Health And Safety Inspector Roles In Workplace Safety

If you are prepared, a visit from a workplace health and safety inspector should not be cause for concern. Workplace safety inspections are opportunities for you to have your workplace reviewed to ensure that it is as safe as possible.

As a business owner, the safety of your employees should be your top priority. Proper workplace health and safety measures are essential for employees and employers alike to feel confident and safe while they perform their duties. Appropriate workplace safety measures also reduce the number of costly and counterproductive injuries which can set your business back.

Workplace safety is not a one and done effort, it is something which needs to be built upon, improved, and maintained. Luckily workplace safety inspectors are there to help us continue along the path of improved safety, but sometimes their role is a bit misunderstood.

What Does a Workplace Health and Safety Inspector Do?

While it’s pretty obvious that a health and safety inspector inspects the safety of a workplace, what does that entail? Health and Safety duties include:

• Keeping employers and employees informed on their rights and their responsibilities under the workplace health and safety legislation.
• Ensuring guidelines and regulations are being followed properly in regards to document keeping, workers rights, and health and safety measures.
• Offering practical guidance material based on hazard identification and risk management.
• Promoting the consultation and representation of your employees in matters related to workplace health and safety.
• Issuing fines or stop work orders if they find health and safety violations.
• Offering recommendations for improvements to health and safety practices unique to your workplace.

Workplace Health and Safety Inspectors also encourage:

• Managers to commit to a planned approach to and try to continuously improve your health and safety at work. This may be in the form of a health and safety checklist, or other measures.
• Employees to communicate and participate in health and safety issues at all levels. This can include encouraging grater participation in health and safety committees.
• Employers and employees to control safety hazards at the source. This means taking ownership of workplace health and safety.
• Encourage appropriate provision of training, information and supervision. This can include courses and refreshers to ensure everyone is prepared and informed.
• Encourage the integration of workplace health and safety into broader enterprise systems and practices. This means creating a culture of safety in every level of operations.

To avoid fines or production loss due to stop work orders, it is vital you ensure your workplace or business is following all safety practices and regulations defined by the  Occupational Health and Safety Act. Workplace Health and Safety Inspectors can visit at any time without any prior warning, so you should always be prepared. On top of inspecting the workplace, they may also question management and employees alike to verify proper safety education is taking place. If the proper safety and training protocols are in place you will not be caught off guard and health and safety inspections will be a breeze.

Advanced Consulting & Training Offers Manager Due Diligence Training & Safety Consulting

A safe work place is crucial and ensuring that you have the right safety procedures and policies for things such as WHMIS-GHS, first aid CPR, Competent Supervisor, and Safety Awareness can create a great work environment that is safe and productive. Advanced Consulting takes great pride in their ability to deliver prompt, cost-effective and relevant workplace health and safety solutions. As a CPO approved, TSSA accredited, and WSIB approved provider, we look forward to discussing how ACT can help with your company’s safety requirements. Contact us today!