What you need to know…
Many times, we hear people using the word audits to describe the health and safety checks they have done, when they have really carried out inspections. It is important to understand their differences, and conduct both. An audit cannot substitute an inspection, and vice versa. Both are vital for management of health and safety and biosafety risks, to protect workers, the community, and the environment from harm.
Audits vs Inspections – Differences Explained
An audit is a deep analysis of the health and safety and biosafety management system. This means analysing levels of compliance on a range of matters such as policies, competence, procedures, planned preventative maintenance, waste management, and monitoring. The process involves gathering information by reading many documents and interviewing a variety of stakeholders, including staff. It is an extensive process, that
takes place over a few days. The frequency depends on internal policy and some organisations commit to conducting them every 1 – 2 years. Auditors must be sufficiently competent to gather the correct information and analyse it. An inspection is not an analysis of the management system and not as detailed.
It will mostly be a visual check of the working environment. It’s a snapshot in that moment, of hazards and risks that need to be mitigated. Matters for inspection include waste segregation, safe storage of microorganisms and chemicals, and safety equipment. Depending on the size of the facility, inspections require less time and can be completed in a couple of hours. They take place more frequently within the year. Inspectors do not need to have the same level of competence as an auditor.
Audits vs Inspections – Why Conduct Them?
Scientific organisations come to us to conduct audits for reasons such as: 1) it is a condition from their insurers, 2) due diligence before purchasing a business, 3) assurance as part of good governance, 4) to identify blind spots before a visit from a regulator, and 5) to identify and understand the additional improvements necessary to keep their people safe. Inspections are conducted to quickly identify hazards and risk and to mitigate them.
Our take home message is that organisations must treat health and safety and biosafety audits and inspections differently. We encourage you to commit to doing both at a frequency necessary for your organisation.
Need help support? Health and Safety & Biosafety Advice
If you need health and safety and biosafety advice and support, including with conducting audits and inspection, we would love to help you. Use the Contact Us Form or Email info@bishopsimon.co.uk to book a free 20-minute consultation.
