OSHA safety inspection checklist template

An effective OSHA safety inspection checklist should include sections for workplace hazards, emergency equipment, personal protective equipment, hazard communication, electrical safety, machine guarding, walking surfaces, exit routes, and documentation review. The checklist should allow for noting deficiencies, assigning corrective actions, and tracking resolution dates to demonstrate continuous improvement in your safety program.

You should conduct comprehensive safety inspections at least quarterly, with more frequent focused inspections for high-risk areas or equipment. Some critical elements like emergency equipment and exit pathways should be checked monthly or even weekly. Also, the frequency should increase after workplace changes, near-misses, or incidents that suggest potential safety gaps in your environment.

This checklist helps prevent accidents by systematically identifying hazards before they cause injuries. It creates accountability for correcting unsafe conditions, ensures regular verification of safeguards and emergency equipment, and builds a documented history of safety efforts. The template’s structure helps you develop consistent inspection habits that catch problems that might otherwise be overlooked during casual workplace walkthroughs.

Customize the template by first identifying industry-specific OSHA standards that apply to your operations. Add sections for unique equipment, processes, or materials in your workplace. Remove irrelevant sections to keep the checklist focused. Consider your workplace’s incident history to emphasize areas where problems have occurred previously, and update the template as new hazards or regulations emerge.