Risk-Sharing
The Benefits of a Self-Inspection Process
A self-inspection program is a key part of any loss control or safety program. The goal of a self-inspection program is to identify and correct safety hazards before an accident (liability) or employee injury (worker’s compensation) occurs. An effective program should involve top management as well as employees.
Self-inspections can occur at various times and can be conducted by various people depending on the size of your entity/department, the scope and the purpose of the inspection.
Establishing the Program
A planned monthly inspection should cover all areas, even those remote areas with little employee or public traffic. It is advisable to schedule the inspections when maximum observations can be made with the least amount of work interruption. The inspection group should be limited in size to approximately 2 to 4 members. Ideally, they should represent employees, supervisors, and safety. The team should be under the direction of a responsible member of management who will provide authority necessary to ensure its effectiveness. Specific responsibilities should be assigned (i.e. who will take notes, be the spokesperson, follow up on recommendations, etc.) Preparation for the Self-Inspection Process: 1.
Daily:
Each employee has the daily responsibility of inspecting their work area, tools, vehicles, and equipment at the beginning of each workday. Maintenance personnel, supervisors, and others whose duties take them into the various entity-owned buildings or areas such as playgrounds and ballfields should check for unsafe actions and conditions. In all cases where remedial action is needed, it should be reported and corrected as soon as possible.
Weekly:
Department heads and supervisors should take time from their busy schedules and tour their work sites looking for potential hazards and unsafe acts by employees. Supervisors should make safety contacts with the employees, not just looking for unsafe acts but to compliment employees for such things as following safety procedures and the proper use of PPE. This also gives supervisors an opportunity to hear about any safety concerns or suggestions on how to improve safety.
Monthly: This frequency allows for a more planned and thorough inspection by a safety committee or safety person. If your entity/department does not have a safety person or a safety committee, then someone should be assigned to perform monthly self-inspections. The participation of top management is also significant because it shows they are committed to safety. 26
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Training of inexperienced individuals or team members must be conducted. Such areas as building layouts and various work tasks performed by employees of the department should be reviewed. Additionally, anyone involved in the self-inspection process should be made aware of any regulatory standards or codes for specific departments. Other areas that should be covered include hazard recognition of unsafe acts and conditions and the purpose of the inspection. The risk-sharing pools have training resources available. Previous inspections should be reviewed. This is to ensure that previous recommendations have been completed.
Accident records for the various areas or departments should be reviewed. Information concerning how a particular accident occurred often will reveal hazards which need to be corrected.
Dress accordingly. All necessary personal protective equipment should be provided and worn in areas where it is required.
A preplanned route should be developed. This will ensure that all areas will be inspected completely and thoroughly. It also will eliminate backtracking, unnecessary interruptions of work tasks, and distractions.
Documentation:
Accurate inspection records are important. They serve as evidence of the program, provide documentation of necessary corrective actions, and provide a method of SOUTH DAKOTA MUNICIPALITIES
