What is the difference between a safety audit and a specific investigation?

A safety audit is an external investigation of an organization's workplace safety procedures to ensure that safety requirements are being adhered to. It is a check on the organization's own safety inspection procedures to ensure that they are being carried out fully and that all hazards and risks have been identified with safety procedures in place to eliminate or minimize the impact of that risk.

A specific investigation takes place after a workplace accident or injury has taken place. It is an investigation by a person external to the organization to determine the specifics that resulted in the accident or injury. It will be determined whether the incident relates to a new or a previously identified hazard. The investigation will also make recommendations in order to prevent a recurrence of the incident.