Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) audits are designed to highlight weaknesses before they become liabilities. But for many businesses, these audits reveal more than a few missing policies — they expose deep-rooted gaps in systems, processes, and daily safety culture.
At MiSafe, we work closely with businesses across multiple industries as they prepare for — and respond to — WHS audits. Over time, we’ve identified several recurring themes that tend to emerge during these reviews. Understanding these common pitfalls can help you get ahead and strengthen your compliance, performance, and safety outcomes.
1. Safety Procedures That Exist, But Aren’t Followed
One of the most common findings in WHS audits is the gap between documented procedures and actual on-site practices. A business might have a beautifully written Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS), but workers may either be unaware of it or untrained in its application.
Why it happens:
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Safety documents are created once and forgotten
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Training is inconsistent or not documented
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Frontline staff aren’t involved in creating procedures
How to fix it:
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Use digital tools to make procedures visible and accessible on-site
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Link SWMS to task planning and toolbox talks
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Review and revise documents with worker input
2. Incomplete or Outdated Risk Assessments
Auditors frequently find risk assessments that are either missing, outdated, or not tailored to current operations. In many cases, new equipment or processes have been introduced, but the associated risks haven’t been reassessed.
Why it happens:
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Risk assessments are treated as one-off exercises
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No straightforward process for updating documents when things change
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Limited involvement from supervisors or field teams
How to fix it:
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Set review dates for risk assessments in your safety system
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Assign ownership to specific roles
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Use QHSE software to track and update evaluations in real time
3. Poor Incident Reporting and Investigation
Another common weakness is inconsistent or incomplete incident reporting. In some businesses, near misses go unreported, while in others, incidents are logged but never investigated or reviewed.
Why it happens:
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Workers feel reporting takes too long or leads to blame
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Paper-based systems cause delays or data loss
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Lack of training on what, when, and how to report
How to fix it:
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Implement easy mobile reporting with built-in prompts
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Train staff on the importance of near-miss reporting
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Set workflows for follow-up, investigation, and root cause analysis
4. No Evidence of Consultation or Worker Involvement
Audits often highlight that safety consultation is either non-existent or undocumented. Workers may be involved in safety conversations informally, but there’s no traceable record of consultation for audit or legal purposes.
Why it matters:
Consultation is a legal duty under Australian WHS laws and is essential to building a safety-first culture.
How to fix it:
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Record toolbox talks, safety meetings, and risk assessments with digital sign-off
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Capture feedback and action items
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Use software that creates a traceable consultation log
5. Reactive Rather Than Preventive Systems
Businesses that wait for things to go wrong before acting often perform poorly in audits. A lack of proactive monitoring, inspections, and audits can lead to surprise findings — and, worse, preventable incidents.
How to fix it:
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Schedule regular internal inspections and system audits
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Use safety dashboards to track leading indicators (like overdue training or open actions)
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Act on trends, not just incidents
The Bigger Picture: Safety Culture Gaps
Beyond the paperwork, auditors often identify issues that signal deeper cultural problems — such as poor communication, unclear responsibilities, or a lack of accountability. Addressing these issues begins with leadership and extends through systems, training, and consistent follow-up.
How MiSafe Can Help
At MiSafe, we offer more than just WHS software — we provide practical tools that help you stay audit-ready every day. From live dashboards to digital incident reporting and automated document control, our QHSE platform streamlines your compliance and enhances safety performance.
We also offer WHS audits and consulting to help you prepare for external reviews or check your current level of compliance.
Want to avoid nasty surprises in your next audit?
Book a demo or consultation with MiSafe today, and let’s make safety your strength.
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