HSE Inspector Visit Procedures

HSE inspectors have the legal right to enter any construction site at any time without prior appointment.
They can inspect work activities, examine documents, take photographs, and interview any person on site.
Inspectors can issue improvement notices requiring action within a set timescale to address non-compliance.
Prohibition notices stop activities immediately where there is a risk of serious personal injury.
Obstruction or refusal to cooperate with an HSE inspector is a criminal offence.
The site manager should accompany the inspector, provide access, and answer questions honestly.
Key documents including risk assessments, method statements, training records, and permits should be available.
Workers have the right to speak to the inspector privately without employer interference.
After the visit, the inspector will provide a written summary of findings and any enforcement action.
Maintaining good standards every day is the best preparation for any HSE visit.

Legal compliance	Cooperating with HSE inspectors is a legal duty. Obstruction leads to prosecution in addition to any safety breaches found.
Enforcement power	Inspectors can shut down unsafe work immediately with prohibition notices, stopping the project until issues are resolved.
Reputation	Enforcement notices are public record. They damage company reputation, affect pre-qualification, and reduce tender success.

Do

Don't

Welcome the inspector professionally and verify their HSE identification card.
Accompany the inspector throughout the visit and provide full access as requested.
Answer questions honestly and provide documents when asked without delay.
Take notes during the visit recording the areas inspected and issues raised.
Allow workers to speak to the inspector privately if they wish to.
Keep risk assessments, method statements, permits, and training records available.
Act promptly on any verbal advice or recommendations the inspector provides.
Comply with the timescales on any improvement notice issued during the visit.
Stop the prohibited activity immediately if a prohibition notice is served.
Share the visit findings and actions with the site team and senior management.

DON'T obstruct, delay, or refuse access to an HSE inspector on site.
DON'T provide false or misleading information to an inspector during the visit.
DON'T attempt to hide or remove evidence of non-compliance before or during visits.
DON'T prevent workers from speaking to the inspector privately if they wish.
DON'T ignore or fail to comply with improvement or prohibition notices.
DON'T argue aggressively with the inspector; raise concerns through the appeal process.
DON'T wait for an HSE visit to bring your site up to standard.
DON'T assume the inspector will only visit once; follow-up inspections are common.
DON'T remove or alter documents after the inspector has requested them.
DON'T brief workers to give misleading answers to inspector questions.

See also: Accident and Incident Reporting (RIDDOR) | CDM 2015 Awareness

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