Short answer
A safety inspection is a planned round of the workplace where a manager and the safety representative look for hazards and conditions that should be put right. The findings are written down, followed up as deviations or measures, and checked again.
What is a safety inspection?
The safety inspection is one of the most common ways of keeping an eye on the working environment. The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority describes how the safety representative can carry out regular, systematic inspections in their area, and calls safety inspections an established method for this. The round is also a good part of the company’s systematic HSE work under section 3-1 of the Working Environment Act.
Who takes part?
Usually a manager and the safety representative go together. It is a good idea to bring an employee who knows the area well. The people who do the job every day often notice things others do not.
How often?
We have not found a fixed frequency in the rules. Decide how often you carry out safety inspections in your HSE plan or annual plan, based on the risk in the company. Also do an extra round after larger changes, such as a new machine, new premises or new tasks.
Before the round
- Agree on a time and who is going.
- Look at the last safety inspection and any open deviations.
- Bring the checklist, ideally on your phone, so you can take photos of findings.
Checkpoints
Adapt the list to your company. These are examples:
- Escape routes and emergency exits are clear and marked.
- Fire extinguishers and first aid equipment are in place and checked.
- Floors, stairs and corridors are tidy and free of trip hazards.
- Machines and tools have guards and are in good order.
- Chemicals are labelled and stored correctly, and safety data sheets are available.
- Protective equipment is available, fits and is used.
- Lighting, noise, temperature and air are acceptable.
- Working postures and lifting: are there heavy or repetitive tasks?
- The working environment in general: workload, cooperation, and whether anyone is exposed to violence or threats.
After the round
- Write down each finding, with the location and ideally a photo.
- Register what needs fixing as a deviation or a measure, with an owner and a deadline.
- Tell the employees what you found and what happens next.
- Check on the next round that the measures have been done.
If you have found new hazards, the risk assessment should also be updated. See the guide on risk assessment.
How the portal helps
In the HSE system you carry out safety inspections from a template on your phone. Findings can be reported as deviations that notify the person responsible, and the statistics show what has been closed.
Sources
The rules change. Always check the current text with the sources below. Most sources are in Norwegian. This guide is general information and not legal advice.