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