Home Inspectors
Home inspectors check buildings from roof to crawl space. They enter unknown homes, often alone, and see conditions that owners may avoid. Their work puts them at risk of falls, electric shock, bad air, pests and conflict.
- Home Inspectors
- Appraisers
- Real Estate
Hazards
- Roofs and ladders: falls from steep or wet roofs. Many inspectors can inspect from the ground, a ladder or a drone instead. See Roof Work and Extension Ladders.
- Attics: heat, falling through ceilings, nails, insulation, wasps and rodents. See Attics & Crawlspaces.
- Crawl spaces: low clearance, mold, standing water, wiring, sharp objects, animals and gases.
- Electrical panels: shock and arc flash when removing covers. See Breaker Panel.
- Mold, dust, asbestos and lead in older homes. See Mold.
- Rodent droppings and hantavirus. See Rodents & Hantavirus.
- Gas leaks and carbon monoxide from appliances. See Gas Leaks.
- Dogs, hostile people, vacant property hazards and working alone. See Working Alone.
Safe practices
- Tell someone your schedule and check in. Use a phone app or buddy system.
- Carry a carbon monoxide and combustible gas detector, flashlight, hard hat, gloves, boots, knee pads, coveralls and a respirator (P100 or N95 as appropriate) for dusty or moldy areas.
- Do not enter spaces that are flooded, smell strongly of gas, have visible structural damage or a sinking floor. Ask the owner to fix or make safe.
- Walk attic joists carefully and use boards, never step on drywall between them.
- Use a non-contact voltage tester before touching panel covers. Only remove covers if trained and the panel is in good condition, or follow your practice's rules. Wear insulated gloves and safety glasses if you do.
- Use fall protection on steep roofs, or choose a different inspection method.
- Be careful with dogs; ask for them to be secured. Leave if you feel unsafe.
Checklist
- PPE and gas detector in the vehicle
- Ladder in good condition and the right height
- Schedule shared with an office or partner
- Know when to stop and write "unsafe to access" in the report
- Wash hands and change clothes after crawl space or attic work
Standards & references
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