Safety Audit Checklist Australia | WHS Audit Guide

What Is a Workplace Safety Audit?

A workplace safety audit is a systematic, documented examination of an organisation's WHS management systems, practices, and physical environment. The purpose is to objectively assess how well safety systems are working, identify gaps and non-conformances, and provide recommendations for improvement.

Safety audits are distinct from safety inspections, which focus primarily on physical hazards in the workplace. An audit examines the management system itself — the policies, procedures, records, training, consultation processes, and culture that determine how safety is managed.

For businesses in Sydney and across NSW, regular safety audits are a critical tool for maintaining compliance, demonstrating due diligence, and driving continuous improvement in safety performance. This guide, prepared by Hendricks Australia's WHS consultants, walks you through what to expect from a safety audit and provides a checklist you can use to prepare.

Types of Safety Audits

Internal Audits

Conducted by the organisation itself (or with consultant support), internal audits are the most common form. They provide a regular health check of the safety management system and identify improvement opportunities before they become compliance issues. ISO 45001 requires certified organisations to conduct internal audits at planned intervals.

External / Third-Party Audits

Conducted by an independent WHS consultant or certification body, external audits provide an objective assessment uncoloured by organisational familiarity or internal politics. They are typically more rigorous and carry greater credibility with regulators, clients, and insurers.

Regulator Inspections

SafeWork NSW inspectors conduct workplace inspections as part of both proactive (industry-targeted) and reactive (following incidents or complaints) programs. While not strictly an "audit," regulator inspections examine similar areas and can result in improvement notices, prohibition notices, and prosecutions.

Client Prequalification Audits

Major clients — particularly in construction, mining, and government — often require supplier WHS audits as part of their prequalification process. Demonstrating a well-functioning WHS management system is frequently a condition of contract.

Safety Audit Checklist for Australian Workplaces

Leadership and Governance

• [ ] WHS Policy is current, signed by senior leadership, and communicated to all workers
• [ ] Senior leaders can articulate WHS responsibilities and demonstrate commitment
• [ ] WHS performance is a regular agenda item at management and board level
• [ ] WHS objectives are set, monitored, and reviewed
• [ ] Resources (people, budget, time) are allocated to WHS management

Hazard Identification and Risk Management

• [ ] A systematic process exists for identifying hazards (inspections, task analysis, incident data)
• [ ] Risk assessments are documented for all significant hazards
• [ ] The hierarchy of controls has been applied to risk controls
• [ ] Risk assessments are reviewed after incidents, near misses, or changes to work processes
• [ ] A hazard register or risk register is maintained and current

Legal Compliance

• [ ] Relevant WHS legislation, regulations, and codes of practice have been identified
• [ ] A compliance obligations register is maintained and current
• [ ] Compliance status is regularly reviewed and monitored
• [ ] Notifiable incidents have been reported to SafeWork NSW as required
• [ ] Workers compensation insurance is current and adequate

Worker Consultation and Participation

• [ ] Genuine consultation processes are in place (not just information sharing)
• [ ] Workers are involved in hazard identification, risk assessment, and procedure development
• [ ] HSRs and HSCs are in place where required
• [ ] Consultation records are maintained
• [ ] Workers feel safe to raise WHS concerns without fear of reprisal

Training and Competency

• [ ] WHS induction is provided to all workers before they commence work
• [ ] Task-specific training is provided for high-risk activities
• [ ] Training needs are identified and a training plan is in place
• [ ] Training records are current and complete
• [ ] Workers hold required licences and certificates of competency
• [ ] Supervisors and managers receive WHS-specific training appropriate to their responsibilities

Safe Work Procedures

• [ ] Safe work procedures / SWMS exist for high-risk tasks
• [ ] Procedures are specific to the actual tasks performed (not generic templates)
• [ ] Workers have been trained on procedures and can demonstrate compliance
• [ ] Procedures are accessible in the workplace
• [ ] Procedures are reviewed and updated regularly

Emergency Preparedness

• [ ] Emergency response plan is documented, current, and accessible
• [ ] Workers know their emergency roles and responsibilities
• [ ] Emergency drills are conducted and recorded
• [ ] First aid equipment is adequate, accessible, and maintained
• [ ] Sufficient trained first aid personnel are available at all times
• [ ] Emergency contact information is posted in the workplace

Incident Reporting and Investigation

• [ ] An incident reporting process is in place and workers are aware of it
• [ ] A no-blame reporting culture is actively promoted
• [ ] All incidents (including near misses) are investigated to identify root causes
• [ ] Corrective actions are developed, assigned, and tracked to completion
• [ ] Incident data is analysed for trends and used to inform risk management
• [ ] Notifiable incidents have been reported and scenes preserved

Plant, Equipment, and Facilities

• [ ] Plant and equipment is inspected before use and maintained in accordance with manufacturer requirements
• [ ] Maintenance records are current
• [ ] Guarding and safety devices are in place and functional
• [ ] Hazardous chemicals are registered, stored safely, and SDS are accessible
• [ ] The physical workplace is free of obvious hazards (housekeeping, access, lighting)

Contractor and Visitor Management

• [ ] A contractor management process is in place (prequalification, induction, monitoring)
• [ ] Contractors provide evidence of WHS capability before commencing work
• [ ] Contractor SWMS are reviewed and approved before work commences
• [ ] Visitors are inducted and their safety is managed
• [ ] Contractor WHS performance is monitored and reviewed

Performance Monitoring and Review

• [ ] WHS performance is monitored using both leading and lagging indicators
• [ ] Internal audits are conducted at planned intervals
• [ ] Management reviews of WHS performance are conducted annually (at minimum)
• [ ] Results of audits, inspections, and incident investigations are used to drive improvement
• [ ] Workers receive feedback on safety performance and improvement actions

How to Conduct an Effective Internal Safety Audit

Step 1: Plan the Audit

Define the scope (which parts of the business will be audited), the criteria (which standards or requirements will be assessed against), the audit team, and the schedule. Notify relevant managers and workers in advance.

Step 2: Review Documentation

Before the site visit, review relevant documentation: WHS policies, procedures, risk assessments, training records, incident reports, previous audit findings, and legal compliance registers. This gives you a baseline and helps focus the on-site phase.

Step 3: Conduct the Site Visit

Walk the workplace, observe work practices, inspect equipment and facilities, and conduct interviews. Use the checklist above as a guide, but be open to findings that go beyond the checklist. The goal is understanding, not just ticking boxes.

Step 4: Conduct Interviews

Talk to workers at all levels — not just managers. Ask open-ended questions: "Can you show me what you do when you identify a hazard?" "What would you do if you had a concern about safety?" Workers' responses often reveal the gap between documented procedures and actual practice.

Step 5: Report Findings

Document all findings clearly: conformances (what is working well), non-conformances (what is not meeting requirements), and observations (improvement opportunities that are not yet non-conformances). Provide an overall assessment and prioritised recommendations.

Step 6: Follow Up

An audit that generates findings but no action has no value. Assign responsibility for each corrective action, set deadlines, track progress, and verify effectiveness.

When to Engage an External Auditor

While internal audits are valuable, an external WHS audit provides objectivity and independence that internal teams cannot achieve. Consider engaging an external auditor when:

• You need an objective baseline assessment of your current position
• You are preparing for a regulator inspection or client prequalification audit
• Your organisation has had a serious incident and needs independent review
• You are seeking ISO 45001 certification
• Internal auditors may have conflicts of interest

Hendricks Australia conducts workplace safety audits across all industries in Sydney and NSW. Our audits are thorough, practical, and focused on helping you improve — not just documenting deficiencies. Contact us to discuss an audit for your business.