Site Inspection Reports

While just about any type of work environment can benefit from a good site inspection report, it most commonly associated with construction work. According to OSHA, one in five worker deaths annually is in construction; a testament to just how dangerous construction work can be. In a field where fatalities and serious injuries occur so frequently, safety cannot be taken for granted.

This article will briefly discuss the following:

• what a good site inspection report looks like;
• scope of field inspections; and
• technology to streamline site inspection reporting.

What a Good Site Inspection Report Looks Like

A good site inspection report is composed of multiple elements that work well together. Though the contents of each report may vary depending on factors such as team size, nature of work, and available resources, the elements discussed below are relevant to all use cases of site inspection reports:

1. It consistently adheres to set standards
   Across your entire organization, your standards for what a good site inspection report looks like must be consistent. One of the main challenges, especially with larger corporations that operate in several locations, is keeping every personnel aligned with quality standards. A good site inspection report must be consistent with the company’s set standards so collaboration across different teams, departments, and sites to address identified issues  are streamlined.
2. It caters to the right audience
   Is the site inspection report for internal use? Is it meant to be accessed and reviewed only by employees of the company?; or is it a site inspection report specifically requested by a client? A good site inspection report must know its target audience. Through knowing, site inspection reporters can adjust the language and terminology so the information can be communicated clearly no matter who is on the receiving end.
   
3. It is founded on accountability
   Establishing a culture of accountability is one of the most important factors in consistently producing good site inspection reports. In essence, the first two items can only be achieved across the entire organization if a culture of accountability has been established beforehand. Accountability within the organization ensures that each and every person is aware of the importance of their role which compels them to do their best to fulfill them.
   

Scope of Field Inspections

In the construction industry, inspections are critical in every aspect of the construction project. Field inspections or site inspections are usually done once per week and within 24 hours of significant rain. These inspections are done to not only be compliant but also to guarantee that activities involved in the construction project are done as planned and according to requirements. Contractors also use inspections to ensure that they don’t destroy the site and soil during the project; otherwise, profits are lost.

• Conducting field inspections requires field inspectors to inspect the following:
• Areas disturbed by construction activity
• Areas used for storage of materials exposed to precipitation
• Areas where control measures are installed and maintained
• Areas where pollutants have accumulated and may enter stormwater
• Locations where vehicles enter or exit the site
• Areas where stormwater typically flows
• Points of discharge from the site
• Portions of the site where stabilization measures have been initiated

As inspectors check these areas, there are certain things to look out for. Among these are the following:

• Check for the presence of accumulated sediment near the project area boundary that has a potential for being washed outside of the project boundary on locations such as roadways or parking lots, stormwater conveyance systems, storm drain inlets, and discharge points
• Check for evidence of, or potential for, spills, leaks, or other accumulations of pollutants on the site entering the stormwater conveyance system or water bodies
• Check visible areas where erosion has occurred near the project area boundary that has a potential for being washed outside of the project boundary
• Check locations where new or modified measures are necessary
• Check all points that discharge from the site and determine the conditions contributing to that discharge
• Take note of incidents of noncompliance observed and corrective actions taken (if any)

Once the field inspection is complete, it is required to prepare an inspection report containing all the information collected. A good inspection report should contain a detailed description of any identified issues and the appropriate corrective actions to be taken. Inspection reports should also contain signatures of authorized and appropriate persons.

Using Technology to Streamline Site Inspection Reporting

Performing site inspections and later compiling the data into a site inspection report can be plenty of work. Traditionally, site inspectors record their risk and hazard findings via pen-and-paper forms. Aside from needing both hands to accomplish these forms, they are also susceptible to loss, damage, and unauthorized access.

iAuditor by SafetyCulture is a versatile mobile inspection and reporting app designed to improve safety and quality in the workplace. By using iAuditor as your site inspection software, safety inspectors and frontline workers can take advantage of the following features to streamline safety practices in your place of work:

Go completely paperless and save time, money, and space

Get rid of paper inspection templates and reports by converting them into iAuditor’s digital format. You can also download and use our pre-made site inspection templates via our public library for free, or create custom templates from scratch with our drag-and-drop template builder.

Protect your data from unauthorized access via unlimited cloud storage

Site inspection data and reports are automatically saved to your iAuditor account via unlimited cloud storage. Set access permissions to ensure that only authorized users can access your data.

Faster Reporting

Using iAuditor, inspectors can automatically generate and share inspection reports immediately after completing an inspection. No more waiting to get back to the office or typing up reports.

“Now auditors can finish their inspection reports, take pictures, and it all incorporates into one document. You can send it right from the field.” – Mark Hickey, Environmental Health and Safety Engineer

Take photos, add annotations, and write notes

Create rich inspection reports by capturing photos to supplement your data as you go. Simply click the add photo button and take photos through the app. Use the drawing tools to highlight areas that need attention and write additional notes for better clarity.

Rich data and analytics

Access all your previous inspection report data securely using the app or the website. Monitor, analyze and improve site inspections with analytics that track inspection frequency & performance.

“iAuditor has saved us about 1,500 man hours per year. That’s a huge efficiency gain.” – Nick Argyropoulous, NA Managing Director