National OSH audit tools
Regular auditing provides evidence to measure compliance with legislation. It assists in the development and implementation of the HSE’s safety management system.
A suite of audit tools, developed by the National Health and Safety Function (NHSF), provide assurance around health and safety performance.
The audit tools can be used to monitor and measure key deliverables and identify areas underperforming.
Audit tools
Level 1 audit tool
The level 1 health and safety audit tool focuses on aspects of the safety management system at ward/department level.
A health and safety level 1 audit tool webinar is available on HSELand. This webinar explains how the audit process works and the supports available in preparing for an audit.
Log onto HSELand and click on discovery zone.
The level 1 audit tool is provided for self-assessment purposes.
Level 2 audit tool
The level 2 health and safety audit tool focuses on aspects of the safety management system at hospital/service level.
This audit tool provides assurance to senior managers (general managers /service managers of compliance with the safety management system.
To complete this audit tool, the cooperation of the general manager/service manager and all members of the management team is required.
The level 2 audit tool is provided for self-assessment purposes.
Safety committee audit tool
The safety committee audit tool focuses on the steps taken to safeguard safety, health and welfare within the workplace.
This audit tool can be used by hospital and service areas to ensure they are in compliance with their statutory obligations under the Safety Health & Welfare at Work Act 2005.
The safety committee audit tool can be used for self-assessment purposes.
Medical gas cylinder audit tool
The medical gas cylinder audit tool aids compliance with Irish occupational health and safety legislation and the British Compressed Gases Association:
- Code of Practice 44 - Storage of Gas Cylinders 2022
- Health Technical Memorandum 02-01: Part A
- Health Technical Memorandum 02-01: Medical Gas Pipeline Systems - Part B Operational Management
The NHSF’s medical gas audit tool can be used as part of a formal auditing system, or as part of a self-audit process.
The audit tool is intended for use by:
- health and safety professionals including competent and authorised persons as described in HTM 02-01
- those trained to work with medical gases (cylinder gas) working in facilities, technical services and operations within the HSE
Contact HSE Health and Safety helpdesk
Use the Health and Safety self-service portal or
Phone: 1800 420 420
Monday to Friday 10.30am to 12 noon and 2.00pm to 3.30pm