Running any business comes with its own set of risks. Of all the types of risks, though, safety risks are the ones that demand the most attention. After all, ensuring a safe workplace for all employees is the responsibility of every employer. Potential safety hazards must be mitigated with an effective risk management process. Of course, before implementing such a process, safety risks and hazards need to be found. This is where site safety inspections come in. A safety inspection involves a thorough scrutiny of the workplace to: Identify and record potential health and safety hazards Review safety equipment (e.g., fire extinguishers, first aid kits, safety shoes, protective gear, etc.) Examine the effectiveness of your workplace safety practices Check for compliance with health and safety regulations Recommend corrective actions to rectify or eliminate any hazards In this article, we'll highlight why safety inspections are important and some best practices to ensure that your site safety inspections are effective. Why Are Site Safety Inspections Important? Conducting safety inspections in the workplace is important for several reasons. Regulatory compliance would be the first of these, as even though the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) doesn't mandate inspections, they strongly recommend it. Of course, compliance is not the only reason to carry out regular inspections for hazards at your workplace. They can be an important part of your overall health and safety program, if your company has one. Some of the reasons for establishing a process for regular safety inspections include: