Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

7.6.2 Inspections
General
This may be achieved by developing a checklist or 
inspection form that covers the key issues to be moni-
tored in a particular department or area of the organ-
ization within a particular period. It might be useful to 
structure this checklist using the ‘four Ps’ (note that the 
examples are not a defi nitive list):
➤
premises
, including:
➤
access/escape
➤
housekeeping
➤
services like gas and electricity
➤
working 
environment
➤
fi re precautions
➤
plant and substances
, including:
➤
machinery 
guarding
➤
tools and equipment
➤
local exhaust ventilation
➤
use/storage/separation of materials/chemicals
➤
procedures
, including:
➤
safe systems of work
➤
permits to work
➤
use of personal protective equipment
➤
procedures 
followed
➤
people
, including:
➤
health 
surveillance
➤
people’s 
behaviour
➤
training and supervision
➤
appropriate authorized person.
It is essential that people carrying out an inspection 
do not in any way put themselves or anyone else at 
risk. Particular care must be taken with regard to safe 
access. In carrying out these safety inspections, the 
safety of people’s actions should be considered, in add-
ition to the safety of the conditions they are working in – 
a ladder might be in perfect condition but it has to be 
used properly too.
Key points in becoming a good observer
To improve health and safety performance, managers 
and supervisors must eliminate unsafe acts by observing 
them, taking immediate corrective action, and following 

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