A workplace safety audit checks whether the hazards at a site are known, controlled and recorded, and whether people actually follow the controls. It is wider than an inspection: an inspection spots unsafe conditions on the day, while an audit also tests procedures, training and records. Use the checklist below to plan one, walk the site and write findings that get fixed.
Last reviewed: 17 October 2026. Facts checked. We searched for safety audit scope and for the status of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020. Sources, mostly compliance advisers and consultants, say it came into force on 21 November 2025 and replaced the Factories Act, 1948. We did not open the Code, the gazette notification or any DGFASLI page. Rules and transition arrangements may differ by state, and we did not check them. We left out statistics because we could not verify them.
Audit versus inspection
| Inspection | Audit | |
|---|---|---|
| Question | Is this unsafe right now? | Is the safety system working? |
| Looks at | Conditions and equipment | Procedures, training, records, behaviour |
| Frequency | Often (daily or weekly) | Planned (yearly or half-yearly) |
| Output | Fix list | Findings with root causes |
Check the legal base first
Safety law in India has been changing. Advisers report that the OSH Code replaced the Factories Act and other labour safety laws from 21 November 2025. Before the audit, confirm which law and rules apply to your sector and state, and use that list as the audit criteria. If you are unsure, ask your legal adviser. Do not copy criteria from an old checklist.
Step by step
- Set scope and criteria. Choose the site, activities and standard: law, company policy or ISO 45001.
- Review incident history. Read accident, near-miss and first-aid logs for the past year. Repeat incidents show where to look.
- Prepare the checklist. Tailor it to the site. A warehouse and a chemical plant need different lists.
- Opening meeting. Tell site leaders what you will do and when.
- Walk the site. Go at different shifts, including night. Take photos with permission.
- Test records. Match registers to what you saw.
- Talk to workers. Ask what they would do in a fire, what hazards worry them and whether they report near misses.
- Grade and report. Rate each finding by severity.
- Track closure. Revisit high-risk items first.
The checklist
Management and records
- Safety policy signed by senior management and displayed
- A named person responsible for safety at each site
- Hazard and risk assessment, reviewed after any change
- Incident, near-miss and first-aid registers kept and reviewed
- Statutory registers and returns kept as required by the applicable law
- Contractor safety rules and induction
Fire and emergency
- Fire extinguishers present, in date and accessible
- Exits marked, unlocked and clear
- Alarm tested, with records
- Emergency plan displayed, with drills recorded
- First aid boxes stocked, trained first aiders on every shift
Machinery and equipment
- Guards in place on moving parts
- Emergency stops working
- Lock-out and tag-out used for repair work
- Lifting equipment inspected and certified as required
- Pressure vessels and boilers inspected as required
Electrical
- Panels closed and labelled
- Earthing and residual current protection tested
- No loose wiring or overloaded sockets
Chemicals and health
- Safety data sheets available at the point of use
- Containers labelled and stored correctly
- Personal protective equipment issued, in good condition and worn
- Exposure monitoring and health checks where needed
Housekeeping and ergonomics
- Walkways clear, floors dry
- Work at height has protection
- Manual handling limits followed
People
- Induction and refresher training recorded
- Workers know how to report a hazard
- Safety committee meets and minutes are kept
Grading findings
Use three levels.
- High: a risk of serious injury exists now. Fix at once.
- Medium: a control is weak or a record is missing. Fix in a set period.
- Low: housekeeping or documentation gaps.
Always record the root cause. "Extinguisher expired" is a symptom. "No one owns the monthly check" is the cause.
Common findings
- Registers filled in the day before the audit
- Drills recorded but workers cannot describe the route
- Contractor workers not included in induction
- PPE issued but not worn, with no follow-up
- Accidents counted, near misses ignored
Using templates
You can start from our environmental, health and safety audit checklist. For factories, pair it with the manufacturing audit workbook.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a safety audit?
A planned, documented review of whether a site's safety controls, procedures and records work, against a law or standard.
How often should a safety audit be done?
Many sites do one each year, with more frequent checks for high-risk areas. Your law, insurer or ISO standard may set a minimum.
Who can conduct a safety audit?
An internal team independent of the area audited, or an external specialist. Some laws require approved persons for particular checks.
What is the difference between a safety audit and a safety inspection?
An inspection looks at conditions now. An audit tests the system behind them.
What documents should I ask for?
Hazard assessments, incident registers, training records, inspection certificates and emergency drill reports.
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