Design, development and utility validation of TIPA: a tool for inspection performance assessment

Abstract

Objectives. Workplace inspection supports improving the working environment. Changes in workplaces following inspections are construed as the inspection's outcome. This study aimed to develop a tool for inspection performance assessment (TIPA) based on identified inspection prerequisites and evaluate the tool's appropriateness for performance assessment. Methods. Occupational safety and health experts ranked the prerequisites for effective inspection performance, based on their experiences and perception of importance of the prerequisites. The outcome formed the basis for weighting and assignment of values to the prerequisite subgoals. An assessment tool interface, with which inspectors can assess their workplace inspection performance was designed. Inspectors from different national authorities provided feedback on the tool's appropriateness for measuring inspection performance. Results. Results showed much agreement between the inspectors. A five-level performance consideration based on inspection performance index attained was implemented. High average ratings for the test criteria were obtained, with high inter-rater consistency, and reliability. Conclusion. TIPA provides a systematic inspection performance quantification supporting inspectors' self-actualization, improving performance. Furthermore, the tool's generality allows for use irrespective of the inspection area without affecting inspection areas' specificity adjustments. In addition, the ease of use adds to its utility, with agreement on the tool's appropriateness for inspection performance assessment.

KEYWORDS:

• workplace inspection
• performance assessment
• enforcement
• self-assessment
• assessment tool
• inspection prerequisites

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Caroline Schønning-Andreassen, Pål Lund, Maria Orphanou and Bayo Awosanya for their contributions to this study. Thanks also to the different organizations/association contact points, and all the OSH experts and inspectors who participated in the study. Thanks to OSH Pro Services for providing a platform to host the tool.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.