How to Improve Workplace Safety with Comprehensive Safety Checklists

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) aims to provide workers with safe and healthy working conditions. In 2021, OSHA safety inspectors conducted over 24,300 safety checks at various worksites throughout the United States. When OSHA identifies a serious violation, it can impose fines up to $14,502. For repeat violations, the penalties can escalate to as much as $145,027 per incident. That's why it's so important to have comprehensive safety checklists that are easy for your workers to use.

A workplace safety inspection checklist offers a full summary of the key safety issues that must be tracked on a worksite. Checklists are critical for ensuring general safety and avoiding violations, enabling organizations to minimize injuries and reduce costs. This guide breaks down what should be included in a safety checklist and how a digital forms solution can help improve safety and efficiency.

The role of OSHA in maintaining workplace safety

To ensure workplace safety across the United States, OSHA regulations cover a wide range of general safety concerns. Some examples of worksite safety issues that fall under OSHA guidelines include infrastructural hazards, fire and electrical safety, chemical toxins, worker safety practices, safety training, and more. OSHA conducts inspections without notice, so it’s critical to ensure worksites are compliant with OSHA standards and requirements. Failure to comply with OSHA regulations may result in substantial fines and citations, or worse, closure of entire facilities and operations. To achieve workplace safety across the organization, organizations often leverage safety inspection checklists.

What should be included in an effective safety inspection checklist?

A well-conceived safety checklist is a useful tool to create a safe and efficient workplace. Here are a few of the most important things to cover in your safety checklists:

• Personal protective equipment (PPE): Providing employees with appropriate PPE is essential to ensure worker safety. PPE may be issued to address specific worksite dangers. For instance, safety glasses can be distributed for tasks that may require eye protection. Similarly, in areas with dangerous noise levels, PPE that offers hearing protection may be administered. 

• Fall Protection: Falling objects from high shelves can be extremely dangerous and may cause serious physical injury. A comprehensive fall protection program will include infrastructural elements such as guardrails and handrails. It may also include assigning PPE such as hard hats and steel-toed boots.

• Equipment maintenance: Some tasks will require employees to handle heavy-duty equipment. For example, workers may need to operate a variety of power tools like saws and drills to fulfill jobs on construction sites. Ensure workers have the proper safety training to handle, inspect, and maintain powered equipment, and always have first aid kits readily available.

• Worksite hazards: Inspect work areas, storage areas, walkways, workstations, and stairways for potential hazards. Injuries may be caused by issues such as trip hazards and improper storage. In addition, ensure emergency exits are clearly marked and free from obstructions, and that employees are well-versed in emergency work practices.

• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO): Some heavy-duty machinery rely on energy sources and may be hazardous without proper safety measures. Lockout/tagout (LOTO) entails locking a machine in the "off" position and then attaching a tag containing information about the individual who holds the lock's keys. Ensure that all employees are trained on safe LOTO procedures.

• Electrical and Fire Safety: Verify that electrical equipment, including electrical cords, extension cords, electrical panels, heaters, and refrigerators are in working order and comply with safety standards. If electrical equipment is not in good condition, they may lead to fires and serious injury. In case of fire, ensure that fire extinguishers are available, and sprinkler systems are installed across the worksite.

• Respiratory Protection: Workers are often exposed to hazardous substances, such as smoke, dust, vapor, and more. To minimize safety issues, make sure the worksite has adequate ventilation and workers are equipped with PPE such as masks and respirators.

How to ensure workplace safety with a 6S audit checklist

There are many types of safety inspection checklists used to minimize incidents and improve efficiency, and one of the most common is the 6S audit checklist. There are six steps to this checklist: sort, set in order, shine, standardize, sustain, and safety. Below is a brief description of each step:

1. Sort: Check to see what equipment, tools, and supplies are needed to ensure safety at the worksite. It’s important that the workstation is free of clutter, and that necessary items are available but not overstocked. 

2. Set in order: All items have a home where they are put away. This includes hoses, electrical cords, extension cords, and other wiring, which should be bound up and off the ground. 

3. Shine: Equipment, furniture, workstations, walls, poles, and handrails must be kept clean at all times, free of any debris or liquid. Cleaning stations should be stocked and easily accessible. 

4. Standardize: Consistency on labels, color codes, heights, weights, quantities, and other measurements must be maintained across departments and worksites. 

5. Sustain: 6S safety audits must occur on a regular basis by trained operators. Cleaning schedules and facility diagrams need to be posted in areas of high visibility. 

6. Safety: Ensure the worksite is free of safety hazards and fire extinguishers are available and up to date. All employees should know where emergency exits are located, and be equipped with the appropriate PPE.

How a digital forms solution can help you streamline your safety inspection checklists

Safety inspection checklists, such as the 6S audit checklist, play a crucial role in minimizing safety issues and reducing incidents. However, filling out and reviewing paper-based checklists can be incredibly time-consuming for both employees on your worksites and administrative staff in your back office. 

A digital forms solution, such as Samsara Connected Forms, makes it easy for safety managers to create digitized forms and templates, offering a better way to collect, manage and analyze operational data. With a digital forms solution, you can digitize paperwork, accelerate issue resolution, and consolidate data and systems—driving significant improvements in safety and efficiency.

If you want to learn more about how Samsara can help you improve workplace safety, reach out for a free demo or trial today.