Free OSHA general industry inspection checklist
Free OSHA general industry inspection checklist (PDF-ready). Covers 29 CFR 1910 walking surfaces, exits, electrical, PPE, hazcom and machine guarding.
Updated 10 Aug 2026
OSHA General Industry Inspection Checklist
Workplace safety inspection per 29 CFR 1910 General Industry Standards.
Walking / Working Surfaces (1910.21-30)
Exits & Emergency Egress (1910.33-39)
Electrical (1910.301-399)
Machine Guarding (1910.211-219)
Hazard Communication (1910.1200)
Personal Protective Equipment (1910.132-138)
Fire Protection (1910.155-165)
Medical & First Aid (1910.151)
Inspector Sign-off
Signature
Print name
Date & time
Supervisor / Facility Manager Acknowledgment
Signature
Print name
Date
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Short answer
An OSHA general industry inspection checklist records a walkthrough of a fixed workplace against 29 CFR 1910: walking-working surfaces, exit routes, PPE, machine guarding, electrical and hazard communication, with results and corrective actions. OSHA sets no general self-inspection frequency, so quarterly or monthly walkthroughs are common practice. Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act requires a workplace free from recognized hazards causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm.
Checked against OSHA 29 CFR 1910 (Current eCFR text, up to date as of 2026-10-22 (read 2026-10-26)) on by the MapTrack templates team. How we check templates
Key takeaways
- The MapTrack OSHA general industry inspection checklist contains 26 checks across 8 sections. Sections covered: Walking / Working Surfaces (1910.21-30), Exits & Emergency Egress (1910.33-39), Electrical (1910.301-399), Machine Guarding (1910.211-219), Hazard Communication (1910.1200), Personal Protective Equipment (1910.132-138), Fire Protection (1910.155-165), Medical & First Aid (1910.151).
- Covers walking surfaces, egress, PPE, machine guarding, electrical and hazard communication in one workplace inspection, recorded with findings and owners.
- Built around OSHA 29 CFR 1910, the general industry standards, with sections mapped to the subparts inspectors actually cite.
- Visible general-industry hazards include blocked egress, missing guards, damaged cords and unlabelled chemicals.
- An inspection finding with a photo, an owner and a date closes. A finding without them reappears at the next inspection.
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What is an OSHA general industry inspection checklist?
An OSHA general industry inspection checklist is a structured document used to verify that a workplace meets the requirements of OSHA 29 CFR 1910, the federal standard governing occupational safety and health in general industry workplaces across the United States. It covers walking-working surfaces (Subpart D), exit routes and emergency planning (Subpart E), powered platforms (Subpart F), occupational health and environmental controls (Subpart G), hazardous materials (Subpart H), personal protective equipment (Subpart I), general environmental controls (Subpart J), medical and first aid (Subpart K), fire protection (Subpart L), compressed gas and air (Subpart M), materials handling (Subpart N), machinery and machine guarding (Subpart O), electrical (Subpart S) and hazard communication (Subpart Z). Each line item is marked Pass, Fail or N/A with space for corrective actions.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910 is the most broadly applicable safety standard in the United States, covering nearly every general industry workplace from warehouses and manufacturing plants to offices and retail establishments. Employers have a legal obligation under the OSH Act of 1970 to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards. Regular documented inspections using a standardized checklist help employers identify violations before OSHA compliance officers arrive, reduce the risk of employee injuries, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous safety improvement. This checklist provides a comprehensive, repeatable framework that safety managers, supervisors and safety committee members can use for routine facility walkthroughs and annual comprehensive audits.
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Benefits of using this OSHA general industry inspection checklist
- Regulatory compliance: documented inspections demonstrate compliance with 29 CFR 1910 and reduce the risk of OSHA citations, which can carry penalties of up to $16,550 per serious violation.
- Hazard identification: systematic inspections catch slip, trip and fall hazards, blocked exits, missing guards, electrical deficiencies and PPE gaps before they cause injuries.
- Injury reduction: workplaces with active self-inspection programs consistently report lower total recordable incident rates than those relying solely on external OSHA inspections.
- Insurance benefits: a documented safety inspection program supports workers compensation experience modification rate reductions and may lower commercial insurance premiums.
- Employee engagement: involving supervisors and safety committee members in regular inspections builds a culture of safety awareness and shared responsibility across the organization.
- Audit readiness: maintaining a library of completed inspection checklists provides immediate documentation when OSHA requests records during programmed or complaint-driven inspections.
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What to include in an OSHA general industry inspection checklist
This OSHA general industry inspection checklist covers 10 key areas:
- Facility and inspector details: facility name, address, area inspected, inspector name and title, date, inspection type (routine, annual, post-incident, pre-OSHA visit).
- Walking-working surfaces (Subpart D): floors clean and dry, aisles clear and marked, guardrails on open-sided platforms, stair rails present, ladder condition and storage.
- Exit routes (Subpart E): exit routes clear and unobstructed, exit signs illuminated and visible, emergency lighting functional, exit doors not locked or blocked from inside.
- Personal protective equipment (Subpart I): hazard assessment documented, appropriate PPE provided and available, employees trained on PPE use, PPE in serviceable condition.
- Hazard communication (Subpart Z): written HazCom program current, Safety Data Sheets accessible for all chemicals, container labels present and legible, employee training current.
- Fire protection (Subpart L): extinguishers mounted, charged and inspected, sprinkler heads unobstructed, fire alarm pull stations accessible, evacuation plan posted.
- Electrical safety (Subpart S): panel covers in place, working clearances maintained, no damaged cords, GFCIs tested, junction box covers installed.
- Machine guarding (Subpart O): point-of-operation guards in place, power transmission guards secure, abrasive wheel guards installed, guard interlocks functional.
- Materials handling (Subpart N): forklift daily inspections documented, overhead crane inspections current, slings and rigging in good condition, dock plates secured.
- Overall result: Pass/Fail determination, defect register with severity ratings, corrective action assignments, responsible persons and follow-up due dates.
How to use this OSHA general industry inspection checklist
- Prepare the inspection by selecting the areas to cover, assembling the checklist, reviewing recent incident reports and prior inspection findings.: Before beginning the walkthrough, review the previous inspection report to check whether corrective actions were completed. Gather the checklist, a clipboard, camera or phone for photos, PPE for the areas you will enter, and any test equipment such as a GFCI tester or light meter. Notify area supervisors that an inspection is taking place so they can answer questions and accompany you if needed.
- Walk the facility systematically, starting at the main entrance and proceeding through each area, marking each checklist item as Pass, Fail or N/A.: Follow a consistent route to ensure no area is missed. Inspect walking surfaces, exits and egress first because they affect every employee. Then inspect PPE usage, chemical storage and labeling, fire protection equipment, electrical panels and machine guarding in each work area. Photograph deficiencies to support corrective action requests and to create a visual record for the inspection file.
- Interview employees in each area about safety concerns, near misses and any hazards they have identified since the last inspection.: Ask workers whether they have noticed any new hazards, experienced near misses, or have concerns about their PPE, training or work procedures. Employee input often reveals hazards that are not visible during a walkthrough, such as intermittent equipment malfunctions, ergonomic issues or chemical exposures during specific tasks. Document these concerns on the checklist.
- Test safety equipment including GFCI receptacles, emergency lighting, fire extinguisher gauges, eyewash stations and safety showers.: Press the test button on each GFCI receptacle and reset it. Activate emergency lighting by simulating a power failure at the test switch. Check that fire extinguisher gauges show adequate pressure and that annual inspection tags are current. Flush eyewash stations and safety showers to verify flow rate and water clarity. Record results on the checklist and note any equipment that fails testing.
- Complete the overall assessment, assign corrective actions with due dates and responsible persons, and distribute the report to management.: Review all findings, assign a severity rating to each deficiency (imminent danger, serious, other-than-serious, de minimis) and set corrective action due dates proportional to severity. Imminent danger conditions must be corrected immediately or the area must be shut down. Sign the completed checklist, distribute copies to area supervisors and the safety committee, and schedule a follow-up inspection to verify that corrective actions were implemented.
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Get the free templateEnter your email above to download the full OSHA general industry inspection checklist as a PDF.Back to download formHow often should you complete this checklist?
OSHA does not prescribe a universal inspection frequency for general industry workplaces, but the general duty clause requires employers to maintain safe conditions at all times. Industry best practice is to conduct a comprehensive facility-wide inspection at least quarterly, with monthly focused inspections targeting higher-risk areas such as machine shops, chemical storage, electrical rooms and loading docks.
Daily informal inspections by supervisors at the start of each shift catch obvious hazards before employees begin work. Annual comprehensive audits that cover every Subpart of 29 CFR 1910 provide a baseline for the following year. After any OSHA 300 recordable incident, near miss or significant process change, a targeted inspection of the affected area should be performed before normal operations resume. Facilities with high hazard operations may increase frequency to monthly comprehensive inspections.
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Frequently asked questions
Applicable regulatory standards
This template is a starting point. Check the current requirements that apply to your equipment, work and location. The template alone does not establish compliance.
| Standard | Edition | Clauses this template relies on | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 CFR Part 1910, Occupational Safety and Health StandardsThe general industry standards the checklist sections follow. Subpart E is titled Exit Routes and Emergency Planning. | Current eCFR text, up to date as of 2026-10-22 (read 2026-10-26) |
| US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (text via eCFR) |
| Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970The General Duty Clause OSHA uses where no specific standard covers a recognized hazard likely to cause death or serious physical harm. | 1970, as amended through 1 January 2004 (OSHA.gov reprint, read 2026-10-26) |
| US Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
| 29 CFR Part 1904, Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and IllnessesInjury and illness recordkeeping, the OSHA 300 records that can trigger a targeted inspection. | Current eCFR text, up to date as of 2026-10-22 (read 2026-10-26) | Whole instrument | US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (text via eCFR) |
29 CFR Part 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards
Edition: Current eCFR text, up to date as of 2026-10-22 (read 2026-10-26)
The general industry standards the checklist sections follow. Subpart E is titled Exit Routes and Emergency Planning.
- Subpart D: Walking-working surfaces: floors, ladders, stairs, scaffolds and fall protection duties in general industry workplaces.
- Subpart E: Exit routes and emergency planning: exit route design and maintenance, emergency action plans and fire prevention plans.
- Subpart I: Personal protective equipment: hazard assessment, selection, training, and eye, face, head, foot, hand and respiratory protection.
- Subpart O: Machinery and machine guarding, including general requirements, woodworking, abrasive wheels, power presses and power transmission.
- Subpart S: Electrical: design safety standards for installations, safety-related work practices, maintenance and special equipment.
- 1910.1200: Hazard communication: hazard classification, container labels, safety data sheets, a written programme and employee training.
US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (text via eCFR)
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
Edition: 1970, as amended through 1 January 2004 (OSHA.gov reprint, read 2026-10-26)
The General Duty Clause OSHA uses where no specific standard covers a recognized hazard likely to cause death or serious physical harm.
- s 5(a)(1): General Duty Clause: each employer must provide employment and a workplace free from recognised hazards likely to cause death or serious harm.
29 CFR Part 1904, Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
Edition: Current eCFR text, up to date as of 2026-10-22 (read 2026-10-26)
Injury and illness recordkeeping, the OSHA 300 records that can trigger a targeted inspection.
US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (text via eCFR)
Each source was read at its publisher and the page checked on 26 October 2026. The publisher's current text is the authority.
OSHA general industry inspection checklist preview
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<p style="font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#071D49;margin:0;">Free template</p>
<p style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#071D49;margin:6px 0 0;">OSHA general industry inspection checklist</p>
<ul style="margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:18px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;">
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Facility and inspector details: facility name, address, area inspected, inspector name and title, date, inspection type (routine, annual, post-incident, pre-OSHA visit).</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Walking-working surfaces (Subpart D): floors clean and dry, aisles clear and marked, guardrails on open-sided platforms, stair rails present, ladder condition and storage.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Exit routes (Subpart E): exit routes clear and unobstructed, exit signs illuminated and visible, emergency lighting functional, exit doors not locked or blocked from inside.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Personal protective equipment (Subpart I): hazard assessment documented, appropriate PPE provided and available, employees trained on PPE use, PPE in serviceable condition.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Hazard communication (Subpart Z): written HazCom program current, Safety Data Sheets accessible for all chemicals, container labels present and legible, employee training current.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Fire protection (Subpart L): extinguishers mounted, charged and inspected, sprinkler heads unobstructed, fire alarm pull stations accessible, evacuation plan posted.</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-size:13px;color:#6B7280;margin:14px 0 0;padding-top:12px;border-top:1px solid #E5E7EB;">Free <a href="https://www.maptrack.com/templates/osha-general-industry-inspection" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">OSHA general industry inspection checklist</a> by MapTrack</p>
</div>Free to reuse, including commercially. This template is published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. Copy it, adapt it, put it on your own site or in your own docs. All we ask is that you credit MapTrack with a link back to this page. The snippet above already includes that credit, so if you use it as-is you’re covered.
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The MapTrack OSHA general industry inspection checklist contains 26 checks across 8 sections.
- Short attribution
- MapTrack OSHA general industry inspection checklist, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/osha-general-industry-inspection
- Reference list
- MapTrack. (2026). OSHA general industry inspection checklist [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/osha-general-industry-inspection
Free to reuse with credit under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. If you’d rather link straight to it, the page is https://www.maptrack.com/templates/osha-general-industry-inspection.
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