Choose the right kind of review
Program audit
Reviews whether the safety program is implemented and working as intended.
Workplace inspection
Looks for hazards and conditions in a particular work area or activity.
Layered process check
Revisits a defined process requirement across organizational levels.
A recurring checklist can support a program, but it does not replace a full evaluation or a task-specific hazard assessment. OSHA’s program-evaluation guidance describes checking implementation, effectiveness and progress toward objectives.
Define the scope before collecting answers
- Agree which program, location, work activities and time period the review covers.
- Identify the applicable requirements with the qualified safety lead. Use the current procedures and criteria for that site.
- Involve workers and the people responsible for the program. Include their observations alongside records.
- Choose evidence that tests how the program operates, not just whether a document exists.
- Agree how urgent concerns are handled through the site’s established safety procedures.
Example program-review questions
These examples help structure a conversation. They are not a complete safety checklist or instructions for performing hazardous work.
Do workers know how to report a concern?
Evidence to discuss: Ask workers to describe the reporting route and inspect how recent reports were followed up.
Are identified issues assigned and tracked?
Evidence to discuss: Review a sample of open items, the responsible people and the evidence of completed action.
Are changes reflected in the program?
Evidence to discuss: Compare a recent process or equipment change with the relevant review and training records.
Does the review lead to improvement?
Evidence to discuss: Look at the previous evaluation and the changes made in response to it.
Connect the finding to its response
A useful record states the criterion, what was observed, the evidence and the agreed action. Record responsibility and the evidence needed to verify the response. Handle urgent hazards through the site’s safety process rather than waiting for an administrative audit workflow.
AuderaLPA can organize configured questions, schedules, evidence attachments and unresolved failed checks. The safety lead determines the criteria, required expertise and response appropriate to the workplace. Explore the audit workflow.
Sources and scope
- OSHA: program evaluation and improvement
- OSHA: hazard identification and assessment
- Manufacturing audit types and examples
Use this general guidance alongside the requirements that apply to your workplace. The site’s safety lead determines the scope and criteria; a checklist or software tool does not certify a workplace.