Jobsite Safety Walkthrough Reference
Why this matters
Most jobsite accidents are predictable. The tech who walks the jobsite for 60 seconds before starting work catches conditions that would have caused the accident. This isn't OSHA paperwork - it's a quick mental check that becomes habit. This is the field card.
The 60-second arrival walkthrough
Before unloading tools or starting work:
Look up: is anything overhead that could fall on you, fall on the customer's property, or that you'll need to access? Power lines, tree limbs, gutter condition, attic access, roof condition.
Look down: footing condition. Slippery (wet, icy, mossy)? Trip hazards (cords, hoses, debris)? Stable (driveway, deck, vs unstable ground)?
Look around: people + animals in the work zone. Customer's kids, pets, neighbors, vehicles approaching. Path from truck to work area clear?
Look at the work area: any obvious hazards specific to the trade? Live wiring exposed, gas smell, standing water, unsafe ladder existing, propane tanks nearby (welding)?
This walkthrough catches most predictable problems. Skipping it = the accident the customer will remember.
Trade-specific hazards to scan for
HVAC outdoor: live power, welded contactor (compressor may start when panel off), hot/cold refrigerant lines, fan debris releases when screen comes off. Plumbing crawlspace/under sink: sewer gas, pre-1980 asbestos insulation, wet floor, low headroom, electrical conduit nearby. Electrical panel/service: line-side lugs live with main off, arc-flash risk, asbestos around old panel boxes. Roofing: fall risk, weather, brittle materials (cold day), skylights covered, pre-1980 asbestos. Confined space: low oxygen, hazardous atmosphere, retrieval challenge. Painting: ladder/scaffold integrity, indoor fumes, oil-rag self-combustion. Pool/spa: chemical exposure, electrical in water environment, slip. Pest control: pesticide exposure, animal disturbance, attic biohazards. Carpet/restoration: structural concern on saturated floors, contamination categories, electrical in wet. Lawn/outdoor: traffic, sun/heat, equipment moving parts, falling objects under trees, wildlife.
PPE selection by what you see
Adapt PPE to what the walkthrough revealed:
- Live electrical work → arc-rated PPE (covered in PPE selection)
- Refrigerant + contact with chemicals → gloves, eye protection
- Working overhead → hard hat
- Heights > 6 ft → fall protection
- Dust / fumes → respirator (right cartridge type)
- Slick surfaces → slip-resistant boots OR extra caution
Don't put on universal "kitchen sink" PPE for every job; pick PPE the conditions require.
Customer's pets + children
Most service trades work in customer homes. Animals + kids are the wildcards:
Pets: ask customer to confine; ask about temperament; don't engage feeding/petting on the job. Don't leave doors open (they escape).
Children: don't be alone in a confined space with a child. Ask customer to keep children out of the work zone. Don't show off equipment in ways the child might mimic when you leave.
Adults observing: customer wants to watch - fine, but keep them out of the actual safety zone (panel cover off, chemical exposure, etc.).
Existing damage protocol
Before touching anything in the home:
- Photograph any visible damage near the work area
- Note discoloration on walls / ceiling (water damage they might claim was new)
- Note cracked tile, scuffed paint, dented appliance
- Customer signature acknowledging existing condition (where applicable)
Without this, the customer's "you did this" claim has no counter-evidence.
Lockout / tagout discipline
Covered in detail in lockout/tagout reference. Critical points:
- ALWAYS LOTO before opening any panel or working on any energized equipment
- Verify zero energy with a multimeter on a KNOWN-live circuit first (proves meter works), then on target (must read 0V), then re-verify on known-live (proves meter still works)
- Personal lock + tag with your name + date
Don't shortcut LOTO because the job is "quick" - quick jobs are when most LOTO accidents happen.
Working alone
Many service techs work solo. Mitigations:
- Tell someone where you are + when you'll be done
- Check in at end of risky tasks (rooftop, confined space, panel work)
- Don't enter genuinely confined spaces solo - postpone until you can have a buddy or hire help
- Customer in the house counts as one witness but not a rescue resource
Emergency exits + first aid
Before you start:
- Identify the exit path
- Note customer's first aid kit location (or your own)
- Know where the customer's water shutoff + electrical main are (in case YOU cause an emergency)
- Have a phone on you (not just in the truck)
These are 30 seconds of preparation that matter when seconds matter.
Heat + cold extremes
Hot weather: hydration, breaks, recognize heat exhaustion signs (dizziness, nausea, headache); attic temps in summer can exceed 130°F; limit time.
Cold weather: layered clothing, avoid sweating during work then chilling; recognize hypothermia signs (shivering stops + confusion starts); ice on access ladder/roof is the most-underestimated hazard.
Storm weather: cancel rooftop work; postpone if lightning anywhere within 30 miles; don't drive in floods.
Post-incident steps
If something happens despite the walkthrough:
- Self-care first (don't make the situation worse)
- Customer + property check (anyone hurt? property damaged?)
- Call shop + supervisor
- Document immediately (photos + timeline)
- Worker's comp report if injury (per state)
- OSHA reporting if serious (within 8 hr for fatality, 24 hr for hospitalization)
- Insurance notification if property damage
Reporting is for protection, not blame. Don't shortcut documentation.
Building the habit
The walkthrough should be automatic, not a checklist. Like a pilot's pre-flight, it becomes muscle memory through repetition. New techs benefit from explicit checklist (printed laminated card in truck); experienced techs do it in 30 seconds without thinking.
Reinforce by talking about close calls in shop meetings. Stories travel; statistics don't.
What the walkthrough is NOT
- Not a way to refuse jobs you don't want
- Not OSHA paperwork (different scope)
- Not customer-facing (don't make them watch you assess)
- Not a substitute for proper LOTO, PPE, fall protection, etc. - it's the START of those decisions, not a replacement
Communicating safety to customers
When the walkthrough reveals a problem (loose railing on stairs to crawl space, broken light over panel, etc.), say something:
References
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926 (Construction Safety)
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry)
- ANSI Z10 (Occupational Safety Management Systems)
- Manuall internal: PPE Selection by Task, Lockout/Tagout Reference, Ladder + Scaffold Safety