Occupational safety audit
Conducting initial audits and Occupational Safety Audits
CEPER offers targeted investigation or compliance audit services in occupational safety, which also serve as a useful first step before improvement programmes. Audits and inspections in occupational safety are essential to verify the effective application of regulations and occupational health and safety management systems.
An Occupational Safety Audit is a systematic, documented verification process that provides objective evidence on specific activities, conditions, and management systems and their compliance with audit criteria. It communicates the results and proposes the necessary corrective or improvement actions.
Possible objectives of an Occupational Safety Audit include:
- Establishing compliance with a standard.
- Improving compliance with mandatory occupational safety regulations.
- Identifying potential problems and areas for improvement.
- Determining whether the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) is correctly implemented and maintained.
Depending on the client’s needs, CEPER supports the company in reaching its objectives by offering the following types of audits:
- First-party audits requested by the organisation itself to assess how effectively its OHSMS and work processes are implemented.
- Second-party audits carried out by an organisation on its own suppliers — both before and during service delivery — to verify proper compliance with occupational safety regulations.
- Third-party audits carried out by an independent party to verify compliance with specific standards that may, for example, lead to certification. To assess the client’s level of compliance with occupational safety regulations, CEPER also offers targeted services that are useful before proposing improvement programmes.
Occupational safety audit: legislative compliance audit
Audit and Gap Analysis in occupational safety
In-company audits on behalf of internal responsible functions (Employer, Client/Principal, etc.)
Occupational Safety Audit on behalf of the Supervisory Board (OdV)
CEPER carries out specialist occupational health and safety audits on behalf of the Supervisory Board (OdV), providing effective periodic monitoring grounded in experience, sector-specific knowledge, and up-to-date safety expertise — particularly where the OdV itself cannot guarantee such specialist experience.
Audits on the work of the Safety Coordinator pursuant to paragraph 2, Article 93 of Legislative Decree 81/2008
To support and protect the Client/Principal or the Works Manager, and to fulfil a specific obligation on the Client/Principal (paragraph 2 of Article 93 of Legislative Decree 81/2008), CEPER audits whether the Safety Coordinators (Safety Coordinator for the Design Phase — CSP, and Safety Coordinator for the Execution Phase — CSE) have met their occupational safety obligations.
Audits on the work of the Works Manager
Where the Client/Principal has appointed a Works Manager for a specific construction site, CEPER carries out the necessary checks on the Works Manager’s performance to ensure that the obligation to supervise delegated powers is met and to prevent any liability of the Client/Principal for failure to supervise (so-called culpa in vigilando).
Organisational climate analysis
FAQ
What does an Occupational Safety Audit include?
An Occupational Safety Audit provides a comprehensive assessment of a company’s health and safety policies and practices. It examines regulatory compliance, the functioning of the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS), working conditions, employee training, equipment in use, and protection measures. The audit identifies any non-conformities, operational issues, and areas for improvement to ensure the company operates safely and complies with current legislation.
What is the difference between an Audit and a Gap Analysis in safety?
An Occupational Safety Audit verifies compliance with legal regulations and specific safety requirements, while a Gap Analysis examines the differences between current safety management processes and best practices or voluntary standards. The audit provides an objective assessment; the Gap Analysis focuses on areas for improvement, giving practical guidance to align the company with the desired standards. Both are essential for building a continuous improvement plan.
What are the benefits of a legislative compliance audit?
A legislative compliance audit checks whether all company activities meet occupational safety legislation. It highlights any deviations from regulations, allowing the company to address them promptly. The process helps avoid penalties, improves safety management, and builds the confidence of employees and regulatory authorities. It also enables early identification of areas for improvement and helps prevent future incidents.
How can I tell if my Safety Management System is effective?
To check whether your Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) is effective, it is essential to conduct regular safety audits and internal reviews. These tools provide a detailed analysis of the policies and practices in place, identifying any gaps in the safety system. A thorough review also examines the effectiveness of corrective actions already taken and suggests areas for improvement. Regular audits help maintain a high level of compliance with current legislation and protect worker safety.
Why is an Audit on behalf of the Supervisory Board (OdV) important?
An audit on behalf of the Supervisory Board (OdV) is essential for verifying that occupational safety policies are actually implemented and monitored over time. The OdV’s role is to oversee proper compliance with safety regulations, thereby avoiding legal and operational risks. The audit provides an impartial, specialist assessment of the company’s situation, identifying potential issues that could compromise occupational health and safety. This helps maintain a safe working environment that meets legal obligations.
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