The Role of Health and Safety Audits in Enhancing Safety Standards in Aged Adult Care Homes

Abstract

Health and safety audits are fundamental to the 
management of care homes, particularly those 
providing care for aged adults. These audits serve 
as a crucial tool for identifying hazards, 
preventing accidents, and ensuring compliance 
with safety regulations. This research explores the 
role of health and safety audits in enhancing 
safety standards within aged adult care homes, 
emphasizing their impact on risk management, 
staff training, regulatory compliance, and overall 
resident well-being. The study employs a mixedmethods approach, which includes an extensive 
review of audit reports, surveys of care home 
staff, and interviews with health and safety 
professionals, to assess the effectiveness of audits. 
Key findings demonstrate that well-executed 
health and safety audits significantly contribute to 
the identification and mitigation of risks such as 
falls, infections, and fire hazards, directly 
improving safety outcomes for residents. 
However, the research also identifies several 
challenges in audit implementation, including 
inconsistent audit frequencies, staff 
disengagement, and delayed corrective actions. 
The study concludes by proposing a more 
structured and comprehensive approach to health 
and safety audits that incorporates frequent 
assessments, enhanced staff involvement, 
continuous monitoring, and immediate corrective 
action. These improvements are vital for creating a 
safer living environment for aged adults and 
optimizing care quality