How must periodic inspections be conducted?

The inspection must include a review of the procedure with all the authorized employees who use it, but each of those employees does not need to be observed performing the procedure as part of the inspection.

The inspector must be an authorized employee other than the ones using the procedure being inspected. That individual must observe the procedure and talk with the employees implementing it to make certain they understand and follow all the requirements.

The inspection is to include a representative number of employees performing the procedure (all authorized employees are involved, though). The inspector does have to review the procedures with each authorized employee who may use that procedure. Affected employees have to be included in the review if tagout is used instead of lockout.

These reviews can be done through random audits, conducted as part of plant safety tours, or scheduled as planned visual observations.