Workplace inspection procedure

Worksite inspections should be carried out as determined by the level of risk to the area and work practices. The following offers a guide to the frequency. 

• High risk areas – monthly (or more frequently if the level of risk indicates)
• Medium risk areas – 3 monthly
• Low risk areas – 6 monthly

An assessment of each individual area should occur to determine the frequency.

For best results, a manager and at least one other worker should be involved in the worksite inspections.

• Review the checklist to be used.
• Conduct an inspection by walking around the workplace.
• Identify any physical hazards and areas of non-compliance against the checklist.
• Record all findings, providing specific comments, ensuring form is approved and dated and includes personnel conducting the inspections.
• Ensure responsibilities, priorities and time frames are listed when determining corrective action.

The following should be noted:

• slip and trip hazards
• relevance and adequacy of signs with a health and safety focus
• condition of safety signage
• general housekeeping
• damaged equipment, plant and building
• wrapping/crushing/entanglement/severing hazards
• lighting and noise
• emergency equipment, inspection of testing and tagging
• storage practices
• labelling and use of hazardous substances
• access and egress.

If a hazard or a non-compliance is identified corrective action must be identified. The responsibility for each corrective action must be allocated to a person or persons and include time frames and priority.

Priority should be determined by the level of risk posed by the hazard.

The following gives an indication of time frames required for each priority:

Priority – Time frame – Responsibility
High – Immediate action required – Manager or CEO should be advised
Medium – Needs to be actioned within 2 months – Supervisor or manager
Low – Needs to be monitored, action can be planned – Supervisor or manager

The workplace manager in consultation with employees and the HSR is to implement controls to address any hazards identified and recorded in the action plan. Where a control cannot be implemented immediately, or where a hazard previously identified has now been addressed, the workplace manager is to record/update the hazard details on the WHS risk register.

The workplace manager is to email the outcomes of the workplace inspections to all employees and HSR.

• Preparing a schedule of regular worksite inspections as per the suggested frequency.
• Conducting worksite inspections.
• Implementing appropriate risk control measures identified during worksite inspections.
• Consulting with employees in relation to outcomes of worksite inspections and the rectification of issues.

• Participating in worksite inspections.
• Using control measures as required and any other action taken, which is designed to protect health and safety and the environment.