Who is responsible for maintaining written records of inspections?

The responsibility for maintaining written records of inspections typically falls to supervisors within an organization. Supervisors serve as the direct link between management and staff, ensuring that operations align with established policies and procedures. They are frequently tasked with overseeing compliance with safety standards and regulations, which includes conducting inspections and documenting the findings systematically.

These records are vital for several reasons: they provide a historical account of safety and operational compliance, serve as a reference for future inspections, and can be critical in evaluating the effectiveness of safety programs or procedures. Supervisors, given their role and level of authority, are in the best position to manage these records effectively, ensuring that they reflect an accurate and up-to-date assessment of the environment under their oversight.

Managers, while they oversee broader operational functions, often delegate the on-the-ground tasks of record maintenance to supervisors. Employees typically do not have the authority or the responsibility to maintain these records independently, as that falls outside their direct scope of work. Safety officers, though they play a crucial role in enforcing safety standards and conducting inspections, the primary responsibility for maintaining written records often lies more closely with supervisors, who can ensure documentation is properly managed and accessible.