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When a workplace safety inspector comes a knockin’

By Stephen Pehm, OHS Consultant – Action OHS Consulting.

For most self storage operators, the only time you will see a Workplace Safety Inspector is if: l You have a serious safety-related incident in your workplace which you notified to your Safety Regulator l A report of a potential safety breach related to your workplace is made; l If an Inspector calls in to see you in a random or hazard targeted program.

A notifiable incident or a negative report may mean a (serious) incident or safety breach has occurred, while a targeted hazard program will likely be conducted in a much more relaxed setting.

The first thing to say about a Safety Inspector Visit is that you should not panic! If you have been managing safety, you can use the visit to health check your system. Most Inspectors are willing to offer advice about how to address identified safety issues, so use them as a resource. Remember, it is an offence to hinder, obstruct, assault, threaten or intimidate an inspector or a person assisting an inspector.

IF A SAFETY INSPECTOR TURNS UP:

1Ask for them to wait until you or an appropriate manager can meet with them. If you know, they are coming in advance, be there to greet the Inspector.

2The Inspector will always show their identification and let you know the reason that they have come to your storage facility. If the inspection is the result of a complaint, the general nature of it will be outlined to you.

3As a first step, most Safety Inspectors will ask if you have a Health and Safety Representative (HSR), if you do, you should ensure they are available as they have the right to accompany a Safety Inspector.

4Ask the Inspector to define the areas that they will need to see and accompany them, taking notes as you go and even taking photographs. While a visit will generally be confined to specified areas, they can legally demand to see any part of your facility.

5Stay with the Inspector during the walk-around. Ask as many questions as you need to, to ensure full clarity on all items discussed.

6Where possible, fix any noted issues as you go or make a note and inform the Inspector that you will have the issue addressed as soon as possible.

7Only provide records to a Safety Inspector which are specifically requested. Having all your documents easily accessible certainly helps. A Cloud-based software management system such as Safety Champion can assist you in this. 8 Use the closing part of the visit for summarising any hazards, issues and possible controls with the Safety Inspector. In most cases, any defects which are not able to be rectified during the inspection will result in an Improvement Notice. Remember, clarify any of these which you are unsure about with the Inspector.

If you can engage the Inspector as an ally and impress on them that you are keen and willing to make improvements to your system, they are generally keen to help and will point you in the right direction. l

If you do get an improvement notice, don’t worry. Contact the SSAA OHS Help Desk on 1800 067 313. They can provide advice and guidance in respect of any notice issued by a Safety Inspector and answer any questions you have.