There are two types of inspections:
Ongoing (informal) inspections.
Planned (formal) inspections.
Ongoing Inspections
Safety problems do not wait for scheduled reviews - the supervisor must be constantly watching for acts and conditions. In fact, employees should be involved in ongoing inspections; ongoing inspections are essential to keep small problems from developing into major ones. Often problems can be corrected simply with a brief instruction to an employee. Other situations require additional action, which the supervisor should arrange for and follow-up on (e.g. unplanned toolbox talks, corrective action, meeting with senior management, or stopping the use of some equipment.)
Employees should be encouraged to notify their supervisor of any hazardous situations whenever they see them. Their supervisor should take prompt corrective action in response to these concerns.
Planned Inspections
Informal inspections, however, is not enough. Formal (planned) inspections should be conducted regularly to provide a complete record of conditions on the worksite. The frequency of inspections depends on:
- The number and size of work operations.
- The number of shifts and activity level on each shift.
- The degree of hazard involved in equipment and work processes.
- The past history of equipment or system failures.
There are several forms of planned inspections:
- Periodic inspections - conducted at regular, scheduled intervals. The greater the accident/incident severity potential, the more often these inspections should be conducted.
- Intermittent inspections - conducted at irregular intervals. It is important that you don't just inspect at planned intervals. People have a tendency to clean up their act or their worksite if they know an inspection is coming.
- General inspections - conducted in places (not included in periodic inspection) such as non-work areas that are assumed to be non-hazardous. Sometimes the supposed non-hazardous area can be like the proverbial unloaded gun. Too many "unloaded" guns have killed people - we can't afford to take things for granted.
To be effective, inspections need to be carefully planned, conducted properly, and followed-up with corrective action or a "pat on the back" for having a safe worksite.