Compliance Audits & Gap Analysis

Compliance audits provide organisations with an independent, objective assessment of how well their current asbestos management arrangements meet the requirements of CAR 2012, the HSE Approved Code of Practice L143, and industry best practice guidance. Whether preparing for an ISO audit, responding to HSE interest, or simply wanting assurance that your systems are robust, our audits deliver clear, actionable findings.

Documentation Review: We examine all asbestos-related documentation including survey reports, asbestos registers, management plans, risk assessments, training records, contractor permits, method statements, clearance certificates, and waste consignment notes. We assess each document for completeness, accuracy, currency, and compliance with current regulatory requirements.

Site Verification: Our auditors conduct site visits to verify that documented ACMs match their recorded locations, that condition ratings are accurate, that signage and labelling are in place, and that management plan actions have been implemented as described. This ground-truth verification often reveals discrepancies between documented systems and actual site conditions.

Process Assessment: We evaluate the operational processes that underpin asbestos management — including how contractor briefings are conducted, how permit-to-work systems operate, how emergency procedures are tested, and how information is communicated to building occupants. Effective processes are as important as accurate documentation for achieving genuine compliance.

Risk-Ranked Findings: Every audit finding is risk-ranked against a clear framework: critical non-conformances requiring immediate action, major non-conformances requiring short-term correction, minor observations for continuous improvement, and best-practice recommendations for organisations seeking to exceed minimum standards.

Action Plan and Implementation Support: The audit report includes a detailed, prioritised action plan with specific tasks, responsible persons, and target completion dates. We can support implementation through follow-up consultancy, additional survey work, register updates, management plan revisions, or staff training as required.

Our compliance audits are particularly valuable for multi-site organisations, public sector bodies with statutory obligations, organisations preparing for ISO 45001 or ISO 14001 certification, and any dutyholder who has received an HSE improvement notice or is seeking proactive assurance.