What is an OHS inspection?
An OHS inspection is a planned event, where the workplace is inspected to identify potential hazards. It is the best way of pro-actively identifying hazards before they have the ability to cause an injury.
Who can do an OHS inspection?
Anybody can do an OHS inspection. Ideally though, an inspection would involve an experienced person from the area, a WAC representative and the supervisor of the area.
How do you complete an OHS inspection?
OH&S inspections use a checklist to help identify hazards. Using the checklist and looking at the area of concern is the best way about doing an inspection.
Once hazards are identified solutions are to be put in place to ensure the hazard is controlled.
What type of OHS inspection checklists are there and how often should they be carried out?
There are a number of checklists depending on the type of area being inspected. These checklists include a detailed list of items to inspect, however you may wish to modify the checklist to make it more specific to your area.
Inspections should be carried out on an annual basis, with the exception of high risk areas such as laboratories which should be inspected bi-annually.
The following checklists are available for use:
| General Laboratory Checklist |
Should be used for all laboratories (NB: Computer Laboratories are to be inspected using the Office Inspection Checklist). |
| Biosafety Checklist |
If you are working with biological materials you must use the Biosafety Checklist in conjunction with the General Laboratory Checklist. |
| PC2 Laboratory Checklist |
This checklist is for non-OGTR PC2 laboratories. Inspections should be carried out annually. |
| Compressed Gas Checklist |
If you are using compressed gases you must use the Compressed Gas Checklist in conjunction with the General Laboratory Checklist. |
| Cryogen Checklist |
If you are using cryogenic materials you must use the Cryogen Checklist in conjunction with the General Laboratory Checklist. |
| Laser Checklist |
If you are working with lasers you must use the Laser Checklist in conjunction with the General Laboratory Checklist. |
| Radiation Checklist |
If you are using radiation materials you must use the Radiation Checklist in conjunction with the General Laboratory Checklist. |
| Office Checklist |
Used for office/administrative areas, for example computer laboratories or an area containing desks, chairs, computers, filing cabinets and shelving. |
| Workshop Checklist |
Used for areas where machinery and tools are used as part of equipment maintenance and/or manufacturing new equipment. |
| General Areas Checklist |
Used for any common space for example lecture theatres, tutorial rooms and foyers. |
| Communications Area Checklist |
Used for ITS communication areas only. |
| Studio Checklist |
Used for all studio areas including textiles, printmaking, photgraphy and sculpture studios. |
| Theatre Checklist |
Used for theatre areas including the performance space, black box theatre and Hope theatre. |
| Common Areas Checklist |
Used for accomodation common areas. |
| Kitchen/Dining Areas Checklist |
Used for accomodation kitchen and dining areas. |
| Recreation/External Areas Checklist |
Used for accomodation recreation/external areas. |
I have completed an inspection, what next?
Once an inspection is completed those items that require corrective actions should be addressed. Any hazards identified throughout the inspection should have corrective actions assigned to an appropriate person and the hazard entered through the online hazard reporting system, SafetyNet. As part of the review process the inspection team should follow-up to see whether the corrective action has commenced or is completed.
 Need more information? Please refer to the Risk Management Guidelines.
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