Perform Occupational Health and Safety Inspection using eAuditor
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) refers to the policies, procedures, and practices designed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of employees and others in the workplace. It aims to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and accidents by managing risks and ensuring a safe and healthy working environment.
Performing an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Inspection using eAuditor ensures a detailed, systematic approach to identifying workplace hazards, verifying safety compliance, and fostering a culture of health and safety. This process leverages eAuditor’s digital capabilities to streamline inspections, documentation, reporting, and corrective action management.
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Purpose of OHS Inspection
- Identify existing and potential workplace hazards across all operational areas.
- Ensure compliance with local and international occupational health and safety regulations.
- Prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and incidents through proactive risk management.
- Promote employee well-being and maintain a safe, healthy work environment.
- Verify the effectiveness of hazard controls and safety programs.
- Encourage employee involvement and safety awareness.
- Support organizational accountability and continuous safety improvements.
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Preparation and Setup in eAuditor
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Define Inspection Scope
- Identify all departments, processes, and workstations to be inspected.
- Consider high-risk areas such as manufacturing lines, chemical storage, and confined spaces.
- Review past incident reports, safety audits, and risk assessments.
- Align inspection focus with applicable legislation and company OHS policies.
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Customize or Select OHS Inspection Template
- Use or modify eAuditor templates with comprehensive checklists covering:
- Physical hazards: slips, trips, falls, electrical, and machinery safety.
- Chemical hazards: storage, labeling, handling, PPE use.
- Biological hazards: exposure to pathogens, waste disposal.
- Ergonomic risks: workstation design, manual handling, repetitive tasks.
- Fire safety: extinguishers, alarms, escape routes.
- Emergency preparedness: first aid, evacuation plans, and drills.
- PPE: availability, condition, and usage compliance.
- Training and competence: employee certifications and safety briefings.
- Environmental conditions: lighting, noise, ventilation, temperature.
- Incident reporting and investigation procedures.
- Housekeeping and waste management.
III. Assign Inspectors and Schedule Inspections
- Assign qualified OHS professionals or safety representatives with relevant expertise.
- Schedule inspections to cover different shifts, ensuring 24/7 safety oversight.
- Equip inspectors with necessary tools: cameras, measuring devices, PPE.
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Conducting the OHS Inspection
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Visual and Physical Checks
- Inspect machinery for guards, emergency stops, and lockout/tagout procedures.
- Identify trip hazards such as cables, uneven floors, or spills.
- Check chemical storage for correct labeling, containment, and ventilation.
- Assess PPE stations for stock levels and condition.
- Verify fire safety equipment’s accessibility, condition, and inspection dates.
- Examine emergency exits for obstruction and signage clarity.
- Observe housekeeping standards and waste disposal methods.
- Review ergonomic setups at workstations for proper posture and support.
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Functional Testing
- Test alarm systems, fire extinguishers, and emergency lighting.
- Confirm that ventilation systems are functioning effectively.
- Evaluate the adequacy of lighting, noise controls, and temperature regulation.
- Review communication tools for emergency alerts and reporting.
III. Employee and Procedure Review
- Interview workers about safety practices, hazards, and incident reporting.
- Verify completion of required safety training and certifications.
- Review incident and near-miss reports for trends or unresolved issues.
- Observe use of PPE and adherence to safety protocols during tasks.
- Confirm that supervisors conduct regular safety briefings and toolbox talks.
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Documentation and Evidence Collection
- Capture photos and videos of hazards, safe practices, and corrective actions.
- Record all inspection data, observations, and compliance statuses digitally.
- Log non-compliance issues and prioritize based on risk severity.
- Obtain signatures from inspectors and relevant personnel.
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Reporting and Follow-Up
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Generate Detailed Inspection Report
- Compile comprehensive reports including:
- Summary of inspection scope and methodology.
- Detailed findings, photographs, and compliance ratings.
- Identified hazards categorized by risk levels.
- Recommendations for corrective and preventive actions.
- Documentation of employee feedback and training status.
- Inspector credentials and signatures.
- Distribute reports to management, safety committees, and regulatory bodies as needed.
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Assign, Track, and Verify Corrective Actions
- Use eAuditor to assign corrective tasks with deadlines and responsible persons.
- Monitor progress with automated reminders and status updates.
- Conduct follow-up inspections to verify action completion.
- Escalate unresolved or critical safety issues promptly.
III. Continuous Safety Improvement
- Schedule periodic and surprise inspections to maintain ongoing vigilance.
- Update inspection checklists and protocols to reflect new hazards or regulations.
- Analyze inspection data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
- Promote continuous employee safety training and engagement programs.
- Encourage a proactive safety culture through recognition and feedback.
Summary
Leveraging eAuditor for Occupational Health and Safety Inspections enables organizations to systematically identify and mitigate workplace hazards, ensure compliance, and foster a safety-first culture. The platform’s digital tools facilitate thorough inspections, detailed reporting, and effective corrective action management, contributing to safer, healthier work environments and improved operational performance.