Safety audit
Buildings can present a great number of risks, both in construction and operation. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimate that around 4% of construction workers suffer from a work-related illness every year, and 3% sustain a work-related injury. This results in around 2.2 million working days being lost each year.
Safety audits are carried out to assess health and safety processes on construction sites, considering; legislative requirements, industry best practice, and the contractor’s own health and safety management syst.
They can demonstrate that a proactive approach is being taken to safety, can help to improve ways of working and ensure procedures are being followed, as well as demonstrating compliance with regulations such as the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, which require reasonable steps are taken to ensure the health and safety arrangements made for managing the project are maintained and reviewed throughout a project.
Regular audits can form a crucial part of the project management process, and may be undertaken by in-house personnel, or by an independent auditing body.
Some of the issues that might be assessed during a safety audit include:
- Notices and signage are appropriate and in place, clear and visible.
- Zones and activities are effectively separated from one another.
- Access routes and walkways are well demarcated.
- Hazardous substances are properly contained.
- A health and safety plan is in place.
- First aid equipment and first aiders are available.
- There are processes for reporting accidents on site and near misses, and learning from issues that emerge.
- There is an effective emergency strategy in place.
- Evacuation routes are in place.
- Workers are provided with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- There are appropriate welfare facilities.
- There is provision in place for safety training, such as site inductions, toolbox talks, safety briefings and so on.
- The site boundary is secure.
- There is appropriate lighting and security measures in place.
- The site is relatively clear of debris and materials are appropriately stored.
- Management systems are in place to ensure that duties under CDM are fulfilled.
- The Health and safety file is accurate and up-to-date.
- Subcontractors are conforming to the health and safety requirments of the main contractor.
Safety audits differ from safety inspections in that they are organised at the discretion of the client or contractor, rather than being undertaken without notice by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Accident report.
- Automated external defibrillator AED.
- CDM.
- Construction site inspection.
- Emergency plan.
- Facilities management audit FMA.
- First aider.
- Health and Safety Executive.
- Health and safety inspector.
- Health and safety plan.
- Incident reporting system.
- Risk assessment.
- Safety management.
- Scaffold register.
- Site information for design and construction.
- Site inspector.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.