“Just Check The Box- It’ll Be Fine” Inspection Integrity for Safety

So, the safety department and managers are always harping on you to get checklists completed on time, filed and corrective actions documented. Why do we have to do all of these checklists?

When you get on a plane for a trip, business or fun-related, watch the pilot and co-pilot before you get on the plane.  One of them will put on a safety vest and walk the perimeter of the plane, checking wheels, landing gear, wings, fuselage, and looking for any obvious damage or flaws. There’s a checklist for them to complete. Meanwhile the pilot is checking their controls and settings using a checklist. You may have experienced a delay getting into the air because of something that is not quite right on that checklist.   I have heard other passengers loudly complain about the delay and at times a “just fly” comment. I am usually quietly thankful for the thoroughness of the pilot and co-pilot ensuring the safety of all of their passengers including me.      

Many intense safety -related positions / jobs have safety checklists. That is because there are critical items on this list that need to be verified to ensure everyone’s safety.  If personnel responsible for the inspections just “check the box” or “pencil-whip” the checklist, it could be a fatal error for those involved.

Many companies require inspection checklists to be completed timely, correctly and any corrective actions performed and documented. There are critical items on all these checklists.   For example, on a weekly safety inspection: You check YES in the box that the fire extinguishers are fully charged, annually inspected and placed 50 feet apart when you have flammables in the area. If you didn’t really inspect it, and have a flash fire and it does not work, it could be a catastrophic loss that would put every one of us out of work and perhaps fatally injure someone.  We must inspect with integrity.

Some of us have DOT inspections as well. Truck / trailer pre-trip inspection records must be done to be compliant with FMCSA rules and regulations.  You check yes that annual inspections and other critical items have been completed only to discover that annual DOT inspections have been expired for 3 months! Or the tires are about ready to blow due to excessive wear. Why does this happen? Checking the box and nothing happens, have you been lucky? I don’t believe in luck when it comes to safety. We must be intentional.

Every one of us must take responsibility for doing the inspections with integrity. Doing the right thing even when no one is looking.  

Critical checklists consist of some of the following:

Weekly Safety Inspections, Safety Audits, Pre-trip inspections on our trucks and trailers, Rental equipment, the JHA’s, even toolbox and safety alert talks are included in these.  Does everyone sign the document as complete but didn’t review and ask questions or have a discussion?

What other inspections can you think of that are critical in your position?

What are some of the barriers preventing you from getting them done timely and initiating corrective actions?

The bottom line is that these inspection and training checklists are critical for the safety of every person working and Safety should be your top core value.   

Do the right thing!

Kirk