What is an OSHA Self Inspection Checklist?
An OSHA self-inspection checklist, also known as a self-audit checklist or self-assessment checklist, is a tool that allows employers, safety professionals, or organizations to conduct their own internal inspections of the workplace to identify and address safety and health hazards. It generally indicates items that aim to meet requirements, enforce industry standards, or implement best practices in compliance with the established regulatory agency, OSHA. Self-inspection checklists differ per organization, but there are a lot of ready-to-use templates that businesses and stakeholders can utilize as guides.
Why is OSHA Inspection Important?
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) was passed to prevent workers from being killed or seriously harmed at work. This law created the OSHA to assure safe working conditions by setting and enforcing standards. OSHA also provides information, training, and assistance to employers and workers.
Under the OSH Act, employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace. Through the use of OSHA compliance checklists, employers and employees can help each other identify hazards, minimize risk, and improve overall safety in the workplace. OSHA inspections focus on high-risk areas and sites with potential hazards, including overlooked risks in seemingly safe areas or with harmless equipment. Complaints from employees, organizations, other agencies, or the media often trigger these inspections, especially after serious injuries or fatalities, which in some of these cases would already be too late to mitigate.
What are the 3 Parts of an OSHA Inspection?
During an inspection, the OSHA inspector may ask some preliminary questions. It’s vital that a company representative answer these questions as truthfully and accurately as possible. Even if uncertain of the overall safety of the organization, it’s advisable to let the inspector continue as scheduled. Trying to delay an inspection will raise red flags and prompt the OSHA inspector to come back and conduct a more comprehensive inspection.
To give you an overview of how you can prepare and pattern your OSHA safety checklist template, these are the three main parts or phases of an OSHA inspection:
Opening conference
All OSHA safety audits start with the inspector detailing the purpose of the inspection and how it is to be conducted. If triggered by a complaint, this is where copies of the formal complaint are presented. Inspections may include employee interviews, which could be done privately or in the presence of managers, depending on the preferences of the employee.
Facility walkthrough
The OSHA inspector will walk through the facility and take notes and photographs for documentation. The company can choose an employee representative to be present during the walkthrough, but it is not required. Inspections are not limited to any one worksite, regardless of whether or not it was based on a specific complaint. Finding a violation in open view will prompt an OSHA inspector to expand the inspection with the permission of the company.
Closing conference
After a thorough walkthrough of the facility, the OSHA inspector should share findings during the closing conference, including any violations found or unsafe areas or practices observed. Employee representatives should then review the inspector’s recommendations and correct any deficiencies.
What to Include in Your OSHA Inspection Checklist?
The elements of an OSHA inspection checklist may depend on the use case. There are plenty of industry-specific checklists that you can use as a guide, but you have to make sure that they would help you comply with the safety standards set by OSHA for your business and industry. OSHA checklists are often broken down into smaller sections that enable you to inspect work areas in a more detailed manner. Below are some of the essential items to include in your checklist :
Medical Services and First Aid
OSHA checklists should always include safety and health-related information that ensures an avenue for medical services in the field. Some of these questions may include the availability of first aid kits, accessibility to hospitals/clinics, or whether medical personnel are present in the area.
Fire Protection
Aside from being part of OSHA inspection for facilities, it is generally a best practice to ensure that your business has good protection and procedure in case of fires. These questions may include whether there are fire doors in the facilities, fire extinguishers are available, or if the fire alarm systems are working and tested annually.
PPE and Clothing
Another essential item in an OSHA inspection checklist is the proper usage and supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). These should check whether your workers are properly utilizing them, and are maintained in good condition.
Other Items
OSHA’s inspection checklists may also typically include the following sections, which can guide you in creating your own self-inspection checklist:
- Employer posting
- Recordkeeping
- Safety and health program
- Medical services and first aid
- Fire protection
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and clothing
- General work environment
- Walkways
- Floor and wall openings
- Stairs and stairways
- Elevated surfaces
- Exiting or egress-evacuation
- Exit doors
- Portable ladders
- Hand tools and equipment
When an OSHA Inspection is completed using a checklist, a report can be generated that summarizes whether the organization is compliant to safety and health regulations. This helps flag items that require attention to avoid accidents and safety issues :
FAQs About OSHA Inspection Checklists
While OSHA safety audit checklists are primarily designed to assess compliance with OSHA regulations and identify workplace hazards during routine inspections, they can also serve as a valuable tool for conducting internal safety audits. The following are just some areas where it can be helpful:
- Compliance Verification
- Continuous Improvement
- Identifying Weaknesses
- Documentation
- Employee Training
OSHA inspection checklists, when used effectively, play a key role in having a positive impact on the overall work environment that shouldn’t be underestimated. Here’s an overview of the aspects it can be deemed helpful:
- Demonstrating Commitment to Safety
- Employee Empowerment (e.g., proactive incident reporting)
- Open Communication
- Recognition of Safe Practices
- Reduced Workplace Stress
- Accident Prevention
- Positive Feedback Loop
Yes, it’s highly advisable to ensure diligent recordkeeping of completed OSHA inspection checklists. Maintaining a comprehensive register of completed checklists serves several important purposes and benefits, both for regulatory compliance and overall safety management, including the following:
- Documentation for Regulatory Compliance
- Evidence of Due Diligence
- Progress Tracking
- Hazard Trends Monitoring
- Continuity and Knowledge Transfer
- Performance Evaluation
- Preparation for Official Inspections
To effectively maintain historical records, consider implementing digital recordkeeping solutions that can simplify the process and facilitate data retrieval when needed. Ultimately, these records are a valuable resource for promoting workplace safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.
Jona Tarlengco