We field calls all the time from business owners who think they might need a third party safety audit, or who were advised to begin a safety auditing schedule, but are not sure why they would do this or what the real benefit is. And while there are some obvious times when a third party safety audit is required, there are also many times when a third party safety audit could help your company that you would never think of.

Some of the most common needs for a third party safety audit are for newly formed companies establishing a comprehensive safety and health management system, companies which have recently been cited during an OSHA audit, companies going through changes, and companies with new management. In all of these cases, the safety audit acts as a starting point for creating a completely new safety and health management system to ensure a safe work environment.

But for many companies, the third party safety audit is also important to obtain VPP Star/Merit status or other elite safety recognition. If you are planning to apply for a specific certification, outside auditing is usually a requirement.

And if your facility has never been audited by a third party, or if it has been several years, a third party safety audit allows a fresh set of eyes to review your safety program. As good as your safety team may be, there is always a chance they missed something; a small miss can create a big problem for a company.

So if you think you have a need for a third party safety audit, or if you simply want more information, please contact us. And if you have anything to add about the importance of a third party safety audit, please leave a comment.