Factory inspectors ensure safety, quality and compliance with regulations in manufacturing plants. They can be employed by governments, insurance agencies, unions, or manufacturing companies. Training varies, but on-the-job experience and knowledge of industry regulations are essential.
A factory inspector is a professional who examines elements of a factory or plant’s operations to ensure safety, quality and compliance with regulations. Factory inspectors may be employed by many different organizations and may have many different areas of expertise. The primary job of any factory inspector is to help improve the safety of a factory and its products for workers and consumers alike.
Factory inspectors became commonplace in the late 19th century, when many governments enacted the first laws regulating factory procedures. Some of the first inspectors employed by the government tried to eradicate the use of child labor; in the UK, the Factory Act of 1833 became one of the first to require the creation of inspectorates to ensure that children under the age of nine were not used for factory work. As government regulation of manufacturing expanded, the number of inspectors greatly increased around the world. A modern factory can now undergo government inspection for health compliance, safety preparedness, adherence to labor laws, environmental standards and quality assurance.
While many factory inspectors are employed by the government, many also work for insurance agencies and unions. A factory inspector can be a huge boon to any of these organizations as he or she can carry out regular inspections to ensure a factory is following insurance or union standards. Violations of insurance standards can result in increased rates or even loss of coverage. Union violations can lead to strikes, fines or other punitive actions by unions.
A factory inspector can also be employed by a manufacturing company. In order to avoid fines, sanctions and strikes caused by various regulatory violations, plant management can find in-house inspectors extremely helpful. A dedicated inspector, trained in all the regulations a factory may face, can ensure that the company complies with standards before undergoing an external inspection. Internal inspectors can also look at issues such as production efficiency and consistent quality assurance, ensuring that products created in a plant are managed effectively and in line with internal quality standards.
The training required to become a factory inspector can vary by position. While there are few training courses that lead directly into the field, some factory inspectors have training as engineers, mechanics, or quality assurance professionals. Much of the training for a factory inspector is done on the job, although an inspector may also spend considerable time studying and understanding the regulatory rules in their industry.
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