Step 10 - Periodic Inspection
Introduction
Periodic inspections verify that your energy control procedures are being followed correctly and continue to provide effective protection.
They are a formal, documented review of how hazardous energy is controlled in practice — not just how it is written on paper. By reviewing machine-specific procedures, isolation points, lockout devices and worker application, inspections help identify gaps, equipment changes, degraded controls or unsafe workarounds before they result in harm.
New Zealand health and safety legislation requires PCBUs to ensure that control measures are effective and maintained so that they remain effective. Control measures must also be reviewed and, where necessary, revised to ensure risks continue to be appropriately managed.
Periodic inspection provides a practical and documented way to demonstrate that these duties are being addressed. It verifies that hazardous energy controls remain in place, remain effective and are being correctly applied by workers in the field.
When conducted at defined intervals and properly recorded, periodic inspections provide evidence that your Energy Control Programme is not simply documented, but actively monitored, maintained and improved.
Download the template below to develop and formalise your Periodic Inspection process.
