NOM-035 evidence for an STPS inspection: checklist
When the STPS inspection arrives, what gets reviewed for NOM-035 is documentary evidence: policy, measures, questionnaires, results, program and records. It does not matter how much was done if it cannot be shown. This checklist covers what to have ready by workplace size and how to organize it so the visit takes a morning and not a week.
In this article
What does the STPS review in a NOM-035 inspection?
It checks that the workplace meets the obligations the standard sets for its size, and it does so by requesting documentary evidence: the signed and disseminated policy, the prevention measures, the identification of workers exposed to severe traumatic events, the applied questionnaires and their results, the intervention program when applicable and the records of all of the above. The STPS inspects and, for a breach, the Federal Labor Law (art. 994 sec. V) provides fines of 250 to 5,000 times the UMA per breach; check the current UMA value. The detail of obligations by size is in NOM-035 in 2026: what it requires, who it applies to and what the fines are.
Checklist by workplace size
Each range accumulates the evidence of the previous one; mark what you have and what is missing.
| Evidence | Up to 15 | 16 to 50 | More than 50 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prevention policy signed by management with evidence of dissemination | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Documented prevention measures (and a workplace violence complaint mechanism) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Guide I applied: identification of severe traumatic events and referrals | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Evidence of information disseminated to staff (posters, emails, signature lists) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Guide II applied to all staff, results by domain and category | No | Yes | No (Guide III applies) |
| Guide III applied (census or sampling with sample calculation), results by domain | No | No | Yes |
| Intervention program with actions, owners and dates when the level requires it | No | Yes | Yes |
| Records of each application with date (at least every two years) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
What must each piece of evidence contain?
It is not enough for the document to exist: it must show who, when and for whom, because that is what the inspector cross-checks.
- Policy: the three commitments, management signature, date and proof of dissemination (what it must include, with a template).
- Prevention measures: what was done, in which area, since when, who is responsible; if they include training, the DC-3 certificates.
- Guide I: record of application to each worker, result and, where applicable, referral for assessment.
- Guides II or III: instrument used, date, number of workers evaluated (and sample calculation if sampling was used), score by domain and category with its risk level (how to apply guides I, II and III).
- Intervention program: actions per domain at medium level or above, owners, dates and evidence of progress.
- Dissemination: dated photos, emails, attendance lists and certificates from the information sessions.
How do you organize the evidence folder?
A physical or digital folder with seven numbered sections in the same order as the standard, a one-page index and every document dated and with an owner lets you answer any request in minutes. Conventions that help:
- 01 Policy · 02 Prevention measures · 03 Guide I · 04 Guides II/III · 05 Results · 06 Intervention program · 07 Dissemination and training.
- Name files with the date first (2026-03-15-signed-policy.pdf) so the history sorts itself.
- Keep previous applications: the standard requires repeating the evaluation at least every two years and the records prove continuity.
- Assign an owner with access to the folder and a backup; the inspection does not announce who will be there that day.
The NOM-035 software generates sections 03 to 06 with dates, risk levels by domain and exportable reports, which removes the most laborious part.
What if something is missing?
First, document what does exist, even if incomplete, and second, close the gaps in order of impact: policy and measures (they apply to everyone), then the expired evaluation and finally the intervention program. If the last evaluation is more than two years old, scheduling it now is the action with the best effort-to-result ratio. Intervention program actions that touch leadership and workload can be integrated into the STPS training plan and program, so the same evidence serves two obligations; the active listening course for managers is a frequent example.
A 30-day plan to be ready
- Week 1: headcount per workplace, inventory of existing evidence and a folder with the seven sections.
- Week 2: policy signed and disseminated; prevention measures in writing; Guide I applied.
- Week 3: Guide II or III applied (with sample calculation if applicable) and scoring by domain.
- Week 4: intervention program, schedule for the next evaluation and a training session with the NOM-035 course with DC-3.
Want to bring this to your team?
We review your folder against the standard, close the gaps and leave your evidence organized and dated for the next inspection. Message us on WhatsApp, fill out the contact form or open this site's live chat: we send a proposal with three scope options and a closed price in under 24 business hours, with the DC-3 certificate and Geedle Bot included. The full program is at NOM-035 compliance service and the catalog at training courses for companies.
