Risk Assessment
The purpose of safety inspections in the workplace is to identify and correct any situations that might cause accidents to employees or to the public. Conducting regular inspections is one of the most effective ways to recognize potential hazards in the workplace, making the process a critical component of any workplace safety program. Inspections should include close examination of equipment used, in addition to evaluating how well employees comply with workplace standards and procedures while performing their routine duties.
Inspection Team
Most inspection teams include a safety adviser, workplace supervisor and a union representative when applicable. These individuals are responsible for carrying out regular inspections of the physical premises and equipment as well as observing how work processes are being carried out. Using a checklist, the safety team looks for particular hazards assessing any deficiencies and/or unsafe conditions identified on the list. Problems are usually ranked in order of their significance. The risk management team records details of the inspection, describing each hazard before presenting an official report to the safety committee. In addition, the inspection team is accountable for making specific recommendations for correcting any situations identified on the report that may create a threat. In many cases, a safety team will also point out sound safety practices that the team identifies during the course of an inspection.
Safety Committee
A safety committee is responsible for determining how frequently the workplace environment will be inspected. A committee of employees across all levels of the organization's hierarchy helps to develop the safety checklists, which the inspection team uses to conduct inspections. Common hazards are identified on the checklists along with areas in the workplace known for a high incidence of accidents. In many cases, the safety committee is also responsible for developing control measures for assessing any risks identified in the workplace. Follow-up of the corrective actions taken is then tracked and progress determined.
Ranking Hazards
Most safety inspections have a procedure in place for classifying hazards. The inspection team may place high priority on reporting a hazard that requires immediate action to correct an unsafe condition or act, particularly one that could cause serious accidents. An example of a high-risk hazard is defective machinery or equipment, or an employee not using equipment correctly. Other hazards identified by the risk assessment team might not necessarily pose an immediate threat, but should be addressed as soon as possible. Although low hazard risks do not require urgent action, they should still be dealt with in a timely manner in order to prevent potential injury or harm to others.
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