A work area inspection is an important safety measure that should be performed regularly in order to protect yourself and your employees. In this blog post, we will discuss what to look for during a work area inspection, as well as how to protect yourself from potential hazards.

What is a work area inspection?

A work area inspection is a visual assessment of the work environment that is conducted in order to identify potential hazards. These inspections can be conducted by employees, supervisors, or safety professionals. 

Why are work area inspections important?

Inspections are important because they help to ensure that the work environment is safe for everyone. There are different reasons an inspection may be carried out such as:

• Investigation of a workplace incident or report of unsafe work practices
• Resolving work health and safety issues
• Assessing whether workplace health and safety policies are being followed
• Assessment of whether machines and gear are working and in good condition
• Audits

What to Focus on During an Inspection:

• Potential hazards such as trip hazards, electrical hazards, chemical hazards, and so on.
• Observation or test of a particular machine or work process
• Request an appropriate worker to produce certain documents to ensure they are being completed and stored correctly
• Talk to managers, supervisors and workers to enquire about workplace incidents and potential hazards

What to Focus on After an Inspection:

• Provide a summary of the inspection for management that explains any issues noticed and any action that needs to be taken
• If you find a hazard during a work area inspection, you should take steps to mitigate the hazard. This may include repairing the hazard, removing the hazard, or creating a barrier to prevent exposure to the hazard
• Any issues that need to be rectified immediately must be explained and dealt with before work continues

How to Prepare for a Work Area Inspection:

• Make sure all hazards are corrected or removed
• Ensure all PPE is properly stored and easily accessible
• Review safety procedures with employees
• Have a list of potential hazards ready to share with the inspector

Tips to protect yourself from potential hazards:

• Use proper personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Be aware of your surroundings and work safely
• Follow all safety procedures and protocols
• Report any potential hazards to your supervisor or safety professional

Work area inspections are an important part of keeping yourself and your employees safe. By knowing what to look for and how to protect yourself, you can create a safer work environment for everyone and ensure a successful work area inspection. 

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This Post Is Part Of A Series: 101 Toolbox Topic Ideas For The Construction Industry
Do you struggle to come up with toolbox talk ideas each week to discuss with your workers? Fear no more, Work Safety QLD is here to the rescue with 101 Free Toolbox Talk Ideas for the Construction Industry.