Inspectors Take the Initiative: Proactive Methods

Abstract

Abstract As the word ‘inspector’ suggests, routine inspections and check visits are the ‘traditional’ methods of operation for many regulatory officials and ones which are regarded as fundamental by field staff. To many enforcement officials routine inspections were the stuff of their work and a much-valued mode of operation. The amount of time spent on inspections varied between inspectorates. In all of the inspectorates examined in this research inspections comprised a major method of assessment. Of the total number of visits I undertook with inspectors, routine inspection comprised 65 per cent of FI visits; 63 per cent of IAPI visits; and 79 per cent of REI visits. This is a larger proportion than might be expected from annual work plans.1 This seems to be explained by the fact that many of the special projects and initiatives which tended to be itemised separately in ‘Plans of Work’ were combined with routine inspections by field-level staff.