All workplaces conduct some type of formal (documented) and informal (undocumented) inspections. Employers have a legal obligation to ensure that all equipment such as vehicles, tools, machinery etc., used at a work site is in a condition tha will not compromise the health and safety of the workers using it. Inspections are a very important part of a business's overall health and safety program.

An audit provides a comparison of a company's current Occupational Health and Safety management system against Occupational Health and Safety laws and regulations.

There are different and sometimes conflicting provincial, territorial, and federal rules and regulations in place for different industries.  If a company is not abiding by these rules, it can lead to financial penalties, and in some cases a company is issued a Stop-Work-Order by an Occupational Health and Safety Officer.

Inspection Program:   A written inspection program that allows the employer to:

• Address safety concerns of workers and supervisors.

• Gain a better understanding of tasks and jobs.

• Identify potential and existing hazards.

• Monitor hazard controls.

• Recommend corrective action.

Audits: An in-depth review of a company's occupational health and safety management program. The benefits of an audit are:

• Identify problems that can lead to incidents and other negative consequences.

• Service providers/contractors  will find that the majority of companies expect they wish to provide service to will expect them to have a complete OH&S management system in place.

• Provides fact based recommendations to be implemented for compliance.

• It will avoid wasting financial resources on what would be nothing more than a person's opinion on laws and regulations.