Work Site Safety Inspection - Part 6

Work Site Safety Inspection

28. Medical services and first aid

• Have you developed an emergency medical plan?
• Are emergency phone numbers posted?
• Are first-aid kits with necessary supplies easily accessible to each work area, periodically inspected, and replenished as needed?
• Are means provided for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body in areas where caustic or corrosive liquids or materials are handled?

29. Noise: hearing conservation

• Are there areas in your workplace where continuous noise levels exceed 85 dBA?
• Are noise levels measured using a sound-level meter or an octave band analyzer, and are you keeping records of these levels?
• Have you tried isolating noisy machinery from the rest of your operation?
• Have engineering controls been used to reduce excessive noise?
• Where engineering controls are not feasible, are administrative controls used to minimize employee exposure to noise?
• Is there a preventive health program that educates employees about safe levels of noise and exposure, effects of noise on their health, and use of personal protection?
• Are employees who are exposed to continuous noise above 85 dBA retrained annually?
• Have you identified and posted work areas in which noise levels make voice communication difficult?
• Does every employee working in areas where noise levels exceed 90 dBA use approved hearing protection equipment (noise attenuating devices)?
• Are employees properly fitted and instructed in the proper use and care of hearing protection?
• Are employees who are exposed to continuous noise above 85 dBA given periodic audiometric testing to ensure that you have an effective hearing-protection system?

30. Personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Have you assessed workplace hazards that might require PPE and reviewed related injuries?
• Has the assessment been documented?
• Does the documentation identify the workplace evaluated?
• Has training been provided to each employee who is required to wear PPE?
• Has the training been documented?
• Are protective goggles or face shields provided to employees and worn when there may be danger of flying material or caustic or corrosive materials?
• Are ANSI-approved safety glasses (or safety goggles of relevant standard as per site rules) worn at all times in areas where there is risk of eye injury?
• Are protective gloves, aprons, or shields provided to employees for protection against cuts, corrosive liquids, and chemicals?
• Are hardhats provided and worn where there is a danger of falling objects?
• Are hardhats inspected periodically for damage to the shell and the suspension system?
• Do employees exposed to vehicular traffic wear high visibility garments that make them stand out from their surroundings?
• Do workers wear reflective garments at night?
• Are appropriate respirators provided for regular or emergency use where they are necessary?
• Is there a written respirator program?
• Are the respirators inspected before and after each use?
• Is a written record kept of all inspection dates and findings?
• Have all employees been trained in work procedures, and proper use and maintenance of protective clothing and equipment for cleaning up spilled toxic or other hazardous materials or liquids?
• Is a spill kit available for employees to clean up spilled toxic or hazardous materials?
• Are employees required to wear safety shoes when they are exposed to conditions that could cause foot injuries?
• Is all protective equipment sanitary and ready to use?
• Is there an eyewash facility and a quick-drench shower in each work area where employees are exposed to caustic or corrosive materials?
• Do employees have lunch areas in areas where there is no exposure to toxic materials?
• Is protection from occupational noise provided when sound levels exceed those of the hearing conservation standards?

31. Piping systems: identification (for both construction and operation process)

• When non potable water is piped through a facility, are outlets or taps posted to alert employees that the water is unsafe and not to be used for drinking, washing, or personal use?
• Is each pipeline identified when hazardous substances are transported through above ground piping?
• Have asbestos-covered pipelines been identified?
• When pipelines are identified by colored paint, are all visible parts of the line well identified?
• When pipelines are identified by colored bands or tape, are they identified at reasonable intervals, and at each outlet, valve, or connection?
• When pipelines are identified by color, is a color code posted in on the pipeline where employees are likely to need it and could be confused by the hazards?
• When the contents of pipelines are identified by name or by abbreviation, is the information readily visible on the pipe near each valve or outlet?
• When tags identify pipelines carrying hazardous substances, are the tags constructed of durable material, the message clearly and permanently distinguishable, and tags installed at each valve or outlet?
• When electricity, steam, or other external sources heat pipelines, are suitable warning signs or tags placed at unions, valves, or other serviceable parts of the system?

32. Psychosocial Environment

• Is it necessary that the employees work very quickly?
• Do employees have only a little influence on the amount of work?
• Do employees have only a little influence on the performance of the work?
• Is the work repetitious / tedious?
• Do employees regularly work outside normal working hours e.g. swing or night shift?
• Do employees often have to work overtime?
• Do employees often not accomplish the set tasks?
• Are employees feel uncomfortable reporting injuries, hazards, or concerns?

33. Recognition

• Are employees recognized for consistent excellent performance?
• Do employees receive recognition and reward for making suggestions?
• Do employees receive tangible rewards for suggestions that add value to the success of the company?
• Do employees receive recognition for voluntary participation in safety teams and activities?
• Are employees submitted for formal recognition/rewards when they meet the criteria?

34. Recordkeeping (For both construction and operation purposes)

• Are all occupational injuries and illnesses, including those involving loss of life, loss of consciousness, loss of time from work, and those requiring treatment other than first aid, recorded as required? 
• Are copies of kept for five years (as per legal requirement)? 
• Are employee’s medical records and records of exposure to hazardous substances or harmful physical agents current?
• Have arrangements been made to maintain required records for the legal period for each type of record? 
• Are operating permits and records current for elevators, pressure vessels, and liquefied petroleum gas tanks?
• Are employee safety and health training records maintained?
• Are safety inspections and corrections documented and maintained?

35. RAW MATERIALS

• Are substances and materials stored appropriately and according to the regulations? (remember fire hazard)
• Can spills or leaks of chemical substances reach any navigable waters or municipal sewers?
• Are environmental accident response materials (spill kits, absorbents, dams, etc.) readily and conspicuously available?

                                               ------ Continued in next post

                                                          work site safety inspection part 7