It is crucial that companies conduct Health and Safety Audits, at least once a year, for several reasons:

1. Compliance with regulations: Companies have a legal and ethical responsibility to provide a safe and healthy work environment. Health and safety audits ensure that a company is complying with statutory regulations to protect their employees’ health and safety.
2. Risk Management: Audits can help companies identify potential hazards, risks, and deficiencies in their health and safety programmes, allowing them to implement corrective actions to reduce the risk of workplace injuries, illnesses, and accidents.
3. Improved productivity: A safe and healthy work environment promotes productivity by reducing the number of accidents and illnesses that can lead to lost workdays and decreased morale.
4. Reputation: Companies that prioritise health and safety create a positive reputation among their employees, customers, and the public. This reputation can help attract and retain top talent and improve the company’s brand image.
5. Cost savings: Investing in health and safety audits and programmes can save companies money in the long run. Fewer accidents and injuries mean lower workers’ compensation costs, reduced absenteeism, and increased productivity.

Health and safety audits are an essential part of maintaining a safe and healthy work environment. They ensure compliance with regulations, reduce risks and hazards, improve productivity, enhance reputation, and can ultimately save companies money.

As a trained Occupational Health and Safety professional, our principle consultant Dr Scott Golden is qualified to assist companies in conducting comprehensive health and safety audits. He has carried out extensive audits for many organisations

An occupational H&S statement is a formal document that outlines the company’s policies and procedures for managing health and safety in the workplace.

To help a company produce an effective occupational H&S statement, we work to:

1. Identify potential hazards and risks:In the workplace that may cause harm to employees or visitors.
2. Assess the risks:Associated with each hazard, and prioritise the risks that require immediate attention.
3. Develop policies and procedures:For managing these risks, including emergency procedures, training programs, and reporting systems.
4. Monitor and review the effectiveness of the policies and procedures: Help the company establish a system for monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of their policies and procedures, and making any necessary changes to improve safety.
5.  Draft the H&S statement:A clear and concise H&S statement outlines the company’s policies and procedures for managing risks in the workplace.

As health and safety consultants, our role is to help companies create and maintain a safe and healthy working environment for their employees. The production of an occupational H&S statement is just one aspect of this important task.

A Health and Safety (H&S) investigation is conducted by a consultant to identify potential hazards and risks within a workplace, and to assess the adequacy of current safety measures. The investigation can also be triggered by an incident or accident that has already occurred. The steps that we, in Cairbre Consulting generally take when conducting a H&S investigation and compiling a report include:

1. Identify the scope of the investigation: To determine the specific area or activity within the workplace that will be investigated. This will depend on the incident or concern that prompted the investigation.
2. Gather information:About the area being investigated, including relevant documents such as risk assessments, safety policies, and incident reports. We also conduct interviews with employees and managers who work in the area.
3. Conduct a site visit: To perform physical inspection of the workplace to identify any hazards, unsafe practices, or potential risks.
4. Analyse findings: After collecting all the necessary information, we analyse the findings and compare them to relevant regulations, standards, and best practices.
5. Develop recommendations: Based on their analysis, the consultant will develop recommendations to address any issues identified during the investigation. Recommendations may include changes to equipment, procedures, training, or policies.
6. Compile the report:We will compile a written report that summarises the investigation findings, analysis, and recommendations. The report will include details on the scope of the investigation, the information gathered, the findings, and the recommendations.
7. Present the report: The investigating consultant will present the report to the relevant parties, which may include management, employees, and regulatory authorities. They will explain the findings and recommendations, and answer any questions or concerns.

We will ensure that the report is objective, accurate, and actionable. Our consultants will work closely with the relevant stakeholders to implement any recommendations and to ensure that the workplace is safe and compliant with relevant regulations and standards.