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Reporting observations
5 min readLast updated January 15, 2026
Reporting observations
Safety observations are the backbone of a proactive safety culture. Verdan makes it easy to report hazards, near-misses, and positive safety behaviors.
Types of Observations
Hazard
An unsafe condition that could cause harm:
- Unguarded openings
- Damaged equipment
- Improper storage of materials
- Missing signage
Near-Miss
An event that could have resulted in injury:
- Dropped tools from height
- Slip without fall
- Equipment malfunction caught early
- Vehicle near-collision
Positive
Safe behaviors worth recognizing:
- Proper PPE usage
- Good housekeeping
- Workers stopping unsafe tasks
- Effective communication
Creating an Observation
From the Web Dashboard
- Click Report Observation from Quick Actions
- Select the observation type
- Enter a detailed description
- Add location details (area of site)
- Upload photos (recommended)
- Submit
From the Mobile App
- Tap the + button
- Select Observation
- Take a photo directly from the app
- Add description (voice-to-text supported)
- The app captures your GPS location automatically
- Submit
AI Hazard Classification
When you submit an observation, Verdan's AI automatically:
- Analyzes the description and photos
- Classifies the hazard category (fall, electrical, struck-by, etc.)
- Suggests a severity level
- References relevant OSHA standards
- Recommends corrective actions
You can accept or modify the AI suggestions.
Observation Lifecycle
- Reported — Initial submission
- Under Review — Safety manager evaluating
- Action Required — Corrective action assigned
- In Progress — Work being done to resolve
- Resolved — Issue addressed and verified
- Closed — Final review and closure
Best Practices
- Report immediately — don't wait until end of day
- Include photos whenever possible
- Be specific about location
- Describe both the hazard AND potential consequence
- Follow up on observations you've reported