Question: We had a regulatory inspector come to our facility for a safety inspection. During the walkthrough, he reached into a piece of machinery to take a photo but didn’t follow our lockout/tagout procedures. I wanted to tell him not to access the equipment until he followed the proper steps, but I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to tell an inspector to stop. What should I have done in this situation?
Answer: This can be tricky; you’re right to have concerns about an inspector not following safety protocols. The bottom line is that, as the employer, you have a duty to maintain a safe work environment. That means you have the right to require anyone in your workplace to follow your safety procedures, even an inspector from federal OSHA or a state safety and health agency. However, you want to avoid turning the investigation into an adversarial situation or looking like you’re impeding the investigation. You shouldn’t physically restrict or prevent someone from entering an area unless there is imminent physical danger. Instead, try saying something like, “For your safety, we cannot allow anyone to approach this equipment without following lockout/tagout procedures. Let’s review those steps before we proceed.” If the individual proceeds anyway, document the incident and follow up after the inspection. And if you are asked to access an area that you feel is unsafe to enter, you can tell them no and explain why.
Quick Safety Briefings Protect Everyone
Going forward, you can help prevent these kinds of incidents by providing all visitors (including inspectors) with a brief safety orientation before they enter hazardous areas. A short pre-inspection briefing can also help set expectations and reinforce that all site policies must be followed. Employees escorting visitors should feel empowered to speak up if they see someone entering a hazardous zone without proper controls, no matter who the visitor is. Train employees to be respectful, but also unafraid to enforce safety standards when individuals are placing themselves in harm’s way.
Members: If you have questions about how to engage with an inspector while they’re onsite, call your Vigilant safety professional for further discussion.
If you’re not a member, now’s a great time to explore how Vigilant can support you on tough safety issues. Work directly with a dedicated safety professional to build durable, effective safety practices. Discover Vigilant membership today!
