What does a documentation only audit entail?

A documentation only audit specifically focuses on assessing the written policies, procedures, and records of an organization rather than conducting physical inspections or relying on subjective feedback. This type of audit evaluates the adequacy, completeness, and compliance of documentation against established standards or regulations.

In this context, an external review of the written health and safety manual is a crucial component, as it helps ensure that the documented policies are aligned with current regulations and effective practices. Such an audit examines whether the documentation is up-to-date, comprehensively covers necessary areas, and serves as a reliable foundation for operational practices.

Other choices such as reviewing employee performance documents, inspecting the work site, or utilizing feedback from workers, while valuable in other auditing frameworks, do not align with the core purpose and scope of a documentation only audit, which is solely concerned with written records rather than direct observation or personal evaluations.