Workplace inspection exercises

The following four examples are given of workplaces with numerous inadequately controlled hazards. They can be used to practise workplace inspections and risk assessments. 

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The timing of workplace inspections is most important and, at best, the onfy picture you are likely to get from the effort is a snapshot of the conditions as they existed at the time of the check. One hour earlier or later a different rating could result. Consequently, carrying out inspections after the area has been cleaned up, limits the opportunities to identify risks and reduces the effectiveness of the exercise. 

Exercise A SHE manager of a construction company summarises the results of the workplace inspection at one of the company s sites. He finds similar results to those illustrated by Figure 10.8. When the site manager is confronted with the results, he decides to set up a quality-improvement project. Your tasks as responsible for this project are ... 

Appendix 19.1 gives examples of poor workplaces which can be used for practice exercises. Appendix 19.2 shows a basic list of construction inspection issues, which can be adapted to any particular organization s needs. A policy checklist is given in Chapter 2. 

The staff making the observations should be trained in the technique and should have a broad knowledge of the procedures and processes being carried out. The results of the sample inspections are collated by a specific manager or health and safety adviser and presented in graphic form. This system, in effect, monitors the overall effectiveness of safety management in various areas of a workplace. An example of a safety sampling exercise form is shovm at Fig. 4.1 (see p. 100). 

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