Workplace Inspection

A workplace inspection is a planned walk through of a workplace or selected areas or locations of a workplace. Inspections are needed to critically examine all factors (equipment, processes, materials, buildings, procedures) that have the potential to cause injury or illness, and to identify where action is necessary to control hazards. A schedule of planned inspections is an essential element of a health and safety program in which standards are established and compliance monitored.

Inspections are an important way of identifying potential workplace hazards before they cause any harm.

Learning Outcomes:

·         Define and Describe the purpose, attributes and key elements of an inspection

·         Describe who is responsible for implementing, performing and administering the inspection process

·         Describe the types, steps, process and frequency of inspections

·         Conduct formal workplace inspections using templates as guides

·         Describe the post inspection process and follow up requirements

Duration:

3 weeks

Teaching Methods:

Modified lecture, discussions, practical sessions and demonstrations, individual and group assignments and case studies 

Assessment:

Continuous assignments/practicals [40%], and final examination [60%]. 

Course Content:

·         Definition and Purpose of Safety Inspections

·         Types/methods of inspections

·         Why do workplace Inspections

·         What to Look for During an Inspection

·         Tips and Techniques in conduction and inspection

·         Steps to Conducting an Inspection

·         Key elements in an inspection

·         Using Safety Checklists

·         Concerns to look for during an Inspection

·         Recording the Safety Inspection

·         Hazard Rating System

·         Monitoring

·         Corrective Action & Follow Up

·         Writing an Inspection Report

Study Materials:

1.      Canadian Centre for Occupational Safety and Health. 2017. Effective Workplace Inspections.

2.            Certification Services Worker & Employer Services Division. 2012. Safety Inspections Workbook Safety Inspections Workbook.

3.      Chapman, G. & White, P. 2014.  Rising above a Toxic Workplace: Taking Care of Yourself in an Unhealthy Environment

4.      FD Fire Door, 2020. How to Check Fire Doors: A Basic Guide to Fire Door Inspection

5.      Hassard J. & Torres, L.D. 2020. Aligning Perspectives in Gender Mainstreaming: Gender, Health, Safety, and Wellbeing (Aligning Perspectives on Health, Safety and Well-Being)

6.      Henry, L. 2019. 50 Top Tips for Well-Being: Creating a Culture of Well-being in and away from Work.

7.      Journals for All. 2017  Workplace Inspection Template: Office Safety Checklist

8.      McKinnon, R.C. 2019.  The Design, Implementation, and Audit of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (Workplace Safety, Risk Management, and Industrial Hygiene)

9.      Merchant, D.F. 2020 Inspecting Personal Fall Protection Equipment: Technical Safety Handbook

10.  Rodney, D. 2020. Safety in the Workplace: Guide to Health and Safety in the Workplace to Prevent Accidents and Ensure That Great Work Gets Done

11.  U.S. Department of Labor and OSHA 2015. OSHA Instruction: Enforcement Procedures for Investigating or Inspecting Workplace Violence Incidents