An insight into the thoughts of your site inspector

If your routine site inspections are approaching fast, you will probably be eager to take precautions to ensure that they run as smoothly as possible. But first, let’s clear up any misconceptions. What is the purpose of a site inspection?

Site inspections ensure the health and safety of all those working on site – they function solely to prevent injury and avert avoidable deaths. If you can understand how your site inspector thinks - what they are looking for - you are on track for a relatively straightforward site inspection.

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Have A Positive Attitude

Your site inspector is there to observe, record and, most importantly, ensure the health and safety of everyone on site. The situation is not ‘personal’. The inspector has a job to do, just like you. They are not there to question your experience or to prevent the completion of important work. Have a good working knowledge of health & safety and embracing compliance will stand you in good stead to take care of both your workforce and theirs. Ensuring that sufficient systems are in place for safe working and taking the time to get your record keeping in order will further minimize any delays.

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What are they looking for?

Be honest and open – they are there to assist and facilitate, not criticize. They are looking for a willingness to comply without complacency or box-ticking.

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First Impressions

What do they at the site entrance? They will be looking for the following:

• An Efficient, Well-Run Site.
• Safe Traffic Management.
• Correct Signage. Is it visible and clearly displayed?
• All contractors and subcontractors to understand and conform to CDM 2015 Part 4 (from traffic routes & vehicles to lighting).

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Documentation

Is there evidence of excellent record keeping on-site? Are there robust systems in place? Is compliance based on evidence and documentation? Are RAMS in place? Are they signed? PUWER register - inspecting equipment once a week ( Hiltigun use etc). TOOLBOX talks. CDM regs– the contractor should know them. Toolbox talks keep everyone aware before they go out on-site – they keep health& safety in everyone’s consciousness. LOLER ( lifting). Is there evidence of control and order? Any special operations?

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Awareness

There is no point in having safe systems and documentation in place if workers are not aware of it. If site workers are fully aware of safe systems and good practices, this is a positive sign the site is well run. If the site workers have a complacent attitude or are unaware of H&S practices, this will ring alarm bells for the inspector.

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The Grand Tour

• How many people are working on-site?
• What operations are being carried out and where?
• Is the site manager attempting to conceal anything?
• What machinery or tools are being used?
• Specific operations – excavations or concrete pumping?
• Are people working at heights?
• What is traffic management like?

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The Close-Out Report:

All observations and other finer details will then be written up by the inspector, who will consequently issue a close-out report. This will include any remedial action to be carried out that will then be readdressed during the next visit.
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A good site inspector will see their relationship with the site manager as collaborative and reciprocal. Often the site inspector learns something new and useful too!
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Contractors often present in three different ways:

• Profit – These contractors are driven by money.
• Promotion –These contractors have their sites routinely inspected and commission inspections voluntarily.
• Proactive – These contractors prioritize employee wellbeing and just want their people to go home safe. Commissioning random (unannounced) inspections shows that the safety of their employees is paramount.

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Which one are you?