2-4. Practical Know-How and Checklists for Workplace Patrols

Workplace patrols are the foundation of occupational safety and health management activities, and are essential for early detection of potential hazards at the workplace and preventing accidents. To make patrols more than just a formality, and to make them effective activities, a clear sense of purpose and systematic confirmation based on a checklist are required.

First, the basic flow of a workplace inspection is a cycle of (1) creating an inspection plan, (2) actually inspecting the site, (3) recording any findings, (4) implementing corrective measures, and (5) following up. During the planning stage, the work areas and risk factors that need to be inspected are clarified, and if necessary, these are discussed in advance by the health and safety committee. It is recommended that inspections be conducted at least once a month, but weekly or daily inspections are more effective in high-risk workplaces.

In practice, it is important to first focus on visualization. Check the safety management status that can be judged from the outside, such as the cleanliness of the site, the availability of aisles and evacuation routes, and the clarity of signs and labels. In addition, attention must be paid to dynamic factors such as abnormal noises and vibrations from machinery and equipment, the storage status of chemical substances, and whether workers are wearing protective equipment.

An example of a checklist is as follows:

- Are the aisles, stairs, and emergency exits blocked?

- Are fire extinguishers and fire prevention equipment properly installed and inspected?

- Are guards and safety devices properly installed on machinery?

- Check that electrical wiring and extension cords are not damaged or overloaded.

Chemicals are stored properly in labeled containers

- Is the ventilation system operating and is the work environment measurement value within the standard?

- Are workers using appropriate protective equipment (helmets, safety shoes, protective glasses, etc.)?

- Are work procedures posted and followed on-site?

- Are there signs of fatigue or unsafe behavior among workers?

During inspections, it is important to take the stance of sharing the findings as "awareness for improvement" rather than "blaming" them. It is also effective to gather opinions from on-site workers about actual problems and dangerous work tasks through dialogue.

Finally, issues identified during inspections should not be left unaddressed, but rather improvements should be promoted by clearly identifying the person responsible and the deadline, and a system for checking the status of corrections at the next inspection should be thoroughly established. Workplace inspections are the driving force behind continuous improvement and contribute greatly to the penetration of a safety culture.