Workplace Inspection Procedure
Workplace Inspection Procedure
APPROVED BY:
1. PROCEDURAL DETAILS
1.1. SRCCCL has a legal requirement to provide, and maintain, so far as is practicable, a working
environment in which workers are not exposed to hazards.
1.2. Managers (or their delegate) are responsible for conducting workplace inspections, unless
there is an elected HSE Officer for the area.
1.3. Workplace inspection schedules
1.3.1. Workplace inspections will be conducted by the person responsible for conducting
workplace inspections at agreed upon intervals, but in accordance with the details
provided in the table below:
2.3.2. The person responsible for conducting workplace inspections will also conduct
inspections:
(a) at any time after giving reasonable notice to the person conducting the business or
undertaking at that workplace; and
(b) at any time, without notice, in the event of an incident, or any situation involving a
serious risk to the health or safety of a person emanating from an immediate or
imminent exposure to a hazard; Supervisors and managers may participate in any
inspection process, and are encouraged to do so.
2.4. Inspection Checklists
2.4.1. All workplace inspections will be completed by using the SRCCCL workplace inspection
checklists.
2.5. Preparation for the inspection
Prior to the inspection the person responsible for conducting the workplace inspection will:
(a) advise the area supervisor and Client rep. that an inspection is planned;
(b) use the relevant workplace inspection checklists for the area;
(c) where one exists, locate previously completed workplace inspection checklists to
check that identified hazards have been actioned; and
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(d) gather the equipment required to undertake the inspection including any personal
protective equipment (PPE) specific to the area.
2.6. Conducting the inspection
When conducting the inspection, the person responsible will:
(a) ensure the area is safe to enter and that all PPE is worn;
(b) notify the supervisor and/or person in charge of the area (as appropriate) that the
inspection is commencing;
(c) avoid interrupting work being conducted, unless it appears unsafe;
(d) follow all safety requirements;
(e) immediately make the area safe if a hazard is identified. This may require tagging out
of items, removing items from use, barricading areas or placing warning signage;
(f) use the workplace inspection checklists as a tool to prompt and guide the inspection,
completing as much of the checklist as possible during the inspection; and
(g) advise the supervisor when the inspection is completed.
3. RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1. Managers and supervisors
Responsible for:
(a) conducting workplace inspections, or delegating this responsibility, unless there is an
elected HSE Officer for the area;
(b) providing time and resources to enable the workplace inspection to be conducted; and
(c) ensuring corrective actions arising from the inspection are completed in a timely
manner.
3.2. Health and Safety Representatives
Responsible for:
(a) conducting workplace inspections as directed by these procedures.
4. SCOPE OF PROCEDURES
These procedures apply to all workers involved in conducting workplace inspections.
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5. DEFINITIONS
Corrective action
An action taken after an incident to eliminate or reduce the risk of a similar incident recurring.
Hazard
A situation that has the potential to harm a person, interrupt business or cause damage to the
environment, business reputation or property.
Workplace inspection
Inspection of the workplace to:
(a) identify hazards within the work and surrounding areas;
(b) identify changes to work areas which may pose new risks;
(c) monitor health and safety management system performance in a systematic manner; and
(d) monitor effectiveness of previous corrective actions.
Worker
A person is a worker if the person carries out work in any capacity for the person conducting a business
or undertaking, including work as –
(a) An employee; or
(b) A contractor or subcontractor; or
(c) An employee of a contractor or subcontractor; or
(d) An employee of a labour hire company who has been assigned to work in the person’s business
or undertaking; or
(e) An outworker; or
(f) An apprentice or trainee; or
(g) A student gaining work experience; or
(h) A volunteer; or
(i) A person of a prescribed class.