Workplace Inspections are a very beneficial and proactive way of identifying and recording hazards so that controls can be put in place to control these hazards and keep the working environment safe. They help to prevent accidents and incidents, and the staff using the workplace must be involved in carrying out the inspections so that they are able to take ownership of the controls identified. These inspections should be carried out regularly and a document of re-inspections written and recorded to make sure that they are carried out as required to maintain compliance.
The frequency of inspections will depend on the nature of the work carried out. Inspections can be less frequent in a low risk environment such as an office. However, more frequent inspections will need to be carried out if there are areas of a workplace or specific activities that are high risk or changing rapidly such as on a construction project. The content of the inspections will also depend upon the nature of the workplace or activity but will generally include, but will not be limited to, hazards such as electricity, fire, manual handling, lone-working, housekeeping and welfare.
An effective Workplace Inspection will also include a SMART action plan and this action plan can then be discussed and monitored at relevant meetings. The acronym SMART stands for Specific measurable, achievable, realistic and time-framed.
I can provide a comprehensive and tailored Workplace Inspection form which is very simple to complete, and I am also able to provide training and guidance on how to carry out these inspections. I can also provide a Workplace Inspection index which will provide an automatic count-down to the next re-inspection date and is a useful way of providing assurance that the pro-active monitoring part of your safety management system is being met.
