Health and safety consultancy for businesses in Polokwane

A health and safety audit is an expert assessment of the health and safety policies, systems, procedures and operations of an organisation. Frequent health and safety audits are known as best practice for all organisations regardless of their industry, size or nature of business.

Health and safety audits must be considered as more than just an exercise where boxes are ticked, and they are more than merely a defensive or reactive measure. They offer both employers and employees a plethora of benefits, and they allow employers to protect their employees and visitors to their premises from harm. When health and safety audits are conducted in a systematic and effective manner, they may even safeguard the very existence of the organisation.

There are numerous consequences as a result of serious health and safety incidents that can result in prosecution, subjecting organisations to substantial reputational damage and leading to financial penalties.

Health and safety audits are therefore imperative, and organisations have a choice between two distinct types.

Internal versus external audits

Internal audits

An internal audit can be conducted by at least one employee who possesses the correct and relevant training and qualifications to do so. However, most audits consist of several participants that often represent different segments or departments of the organisation.

An in-house or internal audit has the advantage in the sense that it can be conducted in phases, allowing for more control over the process. This leads to fewer disruptions in operations and it may also be a more cost-effective process. However, internal audits are also strongly associated with a classic false economy or the impression that there is compliance.

When they are done correctly, internal audits can be a management tool and it can be used to enhance each employee’s understanding of business performance. It also shows potential issues, strengths, weaknesses and areas where more attention is needed.

External audits

Although internal audits serve many purposes and offer several benefits, they cannot compete with external audits as the golden standard. External audits involve an external auditor appointed through a health and safety audit consultancy.

The external auditor is tasked with conducting a health and safety audit on the organisation and will provide their unbiased and objective observations, findings and recommendations for improvement.

Why should employers make use of health and safety audit consultancy?

Audit and consultancy services are professional, and they are recognised as one of the most effective ways in which safety, health and environmental management systems can be examined to ensure they comply with the relevant legislative requirements.

It also helps to ensure that all the necessary standards are met, and that the organisation can work towards best practice techniques. It ensures that these techniques are implemented and monitored for effectiveness.

What are the benefits of health and safety audit consultancy?

• The main benefit is that it ensures that the organisation is compliant with the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, other legislation, regulations, and audit protocols.
• Visible improvements in both the business and the health and safety management system as a result of the in-depth examination done in an unbiased and objective manner. This allows the auditor to highlight gaps or areas of concern and provide recommendations for improvement.
• It provides credibility as an external audit is an independent verification that the information, documents and other aspects are both a true and fair representation of the current situation and compliance of the organisation.

How does SafetyWallet support its subscribers?

SafetyWallet, in partnership with MAKROSAFE and OHS Online, offers a unique subscription programme and the use of qualified professional auditors to guide the employer through the latest changes in standards and legislation.

SafetyWallet offers a dedicated, experienced and highly competent team of consultants that can work in all industries spread across South Africa. The audit team provided will help the subscriber navigate the SHE risk management principles in daily business operations with ease. The team also helps to identify the strengths found in the OHS programme and pinpoints weaknesses, highlighting any opportunities that exist in improving risk management in safety, health and environmental aspects.

SafetyWallet’s health and safety audit is a comprehensive process that is handed over to the auditor, with the subscriber updated on each individual step and the requirements for every step of the way. Once the audit is concluded, the subscriber and their management team will be presented with the audit report indicating the auditor’s findings, observations, recommendations and a detailed action plan for consideration.