What is a programmed inspection?

A programmed inspection refers to a systematic approach to inspecting workplaces, which is centered around pre-determined criteria rather than solely reactive measures. This type of inspection is typically conducted at randomly selected hazardous workplaces to ensure compliance with safety regulations and to identify potential hazards before they result in accidents or injuries.

By focusing on randomly chosen locations, this method allows regulatory agencies to cover a broad spectrum of environments, which helps in identifying both common and unique safety issues across various workplaces. This proactive approach enhances overall workplace safety and health by addressing issues before they escalate.

The other choices reflect different inspection methodologies, but they do not encapsulate the concept of a programmed inspection. Employee complaints, recent accidents, or annual reviews are all response-based or periodic evaluations rather than systematic, random inspections aimed at identifying hazards proactively.