What is the primary purpose of auditing in health and safety management?

The primary purpose of auditing in health and safety management systems (HSMS) is to identify strengths and opportunities for continual improvement. Audits are systematic evaluations that help organizations assess their current practices, identify areas where they are performing well, and discover opportunities to enhance safety measures and overall processes. This continual improvement approach is crucial in the context of health and safety, as it enables organizations to adapt to changing circumstances, incorporate new regulations, and promote a culture of safety within the workplace.

By conducting audits, organizations demonstrate their commitment to creating a safer work environment, which can lead to better employee engagement and compliance with safety protocols. While compliance with regulations is indeed a component of health and safety audits, it is not the primary purpose. The goal is broader and focused on sustaining a proactive safety culture that evolves over time, thus ensuring that safety practices remain effective and relevant.