what is an observation

An observation, in the context of workplace safety, refers to the act of noting and documenting hazardous conditions, practices, or exposures that could lead to injury or illness [1]. It involves identifying the specific hazard, the employees exposed, and the potential consequences [1].

During an inspection, safety and health violations should be brought to the attention of both employer and employee representatives when they are documented [2].

When documenting observations, it's important to record all pertinent facts related to a violation, including [1]:

• Explanation of the hazard(s) or hazardous condition(s)
• Identification of the machinery or equipment involved
• Specific location of the hazard and employee exposure
• Injury or illness likely to result from exposure
• Employee proximity to the hazard and any measurements taken
• For contaminants and physical agents, details clarifying employee exposure
• Names, addresses, phone numbers, and job titles for exposed employees
• Approximate duration and frequency of exposure
• Employer knowledge of the hazard