If there’s one thing that strikes fear into the hearts of workers, it is workplace inspections. Many industries require regular visits to ensure that work is high quality and compliant for health and safety reasons. So, how can you prepare for them?
Teaching
Although every country and state are different, schools and colleges have regular inspections to ensure teaching is effective and young people receive a good quality education in compliance with teaching standards. So how can teaching staff prepare?
Senior leadership staff should ensure that all documents and data required are updated and website information current. Then, many jobs can be delegated to necessary staff, and senior teachers can concentrate on making sure teachers are presenting lessons in the way they were trained.
If inspectors are visiting, the teachers should make sure that their lessons are up to date and presented in a way that demonstrates inclusion, variety, and flexibility. If one is being observed, be sure to deal with behavioral issues promptly and focus on lesson delivery.
Other staff should ensure that all artwork and posters are displayed neatly throughout the school and staff are on hand to deal with children in need.
Observations can be stressful, but an experienced teacher and those dedicated to being the best educator will be calm and confident under observation circumstances.
Construction/engineering
Inspections of construction projects are standard and a necessary part of quality and safety control. For example, the industrial coating industry has strict compliance guidelines, and companies must keep accurate data for inspection purposes. Therefore, using industrial coatings compliance software is a valuable tool to help track workflow and projects and provide an all-in-one solution for project management and inspection preparation.
Construction sites are choc-full of potential hazards, so health and safety compliance are vital. Site inspectors typically arrive and walk around, taking note of any potential risk and preparing a report. They will inspect things such as ladder heights, work platforms, scaffolding construction, electrical issues, chemical exposure, potential asbestos, availability of protective gear, and general facilities such as toilets and break-out areas.
Inspectors will prepare and complete a detailed report with all relevant information to verify compliance or suggest necessary changes to rectify the situation. If all safety requirements are taken seriously during the day-to-day management of a construction site, inspections will not cause any stress.
Food/hospitality
The food industry is one of the largest in the world, and there are strict guidelines that all restaurant owners must adhere to.
Anyone who owns an establishment that sells food should be very familiar with the food safety standards. All employees should receive training and have access to a handbook that highlights good practice.
An inspector will look for cleanliness issues such as kitchen work surfaces, floors, tables, and toilet areas. They will also look at the food storage procedure. All food must be appropriately covered in suitable containers by law, and raw food must be kept separate from other food.
All food must be stored at the right temperature, and inspectors will check that fridge and freezer temperatures are compliant.
If inspectors find that food safety laws have been violated and there is a risk of cross-contamination, they will advise on the action that needs to be taken. In extreme cases, they can shut down establishments to keep consumers safe until all issues are dealt with.
Staying educated in all areas of the industry and training employees regularly will mean that workplace inspections should be smooth and with few issues.
