Last Updated on October 23, 2022 by Ossian Muscad
If you’re responsible for workplace safety, you know that workplace inspections are critical to your job. But did you know that using a safety inspection checklist can help you proactively catch workplace hazards? This article will discuss safety inspection checklists, why they’re important, and how to create one from scratch. We’ll also discuss the benefits of using a safety inspection checklist in your workplace!
What is a Safety Inspection Checklist?
A safety inspection checklist is a tool that safety officers use to perform critical safety checks for their respective workplaces. With a workplace safety inspection checklist, inspectors can identify potential hazards that may damage company property or cause harm to employees onsite.
Safety inspection checklists let safety officers know:
- Check that workplace conditions meet safety standards
- Note any potential hazards in the workplace
- Take corrective action to mitigate workplace hazards
Purpose of Using a Safety Inspection Checklist?
The purpose of using a workplace safety inspection checklist is to ensure that workplace conditions meet safety standards and identify potential workplace hazards. Companies can avoid costly accidents, injuries, and damages by taking corrective action to mitigate workplace hazards.
Every workplace tailors to different types of safety hazards. Depending on the workplace, safety hazards could range from trips and falls to more severe risks such as electrical or chemical dangers.
For example, some workplace safety hazards to consider are:
- Trip and falls
- Poor lighting conditions
- Unsafe equipment or tools
- Hazardous chemicals or substances
- Inadequate ventilation
- Fire hazards
- Faulty electrical wiring
- Broken or missing safety guards
- Dangerous work environment
What To Include in a Workplace Safety Inspection Checklist?
Now that we know what a workplace safety inspection checklist is and why they’re important let’s talk about how to create one from scratch. When creating a workplace safety inspection checklist, you’ll want to consider the following:
- What type of workplace are you inspecting?
- What are the potential hazards in your workplace?
- What are the safety standards that your workplace must meet?
- What can corrective action be taken to mitigate workplace hazards?
Once you’ve considered these factors, you can start creating your workplace safety inspection checklist. Below is a sample workplace safety inspection checklist that you can use as a starting point:
- [ ] Check that workplace conditions meet safety standards
- [ ] Note any potential hazards in the workplace
- [ ] Take corrective action to mitigate workplace hazards
- [ ] Repeat on a regular basis
Using a workplace safety inspection checklist can proactively catch workplace hazards and take corrective action to avoid costly accidents, injuries, and damages.
Different Types of Safety Inspection Checklists
Safety inspection checklists are different for every workplace. This is because every workplace deals with a unique set of safety hazards. With that said, here are some of the most common types of safety inspection checklists:
Construction Safety Inspection Checklist
This type of checklist is used to assess the safety hazards present in construction sites. For example, this could involve checking for potential trip and fall hazards and electrical or chemical risks.
Industrial Safety Inspection Checklist
This type of checklist is used to assess the safety hazards present in industrial settings. For example, this could involve checking for potential trip and fall hazards, machinery risks, or chemical dangers.
Office Safety Inspection Checklist
This type of checklist is used to assess the safety hazards present in office settings. For example, this could involve checking for potential trip and fall hazards, electrical risks, or ergonomic dangers.
Hospital Safety Inspection Checklist
This type of checklist is used to assess hospital safety hazards. For example, this could involve checking for potential chemical contaminations, infection risks, or medical emergencies.
School Safety Inspection Checklist
This type of checklist is used to assess school safety hazards. For example, this could involve checking for potential trip and fall hazards, bullies, or strangers on school property.
Factory Safety Inspection Checklist
This type of checklist is used to assess the safety hazards present in factories. For example, this could involve checking for potential trip and fall hazards, machinery risks, or chemical dangers.
Warehouse Safety Inspection Checklist
This type of checklist is used to assess warehouse safety hazards. This could involve checking for potential trip and fall hazards and electrical or ergonomic dangers.
As you can see, many types of safety inspection checklists exist. The type of checklist you use will depend on the workplace you’re inspecting.
How to Create a Workplace Safety Inspection Checklist?
When creating a workplace safety inspection checklist, you’ll want to follow a specific process to ensure that all workplace hazards are accounted for. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create your workplace safety inspection checklist:
Step 1: Identify workplace hazards
The first step in creating a workplace safety inspection checklist is identifying workplace hazards. To do this, you’ll want to consider the type of workplace hazards specific to your workplace.
For example, if you work in a warehouse, some workplace hazards to consider are:
- Poor lighting conditions
- Unsafe equipment or tools
- Hazardous chemicals or substances
- Inadequate ventilation
- Fire hazards
Step 2: Create a checklist of workplace hazards
The second step is to create a checklist of workplace hazards. This list should include all possible workplace hazards, no matter how big or small.
For example, your workplace safety inspection checklist might look like this:
- Check for trip and fall hazards
- Inspect lighting conditions
- Test equipment and tools for safety
- Ensure ventilation is adequate
- Look for fire hazards
Step 3: Inspect the workplace for hazards
The third step is conducting a workplace inspection to identify potential hazards. During the workplace inspection, you’ll want to check for the following:
- Trip and fall hazards
- Poor lighting conditions
- Unsafe equipment or tools
- Hazardous chemicals or substances
- Inadequate ventilation
- Fire hazards
If you identify any workplace hazards, you’ll want to take corrective action to mitigate the hazard. For example, if you identify a trip and fall hazard, you might want to put up a sign to warn people of the hazard.
Step 4: Repeat on a regular basis.
The final step is to repeat the workplace safety inspection regularly. Depending on the workplace, inspections might need to be conducted weekly, monthly, or yearly.
By following these steps, you can create a workplace safety inspection checklist to help you proactively catch workplace hazards.
Following these tips can help you proactively catch potential workplace hazards. By identifying potential hazards in the workplace, safety officers can take corrective action to mitigate them before they cause harm.
Create Safety Inspection Checklists with DATAMYTE
Paper-based safety inspection checklists are a thing of the past. With DATAMYTE, you can create safety inspection checklists that are digital, paperless, and easy to use. The DataMyte Digital Clipboard is a workflow automation software designed to help you collect accurate data supporting your workplace safety efforts.
The DataMyte Digital Clipboard helps create a comprehensive and efficient checklist to help fuel workplace safety. Its digital and paperless design helps workplace safety teams identify potential hazards in the workplace and take corrective action to mitigate them before they cause harm.
To learn more about how the DataMyte Digital Clipboard can help you create workplace safety inspection checklists, book a demo with us today!
Conclusion
A workplace safety inspection checklist is a valuable tool that can help you proactively catch workplace hazards. By conducting regular workplace inspections, you can take corrective action to avoid costly accidents and injuries. Use this article’s tips to create your workplace safety inspection checklist. And, if you’re looking for a paperless and digital solution, check out the DataMyte Digital Clipboard.
