The Basic Process of Conducting a Workplace Health and Safety Inspection

After the planning has been done, an appropriatecompany standard. Individuals who do not have
inspection team have been identified, trained andthe required PPE and cannot get any, may not
assembled and all arrangement have been madeenter the area. This should be listed as a
to obtain all the specialized equipment and tools,deficiency found during the inspection.
the inspection can proceed.During the in inspection ensure that all the persons
The team leader should take charge of theneeded to operate machinery or provide technical
inspection process, irrespective of the compositioninformation are available for interviews and to
of the team and the seniority of the hosts.give explanations of the workplace being
At the commencement of the inspection discussinspected.
the planned route the inspection will be following.On arrival at the inspection site, the specific area
The leader of the group should reconfirm the rolemust be defined and pointed out to the hosts.
and responsibility of each team member byThe leader must take charge of the inspection
confirming the focus area of each memberprocess. Prior to entering the inspection site the
individually. It may sometimes be necessary toarea should be assessed for the safety of the
agree upon certain communication codes andparty. Special care should be taken not to expose
signs between inspection team members. Thisthe inspection team and other members assisting
eliminates the need for arm waving, shouting andthem to unnecessary risks.
other unsatisfactory methods of communication inInspect the scene for any hazards that could
high noise areas.cause an accident. The key to a successful
The full team should not all inspect the completeinspection is to personally interview everyone who
area. Each team member should have a clipboardcan provide information. Inspectors should
or note pad, and appropriate checklists for theemphasise that their inspection is a fact-finding,
area or items to be inspected by him. Each teamnot faultfinding mission, otherwise the workers
member should be allowed to conduct his part ofand supervisors who have the information may
the inspection at his own tempo.conceal information that they may feel will
The team leader should arrange before the startprotect themselves and their fellow employees.
of the inspection that maintenance personnel andThe inspector should not try and remember what
technical specialists are available during theevery person had to say and also should not try
inspection. This is necessary to ensure that theand record everything that every person says. He
appropriate information and skills are availableshould make notes of the salient points mentioned
about any special equipment or processes thatby each interviewee and ensure that he knows
may be encountered during the inspection. At thewho said what in the event of them wanting to
start of the inspection their availability should beclear up any uncertainty. The taking of pictures to
confirmed.support the note taking as well as for inclusion in
In some countries it may also be necessary (orthe inspection report is encouraged as long as it
even a legal requirement) to invite the unioncan be done safely.
health and safety representative to accompanyConducting inspections effectively can add a lot of
the inspection team.health and safety value to any workplace if it is
It is essential that all members of the team anddone correctly. Following the basic process defined
those accompanying them must wear personalabove will assist in this regard.
protective equipment (PPE) according to the