🔍 Site Safety Inspection Playbook
Inspect to prevent. Daily and weekly safety inspections catch hazards before they cause injuries. Consistent inspections build a culture of vigilance and create the documentation that proves you're managing safety.
Why This Matters
| Without Regular Inspections | With Regular Inspections |
|---|---|
| Hazards go unnoticed until someone gets hurt | Hazards identified and corrected proactively |
| OSHA finds what you missed | You find and fix it first |
| Reactive safety — respond to incidents | Proactive safety — prevent incidents |
| No record of due diligence | Documented evidence of ongoing safety management |
| Repeat violations pile up | Trends identified and addressed systematically |
The 5-Minute Rule
A hazard that exists for 5 minutes can cause an injury. A hazard that exists for 5 days will cause an injury. Inspect early, inspect often.
Roles and Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Superintendent | Lead or delegate daily walk-around; ensure weekly formal inspection occurs |
| Foreman | Pre-task inspection of work area; report hazards to superintendent |
| Safety Director | Conduct weekly/formal inspections; review deficiency trends; escalate repeat issues |
| Project Manager | Allocate time for inspections; support corrective action resources |
| Workers | Report hazards immediately; participate in pre-task inspections |
Types of Inspections
| Type | Frequency | Who | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily walk-around | Every shift | Superintendent or foreman | Quick visual sweep; catch obvious hazards |
| Weekly formal | Weekly | Safety director or superintendent | Structured checklist; documented findings |
| Pre-task | Before each task | Foreman + crew | JHA-driven; verify controls before work |
| Special | After trigger event | Designated competent person | Weather event, incident, new hazard intro |
Special inspection triggers: After severe weather, after an incident, when new equipment arrives, when new trade starts, after long weekend/shutdown.
What to Inspect by Area
Perimeter and Access
- Fencing and barricades intact
- Entry/exit points clearly marked
- Pedestrian paths separated from vehicle traffic
- Signs posted (no trespassing, PPE required, etc.)
Excavations and Trenches
- Protective systems in place (sloping, shielding, shoring)
- Spoils 2+ feet from edge
- Competent person inspection within 24 hours
- Access/egress (ladder) within 25 feet
Scaffolding and Elevated Work
- Guardrails, mid-rails, toe boards on all open sides
- Planking fully decked; no gaps
- Base plates and mud sills
- Fall protection anchorage when required
Fall Protection
- PFAS in use where 6+ feet (construction)
- Anchor points adequate (5,000 lbs capacity)
- Harnesses worn correctly; no damaged equipment
- Leading edges and holes covered or guarded
Electrical
- Cords and cables in good condition; no fraying
- GFCI where required (wet/damp)
- Temporary power properly grounded
- Lockout/tagout when servicing
Housekeeping
- Walkways clear; no tripping hazards
- Material stored properly; no falling object hazards
- Debris and waste removed
- Flammables stored correctly
PPE Compliance
- Hard hats worn in required areas
- Safety glasses/goggles where needed
- Hearing protection in high-noise areas
- Appropriate footwear
Fire Protection
- Fire extinguishers present, charged, accessible
- Extinguisher locations known; workers trained
- No obstructions to extinguishers or exits
- Flammable storage away from ignition sources
Inspection Documentation
For every inspection, document:
| Element | Why |
|---|---|
| Date and time | Evidence of frequency |
| Inspector name | Accountability |
| Areas inspected | Scope of review |
| Findings | What was found — be specific |
| Photos | Visual evidence; before/after for corrections |
| Corrective actions | What will be done; who; when |
| Priority | Critical / High / Medium / Low |
Photos Are Evidence
Take photos of every deficiency. Before correction: proves the hazard existed. After correction: proves you fixed it. In an OSHA investigation, photos tell the story.
Follow-Up Process for Deficiencies
Immediate Response
| Severity | Action | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Critical (imminent danger) | Stop work; correct immediately | Same hour |
| High (serious injury possible) | Correct before next shift | Same day |
| Medium | Correct within 3 days | 3 days |
| Low | Correct within 7 days | 1 week |
Tracking
- Log the deficiency — Description, location, severity, assigned to
- Set due date — Based on severity
- Verify correction — Re-inspect; document "closed" with photo
- Close the finding — Only when verified corrected
Escalation for Repeat Violations
| Occurrence | Action |
|---|---|
| First time | Correct; document |
| Second time (same/similar) | Correct; notify superintendent; add to safety meeting |
| Third time | Correct; safety director review; possible disciplinary action |
| Pattern | Root cause analysis; procedure update; training |
App Integration Tips
BLDR Pro — Documentation and Photos
Use BLDR Pro to document inspections with photos, notes, and corrective actions. Attach inspection reports to daily logs. Track open deficiencies and close them with verification photos. Pull inspection history instantly for audits or incident investigations.
Issue Tracking
BLDR Pro's issue tracking connects inspections to corrective actions. Assign deficiencies to foremen, set due dates, and verify closure — all in one place.
Metrics to Track
| Metric | Target | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Inspections completed vs. planned | 100% | Weekly |
| Open deficiencies | Trend down | Weekly |
| Average time to correct | Within 3 days (high), within 7 days (medium) | Weekly |
| Repeat deficiencies | Zero trend | Monthly |
| Critical findings | Zero open | Daily |
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Problem | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Walking the same route every time | Miss hazards in unchecked areas | Rotate areas; use full checklist |
| Inspection without documentation | No proof it happened | Document every inspection — date, findings, actions |
| Finding but not fixing | Hazards persist; liability grows | Assign responsibility; set due date; verify closure |
| Skipping when busy | Busy = more hazards, not less | Inspections are non-negotiable; build into schedule |
| No photos | Can't prove before/after | Photo every deficiency; attach to report |
| Ignoring repeat findings | Same hazard = systemic problem | Escalate; root cause; change process |
Troubleshooting
"We find the same things every week"
- Root cause: Controls aren't sticking. Someone fixes it; someone else creates it again.
- Fix: Address at toolbox talk; add to JHA; assign permanent responsibility; consider engineering controls (e.g., permanent guardrail instead of temporary).
"Inspections take too long"
- Daily walk-around: 15–20 minutes. Hit high-risk areas. Full checklist weekly.
- Fix: Split the checklist — daily focuses on top 10 hazards; weekly does full audit.
"Foremen don't document what they find"
- Make documentation part of their job — not optional. Provide simple form or app.
- Superintendent spot-checks: "Show me your inspection from yesterday."
"Deficiencies stay open for weeks"
- Assign one person accountable per deficiency. Review open list at weekly safety meeting.
- If resources are the issue, escalate to PM — uncorrected hazards are a liability.
Related Resources
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Fall Protection Playbook | Fall Protection |
| Incident Reporting Playbook | Incident Reporting |
| JSA/JHA Playbook | JSA/JHA Process |
| Safety Compliance Guide | Compliance Guide |
| Housekeeping Guide | Housekeeping |