SHEQ4SME Compliant Audits
Our Mission
SAFETY & HEALTH AUDITS
SAFETY & HEALTH AUDITS
We deliver structured, defensible Safety & Health Audits aligned with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Department of Employment and Labour expectations, and SANAS-aligned audit principles — without generic templates or false claims.
Value to you, the client
- Verify legal compliance before inspectors do
- Identify real risk, not just pape
We deliver structured, defensible Safety & Health Audits aligned with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Department of Employment and Labour expectations, and SANAS-aligned audit principles — without generic templates or false claims.
Value to you, the client
- Verify legal compliance before inspectors do
- Identify real risk, not just paperwork gaps
Get clear, actionable corrective plans you can implement
SAFETY & HEALTH AUDITS
SAFETY & HEALTH AUDITS
SAFETY & HEALTH AUDITS
Independent Safety & Health Audits Aligned to the OHS Act — Designed to Protect Workers, Reduce Legal Risk, and Prepare You for Department of Employment and Labour Inspections
Our Approach
SAFETY & HEALTH AUDITS
Our Approach
SHEQ4SME provides independent Safety & Health Audits to help South African employers meet their legal duties, manage risk, and demonstrate compliance.
Our audit services include:
- Legal compliance audits (OHS Act & Regulations)
- Complaint-triggered audits (employee, union, third-party, or internal concerns)
- Internal health & safety audits
- Pre-
SHEQ4SME provides independent Safety & Health Audits to help South African employers meet their legal duties, manage risk, and demonstrate compliance.
Our audit services include:
- Legal compliance audits (OHS Act & Regulations)
- Complaint-triggered audits (employee, union, third-party, or internal concerns)
- Internal health & safety audits
- Pre-inspection readiness audits
- Risk-based workplace inspections
- Follow-up and verification audits
Each audit is scoped to your operation, workforce, and risk profile — not copied from generic checklists.
Who We Are
Why Choose SHEQ4SME
Legal Compliance Summary (South Africa)
Why Choose SHEQ4SME
Built for the real enforcement environment
Our audits are designed around how Department of Employment and Labour inspectors assess workplaces — not how templates look on paper.
Qualified, experienced auditors
Audits are conducted by senior safety professionals with deep experience in:
- OHS Act compliance
- Incident investigation
- Risk assessm
Built for the real enforcement environment
Our audits are designed around how Department of Employment and Labour inspectors assess workplaces — not how templates look on paper.
Qualified, experienced auditors
Audits are conducted by senior safety professionals with deep experience in:
- OHS Act compliance
- Incident investigation
- Risk assessment and control
- ISO-aligned management systems
SANAS-aligned audit methodology
We apply audit principles consistent with ISO/IEC 17020 inspection body criteria, ensuring structured evidence collection, impartial findings, and defensible conclusions — without falsely claiming SANAS accreditation.
Clear turnaround and support
You receive:
- a structured audit report,
- legal references per finding,
- and a practical corrective action plan you can implement.
How It Works
Legal Compliance Summary (South Africa)
Why Choose SHEQ4SME
- Online booking or enquiry
Choose your audit type and submit basic site details. - Scope confirmation
We define the audit scope, legal framework, and evidence requirements. - Audit execution
On-site, off-site, or hybrid — interviews, inspections, document review. - Risk-rated findings
Non-conformances, risks, and improvement areas care learly cl
- Online booking or enquiry
Choose your audit type and submit basic site details. - Scope confirmation
We define the audit scope, legal framework, and evidence requirements. - Audit execution
On-site, off-site, or hybrid — interviews, inspections, document review. - Risk-rated findings
Non-conformances, risks, and improvement areas care learly classified. - Audit report issued
Including legal references and ca orrective action plan. - Follow-up support
Verification audits or closure confirmation were required.
Legal Compliance Summary (South Africa)
Legal Compliance Summary (South Africa)
Legal Compliance Summary (South Africa)
What the law requires — and how audits support it
Employer duties
The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 requires employers to provide and maintain, as far as reasonably practicable, a safe working environment without health risk (Section 8).
Audits verify whether:
- hazards are identified,
- risks are assessed and controlled,
- Legal du
What the law requires — and how audits support it
Employer duties
The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 requires employers to provide and maintain, as far as reasonably practicable, a safe working environment without health risk (Section 8).
Audits verify whether:
- hazards are identified,
- risks are assessed and controlled,
- Legal duties are being met in practice.
Internal audits and inspections
Health and Safety Representatives are legally entitled to participate in internal health and safety audits and inspections (Section 18).
Audits help employers demonstrate:
- active monitoring,
- worker participation,
- and continuous improvement.
Inspections and complaints
The Department of Employment and Labour may inspect workplaces and investigate complaints at any time. Inspectors can issue:
- direction notices,
- prohibition notices,
- and enforcement actions.
Audits help ensure:
- inspection readiness,
- defensible records,
- and early correction of non-compliance.
SANAS and audit competence
South African National Accreditation System accredits inspection and certification bodies but does not require accreditation for general workplace safety audits.
SHEQ4SME uses SANAS-aligned audit principles without misrepresenting accreditation status.
About SHEQ4SME
Complaint Audits
Complaint Audits
Complaint Audits
Complaint audits are triggered by:
- employee or contractor complaints,
- union concerns,
- whistle-blower reports,
- or management requests.
Our complaint audit process:
- Confidential intake (anonymous option available)
- Clear scope based on complaint allegations
- Evidence-based findings only
- No disclosure of the complainant's identity
- Alignment witth
Complaint audits are triggered by:
- employee or contractor complaints,
- union concerns,
- whistle-blower reports,
- or management requests.
Our complaint audit process:
- Confidential intake (anonymous option available)
- Clear scope based on complaint allegations
- Evidence-based findings only
- No disclosure of the complainant's identity
- Alignment witthe inspectionon expectations of the Department of Employment and Labour
Typical outcomes:
- verification of compliance or non-compliance,
- documented corrective actions,
- reduced enforcement risk,
- defensible records if inspectors become involved.
What’s Included in Our Audit Reports
Every SHEQ4SME audit report includes:
- Executive summary for management
- Scope and audit criteria
- Findings and non-conformances
- Risk rating per issue
- Legal references (Act / Regulation)
- Corrective action plan with timelines
- Responsible persons
- Follow-up or re-audit recommendations
Audit Packages
Complaint Audits
Complaint Audits
Basic Compliance Check
Best for small sites or early compliance review
- High-level legal compliance review
- Key risk identification
- Summary findings and recommendations
Standard Audit + Report
Ideal for operational businesses
- Full OHS Act compliance audit
- Document and site inspection
- Detailed report and corrective action plan
Complete Compli
Basic Compliance Check
Best for small sites or early compliance review
- High-level legal compliance review
- Key risk identification
- Summary findings and recommendations
Standard Audit + Report
Ideal for operational businesses
- Full OHS Act compliance audit
- Document and site inspection
- Detailed report and corrective action plan
Complete Compliance + Post-Audit Support
For higher-risk or inspection-exposed sites
- Comprehensive audit
- Risk-rated findings
- Corrective action tracking
- Verification or follow-up audit support
Add-ons:
- Incident investigation review
- Contractor compliance audits
- Pre-inspection readiness checks
FAQs
Complaint Audits
FAQs
Is a safety audit legally required?
The OHS Act does not mandate audits by name, but employers must continuously monitor and ensure compliance with legal duties (OHS Act s8).
Can SHEQ4SME issue enforcement notices?
No. Only Department of Employment and Labour inspectors may issue legal notices. Our audits prepare you for inspection.
Are you
Is a safety audit legally required?
The OHS Act does not mandate audits by name, but employers must continuously monitor and ensure compliance with legal duties (OHS Act s8).
Can SHEQ4SME issue enforcement notices?
No. Only Department of Employment and Labour inspectors may issue legal notices. Our audits prepare you for inspection.
Are you SANAS-accredited?
We apply SANAS-aligned audit principles. Accreditation is not claimed unless formally held.
Will this help if we receive a complaint?
Yes. Audit reports provide structured evidence of compliance and corrective action.
Do you audit SMEs?
Yes. Our audits are scaled to SME operations without unnecessary complexity.
Will inspectors accept your reports?
Inspectors consider evidence, not branding. Our reports are structured, referenced, and defensible.
Audit Laws and Legal Information
South African Legal Framework for Safety & Health Audits
1. Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 (OHS Act)
Purpose of the Act
The OHS Act’s primary purpose is “to provide for the health and safety of persons at work and for the health and safety of persons in connection with the use of plant and machinery” and related matters. (Government of South Africa)
General Employer Duties
Employers must, as far as is reasonably practicable, ensure a safe workplace and without health risk. While the Act does not expressly mandate periodic audits, compliance auditing is implicit in the duty to maintain and demonstrate adherence to the Act and its regulations, especially the general duties. (Department of Labour)
Internal Audit and Participation
Internal health and safety audits and workplace inspections performed by health and safety representatives are explicitly contemplated and supported by the Act:
“A health and safety representative may… participate in any internal health or safety audit.” (Government of South Africa)
This supports the value of structured internal/external audit programmes even if the Act doesn’t use the word auditeverywhere. The focus is on legal compliance, hazard identification, risk reduction, and continuous improvement.
Approved Inspection Authority Definition
The Act defines approved inspection authority (a person/entity approved by the Chief Inspector) with respect to particular services. (SAFLII)
However, the Act does not entitle private auditing firms to claim Department of Employment and Labour inspector powers— only inspectors appointed under the Act can enforce and issue compliance orders/prohibition notices.
Relevant Employer Record-Keeping & Compliance Duties
Although audit is not separately regulated, these duties drive audit content:
- Maintain incident records and investigate causes.
- Prepare and display health and safety policies.
- Facilitate health and safety committees and representative functions. (Government of South Africa)
Department of Employment and Labour (DEL / DoEL) Inspectorate Guidance
Role of Inspectors
Occupational health and safety inspectors are appointed under the Act to plan and conduct inspections to ensure compliance with the Act and its regulations, including investigating complaints and incidents. (Department of Labour)
Inspections & Complaints
Inspectors can conduct inspections without prior notice and investigate complaints from employees, employers, or the public, treated confidentially. (Department of Labour)
Powers Available to Inspectors
Inspectors can:
- Issue direction notices requiring corrective measures within a specified timeframe.
- Issue prohibition notices where dangerous conditions exist.
- Seize evidence/samples and interview people on the premises. (Department of Labour)
This is a key connection to audits: structured audit reports help employers demonstrate compliance and readiness for such inspections.
SANAS (South African National Accreditation System)
Mandate and Accreditation Scope
SANAS is the only national body in South Africa mandated to provide accreditation for conformity assessment bodies, including inspection bodies, certification bodies, and laboratories under relevant ISO standards. (sanas.co.za)
Accreditation Standards Relevant to Audit/Inspection Services
- Inspection bodies seeking SANAS accreditation must comply with ISO/IEC 17020 (requirements for inspection bodies). (sanas.co.za)
- Audit/inspection services performed by a SANAS-accredited inspection body demonstrate competence, impartiality, independence, and consistency — but accreditation is not legally required to conduct general H&S audits for compliance support. (sanas.co.za)
Therefore:
If you are a SANAS-accredited inspection body, you may legally promote accreditation credentials.
If you are not SANAS-accredited, do not claim SANAS accreditation — instead use compliant language such as:
“Audit methodology aligned with SANAS-aligned criteria and international conformity assessment best practices.”
ISO/IEC 17020 Context
ISO/IEC 17020 sets competence criteria for inspection bodies (e.g., impartiality, documented procedures, internal audits, personnel competence). Accredited bodies must justify audit frequency and internal audit steps as part of quality management. (iaiasa.co.za)
Practical Interpretation for Audits
Audits vs Legal Inspections
- Audits (internal or external) are business-initiated reviews to assess compliance and improve H&S performance.
- DEL inspections are government enforcement actions with legal consequences. Audits help prepare for inspections.
Both aim to verify compliance but have different triggers and legal status.
Audit Relevance to Employers
A health and safety audit — whether internal or conducted by external experts — is best practice under the Act to ensure the employer consistently discharges duties (hazard identification, risk control, record keeping, incident investigation) and is inspection-ready.
Key Legal Points
Source / Citation
Employers must maintain a safe workplace as far as reasonably practicable.
OHS Act
Health and Safety Representatives can participate in internal audits.
OHS Act
Labour Inspectors can inspect workplaces and investigate complaints.
DEL Inspectorate guidance
SANAS is the only recognised national accreditation body for inspection and conformity assessment.
SANAS and accreditation literature
ISO/IEC 17020 sets criteria for competent inspection bodies.
ISO/IEC 17020 context
Compliance
Department of Employment and Labour Authority: Do not imply SHEQ4SME auditors are DEL inspectors. Instead:
“Our audit prepares you for DEL inspections and aligns with Department obligations.”