Health and safety
gap analysis

Understand where you are today. Plan where you need to be next.

Strong organisations create environments where safety is embedded into decision-making, understood by employees and supported by leadership. However, many businesses struggle to identify whether their current arrangements are truly effective, or simply ticking boxes.

A health and safety gap analysis provides an independent snapshot of your organisation’s current position, helping you understand not only your compliance obligations, but also the strength of your systems, culture, leadership and overall approach to managing risk.

At AfterAthena, we provide practical, commercially focused gap analyses that help organisations understand where they are today and develop a clear roadmap for improvement.

Two safety offices stand on a balcony overlooking a warehouse wearing hard hats and high visibility jackets. One holds a clipboard and is pointing to the distance.

A health and safety snapshot

Our gap analyses are designed to provide a holistic view of health and safety performance.

Rather than focusing solely on policies and documentation, we assess the wider factors that influence workplace safety, including:

Leadership and accountability
Health and safety culture
Planning and management systems
Risk management processes
Workforce engagement
Training and competence
Legal responsibilities
Operational controls

The result is a detailed report that highlights strengths, identifies opportunities and helps shape future priorities.

What we assess

Every organisation is different, but a typical gap analysis may consider:

Leadership and Governance

How responsibilities are allocated, how decisions are made and whether health and safety is receiving appropriate leadership attention.

Planning and Management Systems

Whether systems, procedures and responsibilities support consistent and effective risk management.

Risk Management

How risks are identified, assessed and controlled across the organisation.

Health & Safety Culture

How health and safety is communicated and understood throughout the organisation, and how beahviours are encouraged.

Legal Duties and Good Practice

Compliance remains important, but we also benchmark current arrangements against recognised sector best practice.

An office worker in casual attire works on two monitors at a standing desk with a warehouse environment in the background.

A consultant explains safety procedures to a safety officer in a warehouse.

Key areas of review

Depending on your organisation and operational risks, a gap analysis may include:

Risk Assessments
COSHH Management
Noise Exposure
Vibration Risks
Display Screen Equipment (DSE)
Asbestos Management
Legionella Control
Training and Competency
Accident Reporting
Contractor Management
Workplace Inspections
Health & Safety Policies and Procedures

A formal report with practical recommendations

Following the review, you’ll receive a detailed report highlighting:

What’s Working Well

Recognition of strengths, effective controls and positive practices already in place.

Opportunities for Improvement

Practical recommendations designed to strengthen systems, behaviours and risk management processes.

Areas of Risk

Issues that could expose the organisation to operational, financial or legal risk if left unaddressed.

Recommended Next Steps

A prioritised action plan to support continuous improvement and future planning. The result is a practical roadmap that helps organisations make informed decisions and focus resources where they will have the greatest impact.

Smiling business team collaborating over a report in modern office with data charts on screen.

Ways of working with AfterAthena's health and safety

Retained service plan

An annual or multi-annual commitment to you with ongoing support and regular services delivered

Project-based

A wider project spanning a few services

One off ad-hoc

A single service based on a specific need

Why choose AfterAthena?

Independent and objective assessment
Formal written report with practical recommendations
Focus on culture, leadership and risk management
Assessment of compliance and best practice
Commercially focused advice
Experienced health and safety consultants
Clear prioritised action plans
Ongoing support if required

Our aim is not simply to identify gaps. We help organisations understand their current position, strengthen their approach to health and safety and plan confidently for the future.

Get a tailored quote

Technology-enabled support through the AfterAthena Hub

AfterAthena Hub is available as a paid app or offered free of charge to all retainer clients. The app provides practical resources to help support effective workforce management.

The Hub includes:

Employment law resources
Policy guidance
Template libraries
Legal updates
Practical HR support materials
Automated legally sound policy generation
Access to specialist support

Combined with advice from our employment law specialists, these resources help employers manage documentation more efficiently and confidently.

What our clients say

"We have used AfterAthena for some time and would highly recommend them. Extremely thankful to [the team] supporting our Company with any HR or Health and Safety issues. Reacting quickly with their expert advice and guidance throughout the whole process. Definitely going above and behond!"

Jeanette Corner, Managing Director, Mike England Timber

Get in touch

FAQs

What is a health and safety gap analysis?

A health and safety gap analysis is a structured review of your organisation’s current arrangements, helping identify strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for improvement across compliance, culture, leadership and risk management.

What does a health and safety gap analysis report include?

You’ll receive a formal report outlining areas of good practice, identified gaps, areas of risk and practical recommendations to help strengthen your health and safety arrangements.

Is a gap analysis the same as a health and safety audit?

Not always. A gap analysis typically takes a broader view, assessing not only compliance but also leadership, culture, planning and overall health and safety maturity.

What areas of health and safety can be reviewed?

Reviews can cover risk assessments, COSHH management, noise and vibration risks, DSE, asbestos, Legionella, policies, training, contractor management and other workplace health and safety arrangements.

Can a gap analysis help improve our health and safety culture?

Yes. We look beyond documentation and consider how health and safety is understood, communicated and applied across the organisation, helping identify opportunities to strengthen culture and engagement.

Who should consider a health and safety gap analysis?

Gap analyses can benefit organisations of any size, particularly those experiencing growth, organisational change, new leadership, increased risk exposure or a desire to benchmark current arrangements.

Will the report prioritise actions?

Yes. Recommendations are designed to provide a clear and practical roadmap, helping organisations focus on the issues likely to have the greatest impact.

Do you review existing risk assessments and COSHH documentation?

Yes. Existing risk assessments, COSHH assessments, registers and supporting documentation often form an important part of the review process.

Can you help implement the recommendations?

Yes. Following the gap analysis, we can provide ongoing consultancy, training and support to help implement recommendations and strengthen your health and safety framework.

Can a health and safety gap analysis be carried out as a standalone project?

Yes. Gap analyses can be delivered as standalone projects or as part of a wider package of health and safety support services.

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