In India's growing industrial landscape, ensuring health, safety, and well-being at the workplace is critical. Hazardous industries like manufacturing, construction, and mining are particularly vulnerable to accidents and health risks without strong safety protocols. 

To tackle this issue, the British Safety Council came up with the Five Star (aka Five Best Practices) Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Audit, a global benchmark that provides a comprehensive assessment of workplace safety standards, helping businesses protect their most valuable asset: their employees.

Overview of Workplace Safety in India

Workplace safety is not just a regulatory requirement but an essential component of operational success. Industries with inherent risks, such as chemicals, mining, and manufacturing, require robust safety protocols to prevent accidents, protect workers, and ensure smooth operations. Unfortunately, the lack of strong safety measures has led to many accidents across India. 

According to a 2021 report by the Labor Ministry, at least 6,500 employees died while working in factories, ports, mines, and construction sites over the preceding five years. This highlights the importance of implementing global safety standards like the Five Star OHS Audit to mitigate risks and enhance worker well-being.

Understanding Hazardous Industries

Hazardous industries are sectors where employees are exposed to significant health and safety risks due to the nature of their operations. These industries typically include sectors such as manufacturing, mining, construction, and chemicals, where the use of hazardous materials, and high-risk processes are common. In India, these sectors are considered high-risk due to their operational complexities and the potential dangers they pose to employees.

Challenges in Ensuring Workplace Safety in India

Despite efforts to improve workplace safety, India faces unique challenges in hazardous industries. Inadequate infrastructure, limited regulatory enforcement, and insufficient safety culture contribute to the high rate of workplace accidents. The lack of awareness about occupational safety and inconsistent implementation of safety protocols further exacerbates the situation. On average, India witnessed 1,109 deaths and over 4,000 injuries in documented factories annually from 2017 to 2020.

Our Critical Risks Safety Audit is a deep-dive assessment that aims to provide an in-depth examination of a high-risk organisation’s health and safety management systems. To learn more about Critical Risks Safety Audits visit this page - Critical Risks Safety Audit.

What is a 5-star Occupational Health and Safety Audit? 

Overview of the 5-Star OHS Audit

The Five Star Audit goes beyond ISO 45001 by offering a more comprehensive and quantified evaluation of an organisation’s health and safety systems. Unlike ISO 45001, which focuses solely on compliance with international safety standards, the Five Star Audit provides detailed recommendations, benchmarking, and action planning based on 56 specific elements of workplace safety.

Here are six key best practices that set the Five Star Audit apart:

Detailed Report: The audit delivers a thorough report that highlights areas of improvement and offers strategic insights.

Detailed Recommendations & Action Planning: Along with the audit, organisations receive tailored recommendations and actionable steps for enhancing their safety protocols.

Quantified Outcome: The audit provides a measurable outcome across all 56 elements, offering a deeper understanding of performance beyond ISO 45001.

Benchmarking: Organisations can benchmark their systems against audit standards and industry best practices, helping them stay competitive.

Eligibility for the Sword of Honour: Achieving a five-star rating qualifies organisations to apply for the prestigious Sword of Honour award, which recognises excellence in health and safety management.

Certification of Achievement: Upon completion, organisations receive formal recognition of their success, demonstrating their commitment to safety beyond basic compliance.

Importance of Occupational Health and Safety Audits in Hazardous Industries 

Benefits of an Industrial Safety Audit

Regular safety audits are essential to maintaining a safe workplace in hazardous industries. An OHS audit helps identify potential hazards, ensure compliance with safety protocols, and protect employees from avoidable risks. By conducting regular audits, companies can continually improve their safety standards, create a safer working environment, and enhance overall operational efficiency.

Legal Compliance and Reducing Risk

In India, companies must adhere to the Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code (OSH Code of 2020). Non-compliance can lead to significant penalties, including fines and business shutdowns. A comprehensive health and safety audit ensures that businesses meet legal safety obligations, helping avoid these costly consequences.

Key Benefits of the 5-Star OHS Audit for Hazardous Industries

Improving Employee Wellbeing and Morale

By undertaking the 5-Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit and utilising the 6 best practices indicators, your organisation not only achieves compliance but also gains international recognition for excellence, setting a higher benchmark for safety and performance.         

Enhancing Safety Performance

The audit covers 57 detailed elements, providing a thorough evaluation of your organisation’s health and safety practices. This in-depth analysis ensures that all aspects of your safety management system are assessed and benchmarked against contemporary best practices to improve safety performance.

Promoting Sustainability

A comprehensive OHS audit enables organisations to implement safer, more efficient practices that minimise waste and foster environmental responsibility. Our technical specialists are actively involved in strategic committees dedicated to shaping occupational health, safety, and environmental standards. reduce waste and promote environmental responsibility. 

Steps to Implement the 5-Star OHS Audit in Hazardous Industries

Initial Consultation

The initial consultation phase of the 5-Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit involves a thorough on-site review of relevant documentation. This step also includes in-depth interviews and discussions with key stakeholders, including top management, to understand the organisation's approach to health and safety. Additionally, operational sampling is conducted to observe and assess safety practices in real-time, allowing auditors to evaluate how well systems are implemented in day-to-day operations. 

On-Site Assessment

During the on-site assessment, auditors evaluate safety procedures, risk management practices, and HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) compliance. This hands-on evaluation provides a clear picture of the company’s current safety performance.

Reporting & Recommendations

The 5-Star Audit delivers a quantified outcome for each of the 56 elements, offering clear, measurable insights into your organisation's performance. Along with this, a detailed report is provided with specific recommendations and action plans to help you continuously improve. Achieving a five-star rating makes your organisation eligible to apply for the prestigious Sword of Honour Award.

To Conclude

Our Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit is a powerful tool to enhance the safety standard of hazardous industries in India. Our workplace safety audits not only ensure compliance with regulations but also improve overall employee well-being and operational performance. 

By adopting the Five Star OHS Audit, companies can protect their employees, reduce risks, and maintain sustainable practices. 

Prioritising regular safety audits is a critical step toward ensuring a safer, healthier, and more productive workplace.