Compliance tracking software & checklists: Everything you need to stay audit-ready

Published on
August 1, 2025

Staying compliant with safety regulations isn’t just about completing inspections - it’s about proving them. For industries governed by regulations such as LOLER, OSHA and other standards, missed inspections or poor record-keeping can result in fines, downtime, or unsafe practices.

This is where compliance tracking software and digital compliance checklists become essential. By replacing spreadsheets, paper forms, and fragmented systems, businesses can streamline inspections, create secure audit trails, and stay audit-ready at all times.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

  • What compliance tracking software is and how it works
  • Why compliance checklists are critical for safety inspections
  • Key features of modern compliance management
  • Best practices for managing inspection records under key regulations
  • How Scannable helps safety-critical industries stay compliant with less effort

What is compliance tracking software?

Compliance tracking software helps businesses manage inspection schedules, record inspection outcomes, and create secure audit trails. Instead of relying on spreadsheets or paper files, a compliance management system centralises everything in one place, making it easier to:

  • Track inspection due dates automatically
  • Use standardised digital compliance checklists
  • Maintain compliance workflows across teams and job sites
  • Prove compliance instantly with built-in audit trails

For more information, check out our blog "What is the Best Compliance Tracking Software for Equipment Inspections".

Why compliance checklists matter

At the heart of every inspection process is the checklist.

With paper checklists, issues arise: they’re easy to lose, hard to search, and prone to errors. In contrast, digital checklists within a compliance tracking platform:

  • Standardise inspections across teams
  • Automatically link results to specific equipment
  • Reduce human error and incomplete records
  • Feed directly into inspection histories and audit reports

When combined with NFC scanning, compliance checklists also ensure every inspection is tied to the correct piece of gear.

Key features of a compliance management system

The best compliance management software goes beyond storing records in one place. It actively helps businesses stay ahead of regulatory demands. Look for features like:

  • Automated Inspection Scheduling - Never miss a deadline
  • Digital Checklists & Workflows - Consistency across every inspection
  • Secure Audit Trails - Proof of compliance at your fingertips
  • Mobile Scanning - Link inspections to the right piece of equipment instantly
  • Centralised Record Storage - Accessible anytime, from anywhere

Why digital storage matters across all jurisdictions

Different regions set different requirements for how inspection records must be kept - but the common thread is clear: every inspection needs to be documented, retained, and easily retrievable. A strong compliance management system ensures these requirements are met no matter where you operate.

Whether it’s LOLER in the UK, OSHA in the US, or WHS in Australia, the principle is the same:

  • You must complete inspections on time
  • You must store inspection records securely
  • You must be able to prove compliance instantly

Using a compliance tracking platform eliminates the risks of paper and spreadsheets by automatically linking inspection results to equipment, creating secure audit trails, and making records searchable in seconds - no matter which regulator you’re reporting to.

For more detail on managing compliance inspection digitally, check out out blog here.

How to store inspection records for compliance

The problem with spreadsheets or paper files is that they don’t scale. Records can get lost, data entry errors creep in, and proving compliance becomes stressful during an audit.

A compliance management platform solves this by:

  • Linking inspection results to individual assets
  • Creating permanent audit trails
  • Making records searchable in seconds
  • Enabling teams to share records across job sites and projects

With the right system, being audit-ready becomes a daily habit - not a last-minute scramble. Check out our blog "How to Store Inspection Records for Compliance" for more information.

How Scannable simplifies compliance

Scannable is purpose-built for high-risk industries that need to track, inspect, and prove compliance for thousands of pieces of equipment.

Unlike general asset management systems, Scannable is designed for regulatory environments where safety compliance and audit-readiness are non-negotiable.

With Scannable, you can:

  • Scan any brand of safety equipment with your phone (no expensive UHF RFID gun required)
  • Access pre-loaded product data for over 60,000 pieces of gear
  • Use industry-specific digital checklists for compliance
  • Create secure audit trails that inspectors and auditors can trust
  • Deploy quickly by importing existing spreadsheets or scanning gear directly

Scannable is the easiest way to stay compliant, track inspections, and keep your team audit-ready.

Final thoughts

Compliance inspections don’t need to be complicated. By using a modern compliance tracking system with digital checklists, automated workflows, and secure audit trails, businesses can reduce risk, save time, and meet global regulatory requirements with confidence.

Scannable provides the most complete compliance management platform for safety equipment -  combining mobile scanning, pre-built checklists, and a global equipment database to keep teams compliant, efficient, and safe.