Free checklists for inspections and audits of occupational health and safety of workers

Why worker safety are important

Audits and inspections contribute to the occupational health and safety of workers by identifying hazards and unsafe conditions in the workplace. While they are a critical part of a safety program, they do not replace a robust safety program. It is also important to not confuse audits and inspections.

One key difference to note is that an audit is a systematic examination of an organization’s policies, procedures, and operations with the goal of determining compliance with laws and regulations, as well as identifying potential areas for improvement. An inspection is a more specific examination of a particular aspect of the workplace, such as a particular machine or a specific process, with the goal of identifying hazards and unsafe conditions.

Both audits and inspections help employers identify and correct hazards before they cause injuries or illnesses. They can also be used to assess the effectiveness of existing safety programs and to identify areas where additional training or resources are needed. By identifying and addressing hazards, audits and inspections can help to prevent workplace accidents and injuries and promote a culture of safety within the organization.

One efficient way to ensure occupational health and safety of workers is by conducting regular safety audits and inspections.

Best practices for conducting an audit on the Nimonik mobile auditing software

There are several best practices for conducting a safety audit using a mobile device:

1. Use the Nimonik Audit software on Android or iOS.
2. Create or use a Nimonik comprehensive checklist that covers all relevant areas of the workplace, such as fire safety, electrical safety, chemical safety, etc.
3. Familiarize yourself with the app before the audit.
4. Keep the audit simple and easy to complete, so that it does not take too much time or require special training.
5. Utilize the Camera function in your mobile device to take photos of hazards and unsafe conditions, as well as any corrective actions taken.
6. Ensure that the mobile device has adequate battery life to complete the audit.
7. Assign the audit, findings and corrective actions to the appropriate personnel to complete.
8. Schedule regular audits, in order to identify new hazards and assess the effectiveness of any corrective actions that have been taken.
9. Use the data collected in the audit to improve the overall safety of the workplace and track progress over time.

What are some best practices for safety audits and inspections in the workplace?

Some best practices for conducting safety audits in the workplace include:

1. Involve employees in the audit process: Encourage employees to actively participate in the audit by identifying hazards and potential safety issues.
2. Use a systematic approach: Develop a checklist or a guide that covers all relevant areas of the workplace, such as fire safety, electrical safety, chemical safety, and emergency preparedness.
3. Prioritize hazards: Identify and prioritize hazards based on the level of risk they pose to workers.
4. Document findings: Record all findings and take photos of any hazards or unsafe conditions found during the audit.
5. Follow up on corrective actions: Develop a plan to address any hazards or unsafe conditions identified during the audit and follow up on the progress of corrective actions taken.
6. Review and analyze the data: Use the data collected during the audit to identify trends and areas for improvement.
7. Communicate results: Share the results of the audit with employees and management and involve them in developing solutions to address identified hazards.
8. Make it a regular activity: Schedule regular audits to identify new hazards and assess the effectiveness of any corrective actions taken.
9. Continuously improve: The main goal of the audit is not the audit itself, but rather using it as an instigator for meaningful change and improvement. The results of the audit to continuously improve the overall safety of the workplace and track progress over time.
10. Compliance: Make sure that your audit process includes compliance with all relevant laws, regulations and standards that may apply. This can be a big endeavor, so it is reasonable to focus on certain areas such as working at heights or emergency situations on a rotating basis. Another tool to ensure you capture compliance requirements is to start with a legal register or compliance obligations, which Nimonik can help you.

What are the benefits of performing a safety audit

Conducting safety inspections and audits help prevent problems before they occur. In other words, safety is good for business. An organization with great safety reputations attracts better people: both employees and customers alike. 

Nimonik is a world leading provider of the legal and standards compliance management software and compliance audit software. Using Nimonik’s web or auditing mobile App, your inspector in the field can carry out accurate safety audits to minimize your risk, ensure your employees’ safety, and maximize your organization’s performance.

Free General Safety Checklists for use on iPhone and Android

Please find selected general safety checklists that are freely available on the Nimonik compliance auditing platform. These checklists can be used on Nimonik’s web or mobile App to conduct audits and generate instant reports complete with graphs, pictures, company logo and much more.

1. Risk Assessment And Preventive Actions In A Manufacturing Unit Checklist
2. Construction Hazard Identification and Risk Checklist
3. Weekly Inspection on Job Sites Checklist
4. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Self Inspection Checklist
5. Heavy Vehicle Inspection Checklist
6. Daily Vehicle Maintenance Checklist

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If you need help implementing a Comprehensive Compliance program for your organization, please contact us at info@nimonik.com or at +1-888-608-7511