Which aspect is often a focus of foundation inspections?

Foundation inspections primarily focus on assessing the soil bearing capacity and settlement because these factors are crucial for determining whether a structure can be safely supported by the ground beneath it. The soil's bearing capacity measures how much weight it can support without failure, while settlement refers to the downward movement of the foundation over time due to various influences like changes in moisture levels, weight distribution, or soil compaction.

If the soil does not have adequate bearing capacity, or if there is excessive settlement, this can lead to structural problems such as cracking, tilting, or even collapse. Hence, careful examination of the foundation and its interaction with the soil is critical to ensure structural integrity and longevity.

The other options, while important in their respective contexts, do not specifically align with the primary goals of foundation inspections. For instance, corrosion of metal components pertains to the durability of materials and elements in the structure, workforce safety compliance deals with regulations for worker safety on site, and installation of plumbing systems is focused on mechanical systems rather than structural stability.