Dr. Ayers explains how often formal safety inspections should occur and why every walkthrough by a safety professional is, in effect, an informal inspection. The episode emphasizes that inspection intervals must be intentional, risk‑based, and consistent to be effective.
Dr. Ayers highlights that organizations should not pick inspection frequencies arbitrarily. Instead, intervals should be based on:
The level of risk in the area
The type of work performed
The potential severity of hazards
Regulatory or industry expectations Sources:
Every time a safety professional walks through the workplace, they are performing an informal inspection. These informal observations help:
Catch hazards early
Reinforce expectations
Build rapport with employees
Identify trends before they escalate Sources:
Inspection intervals should increase when:
New processes or equipment are introduced
There is a rise in incidents or near misses
Workload or staffing changes
Environmental conditions shift
Intervals should decrease only when risk is demonstrably lower.
Employees notice when inspections:
Happen regularly
Lead to action
Are taken seriously
A predictable interval reinforces that safety is a core operational priority.
Inspection intervals must be risk‑based, not arbitrary.
Informal inspections are happening every day — and they matter.
Intervals should evolve with operational changes.
Consistency strengthens safety culture and credibility.
