Workplace Inspections are a way of systematically and officially checking that your working environment and procedures are meeting the standards that are required. An inspection should identify any potential hazards and be a method in which you can introduce measures to improve the conditions of your facility.
Whether it’s a formal or an informal inspection, what is important is that they are carried out to a set standard and at regularly as necessary.
So, why are inspections important? Inspections are a vital element of any safety management plan, used to determine whether you are meeting the standards that you should be within your workplace and work activities. If carried out effectively, inspections allow you to identify and successfully rectify any problems before they become more serious or actually result in an accident.
Everyone who visits your workplace or is affected by your work activities could be at risk if you fail to identify an issue that could cause harm or damage, which is why inspections are so important. General Health and Safety Legislation requires that as an employer you provide a safe place of work, safe access and safe plant, equipment and systems of work.
You need to carry out inspections in order to see whether you are providing and maintaining a safe workplace and working arrangements.
There are some inspections that you are required to carry out by law – ie: annual inspection and safety check on gas boilers. Other statutory inspections that should be carried out will be dependent on the nature of your industry and facility. For example, the Lifting Equipment and Lifting Operations Regulations (LOLER) and The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) both outline very specific requirements for the inspection of facilities and equipment, which will need to be considered as part of your inspection regime if you work within these industries.
So it is a good idea to by be fully aware of what inspections are specific to your industry and to comply with these regulations. When it comes to your ventilation system, you will need to ensure that you have inspections and checks in place to ensure that the system in clean and working sufficiently, keeping the air fresh and safe.
If you have any questions about the process of inspecting your ventilation systems are working, or about the implementation of ensuring your building and facilities are fully ventilated, please give us a call. We will be more than happy to answer any of your questions. You can also find out more information about Local Exhaust Ventilation workplace fume and dust extraction here.