OSHA 29 CFR requires agencies to use inspectors who are, "Personnel with equipment and competence to recognize hazards." Qualified inspectors able to recognize and evaluate working environment hazards and suggest general abatement procedures must conduct inspections. Safety and health specialists are defined as: inspectors who are experienced or qualified by current occupational safety and health hazard recognition evaluation training.
For working environments with less complex hazards, such safety and health specialists may not be required. In such working environments, personnel must have documented training and/or experience in such workplaces to recognize hazards, and suggest abatement procedures. Inspection personnel must be provided with proper equipment to conduct thorough workplace inspections.
OSHA 29 CFR states that safety and health inspectors working in classified areas must, in the interest of national security, obtain appropriate security clearance.
OSHA 29 CFR requires annual inspections of all workplace operations, including offices. With more than 7 million businesses in the U.S. as of 2010, OSHA cannot send inspectors to all businesses every year. Annual inspections are conducted by competent workplace personnel who are authorized to stop work in a hazardous area if necessary. OSHA on-site inspections are prioritized according to imminent danger, disasters and catastrophes, complaints, and referrals from other organizations. Workplace areas where there is increased risk of accident, injury, or illness as a result of the nature of the work may require more frequent and unannounced inspections and unannounced follow-up inspections to ensure the identification and abatement of hazardous conditions.
OSHA 29 CFR states that when multiple agencies become involved in safety inspections affecting employee safety and health, inspectors are required to coordinate their efforts.
OSHA 29 CFR requires construction and general industry companies to assign a "competent person" to complete inspections in the workplace. According to Concrete Products, one of the top 10 citations to the construction industry is the failure to provide a competent person. Such citations usually occur because companies do not understand the definition of a "competent person." According to 29 CFR 1926.32(f) a competent person is defined as "one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them."