Auditorías internas como instrumento de mejora continua en la seguridad de plantas industriales

Internal audits are an essential tool for continuous improvement in industrial plant safety, allowing for the evaluation of regulatory compliance, the identification of risks, and the promotion of corrective actions that strengthen comprehensive safety management. The objective was to identify how the systematic application of these audits contributes to optimising risk management, reducing workplace accidents, and strengthening a culture of prevention in increasingly digitised industrial environments. A methodology based on a systematic review of academic and technical literature published between 2015 and 2025 was used, complemented by documented cases of implementation in plants in different sectors. The sources were analysed according to criteria of relevance and quality, categorising the information into audit processes, benefits, challenges and proposals for improvement. The results show that adopting the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle in internal audits significantly reduces workplace incidents, increases regulatory compliance, and optimises resources, generating operational and economic benefits. Challenges such as poor technical training, resistance to change, and limitations in digital infrastructure were identified, with continuous training, strategic leadership, and the integration of advanced technologies being proposed to strengthen their impact. The combination of conventional audits with IT security audits broadens the scope of risk management, responding to the needs of highly automated plants. In conclusion, internal audits represent a strategic pillar for ensuring safe, efficient and sustainable operations, becoming an indispensable practice for regulatory compliance and innovation in industrial management systems.