Workplace Inspections Safety Talk
Workplace inspections are a basic necessity of any safety program. Workplace inspections should be done prior to the start of work as well as periodically throughout the shift and at the end of the work task. Workplace inspections serve the purpose of identifying and mitigating any hazards in the work area prior to or during a work task. There can always additional hazards present in any work area that were not planned for.
Objects, equipment, people, or even biological hazards find their way into work areas disrupting the work and creating additional hazards. It is important any unnecessary people, items, or equipment are identified and removed prior to the start of a work task. Fewer people in the area leaves less people that are potentially in the line of fire during a work task. Objects that are not needed in the area create trip hazards or can be struck by moving equipment. Biological hazards such as insects or wildlife in work areas can pose many hazards to workers. Insects such as ticks or spiders can carry disease or poison that can affect an individual for years. Wildlife poses threats to both property and people.
Some items that should be looked for during a workplace inspection include but are not limited to:
- Slip, trip, and fall hazards
- Fire hazards
- Faulty equipment
- Housekeeping deficiencies
- Biological hazards
- Missing equipment guards
- Electrical cord and outlet problems
- Sharp objects that could cut people
- Unnecessary objects in way of work task
Discussion points:
-What are things you look for during your workplace inspections?
-What do you do if you find a problem in your work area during an inspection?
-What is a hazard you discovered while conducting a workplace inspection?
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