DOSH Inspection Preparation: The Employer's Checklist
Published 23 September 2026 · Regulatory Hub
A DOSH inspector can arrive unannounced. Under Section 30 of the OSH Act 1994 (as amended 2022), employers must maintain a safe workplace — and the inspector has the authority to issue immediate stop-work orders, compound offences, or recommend prosecution.
This checklist covers the 10 most common inspection failure points we see during pre-audit gap assessments.
1. HIRARC Register
What inspectors look for: A current Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control (HIRARC) register that covers all work activities, not just the obvious ones.
Common failure: Outdated HIRARC that does not reflect current processes, or generic templates copied from the internet.
Fix: Update your HIRARC annually or whenever processes change. Include control measures with responsible persons and deadlines.
2. Safety and Health Committee
Mandatory for: All workplaces with 40+ employees, or any workplace with a significant hazard (chemicals, heavy machinery, construction).
What inspectors check:
- Committee formation letter (signed by employer)
- Meeting minutes (quarterly minimum)
- Training certificates for committee members
- Inspection reports and action tracking
Common failure: Committee exists on paper but never meets, or members lack certified training. We deliver Safety Committee Training on-site.
3. First-Aiders and Emergency Response
Requirement: Minimum one certified first-aider per shift, per 150 workers (or per hazardous area). First-aid boxes must be stocked and accessible.
Common failure: First-aider certificates expired. No emergency response drill records. No written emergency procedure posted.
4. Machinery and Equipment Registers
Under the Factory and Machinery Act 1967, certain equipment requires:
- PMA (Permit to Install) — before installation
- PMT (Permit to Use) — before operation
- Annual inspection by a DOSH-registered inspector
Common failure: Equipment operated without valid PMT, or annual inspection overdue.
5. Chemical Management (USECHH 2000)
If you handle scheduled chemicals:
- CHRA must be current and site-specific
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS) must be accessible to workers
- Chemical labels must be legible and in Malay/English
- LEV systems must have inspection records
Common failure: SDS stored in an office, not on the shop floor where workers can access them during a spill.
6. Noise Exposure (2019 Regulations)
The action level dropped from 85 dB(A) to 82 dB(A) in 2019. If your workplace exceeds this, you need:
- Noise survey report (calibrated, within 2 years)
- Hearing conservation programme
- Audiometric testing records
- PPE provision and training records
7. Training Records
Inspectors will ask for evidence that workers have been trained on:
- Safe work procedures for their specific tasks
- Emergency response (fire, chemical spill, evacuation)
- PPE selection, use, and maintenance
Common failure: Generic safety briefing with no attendance signatures or competency verification.
What Happens If You Fail?
- Immediate: Stop-work order, prohibition notice, or improvement notice
- Short-term: Compound (on-the-spot fine) or prosecution
- Corporate: Under Section 30, fine up to RM500,000 for general duty breaches
Pre-Audit Gap Assessment
Naja Safety conducts pre-DOSH gap assessments that identify compliance gaps before the inspector arrives. We provide a prioritised action plan with timelines, responsibilities, and documentation templates.