Regular inspections of the workplace are an integral part of the process, to ensure workplace safety. The HSWA requires all PCBUs to regularly assess all risks and determine whether they are (still) a significant risk. As the word “Regularly” is used, it infers that there must be more than one initial inspection, and so ongoing inspections must be carried out.
These inspections will cover the general workplace appearance, risks (including vehicles, equipment, maintenance and other workplace procedures which involve significant risks) and the completion of procedures. They will include among other topics; incident reporting, safety meetings, emergency procedure drills and the various forms of training and licensing. All inspection records will be documented and maintained.
The inspection process is to be carried out at a maximum of six monthly intervals or sooner if there is significant change to the workplace. These inspections will be carried out by a Health and Safety consultant or a suitably trained safety or management representative, to minimise the potential of risks new or existing being ignored because “they are always there.” it does not mean that issues that affect health and safety should wait until the next meeting or inspection before being corrected.
Issues found during inspections are to be assigned to a specific staff member(s) and signed off when completed. These are to be followed up at each toolbox/safety meeting, or sooner if the corrective action needs to be immediate.
It is also worth considering that this process is also a way of showing how well you and your employees are performing in this important business process.
The importance of regular maintenance and servicing of machinery and equipment also cannot be overestimated, to have safe and efficient equipment at your disposal. The form on page 8.5 can be used to keep track of these events.