inspections.

• Identify Opportunities for Continuous Improvement: Highlight areas where ongoing improvements can be made.

  • Example: Suggesting the adoption of new safety technologies or practices to reduce risks.

Depending on the type of work, the WHS audit will usually involve a full or partial inspection of the work area and a review of the worker's health and safety policies, procedures, or other relevant safety paperwork. The level of detail will depend on the type of work being done and the potential hazards.

Who Should Conduct a WHS Audit?

To be effective and ensure effective consultation, there should be collaboration and communication between relevant stakeholders. The team will usually only consist of a few individuals; however, it may involve more people depending on the scope and objectives. Ideally, the following stakeholders should be involved and consulted:

• The owner of the company or their representative

• The workers involved in the work or their health and safety representative

• The managers and supervisors of the workers in the work area

• The safety officer or safety manager of the company

Many RTOs offer courses on how to become a WHS auditor, for example Global Mark – Lead Auditor Course.

What is a WHS Audit Checklist?

WHS audit checklists are vital to ensure the auditing process is systematic and comprehensive. A checklist will help you keep track of what areas of your business you need to check, as well as forming the basis of the audit report and record keeping.

A template preview of a WHS audit checklist, a systematic approach to workplace safety reviews

Generally, a WHS audit checklist could include:

• The date, work area/s, methodology and scope of the audit

• Who is part of the auditing team (WHS auditors)

• A list of the checks that are being conducted, for example:

  • Is PPE being worn

  • Are relevant risk controls in place

  • Are safety procedures documented, available, and being followed

  • Are workers engaging in unsafe behaviours

  • Are adequate housekeeping procedures in place

  • Are permit systems in use

  • Are first aid and emergency equipment available and fit for use

• Recommended actions / comments

• Date for close-out of recommended actions

You can create your own checklist depending on the type of work being done, or you can use a checklist provided by a regulatory agency. For example, WHSQ provides an internal audit checklist.

The WHS Audit Process: Step-by-Step

Conducting a WHS audit involves several key stages, ensuring a systematic and thorough review of your workplace safety. Understanding this process can help employers plan effectively and maximise the benefits of their audit.

Firstly, the planning phase involves defining the scope, objectives, and criteria of the audit, as well as selecting the audit team. This ensures everyone is clear on what will be assessed and why.

Next is the on-site audit execution, where the audit team gathers information through interviews, document reviews, and workplace inspections. Observations are recorded, and potential non-conformances are noted.

Following this, the reporting phase compiles all findings into a comprehensive audit report. This report highlights areas of compliance, identifies deficiencies, and often includes recommendations for corrective actions.

Finally, the follow-up phase involves implementing and verifying the effectiveness of the corrective actions. This ensures that identified issues are addressed and that the WHS management system continuously improves over time.

Did You Know?

The landmark case of Thistle Co of Australia Pty Ltd v Bretz (2018) highlighted the critical importance of safety audits in the workplace. In this case, the Queensland Court of Appeal found that the company had failed to conduct adequate safety audits, which contributed to an employee's injury. The court emphasised that regular and thorough safety audits are essential for identifying and mitigating risks, thereby preventing workplace accidents1.

Need a hand?

Need an outside set of eyes? Spire Safety offers WHS compliance audit services, from a one-off gap analysis to a full internal audit programme. Get in touch to talk it through.