A gap analysis is a method of assessing how an organisation is meeting its Health & Safety and Environmental Statutory Law & Regulations obligations. The goal is to determine whether Statutory requirements are being met and, if not, what steps should be taken to ensure they are met successfully. The gap analysis can also determine how an organisation’s culture is, or isn’t progressing regarding maintenance, training, people development and a whole host of other indicators.
Statutory Laws & Regulations will use terms such as “Must & Should” and have be met to ensure that an Organisation is compliant at all times with the Law. Failure to comply cost these large companies heavily:
Warburtons
After a worker was harmed, Warburtons were fined for not implementing their own ‘safe system of work’. Management didn’t know supervisors were skipping the procedures.
FINE £1.9 MILLION – HEALTH & SAFETY BREACHES
Tesco
The supermarket giant was handed a record fine for a single incident of pollution after 23,500 litres of fuel escaped in Haslingden into the River Irwell & Langwood Brook
FINE £8 MILLION – JOINT ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH & SAFETY BREACHES
So, what does a Gap analysis achieve?
Gap refers to the space between “where we are” (the present state) and “where we want to be” (the target state). A gap analysis may also be referred to as a need’s analysis, needs assessment or need-gap analysis.
Whatever the terminology we use, by utilising a gap analysis for key areas, we are ensuring our organisation can survive and thrive now and in the future. The results of non-compliance are real as shown in the above cases and can have catastrophic results both personally and professionally. Statutory non-compliance can lead to:
- Fines in the £Millions
- Custodial Prison Sentences
- Damage to Reputation
- Loss of Business
- Closure of an Organisation
- Loss of Peoples Livelihoods’
So, what is the value of a gap analysis regarding Health & Safety and Environmental compliance?
Just look at the above cases and make up your own mind.
The Compliance Standard Group was formed to provide accessible compliance services and tools that enable organisations to rapidly attain statutory compliance. Our goal is simple. We aim to improve efficiency and safety within the workplace using our Moral, Legal & Financial framework.
