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Safety Inspection

By Tabitha Mishra
Last updated: December 28, 2018

What Does Safety Inspection Mean?

A safety inspection is a formal process for identifying potential hazards that could harm workers or the public.

The inspection procedure will depend on the specifics of the environment being assessed. Broadly speaking, it will involve comparing observations of the working environment, equipment, and worker behavior against a set of standards to ensuring that all fall within acceptable safety limits. Most inspections involve a checklist to ensure that the assessment is thorough and all likely hazards have been considered.

The results of safety inspections can be used proactively to develop safe work practices.

Safeopedia Explains Safety Inspection

According to the US Department of Labor, slips, trips, and falls are the leading cause of general industry accidents and account for 15% of all accidental death every year. Conducting regular safety inspections can help employers identify slip and trip hazards and implement preventative measures to ensure that those hazards do not result in injuries.

Common workplace hazards that can be uncovered through a safety inspection include:

  • Unsafe work practices
  • Biological hazards such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi
  • Chemical hazards such as vapors, fumes, and gases
  • Physical hazards such as noise, heat, and vibration
  • Ergonomic hazards such as poor workstation design, bad posture, and improper lifting technique

Safety Inspectors

Safety inspections should be carried out by a safety officer or a certified inspection team. They will examine the workplace and observe the way work is being carried out, making note of any unsafe practices like the unauthorized use of machinery, inadequate PPE, or neglect of sanitary procedures.

Safety inspectors may observe the work being done, ask questions of the employees, and take notes. In most cases, they will run through a checklist (either on paper or in a digital format).

They will then document their findings and ensure that these inspection logs are stored and accessible when needed.

Safety Inspections vs. Safety Audits

Safety inspections are distinct from safety audits. While both share the goal of ensuring safety within an organization, the use different approaches to do so:

    • Safety inspections involves physically seeking out hazards that could endanger employees.
    • Safety audits are a structured process for gathering information about the efficiency, effectiveness, and reliability of the organization's health and safety management system.
    • Safety inspections are usually carried out by personnel within the organization.
    • Safety audits are typically conducted by independent consultants or other third parties who can provide an impartial review of the organization's safety policies.
    • Safety inspections are conducted very frequently.
    • Safety audits can be conducted regularly, but not often as they are more involved, time-consuming processes.
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