Safety Management System (SMS)
Audits & Gap Analysis

OHS

Safety Management System (SMS) Audits & Gap Analysis

A Safety Management System (SMS) is a Vital Component

A Safety Management System (SMS) is a vital component of any successful business, providing a structured, transparent, and proactive approach to managing workplace health and safety risks. It forms the foundation for meeting legal obligations under WHS legislation and integrates seamlessly with other organisational management systems. When fully embedded, an SMS becomes part of the organisational culture, shaping how people think, work, and manage safety.

At AAA Certification Services, our SMS Audits and Gap Analysis go beyond basic compliance. We conduct in-depth assessments that evaluate your safety systems' effectiveness, implementation, and continuous improvement.

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Our audits cover key areas including:

  • Hazard identification and risk assessment
  • Risk control measures
  • Incident reporting and investigation processes
  • Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
  • Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)
  • Safe operating procedures and practices

We also assess broader system elements such as:

  • Organisational structure and planning
  • Defined roles and responsibilities
  • Documented procedures and communication methods
  • Review cycles and system updates
  • Performance monitoring and continuous improvement mechanisms

An SMS is not just a set of documents; it's a planned, documented, and verifiable system designed to ensure the health and safety of employees, contractors, visitors, and the business.

Our Gap Analysis identifies areas for improvement and provides actionable recommendations to align your SMS with ISO 45001 and WHS compliance standards. Whether preparing for certification or strengthening your current systems, AAA Certification Services helps build a safer, more resilient organisation.

OHS

Frequently Asked Questions

The purpose of an OHS audit is to assess whether your organisation’s safety systems comply with relevant WHS legislation and standards such as ISO 45001. It helps identify gaps, evaluate the effectiveness of your safety controls, and provide recommendations for improvement.

The audit involves reviewing documents, inspecting the physical workplace, interviewing staff, and assessing processes such as hazard identification, risk management, incident reporting, and emergency preparedness. We tailor the audit scope to your business needs.

The duration depends on your organisation's size and complexity. A small business might take a few hours, while a large facility or multi-site organisation may require several days. We’ll provide an estimated schedule during the planning stage.

We conduct audits against WHS legislation, Codes of Practice, and international standards such as ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems). We can also assess compliance with your internal policies or client-specific requirements.

We’ll document any non-conformities in the audit report along with suggested corrective actions if we identify them. We also offer support to help you close these gaps and improve your overall safety performance.

We aim to minimise disruption by scheduling around your operations and maintaining clear communication. Auditors will observe and ask questions respectfully without interfering with work tasks.

Key personnel such as WHS officers, managers, supervisors, and workers should be available for interviews and site walk-throughs. Having access to documents and key areas of the workplace is also important.

Typical documents include:


  • WHS policies and procedures
  • Risk assessments and SWMS
  • Incident and injury records
  • Emergency plans
  • Training records
  • Maintenance

Before the audit, we’ll send a checklist, so you know exactly what’s needed.

It can be! We offer both internal audits for compliance improvement and external audits for ISO 45001 certification. Let us know your goals, and we’ll align the audit accordingly.

We provide post-audit support, including guidance on implementing corrective actions and system improvements and preparing for re-audits or certification if needed.

Yes. All information obtained during the audit is treated with strict confidentiality and used only for audit and improvement purposes.