Safety & Compliance · SOP

Joint Health and Safety Committee Monthly Walkthrough

This procedure defines the standardized method for conducting a monthly JHSC walkthrough inspection. It ensures systematic identification of workplace hazards, evaluation of existing controls, and efficient documentation of corrective actions — keeping your shop floor compliant with WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation and Part 3 of the Workers Compensation Act.

Estimated Time

60 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Regulation

WorkSafeBC OHS Reg.

Version

1.0

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Purpose

The purpose of this SOP is to provide a consistent, repeatable framework for Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) representatives to perform a comprehensive monthly workplace walkthrough. The inspection aims to proactively identify unsafe conditions and practices, verify the effectiveness of existing controls, engage workers in safety conversations, and produce a documented record that drives continuous improvement and regulatory compliance.

Scope

This procedure applies to all JHSC monthly walkthrough inspections conducted in any production, warehouse, maintenance, or office area under a single employer's control. It covers pre-inspection planning, systematic zone-by-zone inspection, worker interviews, hazard documentation, and post-inspection reporting. It does not replace area-specific risk assessments (e.g., confined space entry, hot work) nor does it cover incident investigations, which follow a separate SOP.

Safety Precautions

LOTOBefore accessing any equipment interior or performing a visual inspection that requires proximity to moving parts, ensure the equipment is locked out and tagged out. Only qualified personnel may perform lockout/tagout procedures.
PPEAll JHSC representatives must wear mandatory personal protective equipment: steel-toed boots, hi-vis vest, hard hat, and safety glasses. Additional PPE (gloves, hearing protection, respirator) shall be worn when entering designated zones.
CONFDo not enter confined spaces, crawl spaces, or rooftops unless specifically authorized and trained. If an area appears to require confined-space protocols, flag it for a separate permit-required confined space entry.
WALKMaintain constant awareness of moving equipment, forklift traffic, and overhead cranes. Stay within designated walk paths. Never walk under suspended loads.

Required Tools & Materials

Approved JHSC monthly inspection checklist (digital or paper)
Camera or smartphone with date/time stamp capability
Hazard identification tags (red for immediate danger, yellow for caution)
Clipboard, pen, and notepad for notes
Personal protective equipment (steel-toed boots, hi-vis vest, hard hat, safety glasses)
Lockout/tagout kit (if accessing restricted machinery areas)
Previous month's inspection report and outstanding action items list

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Procedure: Step-by-Step

1 Pre-inspection briefing. Assemble the JHSC worker and employer representatives. Review the previous month's inspection report and outstanding corrective actions. Confirm the scope of this month's walkthrough (e.g., production floor, warehouse, maintenance bay). Distribute inspection checklists, assign zones, and verify everyone is wearing required PPE.

2 Systematic zone inspection. Beginning at the designated entry point, walk through each zone systematically. Use the checklist to evaluate: housekeeping (aisles clear, spills contained), machine guarding, emergency exits (unobstructed and illuminated), fire extinguisher inspection tags (current), electrical panels (accessible, labelled), chemical storage (secondary containment, SDS present), and ergonomic factors (workstation setup, lifting aids).

3 Document hazards and observations. For each identified hazard, record: location (exact machine/area code), description of the unsafe condition or behaviour, risk level (high, medium, low based on severity and likelihood), and a recommended corrective action. Take clear photographs with a date/time stamp. Tag equipment or areas that pose immediate danger with a red 'Do Not Operate' tag and initiate lockout/tagout if required.

4 Interviews with workers. Stop at each zone and speak with at least two operators or floor staff. Ask: 'Is there any equipment you feel is unsafe to operate?', 'Have you reported any near-misses this month?', 'Are the required safety data sheets and procedures readily available?'. Document verbal responses in the inspection notes.

5 Post-inspection debrief and report. After completing all zones, reconvene the inspection team. Consolidate findings, assign priority rankings, and agree on corrective actions with responsible persons and target completion dates. Complete the JHSC monthly inspection report form. Both worker and employer co-chairs must sign the report. Distribute copies to the site safety coordinator and post a summary on the joint health and safety bulletin board.

6 Closeout and follow-up tracking. Enter all findings and corrective actions into the site's hazard tracking system (e.g., SafeDesk). Set reminders for follow-up inspections on items with medium or high risk ratings. Attach the signed report and photographs to the digital record. Archive the physical checklist for at least two years per regulatory requirements.

Joint Health and Safety Committee Monthly Walkthrough

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