California site safety inspection report template

Set up for California

• The record of each scheduled periodic inspection includes the person or persons conducting itCal. Code Regs., tit. 8, s. 3203 (b) (1)

Also required in California

These rules are about how and when you report, not the template's fields. Check them before you deliver.

• Every construction employer keeps an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program under section 3203, which includes scheduled periodic inspections to identify unsafe conditions and work practicesCal. Code Regs., tit. 8, s. 1509 (a) · Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, s. 3203 (a) (4)
• The inspection record includes the unsafe conditions and work practices identified and the action taken to correct themCal. Code Regs., tit. 8, s. 3203 (b) (1)
• Inspection records are kept for at least one year (employers with fewer than 10 employees may keep them only until the hazard is corrected)Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, s. 3203 (b) (1) and exception
• Every employer adopts a written Code of Safe Practices for its operations, posted at each job site office or given to each supervisory employee; management holds periodic supervisor meetings on safety problems and accidents, and supervisors hold toolbox or tailgate safety meetings with their crews at least every 10 working daysCal. Code Regs., tit. 8, s. 1509 (b) to (e)
• Before its employees are on site, the employer makes a thorough survey of site conditions to determine the predictable hazards and the safeguards needed; no worker is required or knowingly permitted to work in an unsafe place except to make it safe, after proper precautionsCal. Code Regs., tit. 8, s. 1511
• New workers are instructed on the hazards and precautions of their work and directed to read the Code of Safe Practices; only qualified persons operate equipment and machinery; workers exposed to known site hazards are taught to recognize them, protect themselves and give first aidCal. Code Regs., tit. 8, s. 1510
• Approved personal fall arrest, fall restraint or positioning systems are worn by employees exposed to falling more than 7 1/2 feet from the perimeter of a structure, unprotected sides and edges, leading edges, shaftways and openings, sloped roofs steeper than 7:12 or other surfaces steeper than 40 degrees, where they are not otherwise adequately protected; roofing operations have their own rules (section 1730)Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, s. 1670 (a)
• Personal fall arrest systems are inspected before each use for wear, damage and other deterioration, with defective components removed from service, and inspected at least twice a year by a competent person following the manufacturer's recommendations, with the date of each inspection documented; the employer provides for prompt rescue after a fallCal. Code Regs., tit. 8, s. 1670 (b) (14), (15), (19)
• A Cal/OSHA annual or project permit is required to construct trenches or excavations 5 feet or deeper into which anyone must descend, and to erect scaffolding, vertical shoring or falsework intended to be more than 36 feet high; on structures intended to be more than 36 feet high, the project administrator holds a project permit for structural steel or member erection, decking, curtain walls and panels, concrete on steel and structural framing; demolishing a structure over 36 feet also needs permitsCal. Code Regs., tit. 8, s. 341 (d) (3) to (5)
• Excavation may not begin until the excavator has marked the area as Government Code section 4216.2 requires and has received a positive response from every known operator of subsurface installations in the area; regional notification centers and non-member owners are told of the work at least 2 working days before digging, except in emergenciesCal. Code Regs., tit. 8, s. 1541 (b) (1) (A), (b) (2)

What is in it

• Site access, housekeeping and storageDebris, scrap lumber with nails and combustible scrap cleared from work areas and stairs, Access routes, walkways and stairways clear and safe, Site perimeter, fencing, gates and warning signs, Materials stacked stable and kept back from edges and openings, Protruding rebar capped or guarded against impalement
• Fall protection and openingsOpen sides and edges protected by guardrails, nets or fall arrest, Floor holes, openings and skylights covered or guarded and marked, Harnesses, lanyards and anchors inspected before use and worn where needed, Roof work: guardrails, warning lines, nets or fall arrest in use
• Scaffolds and aerial liftsScaffolds inspected by a competent person before the shift (tag or record), Scaffold fully planked, with guardrails, base plates or mudsills, ties and safe access, Aerial and scissor lifts: pre-use check, gates closed, operators tied off in boom lifts
• LaddersLadders free of damage; defective ladders tagged Do Not Use and removed, Ladders set up correctly: extended above the landing or secured, on firm footing
• Excavations and trenchesExcavations inspected daily by a competent person, and after rain, Cave-in protection (sloping, shoring or a trench box) in place where needed, Spoils and equipment kept back from the edge; a ladder or ramp close by to get out, Underground utilities located and marked before digging, Cal/OSHA permit held for trenches or excavations 5 feet or deeper that anyone enters
• Electrical and temporary powerGround fault protection (GFCI) or an assured grounding program on temporary power, Cords and plugs undamaged, ground pins present, kept out of water and traffic, Panels covered and labeled; no exposed live parts, Overhead power lines identified and kept clear of equipment and ladders
• Cranes, heavy equipment and vehiclesCranes inspected each shift by a competent person; rigging and slings in good condition, Swing radius barricaded; backup alarms working or a spotter used, Equipment run only by trained, authorized operators; seat belts used
• Tools and machine guardsGuards on saws and grinders in place and working, Damaged or noncompliant tools tagged out or removed, Powder-actuated tools and nail guns used by trained workers
• Fire prevention and hazardous materialsFire extinguishers on site, charged and within reach, Fuel, propane and flammables stored and labeled safely, Hot work: area cleared of combustibles, extinguisher and fire watch where needed, Chemical containers labeled; safety data sheets available; dust controlled when cutting
• Personal protective equipmentHard hats worn where there is a risk of falling or flying objects, Eye and face protection worn for cutting, grinding, nailing and chemicals, High-visibility vests, hearing protection, gloves and footwear suited to the work
• First aid, emergency and site facilitiesFirst aid kit stocked and a trained first aider on site when no clinic is close by, Emergency numbers, site address and plan posted; everyone knows the muster point, Toilets, drinking water and hand washing available, Code of Safe Practices posted at the job site office or held by each supervisor, Toolbox or tailgate safety meeting held within the last 10 working days
• Corrective actionsHazard and location, Corrective action, Responsible, Due, Status
• Items from earlier inspectionsItems from earlier inspections or reports, and whether each has been fixed.

Rules last reviewed October 12, 2026. Read the full California site safety inspection report requirements.