Ensuring workplace safety is of paramount importance for every organisation. Safety inspections have long been a standard practice to achieve this. However, health and safety sampling, a similar yet different technique, has gained popularity recently due to its effectiveness.
Health and safety sampling involves observing a small, specific area regularly, usually once a week, for approximately 30 minutes. The focus remains on the same work equipment, environment, and working procedures during every sampling exercise. Workers familiar with the area conduct the observations using a checklist containing questions requiring a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. For instance, are all workers who need safety shoes wearing them?
Unlike safety inspections, health and safety sampling is a proactive approach that enables organisations to identify potential hazards and take corrective action before accidents occur. By regularly reviewing the same area, H&S Sampling helps to identify trends and patterns that can help to prevent accidents from happening in the future.
After completing the sampling exercise, the safety sampling worker hands over the completed checklist to the supervisor, who takes necessary actions if any potential hazards are identified. This approach also allows workers to participate in the safety process, promoting a safety culture and increasing safety awareness in the workplace.
Overall, health and safety sampling is an effective approach to maintaining safety in the workplace. Organisations can take corrective action by actively identifying potential hazards before accidents occur. Furthermore, by regularly reviewing the same area, trends and patterns can be identified, enabling the development of safety measures that prevent accidents from happening in the future.
