Understand where your organisation stands, identify what needs attention and get a clear plan for improvement.
Safety Consultants Australia provides practical WHS and OHS safety audits and gap analysis services for organisations across Australia.
We review your current safety systems, documentation and workplace practices to identify strengths, gaps and areas requiring attention. You receive clear findings and prioritised recommendations to help improve compliance, reduce risk and strengthen safety performance.
Discuss your WHS audit or gap analysis requirements.
Safety audit or gap analysis: what is the difference?
WHS SAFETY AUDIT
A safety audit is a structured review of your existing safety management system, documentation and workplace practices against agreed criteria.
Depending on the scope, this may include relevant WHS or OHS legislation, industry requirements, internal standards, ISO 45001 or other nominated audit criteria.
The audit provides a clear view of how your current arrangements are performing and identifies areas where corrective action or improvement may be required.
WHS GAP ANALYSIS
A gap analysis compares your current safety arrangements with where they need to be.
It can help identify missing or outdated documentation, weaknesses in systems and processes, inconsistent workplace practices or areas that may not yet meet the required standard.
A gap analysis can be particularly useful when preparing for a broader safety management system review, changes to your operations, updated requirements or a future certification audit.
When might your organisation need a safety audit or gap analysis?
A review may be useful when:
- you are unsure whether your current safety system reflects the way the business now operates
- policies, procedures or risk documentation have not been reviewed for some time
- the organisation has grown, changed structure or introduced new work activities
- you need to understand whether current practices meet relevant WHS or OHS requirements
- an incident or repeated safety issue has highlighted possible weaknesses
- you are preparing for an external audit or future ISO certification audit
- you are moving from an older safety management system to ISO 45001
- you need a clear list of priorities before updating or implementing your systems
- The scope can be tailored to the size of the organisation, its industry, current risk profile and the outcomes required. If the review follows a specific workplace incident, our WHS Incident Investigations service may also be appropriate.
What can the review cover?
Depending on the agreed scope, the safety audit or gap analysis may include:
- review of existing WHS or OHS policies, procedures and supporting documentation
- assessment of the current safety management system
- meetings with nominated managers, workers or other stakeholders
- review of key operational risks and controls
- assessment of management practices and safety responsibilities
- review of consultation, reporting and record-keeping processes
- inspection of the workplace or work site
- assessment against relevant legislation, standards or agreed audit criteria
- where the priority is a focused review of physical workplace conditions and hazards, a standalone WHS Site Inspection may be suitable.
A clear, practical process
1. Confirm the scope – We work with you to understand why the review is required, the areas to be assessed and the standards or requirements that need to be considered.
2. Review your current arrangements -Our consultant reviews relevant documentation, systems, processes and workplace practices. Meetings and site inspections can also be included where appropriate.
3. Identify strengths and gaps – We assess what is working, where gaps exist and which issues require the most immediate attention.
4. Provide clear findings – You receive a report outlining the findings, areas of risk and recommended corrective actions.
5. Plan the next steps – Recommendations are prioritised so your organisation can focus first on the most important compliance, risk and performance issues.
What will you receive?
At the completion of the review, you can receive:
- a clear summary of the audit or gap analysis findings
- identification of strengths, weaknesses and areas requiring attention
- assessment against the agreed legislation, standard or audit criteria
- practical recommendations suited to your organisation
- prioritised corrective actions
- a clearer pathway for improving your safety management arrangements
The aim is to provide more than a list of problems. The findings should help your organisation understand what needs to happen next and where to begin.
Audit standards and criteria
Safety audits can be conducted against specific standards or criteria depending on the requirements of the organisation.
These may include:
- ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
- relevant WHS or OHS legislation
- applicable industry requirements
- internal organisational standards
- NSW Government WHS Management Systems and Auditing Guidelines
- National Audit Tool requirements for self-insurance
- quality or integrated management system requirements where relevant
Support after the audit
Safety Consultants Australia can also assist your organisation to act on the findings.
Depending on what the review identifies, this may include:
- updating WHS documentation
- developing or improving safety management systems
- creating policies, procedures, forms and supporting tools
- developing prioritised safety action plans
- improving risk management processes
- preparing systems for future external or certification audits
- providing ongoing safety consulting support
This gives organisations the option to move from audit findings through to documentation and implementation with support from the same consulting team. Where broader work is required, our WHS Program Development service can help turn the findings into practical systems, documentation and action plans.
Why Safety Consultants Australia?
Safety Consultants Australia provides experienced WHS and OHS consultants across Australia.
Our approach is:
- Practical: Clear findings and recommendations that can be applied within the business.
- Tailored: The scope is developed around your organisation, industry and risk profile.
- Experienced: Access to consultants with specialist workplace health and safety knowledge.
- National: Support available across Australia through a national consulting network.
- End-to-end: Assistance is available from initial review through to systems, documentation and implementation.
Discuss your WHS audit or gap analysis requirements
Whether you need a broad review of your safety management system or a focused gap analysis against specific requirements, our consultants can help you determine the right starting point.
Speak with Safety Consultants Australia about the scope of your review and the outcomes your organisation needs.
Contact us for a quote or to request a call back
Phone: 1300 585 128
Email: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a WHS gap analysis?
A WHS gap analysis compares your organisation’s current safety systems, documentation and practices with the requirements or standard you need to meet. It identifies what is already in place, where gaps exist and what should be prioritised.
What is included in a workplace safety audit?
The scope can include document and system review, discussions with key people, assessment of risks and controls, workplace inspection and a report with findings and recommended actions.
Can the audit be tailored to our organisation?
Yes. The audit scope can be developed around your organisation’s size, industry, locations, risk profile and the specific outcome required.
Can you help us implement the recommendations?
Yes. Safety Consultants Australia can assist with systems, policies, procedures, action plans and other work required after the audit or gap analysis.