The ideal workplace inspection isn’t one that follows a safety incident, or a surprise visit from OSHA — it’s the inspection that you arrange yourself.
Self-inspection audits offer an effective way to improve safety management, prevent accidents, and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Work area inspections will:
- Evaluate compliance with safety and health policies and procedures.
- Identify hazards for correction.
- Determine the need for safety training.
- Help ensure that work areas receive a high grade in the event of an OSHA inspection.
- Demonstrate your concern for employee safety and health.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires periodic evaluation of workplaces. The timing of self-inspection audits depends on the type of work areas involved, with very hazardous areas possibly needing formal, weekly inspections and lower-risk areas such as offices requiring only monthly checks.
Supplement scheduled inspections with informal daily walkarounds that target areas with recurring safety problems, and follow up to make sure previously identified issues have been fixed effectively.
Use written checklists for every inspection and make management responsible for ensuring corrective actions are completed, while involving employees in the inspection process to increase ownership and awareness.
Here are a few ideas for getting workers involved in self-inspection audits:
- Ask workers to help develop inspection checklists for their work areas.
- Appoint individuals — or, better, a rotating team — to conduct inspections.
- Meet with employee inspectors after inspections to discuss safety problems and corrective actions.
- Share the results of work area inspections with all employees in weekly safety meetings.
For specialized inspection topics and related coverage, see Garage Lift Inspectors OCP Insurance, Escalator Inspectors OCP Insurance, and Radon Inspectors Insurance.
Safety is built on awareness and knowledge, and routine safety inspections are one of the best ways to stay informed about changing work area conditions. Don’t wait for an accident to reveal a hazard that could have been corrected, and if you need assistance implementing inspections, talk to an agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I perform self-inspections?
Frequency depends on the hazard level: very hazardous areas may need weekly inspections while lower-risk areas can often be checked monthly.
Who should conduct workplace inspections?
Management should lead and ensure corrective actions, but involving trained employees or rotating teams improves effectiveness and buy-in.
What should an inspection checklist include?
Checklists should cover compliance with policies, potential hazards, required training needs, and any equipment or process-specific items.
What is the best way to follow up after an inspection?
Document corrective actions, assign responsibility and deadlines, and verify fixes during subsequent inspections or walkarounds.