Building & Home Inspectors
Inspectors walk onto construction sites, occupied homes and abandoned buildings they have never seen before. They climb roofs and ladders, crawl through attics and basements, open electrical panels and meet animals and difficult people, often alone. Awareness and a few good habits keep them safe.
- Building & Code Inspectors
- Home Inspectors
- Insurance Adjusters
- Appraisers
Main hazards
- Falls from ladders, roofs, stairs, open floors and ungated edges. See Ladder Basics and Roof Work.
- Unsafe construction sites: falling objects, open trenches, equipment, nails and unprotected edges. See Construction Standards (1926).
- Attics and crawl spaces: heat, falls through ceilings, wiring, mold, rodents, insulation and low air. See Attics & Crawl Spaces.
- Electrical hazards: energized panels and wiring, and backfed circuits. See Arc Flash.
- Hazardous materials: asbestos, lead paint, mold, drug lab residues and sewage. See Asbestos and Mold.
- Gas and CO leaks and combustion appliances. See Gas Leaks.
- Animals and insects: aggressive dogs, snakes and stinging insects. See Animal Bites.
- Violence or hostility, and lone work. See Workplace Violence.
- Driving between sites, and heat or cold.
Safe practices
- Plan the visit: check the address, who will be there, known hazards, weather and your route. Tell the office where you are and when to expect you. Use check-ins. See Lone Working.
- Wear hard hat, high-visibility vest, safety glasses, gloves and sturdy boots on construction sites, plus an N95 or better in dusty areas. Carry a flashlight, headlamp, first aid kit and a phone. See Hard Hats.
- Inspect roofs from the ground or by drone when it is unsafe to climb. If you climb, use a secured ladder, fall protection and stay off steep, wet, icy or damaged roofs. Don't step on fragile surfaces. See Fragile Surfaces & Skylights.
- Don't open energized electrical equipment unless qualified and protected. Many inspectors only open the panel cover with the proper PPE and training. Use a non-contact tester, stand to the side and don't touch conductors. Follow your company's policy.
- In attics and crawl spaces, step only on joists, wear a respirator and coveralls, and watch for wires and nails. Don't enter if there are unsafe conditions, standing water near electrical equipment or gas odors.
- Don't disturb suspected asbestos or mold. Note it and refer it for testing.
- Leave if you smell gas, and call the utility. Keep CO and gas detectors with you.
- With dogs and people, ask that animals be secured. Trust your instincts and leave if you feel unsafe. Park so you can exit quickly.
Inspector checklist
- The office knows my location and expected return time
- I carry PPE, a flashlight, a respirator and a phone
- I only climb roofs and ladders that are safe and secured
- I don't open energized equipment without qualification and PPE
- I leave unsafe situations and report hazards
Standards & references
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