JHF If your current system of monthly inspections works fine is there really any need to change to quarterly audits? If such a change occurs it's possible that line managers and employees on the sites might perceive from the reduced frequency of visits that health and safety has somehow been downgraded and that they can get away with lower standards. Also, if there's a change to using checklists/ticklists for audits, it's also possible that some deficiencies on the sites might get overlooked if they're not specifically mentioned on the lists. However, much depends on the type/s of sites involved (transient construction and/or manufacturing premises), who is doing the inspections/audits, and the range and nature of deficiencies/issues which tend to be found on the sites. Also, it depends on how you and others define 'inspection' and 'audit'. Over the years I've sometimes found a few people have applied the term 'audit' to inspection activities because somehow it sounds more important/modern than 'inspection'.

Undertaking audits are different to undertaking inspections / checks and to note Grahams comments; many do not seem to know the difference but the word audit has extra kudos! I would get an exact idea as to what is wanted before embarking on an exercise as audits take up more time than inspections

If you want to do an "audit" - then audit against the organisation's own procedures. Or, against an external standard such as HSG65 or 18001 (which are essentially looking at the same thing). As has been stated, there is a big difference between an inspection and an audit...............although many safety practitioners don't seem to know the difference..........in my experience.

Many thanks Steve - will give both a go.

I like the app iaudit http://www.safetyculture.com.au/iAuditor/ Customise it how you want.