Compliance Audits & Strategic Health & Safety Reviews
Independent, practical assurance from the boardroom to the workplace, helping you understand where your organisation stands, where the gaps are and what needs attention next.
See the Full Picture
Effective health and safety management needs to work at every level of an organisation.
Senior leaders need confidence that the right governance, responsibilities and oversight are in place.
Those arrangements then need to translate into safe, compliant working practices across the business.
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Strategic Health & Safety Reviews looks at the organisation from the top down.
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Audits and inspections look more closely at how those arrangements are working in practice.
Used separately or together, they provide a clear picture of both strategic oversight and day-to-day compliance.
Strategic H&S Reviews
A strategic review considers the organisation’s overall approach to health and safety rather than focusing on individual workplaces or isolated issues.
Typically undertaken with boards, directors and senior leadership teams, it can review:
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leadership and accountability
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roles and responsibilities
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H&S governance and reporting
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how significant risks are identified and escalated
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the information provided to senior leaders
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organisational priorities and areas of exposure
The aim is to give senior leaders an independent view of whether suitable arrangements are in place and where further assurance or improvement may be needed.
Audits & Inspections
Audits and inspections look at how health and safety is being managed in practice.
Depending on the scope, this may include reviewing:
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policies, procedures and risk assessments
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workplace conditions and working practices
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training and competency
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records and documentation
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control measures
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management systems and processes
This helps identify practical gaps, areas of non-compliance and opportunities for improvement.
How They Work Together
For some organisations, one service will provide the assurance needed. For others, the two work best together.
A strategic review may identify areas where deeper operational assurance is needed, leading to focused audits or inspections.
Equally, audit findings may highlight wider issues that need to be considered at senior leadership or board level.
Together, they answer two important questions:
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Are the right health and safety arrangements in place?
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And are they working effectively in practice?
What the Review Involves
Effective health and safety management needs to work at every level of an organisation.
Senior leaders need confidence that the right governance, responsibilities and oversight are in place.
Those arrangements then need to translate into safe, compliant working practices across the business.
-
Strategic Health & Safety Reviews looks at the organisation from the top down.
-
Audits and inspections look more closely at how those arrangements are working in practice.
Used separately or together, they provide a clear picture of both strategic oversight and day-to-day compliance.
What Happens Next?
Following the review, you will have a clear understanding of what is working well, where gaps or weaknesses exist, and what should be prioritised next.
The review can stand alone, or where further support is needed, this can lead into wider consultancy, policy development, Competent Person support, training, or further audits and inspections.
You do not need to know exactly which service you need before getting in touch. Start with a conversation, and the most appropriate scope can be agreed from there.
Why Choose Us?
01 Chartered Expertise
Led by Graham Cowan, Chartered Fellow of IOSH (CFIOSH), Chartered Fellow of IIRSM (FIIRSM) and Technical Member of TIFSM.
02 Practical Guidance
We explain legislation in plain English, giving you simple, actionable steps toward compliance that you and your team can follow.
03 Multi-Sector Experience
Experience across Care, Education, Property Management, Construction, Manufacturing, Industry and Agriculture.
04 Independent, Unbiased
Support is shaped around your service, your risks and your responsibilities, with a focus on what’s practical and achievable for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no specific legal requirement to carry out audits, but employers are legally required to manage health and safety effectively. Audits and inspections are a recognised way of demonstrating compliance and due diligence.
Inspections focus on physical conditions and day-to-day practices. Audits take a broader view and assess systems, arrangements and management processes. The approach used depends on your needs.
This depends on your organisation’s activities, size and level of risk. Some organisations benefit from annual audits, while others require more frequent inspections.
No. Audits and inspections are planned to minimise disruption and carried out in a professional, collaborative manner.
Yes. Many organisations use audits as a starting point for structured improvement and ongoing consultancy support.
