Safety Audits
Audit versus inspection
An audit is a systematic, documented verification against defined criteria; an inspection is a physical check of conditions. The exam tests audit types (compliance, management system, supplier), planning, evidence sampling, findings, and closure.
Process
Define scope and criteria; select competent, independent auditors; review documents; sample interviews and site conditions; classify findings (observation, nonconformity, major nonconformity); hold opening and closing meetings; issue a report with evidence; require root-cause corrective action and verify closure.
Frameworks
ISO 45001 uses context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, and improvement. ANSI/ASSP Z10 emphasizes management systems. OSHA VPP recognizes worksites with strong systems. Auditors should test implementation, not just paper.
Worked example
An audit finds a lockout procedure for a press but no periodic inspection record. Criteria require annual inspection. Evidence: procedure, training roster, no inspection logs. Finding: nonconformity. Root cause: procedure ownership unclear. Corrective action: assign owner, schedule inspections, train, verify two quarters of records. An observation would be a minor housekeeping issue with no criteria breach.
Traps
Writing opinions instead of evidence-based findings; auditing only documents; no sampling plan; failing to distinguish observation from nonconformity; and closing findings without effectiveness verification.