Gap analysis: Your proactive tool for consistent compliance

n the UK, every business with more than five employees is legally required to have a documented health and safety policy. However, many organisations struggle to transform their policy’s contents into a strong, sustainable safety culture. 

Even with robust rules and procedures in place, accidents happen. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics show that UK employers lost £20.7 billion to job-related injuries and ill health in 2021/22. Too often, safety issues spring from hidden hazards that could be uncovered and corrected with a more proactive approach. 

This is wherehttps://www.opus-safety.co.uk/gap-analysis-framework gap analysis can supercharge your health and safety programme. This article shares why joined-up compliance methods can boost competitive edge and prevent the financial and reputational costs of workplace accidents and injuries. 

What is health and safety gap analysis? 

Gap analysis is a comprehensive review process that compares your company’s current health and safety strategy with established best practices. The goal is to ensure consistent compliance by locating improvement areas, mitigating risks, and raising standards across your business. 

It’s a forward-looking approach that fixes immediate issues and shapes longer-term solutions that save money and support your business goals. 

What does gap analysis involve? 

Typically, your health and safety consultant will visit your site to review your working practices, compliance programme, and staff attitudes. They’ll spend a day or more onsite to survey operations, detect hazards, and chat with employees about your safety culture. 

Key steps include: 

• Outlining your legal obligations. An experienced consultant will explain the health and safety standards and legal regulations relevant to your industry.‍
• Reviewing your existing programme. This stage involves a deep dive into your current health and safety policies, procedures, training, and equipment to assess what's keeping you from full compliance. 
• ‍Identifying improvement points. A compliance expert pinpoints gaps between current practices and ideal standards, highlighting opportunities to transform results. Issues might include outdated procedures, staff training shortfalls, or missing documentation. 
• ‍Conducting a full risk assessment. The risk assessment stage evaluates how each ‘gap’ might impact employee safety and wellbeing, prioritising your most pressing hazards and informing your action plan. 
• ‍Mapping solutions. You receive a practical roadmap to remedy compliance problems across policies, processes, and staff skills and knowledge. Your report will include specific strategies to address each gap, alongside timelines and metrics to monitor success. 

How does gap analysis fit with my current health and safety programme? 

Gap analysis ensures every part of your health and safety programme is aligned and effective, rooting out weak points, helping with resource planning, and joining the dots between departmental and operational issues. 

Many businesses use gap analysis as part of a retained health and safety partnership to proactively control risk and, in turn, minimise disruption and reduce accidents, injuries, and associated costs. Generally, a sector specialist performs an annual gap analysis review to help employers act on potential hazards and intelligently focus spend and resources. 

However, gap analysis also offers vital insights after an incident, following significant operational changes – such as the introduction of new machinery, teams, or processes – or in response to new or updated legislation. 

Under the guidance of an experienced health and safety consultant, gap analysis becomes a strategic, cost-saving tool that delivers a range of business benefits, including: 

• Enhanced safety and compliance
• Improved risk management  
• Operational efficiency
• Informed decision-making
• Continuous improvement

Regular gap analysis keeps your company in step with evolving regulations, helping you to foster an environment of ongoing safety awareness and accountability. 

Learn what gap analysis can do for your business 

If you’re currently using ad hoc health and safety services, it’s worth discussing how gap analysis could coordinate your efforts and actively reduce workplace incidents. 

At Opus, we’ve helped hundreds of employers identify safety priorities and protect their businesses with financially sound compliance solutions. 

To find out more about the benefits of gap analysis, get in touch on 0330 043 4015 or hello@opus-safety.co.uk.