Let’s talk Safety Audits.

Specifically, how often to conduct them. A common question we get from our clients is, How often should I be conducting safety audits? Frankly, the answer to that is that there is no exact timeframe. Because every job site and management team has different rules and factors to consider before scheduling an audit, there is not just one answer. However, the following are some of those factors and suggestions for what the audit rate should be.

To begin, here are some factors should be considered in safety audit scheduling:

First, has the job site changed?
Second, are there new risks to the work environments, operations, and equipment used?
Next, Have the number of trades or workers on the site increased?
Finally, have there been at-risk activities or near-miss reports that would spark the need for an audit?

Any of these factors can change the frequency of safety audits. Now, the only way to know how often they are needed is by thoroughly reviewing the job site, operations, and knowledge of the crews involved. Basic company established written safety procedures serve as a great place to start. The fact is, however, that most effective safety programs are always changing according to the job environment, crew changes or trades working on the site.

So, what is a reasonable answer to audit frequency? OSHA, under requirements listed in its Voluntary Protection Program, has issued recommendations that employers can follow to improve their health and safety programs. Their conclusion – audits should normally be done WEEKLY. In the case of multi-employer worksites all subcontractors on-site should be inspected. Due to the different nature of the various construction trades and the hazards they face, audits may be more frequent and focus on separate areas or equipment for each.

Additionally, OSHA states that regularly scheduled safety audits should have the following factors included in the audit process:

A list of all items and operations to be reviewed.
Clear and recurring audit schedules.
Completion and findings should be recorded and be available for management and crew to review following the audit.
Responsibility should be assigned to specific crew members to reduce or eliminate risks found, including when they are corrected.
A record of that correction should be kept and added to the audit.