Ohutusülevaatused

Ohutusülevaatused are systematic safety inspections of equipment, processes and work environments designed to assess compliance with safety regulations, identify hazards and verify that protective measures are in place. They form part of occupational safety and health practices and aim to prevent injuries, occupational illnesses and property damage.

The scope of ohutusülevaatused can cover a wide range of areas. Common targets include industrial machinery and automatic equipment, lifting gear, electrical installations, pressure vessels, fire protection systems, vehicles, and specific work areas with higher risk. In many sectors certain inspections are legally required or mandated by standards, while others are performed as part of risk management and preventive maintenance.

The typical process involves qualified inspectors or authorized bodies conducting on-site evaluations, performing tests and measurements, reviewing maintenance records, and interviewing workers. The assessment looks at machine guarding, functional performance, hazards, emergency provisions, documentation, and adherence to applicable norms. After the inspection, a report is issued and, if deficiencies are found, corrective actions are prescribed with timelines. In some cases compliance may be certified through a formal certificate or tag.

Frequency and scheduling of ohutusülevaatused depend on the type of equipment, its use, the level of risk, and legal requirements. Some items require periodic or annual checks, others may be inspected after installation, modification or repair, or before initial operation.

Documentation is a key component: operators keep records of inspections, findings, and corrective actions, which support ongoing safety management, audits, and regulatory compliance. See also occupational safety, risk assessment and maintenance practices.