What Does a Safety Inspector Do?

The importance of a safety inspector cannot be understated. They are key in maintaining and improving the health and safety of workplaces in various industries. However, their actual duties and qualifications tend to get muffled and obscured.

Hence the team at Advanced CT would like you to know exactly what a safety inspector does.

What Does A Safety Inspector Do?

The obvious answer is that they examine a workspace to verify the occupational health and safety of its inhabitants. However, there is a lot of detail that is not fully grasped by the average worker. Other duties of a safety inspector include:

• Ensuring that employers and employees stay up-to-date with the health and safety regulations that govern workplaces and their duties and privileges under said regulations.
• Confirming that the regulations in place are adhered to, especially concerning health and safety measures, rights of employees, and keeping of records.
• Issuing reprimands like stop work orders and fines if violations are detected.
• Recommending enhancements and adjustments to a workplace’s safety measures.
• Performing random checks to verify compliance at all times
• Questioning employees to ensure that they are educated on health and safety measures.

Qualifications of A Safety Inspector

The basic criteria for eligibility are a minimum age of 18 years and the ability to legally work in the country. Mandatory qualifications include

• a valid driver’s license (Class G)
• the capability of extensive travel 
• willingness to make calls after hours, in the evenings and on weekends
• English language proficiency, both written and oral (French proficiency is necessary for a designated bilingual position)

For specialized fields like mining, electrical, and mechanical positions, technical knowledge and work experience in the field are required.

Training of A Safety Inspector

The mandatory period of training for all newly hired safety inspectors is 5-6 months. The training program is conducted through a combination of in-person and virtual sessions. Part of the training process includes sessions in the field with the assistance of an experienced inspector.

Training courses for new hires include

• The Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Policy and procedures
• Prosecution policy and methods
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
• Provincial Offences Act 

For specialized sectors like mining and construction, there will also be specific training geared toward the sector in question.

After training is complete, the new inspector enters a probationary period of 9 months. During that time, they are regularly tested on the knowledge and skills they acquired during training. 

Benefits of a Safety Inspector

Even though it might feel like an unnecessary and inconvenient measure, a safety inspector’s actions can provide invaluable advantages to any company.

Finding any potential hazards that average workers might miss is crucial. A safety inspector can help keep employees safe and allow them to feel more comfortable and confident in the workspace.

Successful inspections also contribute to boosted morale among employees. When workers can express their views on workplace safety, they know that information will be taken to their superiors and will be handled. Knowing that the workplace will be safe due to their contributions will increase employee morale and lead to boosted productivity.

Advanced Consulting and Training – Ontario’s Health and Safety Experts

A safety inspector is a key part of maintaining and improving a business’s health and safety practices. Even if they seem ill-timed and unwelcome, the intangible benefits your organization can derive from their visits are priceless. 

Please contact us if you need a health and safety assessment of your workspace. Advanced CT has provided effective and efficient health and safety solutions since its inception in 1998. Our Workplace Safety Audits allow companies to identify areas of improvement and prepare for official inspections. We aspire to provide the best health and safety training to keep your work and workers safe.