What are inspections primarily considered in comparison to safety audits?

Inspections in the context of safety practices are primarily considered quantitative because they focus on specific, measurable aspects of safety compliance at a worksite. This often involves checking for the presence of required safety equipment, verifying that safety procedures are being followed, and measuring compliance with regulatory standards. The quantitative nature of inspections allows for the collection of data that can be analyzed to identify trends, compliance levels, and areas that may need to be addressed.

In contrast, safety audits tend to be more comprehensive and qualitative in nature, often assessing a wider range of factors including management systems, safety culture, and overall effectiveness of safety measures. The goal of audits is not only to identify compliance with regulations but also to evaluate the effectiveness of the safety management system as a whole.

Thus, the distinction between inspections and audits lies in the focus of their methodologies; inspections are about quantifiable elements of safety compliance, while audits encompass a broader, more qualitative assessment of safety practices and systems.