Common Construction Site Safety Audit Questions Answered

The word “audit” sometimes has a negative connotation, especially when mentioned in conjunction with the word “tax.” But a safety audit is a good thing. 

Construction workers are less likely to be injured on the job and have better morale when safety audits are conducted regularly. Companies, in turn, experience a reduction in labor and insurance costs, and are less likely to get hit with hefty fines from regulatory agencies. 

What does a safety audit entail?

A construction site safety audit is a thorough review of job site practices that determines whether or not a company is adhering to specific laws, industry regulations and internal policies. It identifies both positive findings and potential issues. Corrective recommendations are also an essential part of a safety audit.

How often should safety audits be conducted?

Conducting construction site safety audits at least twice a year is an industry best practice. In addition to a set semi-annual schedule, you’ll want to conduct an audit whenever major changes occur. More frequent audits could be triggered by

• Moving to a different worksite.
• Using new equipment, materials or technologies.
• Introducing updated regulations. 
• Hiring more employees for new and/or existing roles.

Develop a schedule that aligns with your company’s operations and goals, and include follow-up audits to ensure corrections have been made. This promotes a culture of continuous improvement.

Why does consistency matter?

Sticking to a schedule and implementing other consistent audit practices make it possible to identify emerging trends and track improvement. Using the same safety checklists during audits is crucial for data analysis. 

There is also a human element involved. All auditors should be trained on industry regulations and company procedures. They need to have access to the same information — past incident reports, training records and safety audits conducted by others — to evaluate information accurately. Most companies use safety audit software to achieve consistency.

What is the importance of safety audit software?

Keeping records manually is tedious and makes managers less likely to conduct regular audits. Safety audit software streamlines the entire process. SafetyReports by AlignOps, for example, comes preloaded with industry-specific safety checklists that can be customized for your company. It is compatible with all mobile devices and can be used offline so auditors can use it on any job site, no matter how remote. Safety Reports also automatically generates professional inspection and analytic reports that can easily be emailed to others. 

Who should audit results be shared with?

Remember, construction site safety audits are a good thing. Sharing reports encourages teamwork. They show what you are doing right and where there’s room for improvement. From senior stakeholders to project managers and crew members, employees at every level can benefit from reviewing audit reports. Some general contractors also choose to share reports with clients to show them that safety is a priority.

Schedule a free demo of Safety Reports to learn more about how safety audit software can benefit your construction business.