Prioritising Safety in High-Risk Workplaces with Critical Risks Safety Audit

Suresh Tanwar, Head of Audit and Consultancy, British Safety Council India

Workplaces with high risks are understandably associated with significant health and safety hazards. Despite several noteworthy advancements in safety procedures in recent years, many workers still face avoidable risks during their daily work routines.

In India, industrial accidents claim lives and disable thousands of workers annually. The numbers paint a pretty grim picture.


From 2017 to 2020, data from the Ministry of Labour & Employment’s Directorate General Factory Advice Service & Labour Institutes (DGFASLI) reveals that, on average, three individuals lost their lives and 11 were injured daily due to accidents in India’s registered factories.

Similarly, a Labor Ministry report to Parliament in 2021 says that at least 6,500 employees lost their lives while working at factories, ports, mines, and construction sites over the past five years. Labour activists and trade unions even argue that these figures could be higher since many incidents go unreported.

Health and Safety: Core Aspects of High-Risk Businesses

Ensuring safety and health is a fundamental aspect of business management for any organisation, but it is particularly imperative for those operating in high-risk industries. These typically encompass companies of any size engaged in critical risk activities with a high potential for causing severe injuries and fatalities, including sectors such as Construction, Metals, Chemicals, Power (Thermal, Wind, Solar & Hydro), Oil & Gas, and Pharma, and Automotive.

Such high-risk workplaces must regularly conduct a Critical Risks Safety Audit to ensure the implementation of effective measures to identify, eliminate and control hazards that could impact the company’s physical and human assets.

What is a Critical Risks Safety Audit?

The Critical Risks Safety Audit is a comprehensive assessment to thoroughly examine the health and safety management systems of high-risk organisations.

It is a deep dive into situations or activities with a high potential for causing serious injury or harm to individuals and property. It helps organisations focus on these activities by actively examining high-risk tasks such as working at height, confined space entry, lifting operations, ground excavation, electrical and fire safety and contractor safety. Additionally, it evaluates leadership commitment, accountability, risk assessment and management, and permit-to-work processes in detail within the organisation. A Critical Risks Safety Audit thoroughly examines the overall organisational framework and protocols to ensure workplace safety and minimise risks.

Why is a Critical Risks Safety Audit a Must for All High-Risk Organisations?

This audit is the ideal choice for a high-risk organisation for several reasons. Firstly, it instils high confidence and assurance by significantly reducing the likelihood of injury and fatality.

Secondly, it deeply examines high-risk areas of work, identifies potential situations that could cause serious harm, and suggests the necessary controls to be implemented. Additionally, it focuses on strengths while identifying areas for improvement, which provides valuable insights to enhance safety protocols within the organisation.

What Process Does a Critical Risks Safety Audit Follow?

During a Critical Risks Safety Audit, the auditor meticulously evaluates all aspects of the organisation’s chosen health and safety systems and associated protocols. Additionally, the auditor gauges these protocols' effectiveness through on-site inspections and sampling of operational activities.

Throughout the audit process, management, staff, and other stakeholders are expected to participate in interviews to discuss occupational health and safety matters pertinent to their respective roles and responsibilities.

Following the audit, a comprehensive report is generated, identifying strengths and areas for improvement within the organisation’s health and safety management systems. The report also contains observations, recommendations and action plans for consideration, along with a graded outcome.

Critical Risks Safety Audit in India

The British Safety Council, known globally for its leadership in health, safety, and environmental management, recently launched the Critical Risks Safety Audit explicitly tailored for India's hazardous and high-risk business operations.

Organisations undergoing the British Safety Council’s Critical Risks Safety Audit will receive a comprehensive report with recommendations and action plans. Additionally, they will be provided with classification using RAG (Red Amber Green) criteria.

British Safety Council’s highly qualified auditors with extensive health and safety professional experience will conduct the audit. They undergo a thorough internal quality assurance and appraisal process, in addition to meeting the requirements of relevant professional bodies of which they are members.

All audit reports undergo technical verification and receive quality endorsement before being issued to clients. Furthermore, the specification document undergoes annual review to incorporate changes in legislation and relevant developments and trends in occupational health and safety management best practices.

Established in 1957, the British Safety Council has advocated for worker safety, tirelessly working to prevent accidents. Its globally recognised audit and consultancy services offer the most reliable means to ensure that health, safety, and environmental management systems are tailored to business needs and are efficiently put into practice.

The British Safety Council regularly reviews its audit and consultancy products to align with customer needs, expectations and sector best practices. The consistently maintained high service standards offer a rigorous quality assurance process, which includes auditor standardisation, training and performance monitoring. The team of technical specialists actively participates in strategic committees for occupational health, safety, and environmental standards.

For more information about the Critical Risks Safety Audit, please click here.

Disclaimer : Content produced by British Safety Council