02 Apr Site Safety Inspections

Site Safety Inspections

Site safety inspections help identify and correct workplace hazards before they result in injuries, property damage, or regulatory violations. Inspections should be conducted regularly, documented, and followed through until identified deficiencies have been corrected.

Guide for Discussion

Inspection Frequency and Documentation

The frequency and scope of inspections should be based on the type of work being performed, site conditions, regulatory requirements, and the hazards present.

• Conduct inspections at established intervals and whenever changing conditions warrant additional review.
• Use a site-specific checklist appropriate for the work and hazards.
• Document unsafe conditions and deficiencies identified during the inspection.
• Assign responsibility and a target date for corrective action.
• Correct serious or imminent hazards immediately or stop affected work until adequate controls are established.
• Follow up to verify corrective actions have been completed and are effective.
• Retain inspection records according to company requirements.

Employees should also continuously monitor their work areas and report hazards rather than waiting for a scheduled inspection.

Safety Programs, Records, and Postings

Verify that required safety information is current and readily available.

Check for:

• Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for hazardous chemicals.
• Required written safety programs and procedures.
• Employee training and qualification records.
• Emergency procedures and contact information.
• Required workplace safety and labor postings.
• Inspection and maintenance records.
• Permits and other documentation required for current operations.

Required postings and emergency information should be placed where employees can readily see or access them.

Walking and Working Surfaces

Inspect floors, stairs, sidewalks, platforms, and other walking surfaces for conditions that could cause slips, trips, or falls.

• Keep surfaces clean and orderly.
• Promptly clean or control water, oil, mud, and other slippery substances.
• Repair or protect holes and damaged walking surfaces.
• Keep cords, hoses, tools, and materials out of walkways.
• Provide appropriate slip-resistant surfaces where needed.
• Maintain required guards or covers around openings and other fall hazards.

Housekeeping and Material Storage

Good housekeeping should be maintained throughout the workday.

• Keep aisles, exits, stairs, and walkways unobstructed.
• Remove waste and debris regularly.
• Stack and secure materials to prevent sliding, falling, or collapsing.
• Place heavier materials on lower shelving when practicable.
• Do not overload shelves or storage systems.
• Maintain required clearance below sprinkler heads.
• Keep stored materials away from electrical equipment, emergency equipment, and ignition sources.
• Correct unstable or improperly secured storage immediately.

Rather than relying on a universal maximum stacking height, materials should be stacked, blocked, interlocked, and limited in height so they remain stable and secure.

Electrical Safety

Inspect electrical installations and equipment for obvious hazards.

• Maintain required working clearance around electrical panels and equipment.
• Keep panel doors accessible and unobstructed.
• Inspect cords and plugs for damage.
• Remove damaged electrical equipment from service.
• Do not route cords through locations where they can be damaged or create trip hazards.
• Use extension cords only as permitted and not as a substitute for permanent wiring.
• Do not connect power strips or relocatable power taps in an unsafe manner.
• Provide GFCI protection where required.
• Keep electrical equipment protected from water and other damaging conditions.

Aisles, Exits, and Emergency Access

Exit routes and emergency access must remain clear at all times.

• Keep exits and exit routes unobstructed.
• Ensure exit signs are visible and properly illuminated where required.
• Clearly identify doors that could be mistaken for exits when necessary.
• Do not improperly block or secure fire doors in the open position.
• Maintain sufficient aisle and passageway width for the occupancy and operation.
• Keep access to fire extinguishers, electrical equipment, eyewash stations, and other emergency equipment clear.

Avoid relying on a single aisle-width requirement for every workplace. Required widths can vary based on the facility, occupancy, accessibility requirements, and applicable regulations.

Tools, Machinery, and Equipment

Inspect tools and equipment for safe operating condition.

Look for:

• Missing or damaged machine guards.
• Defective controls or emergency stops.
• Damaged electrical cords or plugs.
• Loose, cracked, or excessively worn components.
• Improper modifications.
• Fluid leaks.
• Missing warning labels.
• Unsafe or improperly stored tools.

Defective equipment should be removed from service, identified to prevent accidental use, and repaired or replaced before being returned to operation.

Chemical Safety

Inspect chemical use and storage areas for:

• Proper container labeling.
• Current and accessible SDSs.
• Closed containers when materials are not being used.
• Appropriate segregation of incompatible chemicals.
• Proper storage of flammable and combustible liquids.
• Spill-control supplies.
• Adequate ventilation where required.
• Required PPE.
• Evidence of leaking or damaged containers.

Chemical storage requirements should be based on the material’s hazards and SDS rather than assuming every chemical can be stored in the same manner.

Personal Protective Equipment

Verify that required PPE is:

• Appropriate for the identified hazards.
• Available to affected employees.
• Properly maintained and stored.
• Clean and sanitary.
• Inspected before use.
• Replaced when damaged or no longer protective.

Employees should understand when PPE is required and how to properly wear, inspect, maintain, and store it.

Emergency and Fire Protection Equipment

Include applicable emergency equipment in routine inspections.

Check:

• Fire extinguishers.
• Fire alarm equipment.
• Emergency lighting.
• Eyewash stations and emergency showers.
• First-aid supplies.
• Spill-response equipment.
• Emergency exits and evacuation routes.

Fire extinguishers should receive the required monthly visual inspections and annual maintenance. Other fire protection and emergency systems should be inspected and tested at the frequencies required by applicable standards, manufacturer instructions, and company procedures.

Correcting Identified Hazards

Finding a hazard is only the first part of an effective inspection program. When a deficiency is identified:

1. Correct it immediately when possible.
2. Protect employees from the hazard until permanent correction can be completed.
3. Notify the responsible supervisor or manager.
4. Document the corrective action.
5. Establish responsibility and a completion date for outstanding items.
6. Follow up to verify the correction was completed.
7. Evaluate whether similar hazards may exist elsewhere on the site.

Remember

Do not treat an inspection as simply completing a checklist. Look closely at the actual work being performed, talk with employees, identify changing conditions, and ensure corrective actions are completed. An identified hazard that remains uncorrected can still cause an injury.