Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Audits

Why NOSA?

The NOSA Five Star System is not a certification checklist – it’s a comprehensive, risk-driven auditing framework designed to evaluate both the effort and the outcome of your HSE management system. Developed in South Africa and now applied globally, NOSA audits are used to:

• Benchmark performance across multiple sites
• Guide continuous improvement efforts
• Strengthen compliance and governance
• Reduce incident rates and drive zero harm

What’s Covered in a NOSA Audit?

SafetyCloud’s NOSA audits are conducted by experienced auditors who understand the real-world complexity of risk management. The system evaluates your HSE performance across 76 elements, grouped into seven key areas:

1. Organisational Context and Interested Parties
2. Leadership and Worker Participation
3. Risk Planning and Hazard Identification
4. Operational Control and Preparedness
5. Legal Compliance and Evaluation
6. Performance Measurement and Review
7. Continuous Improvement

Audits consider both qualitative effort (what systems are in place) and quantitative experience (real-world incident data, including DIFR). The result is a star grading between 0 and 5 stars, with the highest performers qualifying for a NOSCAR Award.

NOSA China: A Global Standard in Action

NOSA’s credibility extends beyond South Africa’s borders. In China, major industrial and manufacturing players have adopted the NOSA Five Star System to strengthen workplace safety and meet international stakeholder expectations. It’s a clear signal that NOSA is not only globally relevant, but internationally respected. Want to showcase international credibility in tenders, ESG reports, or global audits? A NOSA audit offers proof.

NOSA 5 Star vs ISO: What’s the Difference?

Unlike ISO certification, which focuses on compliance with minimum standard clauses, NOSA audits evaluate the actual effectiveness of your health, safety and environmental systems. Here’s how they compare:

About the NOSCAR Award

The NOSCAR is the highest recognition in the NOSA system, reserved for companies that consistently achieve exceptional results in both risk management effort and incident reduction. To qualify, organisations must:

• Score 95% or higher in their audit effort rating
• Maintain a DIFR below 0.8
• Win their industry category in the NOSA International Competition or sustain top performance for three consecutive years

Audit Types and Implementation Pathways

Baseline/GAP Audit

Used to identify system gaps. A full report is provided, but no star rating is issued. Ideal for new implementations.

Star-Grading Audit

A full performance-based audit that awards a star rating. Conducted annually (or more often if required).

Industry-Specific Addenda

We audit across multiple sectors with tailored protocols, including mining, education, forestry, and more.