A Guide to OSHA for

Small Businesses in

North Carolina

Bobby R. Davis

Series Editor

N. C. Department of Labor

Division of Occupational Safety and Health

1101 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699- 1101

Cherie K. Berry

Commissioner of Labor

N. C. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Program

Cherie K. Berry

Commissioner of Labor

OSHA State Plan Designee

Allen McNeely

Deputy Commissioner for Safety and Health

Kevin Beauregard

Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Safety and Health

Acknowledgment

This guide is based upon the OSHA Handbook for Small Businesses, published by the U. S. Department of

Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Most of the material in this guide is taken directly from

that excellent publication, although some changes have been made to reflect the OSHA program in North Carolina.

This guide is intended to be consistent with all existing OSHA standards; therefore, if an area is considered by

the reader to be inconsistent with a standard, then the OSHA standard should be followed.

To obtain additional copies of this book, or if you have questions about N. C. occupational safety and health standards or

rules, please contact:

N. C. Department of Labor

Bureau of Education, Training and Technical Assistance

1101 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699- 1101

Phone: ( 919) 807- 2875 or 1- 800- NC- LABOR ( 1- 800- 625- 2267)

____________________

Additional sources of information are listed on the inside back cover of this book.

____________________

The projected cost of the OSHNC program for federal fiscal year 2004– 2005 is $ 13,330,705. Federal funding provides approximately 38 percent ($ 5,162,000) of this

total.

Printed 8/ 05

- iii-

Contents

Part Page

Foreword. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1v

1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

2 A Four- Point Workplace Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

3 Starting Your Voluntary Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

4 Self- Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Self- Inspection Checklists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

5 Assistance in Problem Solving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Overall Action Plan Worksheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

- v-

Foreword

North Carolina is a state built on the success

of its small businesses. From the small manufac-turing

plants located along our mountain roads

to the restaurants lining our beaches, small busi-ness

owners and workers build North Carolina’s

economic backbone.

No one doubts that small business employers

often face special challenges in dealing with

workplace safety and health hazards. Unlike

large corporations, which can afford to hire full-time

safety engineers and industrial hygienists,

small businesses usually must rely on consult-ants,

workshops and other methods to meet

their safety goals.

This is why the N. C. Department of Labor has

created this new publication— to help small busi-ness

employers establish their own safety and

health programs. This booklet advises employers

on how to manage safety and health protection

at their own worksites and explains how to

obtain free, on- site consultative visits by safety

and health professionals.

In North Carolina, DOL inspectors enforce the

federal Occupational Safety and Health Act

through a state plan approved by the U. S.

Department of Labor. The N. C. Department of

Labor’s Division of Occupational Safety and

Health offers many educational programs to the

public and produces publications, including this

guide, to help inform people about their rights

and responsibilities regarding occupational safe-ty

and health.

We at the N. C. Department of Labor hope that

every small business owner will recognize the

value of positive, cooperative action— among

employers, employees and government— to provide

safe and healthful workplaces across our state.

Reading and utilizing A Guide to OSHA for Small

Businesses in North Carolina is a great place to

start.

Cherie K. Berry

Commissioner of Labor

A Profit and Loss Statement

As a small business owner, you are characteris-tically

a risk taker. You wager your business

acumen against larger, perhaps more heavily

financed corporate groups and other free- spirited,

self- employed individuals like yourself. Excite-ment

and challenge are the natural elements in

such a venture. But to succeed, you need good

management information, an ability to be a good

manager of people, and the intelligence and inner

strength both to make decisions and to make the

right decisions.

Thousands of workers die each year, and many,

many more suffer injury or illness from condi-tions

at work. But how often does an owner or

manager like you actually see or even hear about

work- related deaths, serious injuries or illnesses

in the businesses with which you are familiar?

How often has your business actually sustained

this type of loss?

In most small businesses, the answer is rarely.

For this reason, many owners/ managers do not

understand why there is controversy about

OSHA, job safety and health standards, inspec-tions,

citations, etc.

But others have learned why. Unfortunately,

they have had to go through the kind of loss we

are talking about. And these owners/ managers

will tell you that it is too late to do anything once

a serious accident happens. They now know that

prevention is the only real way to avoid this loss.

Reducing all losses is a goal that you as an

owner or manager clearly share with us in the

NCDOL’s Division of Occupational Safety and

Health ( OSH). Each of us may see this goal in a

slightly different light, but it remains our common

intent.

We have learned from small employers, like

you, that you place a high value on the health and

well- being of your employees. Like many small

businesses, you probably employ family members

and personal acquaintances. And, if you don’t

know your employees before they are hired, then

chances are that the very size of your workgroup

and workplace will promote the closeness and con-cern

for one another that small businesses value.

Assuming that your commitment to safe and

healthful work practices is a given ingredient, we

in OSH want to work with you to prevent all loss-es.

We believe that when you make job safety and

health a real part of your everyday operations,

you cannot lose in the long run.

Successful safety and health activity now will

enable you to avoid possible losses in the future.

Developing a Profitable Strategy

for Handling Occupational Safety

and Health

Many people confuse the idea of “ accidents”

with the notion of acts of God. The difference is

clear. Floods and tornadoes cannot be prevented

by the owner or manager of a small business. But

workplace accidents can be prevented.

Nobody wants accidents to happen in his or her

business. A serious fire or the death of an employ-ee

or an owner can cause the loss of a great

amount of profit or, in some cases, even an entire

business. To prevent such losses, you don’t have

to turn your place upside down. You may not have

to spend a lot of money either. You may only need

to use good business sense and to apply recog-nized

prevention principles.

There are reasons why accidents happen.

Something goes wrong somewhere. It may take

some thought, and maybe the help of friends or

other trained people, to figure out what went

wrong, but there will be a cause— a reason why.

Once you know the cause, it is possible to prevent

an accident. You need some basic facts and per-haps

some help from others who know some of

the answers already. You also need a plan— a plan

for preventing accidents.

Not all danger at your worksite depends on an

accident to cause harm, of course. Worker expo-sure

to toxic chemicals or harmful levels of noise

or radiation may happen in conjunction with

routine work as well as by accident. You may not

- 1-

1.

Introduction

realize the extent of the exposure on the part of

you and/ or your employees or the harm that may

result. The effect may not appear immediately,

but it may be fatal in the long run. You need a

plan that includes prevention of these “ health

hazard exposures” as well as accidents. You need

a safety and health protection plan.

It is not a difficult task to develop such a plan.

Basically, you only need to concern yourself with

those types of accidents and health hazard expo-sures

that could happen in your workplace.

Because each workplace is different, your pro-gram

may be different from one that your neigh-bor

or your competitor might use. But this is not

important. You want it to reflect your way of

doing business, not theirs.

While the details may vary, there are four basic

elements that are always found in workplaces

with a good accident prevention program. They

are:

1. The manager or management team leads the

way, especially by setting policy, assigning

and supporting responsibility, setting an

example, and involving employees.

2. The worksite is continually analyzed to iden-tify

all hazards and potential hazards.

3. Methods for preventing or controlling exist-ing

or potential hazards are put in place and

maintained.

4. Managers, supervisors and employees are

trained to understand and deal with work-site

hazards.

Regardless of the size of your business, you

should use each of these elements to prevent

workplace accidents and possible injuries and

illnesses.

Developing a workplace program following

these four points should lead you to do all the

things needed to protect you and your workers’

safety and health. If you already have a program,

reviewing it in relation to these elements should

help you improve what you have.

If you follow it, this four- point approach to safe-ty

and health protection in your business should

also help you to improve efficiency. It may help

you reduce insurance claims and other costs.

While it does not guarantee complete compliance

with OSHA standards, the approach will help you

toward full compliance and beyond. It will cer-tainly

give you a way to express and document

your good faith.

This approach usually does not involve large

costs. Especially in smaller businesses, it general-ly

does not require additional employees. Usually

it can be integrated into your other business func-tions

with modest effort on your part.

The key to the success of this plan is to see it as

a part of your business operation and to see it

reflected in all your work. As you continue doing

it, the program becomes easier. It becomes built-in

and then you need only check on it periodically

to be sure everything is working well.

In part 2, we give short titles for each of the

elements and then give short descriptions and

illustrations for each. Since most employers, like

you, are pressed for time, these descriptions are

capsules of information to assist you in thinking

through and getting started on your own

approach.

- 2-

The four- point workplace program described

here is based upon the Safety and Health

Management Guidelines issued by federal OSHA

on Jan. 26, 1989. Although voluntary, these

guidelines represent OSHA’s policy on what every

worksite should have in place to protect workers

from occupational hazards. The guidelines are

based heavily on OSHA’s experience with the

Voluntary Protection Programs ( VPP). These vol-untary

programs are designed to recognize and

promote effective safety and health management

as the best means of ensuring a safe and health-ful

workplace.

Using the Four- Point Program

As you go through this part and those that fol-low,

we encourage you to use the action plan form

that you can remove or duplicate from the back of

this publication to jot down the actions that you

wish to take to help make your workplace safer

and more healthful for your employees. Noting

those actions as you go along will make it much

easier for you to assemble the total plan you need.

Point One:

Management Commitment and

Employee Involvement.

As the owner or manager of a small business,

your attitude toward job safety and health will be

reflected by your employees. If you are not inter-ested

in preventing employee injury and illness,

nobody else is likely to be.

At all times, demonstrate your personal con-cern

for employee safety and health and the pri-ority

you place on them in your workplace. Your

policy must be clearly set. Only you can show its

importance through your own actions.

Demonstrate to your employees the depth of

your commitment by involving them in planning

and carrying out your efforts. If you seriously

involve your employees in identifying and resolv-ing

safety and health problems, they will commit

their unique insights and energy to helping

achieve the objectives of your program.

Consider forming a joint employee- manage-ment

safety committee. This can assist you in

starting a program and will help maintain inter-est

in the program once it is operating. Commit-tees

can be an excellent way of communicating

safety and health information. If you have few

employees, consider rotating them so that all can

have an active part in the safety and health pro-gramming.

The men and women who work for

you are among the most valuable assets you

have. Their safety, health and goodwill are

essential to the success of your business. Having

them cooperate with you in protecting their

safety and health not only helps to keep them

healthy— it makes your job easier.

As a small business employer, you have inher-ent

advantages, such as close contact with your

employees, a specific acquaintance with the prob-lems

of the whole business, and usually a low

worker turnover. Probably you have already

developed a personal relationship of loyalty and

cooperation that can be built up very easily.

These advantages may not only increase your

concern for your employees but also may make it

easier to get their help.

Here are some actions to take:

• Post your own policy on the importance of

worker safety and health next to the N. C.

Department of Labor’s “ Notice to Employees”

poster where all employees can

see it.

• Hold a meeting with all your employees to

communicate that policy to them and to dis-cuss

your objectives for safety and health for

the rest of the year. ( These objectives will

result from the decisions you make about

changes you think are needed after you finish

reading this publication.)

• Make sure that support from the top is visi-ble

by taking an active part, personally, in

the activities that are part of your safety and

health program. For example, personally

review all inspection and accident reports to

ensure follow- up when needed.

- 3-

2.

A Four- Point Workplace Program

• Ensure that you, your managers and super-visors

follow all safety requirements that

employees must follow, even if you are only in

their area briefly. If, for instance, you require

a hard hat, safety glasses and/ or safety shoes

in an area, wear them yourself when you are

in that area.

• Use your employees’ special knowledge and

help them buy into the program by having

them make inspections, put on safety train-ing

and/ or help investigate accidents.

• Make clear assignments of responsibility for

every part of the program that you develop.

Make certain everyone understands them.

The more people involved the better. A good

rule of thumb is to assign safety and health

responsibilities in the same way you assign

production responsibilities. Make it a special

part of everyone’s job to operate safely. That

way, as you grow and disperse production

responsibilities more widely, you will dis-perse

safety and health responsibilities with

them.

• Give those with responsibility enough people,

on- the- clock time, training, money and

authority to get the job done.

• Do not forget about it after you make assign-ments:

make sure personally that they get

the job done. Recognize and reward those

who do well and correct those who don’t.

• Take time, at least annually, to review what

you have accomplished against what you set

as your objectives and decide if you need new

objectives or program revisions to get where

you want to be.

Point Two:

Worksite Analysis

It is your responsibility to know what you have

in your workplace that could hurt your workers.

Worksite analysis is a group of processes that

helps you make sure that you know what you need

to keep your workers safe. You may need help in

getting started with these processes. You can call

on the state Bureau of Consultative Services for

this help. ( See the inside back cover for address

and telephone number.) Once you get everything

set up, you or your employees can do many of

them.

Here are some actions to take:

• Request a consultation visit from the Bureau

of Consultative Services covering both safety

and health to get a full survey of the hazards

that exist in your workplace and those that

could develop. ( You can also contract for such

services from expert private consultants if

you prefer.)

• Set up a way to get expert help when you

make changes, to be sure that the changes are

not introducing new hazards into your work-place.

Also, find ways to stay current on newly

recognized hazards in your industry.

• Make an assignment ( maybe to teams that

include employees) to look carefully at each

job from time to time, taking it apart step- by-step

to see if there are any hidden hazards in

the equipment or procedures. Some training

may be necessary at the start.

• Set up a system of checking to make sure

that your hazard controls have not failed and

that new hazards have not appeared. This is

usually done by routine self- inspections. You

can use the checklists in part 4 of this book

as a starting point. Add items to them that

better fit your situation. Subtract from them

those items that do not fit your situation.

• Provide a way for your employees to let you

or another member of management know

when they see things that look harmful to

them and encourage them to use it.

• Learn how to do a thorough investigation

when things do go wrong and someone gets

sick or hurt. This will help you find ways to

prevent recurrences.

�� Initially, take the time to look back over sev-eral

years of injury or illness experience to

identify patterns that can lead to further pre-vention.

Thereafter, periodically look back

over several months of experience to deter-mine

if any new patters are developing.

Point Three:

Hazard Prevention and Control

Once you know what your hazards and poten-tial

hazards are, you are ready to put in place the

systems that prevent or control those hazards.

Your state consultant can help you do this.

- 4-

Whenever possible, you will want to eliminate

those hazards. Sometimes that can be done

through substitution of a less toxic material or

through engineering controls that can be built in.

When you cannot eliminate hazards, systems

should be set up to control them.

Here are some actions to take:

• Set up safe work procedures, based on the

analysis of the hazards in your employees’

jobs ( discussed above), and make sure that

the employees doing each job understand the

procedures and follow them. This may be eas-ier

if employees are involved in the analysis

that results in those procedures.

• Be ready, if necessary, to enforce the rules for

safe work procedures by asking your employ-ees

to help you set up a disciplinary system

that will be fair and understood by everyone.

• Where necessary to protect your employees,

provide personal protective equipment ( PPE)

and be sure your employees know why they

need it, how to use it and how to maintain it.

• Provide for regular equipment maintenance to

prevent breakdowns that can create hazards.

• Plan for emergencies, including fire and nat-ural

disasters, and drill everyone frequently

enough so that if the real thing happens,

everyone will know what to do even under

stressful conditions.

• Ask your state consultant to help you develop

a medical program that fits your worksite

and involves nearby doctors and emergency

facilities. Invite these medical personnel to

visit the plant before emergencies occur to

help you plan the best way to avoid injuries

and illness during emergency situations.

• You must ensure the ready availability of

medical personnel for advice and consultation

on matters of employee health. This does

not mean that you must provide health

care. But, if health problems develop in your

workplace, you are expected to get medical

help to treat them and their causes.

To fulfill the above requirements, consider the

following:

• You should have an emergency medical pro-cedure

for handling injuries, transporting ill

or injured workers, and notifying medical

facilities with a minimum of confusion.

Posting emergency numbers is a good idea.

• Survey the medical facilities near your

place of business and make arrangements

for them to handle routine and emergency

cases. Cooperative agreements could possi-bly

be made with nearby larger plants that

have medical personnel and/ or facilities on

site.

• You should have a procedure for reporting

injuries and illnesses that is understood by

all employees.

• If your business is remote from medical facili-ties,

you are required to ensure that one or

more people be adequately trained and avail-able

to render first aid. Adequate first aid

supplies must be readily available for emer-gency

use. Arrangements for this training can

be made through your local Red Cross chap-ter,

your insurance carrier, your local safety

council and others.

• You should check battery charging stations,

maintenance operations, laboratories, heating

and ventilating operations, and any corrosive

materials areas to make sure you have the

required eye wash facilities and showers.

• Consider retaining a local doctor or an occu-pational

health nurse on a part- time or as-used

basis to advise you in your medical and

first aid planning

Point Four:

Training for Employees, Supervisors and

Managers

An effective accident prevention program

requires proper job performance from everyone in

the workplace.

As an owner or manager, you must ensure that

all employees know about the materials and

equipment they work with, what known hazards

are in the operation, and how you are controlling

the hazards.

Each employee needs to know the following:

• No employee is expected to undertake a job

until he or she has received job instructions

on how to do it properly and has been author-ized

to perform that job.

- 5-

• No employee should undertake a job that

appears unsafe.

You may be able to combine safety and health

training with other training that you do, depend-ing

upon the kinds of potential and existing haz-ards

that you have. With training, the “ proof is in

the pudding” in that the result that you want is

all employees knowing what they need to know

to keep themselves and their fellow workers safe

and healthy.

Here are some actions to take:

• Ask your state consultant to recommend

training for your worksite. The consultant

may be able to do some of the training while

he or she is there.

• Make sure you have trained your employees

on every potential hazard that they could be

exposed to and how to protect themselves.

Then verify that they really understand what

you taught them.

• Pay particular attention to your new employ-ees

and to old employees who are moving to

new jobs. Because they are learning new

operations, they are more likely to get hurt.

• Make sure that you train your supervisors to

know all the hazards that face the people

they supervise and how to reinforce training

with quick reminders and refreshers, and

with disciplinary action if necessary. Verify

that they know what is expected of them.

• Make sure that you and your top manage-ment

staff understand all of your responsibil-ities

and how to hold subordinate supervisory

employees accountable for theirs.

Documenting Your Activities

Document your activities in all elements of the

four- point workplace program. Essential records,

including those legally required for workers’ com-pensation,

insurance audits and government

inspections, must be maintained as long as the

actual need exists. Keeping records of your activi-ties,

such as policy statements, training sessions

for management and employees safety and health

meetings held, information distributed to employ-ees,

and medical arrangements made, is greatly

encouraged. Maintaining essential records also

will aid:

1. The demonstration of sound business man-agement

as supporting proof for credit appli-cations,

for showing “ good faith” in reducing

any proposed penalties from OSH inspec-tions,

for insurance audits and others; and

2. The efficient review of your current safety

and health activities for better control of

your operations and to plan improvements.

Safety and Health Recordkeeping

Records of sales, costs, profits and losses are

essential to all successful businesses. They enable

the owner or manager to learn from experience and

to make corrections for future operations. Records

of accidents, related injuries, illnesses and property

losses can serve the same purpose, if they are used

the same way. The sole purpose of OSHA record-keeping

is to store factual information about cer-tain

accidents that have happened. When the facts

have been determined, causes can often be identi-fied,

and control procedures can be instituted to

prevent similar occurrences from happening.

Injury/ Illness Records

There are injury/ illness recordkeeping require-ments,

addressed in Part 1904 ( Recording and

Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses), to

cover OSHA standards that require a minimum of

paperwork. OSHA issued a revised rule to

improve the system that employers use to track

and record workplace injuries and illnesses. The

final rule became effective Jan. 1, 2002. The

OSHA Form 200 was replaced in the new rule.

Three updated recordkeeping forms were devel-oped

and are now in effect as follows: The new

OSHA Form 300 ( Log of Work- Related Injuries

and Illnesses) has been simplified and can be

printed on smaller legal- sized paper. The new

OSHA Form 301 ( Injury and Illness Incident

Report) includes more data about how the injury

or illness occurred. The new OSHA Form 300A

( Summary of Work- Related Injuries and Illnesses)

provides additional data to make it easier for

employers to calculate incidence rates.

Maintaining these records will provide you with

one measure for evaluating the success of your

safety and health activities. Success would gener-ally

mean a lack of, or a reduced number of,

employee injuries and illnesses during a calendar

year.

- 6-

There are five important steps required by the

OSHA recordkeeping system:

1. Obtain a report on every injury requiring

medical treatment ( other than first aid).

2. Record each injury on the OSHA 300 Log

according to the instructions provided.

3. Prepare a supplementary record of occupa-tional

injuries and illnesses for recordable

cases either on OSHA Form No. 101 or on

workers’ compensation reports giving the

same information.

4. Every year, prepare the annual summary

( OSHA 300 Log); post it no later than Feb. 1,

and keep it posted until April 30 ( ref.

1904.32). ( Next to the N. C. Department of

Labor’s workplace poster is a good place to

post it.)

5. Retain these records for at least five years.

During the year, periodically review the records

to see where injuries are occurring. Look for any

patterns or repeat situations. These records can

help you to identify high risk areas that demand

your immediate attention.

Since the basic OSHA records include only

injuries and illnesses, you might consider expand-ing

your own system to include all incidents,

including those where no injury or illness result-ed,

if you think such information would assist you

in pinpointing unsafe conditions and/ or proce-dures.

Safety councils, insurance carriers and oth-ers

can assist you in instituting such a system.

Injury/ illness recordkeeping makes sense, and

we recommend this practice to all employers.

However, you are not required to keep records

under the OSHA injury/ illness recordkeeping sys-tem

if you employ 10 or fewer employees.

Regardless of the number of employees you

have, you may be selected for inclusion in an

annual sample survey. You will receive a letter

directly from the N. C. Department of Labor’s

Research and Policy Division with instructions if

you are selected.

Exposure Records and Others

The injury/ illness records may not be the only

records you will need to maintain. Certain OSHA

standards that deal with toxic substances and

hazardous exposures require records on the expo-sure

of employees, physical examination reports,

employment records, etc.

As you work on identifying hazards, you will be

able to determine whether these requirements

apply to your situation on a case- by- case basis.

We mention it here so that you will be aware of

these records and that, if required, they should be

used with your control procedures and with your

self- inspection activity. They should not be consid-ered

merely as bookkeeping.

- 7-

You can use this basic action plan to get started

on your program.

To avoid confusion, we need to explain that this

action plan is not organized solely in the order of

the four points we described in part 2. Rather, it

provides the most direct route to getting yourself

organized to complete your four- point program.

When you have completed your action plan,

your activity should be organized around the four

points described in part 2.

Decide to Start Now

The time to start your safety and health pro-gram

is now. You have a better picture of what

constitutes a good safety and health program.

Now you can address the practical concerns of

putting these elements together and coming up

with a program to suit your workplace.

Presumably you have been taking notes for

your action plan as you went through the preced-ing

description of the four- point program. You

should be ready now to decide exactly what you

want to accomplish and to determine what steps

are necessary to achieve your goals. Then you will

plan how and when each step will be done and

who will do it.

Your plan should consider your company’s

immediate needs and provide for ongoing, long-lasting

worker protection. Once your plan is

designed, it is important to follow through and

use it in the workplace. You will then have a

program to anticipate, identify and eliminate

conditions or practices that could result in

injuries and illnesses.

If you have difficulty in deciding where to begin, a

phone call to the OSH Bureau of Consultative

Services will get you the assistance you need. A state

consultant will survey your workplace for existing or

potential hazards. Then, if you request it, he or she

will determine what you need to make your safety

and health program effective. The consultant will

work with you to develop a plan for making these

improvements and to establish procedures for mak-ing

sure that your program stays effective.

Whether you choose to work with a consultant

or to develop your program yourself, there are

other publications similar to this one that spell

out in greater detail the steps you can take to cre-ate

an effective safety and health program for

your workplace. The rewards for your efforts will

be a workplace with a high level of efficiency and

productivity and a low level of loss and injury.

Designating Responsibility

You must decide who in your company is the

most appropriate person to manage your safety

and health program. Who can be sure that the

program will become an integral part of the busi-ness?

In many cases it will be the owner. Some-times

it will be the plant manager or a key super-visor.

It could even be an engineer, personnel spe-cialist

or other staff member.

You should choose someone who is as committed

to workplace safety and health as you are, who

has the time to devote to developing and manag-ing

the program, and who is willing to take on

the responsibility and accountability that goes

with operating an effective program. The success

of your program hinges on the success of the indi-vidual

you choose, and he or she cannot succeed

without your full cooperation and support.

Remember, though, that even when you appoint

someone as your safety manager and delegate the

authority to manage the program, the ultimate

responsibility for safety and health in your work-place

rests on you.

Having made your selection of a safety and

health manager, you or your designee and any

others you choose will need to take ( or be sure

you have already taken) the following actions.

Get Some Help on the Details

First, you may need to catch up with all the

changes made since the OSH Act became law in

December 1970. For example, the federal law con-tains

provisions for allowing a state to develop

and operate its own occupational safety and

health program in place of the federal program.

- 8-

3.

Starting Your Voluntary Activity

North Carolina has such an approved state plan

for occupational safety and health. The N. C.

Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational

Safety and Health is charged with administering

the state plan.

Second, you will need certain OSHA publica-tions

for use in your safety and health activities:

1. OSHA workplace poster ( commonly called

the “ Notice to Employees” poster)— You must

have the state OSHA poster displayed in

your workplace.

2. Standards that apply to your operations—

You need these standards for reference mate-rial

in your business. These are the regula-tions

OSH uses when inspecting for compli-ance

with the act. These standards are the

baseline for your own inspections and are

useful in determining what specific changes

need to be made when hazards are identi-fied.

Most businesses come under the North

Carolina Occupational Safety and Health

Standards for General Industry, but if you

are involved with construction or maritime

operations, you will need the standards that

apply to these classifications.

3. Recordkeeping requirements and the neces-sary

forms— You need these if you have 11 or

more employees. These forms are not too dif-ferent

from other information forms you

have been keeping for workers’ compensation

and other records.

4. Occupational Safety and Health Act of North

Carolina— You may want this for your own

information and reference in the future.

( See the inside back cover of this publication

for ordering information regarding these

publications.)

Clean Up Your Place of Business

Poor housekeeping is a major contributor to low

morale and sloppy work in general, even if it is

not usually the cause of major accidents. Most

safety action programs start with an intensive

cleanup campaign in all areas of a given business.

Get rid of rubbish that has collected; make sure

proper containers are provided; see that flamma-bles

are properly stored; make sure that exits are

not blocked; if necessary, mark aisles and pas-sageways;

provide adequate lighting, etc.

Get everyone involved and impress upon

them exactly what it is you want to do to make

your workplace safer, more healthful and more

efficient.

Start Gathering Specific Facts

About Your Situation

Before you make any changes in your safety

and health operations, you will want to gather as

much information as possible about the current

conditions at your workplace and about business

practices that are already part of your safety and

health program. This information can help you

identify workplace problems and see what is

involved in solving them.

The assessment of your workplace should be con-ducted

by the person responsible for the safety and

health program and/ or a professional safety and

health consultant. It consists of two major activities.

The first is a comprehensive safety and health

survey of your entire facility, designed to identify

any existing or potential safety and health haz-ards.

This initial survey should focus on evaluat-ing

workplace conditions with respect to safety

and health regulations and generally recognized

safe and healthful work practices. It should

include checking on the use of any hazardous

materials, observing employee work habits and

practices, and discussing safety and health prob-lems

with employees. See part 4, Self- Inspection

Checklists, to help you get a good start on creat-ing

this initial survey.

The second major activity is an assessment of

your existing safety and health program to iden-tify

areas that may be working well and those

that may need improvement. You will want to

gather as much information as you can that

relates to the safety and health management of

your workplace. You should include the following

in this review:

• Safety and Health Activities�� Examine

current ongoing activities as well as those

tried previously, company policy statements,

rules ( both work and safety), guidelines for

proper work practices, and procedures and

records of training programs.

• Equipment— Make a list of your major

equipment, principal operations and the

locations of each. Special attention should be

- 9-

given to inspection schedules, maintenance

activities, and plant and office layouts.

• Employees’ Capabilities— Make an alpha-betical

list of all employees, showing the date

they were hired, what their jobs are, and

what experience and training they have had.

Special attention should be given to new

employees and to employees with disabilities.

• Accident and Injury/ Illness History—

Take a look at your first aid cases, workers’

compensation insurance payments and work-ers’

compensation awards, if any. Review any

losses. Determine how your insurance rate

compares with others in your group. Special

attention should be given to recurring acci-dents,

types of injuries, etc.

With whatever facts you have been able to

assemble, take a quick look to see if any major

problem areas can be identified. You would be

looking for such things as interruptions in your

normal operations, too many employees taking

too much time off, too many damaged products

and so on. General assistance in this kind of prob-lem

identification can often be obtained from com-pensation

carriers, local safety councils, state

agencies, your major suppliers and even, perhaps,

a competitor.

If there is a major problem, see what can be

done to solve it. Once a problem is identified, you

can work on the corrective action or a plan for

controlling the problem. Take immediate action at

this point and make a record of what you have

done. Do not become overly involved in looking

for major problem areas during this fact- finding

stage. Remember that no one hazardous situation

causes all of your safety and health problems.

Therefore, it is likely that no single action will

greatly improve your safety and health program.

Even if you have found no major problem at

this point, continue on. Now it is time to develop

a comprehensive safety and health program that

meets your needs and those of your employees.

This will make it more difficult for major prob-lems

to crop up in the future.

Establish Your Four- Point Safety

and Health Program

The success of any workplace safety and health

program depends on careful planning. This means

that you have taken time to think through what

you want to accomplish, and you may even have a

general idea of what it will take to accomplish

your goals. Based on that, you can design a step-by-

step process that will take you from the idea

stage to having a fully effective operation.

The most effective way to create the safest

possible workplace for you and your employees is

to institute the four- point program discussed in

part 2 of this handbook. Use the guidance present-ed

in part 2 to help you develop your program.

Establish your management commitment and

involve your employees. No safety and health

program will work, especially in the long term,

without this commitment and involvement. You

should have already taken the first step by desig-nating

the person who will be responsible for your

program.

Be certain that your employees are as widely

involved in the program as possible from the

beginning. They are the people most in contact

with the potential and actual safety and health

hazards at your worksite. They will have con-structive

input into the development of your safe-ty

and health program. Its ultimate success will

depend upon their support— support that will be

more forthcoming for a program created with

their meaningful involvement.

Make sure your program assigns responsibility

and accountability to all employees in your organ-ization.

A good safety and health program makes

it clear that each employee from you through the

supervisory levels to the line worker is responsi-ble

for his or her part of the program. You will

make their safety and health duties clear, and

each of them will be held accountable for his or

her safety- and health- related duties.

Refer to the recommended actions to take on

page 4 in part 2. These will help start your program

off on the right track. You will be building the foun-dation

for a successful safety and health program.

Establish and regularly conduct your worksite

analysis. You cannot have a successful safety and

health program if it has not identified all the haz-ards

and potential hazards present in your work-place.

This is an ongoing process that includes

routine self- inspections if you are to know where

probable hazards exist and whether or not they

are under control.

- 10-

Create the systems and procedures necessary

to prevent and control the hazards that have been

identified through your worksite analysis. These

control procedures will be your basic means for

preventing accidents. The OSHA standards that

have been promulgated can be of great assistance

to you since they address controls in order of

effectiveness and preference. Where no standard

exists, creative problem solving and consultant

resources should help you create effective con-trols.

The basic formula OSHA follows is, in order

of preference:

1. Eliminating the hazard from the machine, the

method, the material or the plant structure.

2. Abating the hazard by limiting exposure or

controlling it at its source.

3. Training personnel to be aware of the hazard

and to follow safe work procedures to avoid it.

4. Prescribing personal protective equipment for

protecting employees against the hazard.

Be sure to establish and provide ongoing train-ing

for employees, supervisors and managers.

This should ensure that everyone at your work-site

will know about the hazards that exist and

how to control them.

Each of these points is crucial if you want to

establish a safe and healthy workplace for you

and your employees. They also work together to

reinforce each other, thereby making it more diffi-cult

for accidents to occur and for work- related

health problems to develop.

Develop and Implement

Your Action Plan

Develop an action plan to help you build your

safety and health program around the four points

discussed above. It can serve as a road map to get

your program from where it is now to where you

want it to be. It tells you what has to be done, the

logical order in which to do it, who is responsible,

and perhaps most important, where you want to

be when you finish. It is a specific description of

the problems and solutions, but it is not iron-clad—

it can and should be changed to correspond

with changes in the workplace.

A good action plan has two parts:

1. An overall list of the major changes or im-provements

that are needed to make your

safety and health program effective. Assign

each item a priority and a target date for

completion, and identify the person who will

monitor or direct each action.

2. A specific plan on how to implement each

major change or improvement. Here, you

would write out what you wanted to accom-plish,

the steps required, who would be

assigned to do what, and when you plan to

be finished. This part of the action plan will

help you keep track of program improve-ments

so that details do not slip through the

cracks. When several improvements are

being made at once, it is easy to overlook

something that may be an important pre-requisite

for your next action.

A worksheet that may help you design an over-all

action plan and describe specific action steps

appears at the end of this publication.

Once the plan has been established, you must

begin putting it into action. This begins with the

item that has been assigned the highest priority.

Check to make sure it is realistic and manageable,

then address the steps you have written out for that

item. This detailed description of the steps required

will help you keep track of the development that is

taking place. Keep in mind that you can, of course,

work on more than one item at a time and that the

priorities may change as other needs are identified

or as your company’s resources change.

Open communication with your employees is

crucial to the success of your efforts. Their cooper-ation

depends on understanding what the safety

and health program is all about, why it is impor-tant

to them, and how it affects their work. The

more you do to involve them in the changes you

are making, the smoother your transition will be.

By putting your action plan into operation at

your workplace, you will have taken a major step

toward having an effective safety and health pro-gram.

Remember, a safety and health pro-gram

is a plan put into practice. You can keep

your program on track by periodically checking

its progress and by calling on a state or private

consultant when you need assistance.

Any good management system requires a peri-odic

review to make sure the system is operating

as intended. Every so often ( quarterly, semiannu-ally,

or annually) you should take a careful look at

- 11-

each critical component in your safety and health

program to determine what is working well and

what changes are needed. Your consultant can

assist you in this area as well. When you identify

improvements that should be made, you have the

basis for new safety and health objectives for the

coming year. Developing new action plans for

those improvements will help you to continue to

progress toward an effective safety and health

program. That, in turn, will reduce your safety

and health risks and increase efficiency and profit.

Remember, however, that it is also important to

document your activities. The only way you can

evaluate the success of your safety and health

program is to have the documentation available

to tell you what you have done, to assess how it

has worked, and to provide you with guidance on

how you can make it work even better.

Technical assistance may be available to you as

a small business owner or manager through your

insurance carrier, your fellow business people,

suppliers of your durable equipment and raw

materials, the local safety council, and many

local, state and federal agencies, including the

Division of Occupational Safety and Health’s

Bureau of Consultative Services. You may even

find help in the yellow pages of your telephone

directory, which will give you the names of many

companies that specialize in items and services

relating to safety, health and fire prevention.

Establishing a quality safety and health pro-gram

at your place of business will take some

time and involve some resources. However, you

should be pleasantly surprised with the results.

You will have happier employees because they will

know you are committed to their safety and

health on the job. You will probably save money

through increased productivity and reduced work-ers’

compensation insurance costs. You will find

increased respect in your community. The rewards

you receive will surely exceed the cost of your

investment in safety and health protection.

- 12-

The most widely accepted way to identify haz-ards

is to conduct safety and health inspections.

The only way you can be certain of the actual sit-uation

is for you to look at it from time to time.

Make a Self- Inspection

of Your Business

Begin a program of self- inspection in your own

workplace. Self- inspection is a must if you are to

know where probable hazards exist and whether

they are under control.

Later in this part, you will find checklists

designed to assist you in this fact- finding. They

will give you some indication of where you should

begin action to make your business safer and

more healthful for all of your employees.

These checklists are by no means all-inclusive.

You may wish to add to them or delete

portions that do not apply to your business.

Consider carefully each item as you come to it

and then make your decision.

Don’t spend time with items that obvious-ly

have no application to your business.

Make sure each item is seen by you or your

designee, and leave nothing to memory or chance.

Write down what you see, or don’t see, and what

you think you should do about it.

When you have completed the checklists, add this

material to your injury information, your employee

information, and your process and equipment infor-mation.

You will now possess many facts that will

help you determine what problems exist. Then, if

you use the OSHA standards in your problem- solv-ing

process, it will be much easier for you to deter-mine

the action needed to solve these problems.

Once the hazards have been identified, you can

institute the control procedures described in part

3 and establish your four- point safety and health

program.

Technical assistance in self- inspection may be

available to you as a small business owner or man-ager

through your insurance carrier, the local safety

council, and many local, state and federal agencies,

including the Division of Occupational Safety and

Health’s Bureau of Consultative Services.

Self- Inspection Scope

The scope of your self- inspections should in-clude

the following:

• Processing, Receiving, Shipping and

Storage— equipment, job planning, layout,

heights, floor loads, projection of materials,

materials handling and storage methods.

• Building and Grounds Conditions—

floors, walls, ceilings, exits, stairs, walkways,

ramps, platforms, driveways and aisles.

• Housekeeping Program— waste disposal,

tools, objects, materials, leakage and spillage,

cleaning methods, schedules, work areas,

remote areas and storage areas.

• Electricity— equipment, switches, breakers,

fuses, switch boxes, junctions, special fix-tures,

circuits, insulation, extensions, tools,

motors, grounding and NEC compliance.

• Lighting— type, intensity, controls, conditions,

diffusion, location, and glare and shadow con-trol.

• Heating and Ventilation— type, effective-ness,

temperature, humidity, controls, natu-ral

and artificial ventilation, and exhausting.

• Machinery— points of operation, flywheels,

gears, shafts, pulleys, key ways, belts, cou-plings,

sprockets, chains, frames, controls,

lighting for tools and equipment, brakes,

exhausting, feeding, oiling, adjusting, mainte-nance,

lock out, grounding, work space, loca-tion,

and purchasing standards.

• Personnel— training, experience, methods of

checking machines before use, type of clothing,

personal protective equipment, use of guards,

tool storage, work practices, and method of

cleaning, oiling or adjusting machinery.

• Hand and Power Tools— purchasing stan-dards,

inspection, storage, repair, types,

maintenance, grounding, use and handling.

- 13-

4.

Self- Inspection

• Chemicals— storage, handling, transporta-tion,

spills, disposal, amounts used, toxicity

or other harmful effects, warning signs,

supervision, training, and protective clothing

and equipment.

• Fire Prevention— extinguishers, alarms,

sprinklers, smoking rules, exits, personnel

assigned, separation of flammable materials

and dangerous operations, explosive- proof fix-tures

in hazardous locations, and waste dis-posal.

• Maintenance�� regularity, effectiveness,

training of personnel, materials and equip-ment

used, records maintained, method of

locking out machinery, and general methods.

• Personal Protective Equipment— type,

size, maintenance, repair, storage, assign-ment

of responsibility, purchasing methods,

standards observed, training in care and use,

rules of use, and method of assignment.

- 14-

These checklists are by no means all- inclusive.

You should add to them or delete portions or items

that do not apply to your operations; however,

carefully consider each item as you come to it and

then make your decision. You also will need to

refer to OSHA standards for complete and specific

standards that may apply to your work situation.

Employer Posting

  Is the required OSHA workplace poster dis-played

in a prominent location where all

employees are likely to see it?

  Are emergency telephone numbers posted

where they can be readily found in case of

emergency?

  Where employees may be exposed to any

toxic substances or harmful physical agents,

has appropriate information concerning

employee access to medical and exposure

records and material safety data sheets

( MSDS) been posted or otherwise made

readily available to affected employees?

  Are signs concerning “ Exiting from build-ings,”

room capacities, floor loading, biohaz-ards,

exposures to X- ray, microwave, or other

harmful radiation or substances posted

where appropriate?

  Is the summary of occupational injuries and

illnesses posted in the month of February?

Recordkeeping

  Are all occupational injuries and illnesses,

except minor injuries requiring only first aid,

being recorded as required on the OSHA 300

log?

  Are employee medical records and records

of employee exposure to hazardous sub-stances

or harmful physical agents up- to-date

and in compliance with current OSHA

standards?

  Are employee training records kept and

accessible for review by employees, when

required by OSHA standards?

  Have arrangements been made to maintain

required records for the legal period of time

for each specific type of record? ( Some records

must be maintained for at least 40 years.)

  Are operating permits and records up- to- date

for such items as elevators, air pressure

tanks, liquefied petroleum gas tanks, etc.?

Safety and Health Program

  Do you have an active safety and health pro-gram

in operation that deals with general

safety and health program elements as well

as the management of hazards specific to

your worksite?

  Is one person clearly responsible for the over-all

activities of the safety and health pro-gram?

  Do you have a safety committee or group

made up of management and employee rep-resentatives

that meets regularly and

reports in writing on its activities?

  Do you have a working procedure for han-dling

in- house employee complaints regard-ing

safety and health?

  Are you keeping your employees advised of

the successful effort and accomplishments

you and/ or your safety committee have made

in ensuring they will have a workplace that

is safe and healthful?

Medical Services and First Aid

  Is there a hospital, clinic or infirmary for

medical care in proximity of your workplace?

  If medical and first aid facilities are not in

proximity of your workplace, is at least one

employee on each shift currently qualified to

render first aid?

  Have all employees who are expected to

respond to medical emergencies as part of

their work*

( 1) received first aid training; ( 2) had hepati-tis

B vaccination made available to them; ( 3)

had appropriate training on procedures to

protect them from bloodborne pathogens,

including universal precautions; and ( 4) have

available and understand how to use appro-priate

personal protective equipment to pro-tect

against exposure to bloodborne diseases?

* In North Carolina, seasonal or temporary workers

who are employed for six months or less who render

first aid only as a collateral duty do not have to be

- 15-

Self- Inspection Checklists

  Where employees have had an exposure inci-dent

involving bloodborne pathogens, did you

provide an immediate post- exposure medical

evaluation and follow- up?

  Are medical personnel readily available for

advice and consultation on matters of

employees’ health?

  Are emergency phone numbers posted?

  Are first aid kits easily accessible to each

work area, with necessary supplies available,

periodically inspected and replenished as

needed?

  Have first aid kit supplies been approved by

a physician, indicating that they are ade-quate

for a particular area or operation?

  Are means provided for quick drenching

or flushing of the eyes and body in areas

where corrosive liquids or materials are

handled?

Fire Protection

  Is your local fire department well acquainted

with your facilities, its location and specific

hazards?

  If you have a fire alarm system, is it certified

as required?

  If you have a fire alarm system, is it tested

at least annually?

  If you have interior stand pipes and valves,

are they inspected regularly?

  If you have outside private fire hydrants,

are they flushed at least once a year and

on a routine preventive maintenance

schedule?

offered pre- exposure hepatitis B vaccine if the employer

puts the following requirements into his/ her exposure

control plan and implements them: ( 1) the employer

must record all first aid incidents involving the pres-ence

of blood or other potentially infectious materials

before the end of the work shift during which the first

aid incident occurred; ( 2) the employer must comply

with post- exposure evaluation, prophylaxis and follow-up

requirements of the standard with respect to “ expo-sure

incidents,” as defined by the standard; ( 3) the

employer must train designated first aid providers

about the reporting procedure; ( 4) the employer must

offer to initiate hepatitis B vaccination series within 24

hours to all unvaccinated first aid providers who have

rendered assistance in any situation involving the pres-ence

of blood or other potentially infectious materials.

  Are fire doors and shutters in good operating

condition?

  Are fire doors and shutters unobstructed and

protected against obstructions, including

their counterweights?

  Are fire door and shutter fusible links in

place?

  Are automatic sprinkler system water control

valves, air and water pressure checked weekly/

periodically as required?

  Is the maintenance of automatic sprinkler

systems assigned to responsible people or to

a sprinkler contractor?

  Are sprinkler heads protected by metal

guards, when exposed to physical damage?

  Is proper clearance maintained below sprin-kler

heads?

  Are portable fire extinguishers provided in

adequate number and type?

  Are fire extinguishers mounted in readily

accessible locations?

  Are fire extinguishers recharged regularly

and noted on the inspection tag?

  Are employees periodically instructed in the

use of extinguishers and fire protection pro-cedures?

Personal Protective Equipment

and Clothing

: Personal Protection Equipment 1910.132( b)

[ Note: 1910.132( b) Personal Protective Equipment

standard is amended to define the employer’s

responsibilities relating to the provision, adequa-cy

and maintenance of employee personal protec-tive

equipment. See 13 NCAC 07F. 101( 2) General

Industry, State- Specific Standards.]

( b) Equipment. ( 1) Employer- provided equip-ment.

It is the responsibility of the employer to

provide, at no cost to the employee, all personal

protective equipment which the employee does

not wear off the jobsite for use off the job. ( 2)

Employee- owned equipment. Where employees

provide their own protective equipment, the

employer shall be responsible to assure its ade-quacy,

including proper maintenance, and sanita-tion

of such equipment.

- 16-

  Are protective goggles or face shields provided

and worn where there is any danger of flying

particles or corrosive materials?

  Are approved safety glasses required to be

worn at all times in areas where there is a

risk of eye injuries such as punctures, abra-sions,

contusions or burns?

  Are employees who need corrective lenses

( glasses or contacts) in working environ-ments

having harmful exposures required to

wear only approved safety glasses or protec-tive

goggles or use other medically approved

precautionary procedures?

  Are protective gloves, aprons, shields or other

means provided and required where employ-ees

could be cut or where there is reasonably

anticipated exposure to corrosive liquids,

chemicals, blood or other potentially infec-tious

materials? ( See 29 CFR 1910.1030( b) for

the definition of “ other potentially infectious

materials.”)

  Are hard hats provided and worn where

danger of falling objects exists?

  Are hard hats inspected periodically for

damage to the shell and suspension system?

  Is appropriate foot protection required where

there is the risk of foot injuries from hot,

corrosive, poisonous substances, falling

objects, crushing or penetrating actions?

  Are approved respirators provided for regu-lar

or emergency use where needed?

  Is all protective equipment maintained in a

sanitary condition and ready for use?

  Do you have eye wash facilities and a quick

drench shower within the work area where

employees are exposed to injurious corrosive

materials?

  Where special equipment is needed for elec-trical

workers, is it available?

  Where food or beverages are consumed on the

premises, are they consumed in areas where

there is no exposure to toxic material, blood

or other potentially infectious materials?

  Is protection against the effects of occupa-tional

noise exposure provided when sound

levels exceed those of the OSHA noise

standard?

  Are adequate work procedures, protective

clothing, and equipment provided and used

when cleaning up spilled toxic or otherwise

hazardous materials and liquids?

  Are there appropriate procedures in place for

disposing of or decontaminating personal pro-tective

equipment contaminated with, or rea-sonably

anticipated to be contaminated with,

blood or other potentially infectious materials?

General Work Environment

  Are all worksites clean, sanitar, and orderly?

  Are work surfaces kept dry or appropriate

means taken to ensure the surfaces are slip-resistant?

  Are all spilled hazardous materials or liq-uids,

including blood and other potentially

infectious materials, cleaned up immediately

and according to proper procedures?

  Are combustible scrap, debris and waste

stored safely and removed from the worksite

promptly?

  Is all regulated waste, as defined in the

OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard ( 29

CFR 1910.1030), discarded according to

federal, state and local regulations?

  Are accumulations of combustible dust

routinely removed from elevated surfaces

including the overhead structure of build-ings,

etc.?

  Is combustible dust cleaned up with a vacu-um

system to prevent the dust going into sus-pension?

  Is metallic or conductive dust prevented from

entering or accumulating on or around elec-trical

enclosures or equipment?

  Are covered metal waste cans used for oily

and paint- soaked waste?

  Are all oil and gas fired devices equipped with

flame failure controls that will prevent flow of

fuel if pilots or main burners are not working?

  Are paint spray booths, dip tanks, etc.,

cleaned regularly?

  Are the minimum number of toilets and

washing facilities provided?

  Are all toilets and washing facilities clean

and sanitary?

- 17-

  Are all work areas adequately illuminated?

  Are pits and floor openings covered or other-wise

guarded?

Walkways

  Are aisles and passageways kept clear?

  Are aisles and walkways marked as appropriate?

  Are wet surfaces covered with nonslip

materials?

  Are holes in the floor, sidewalk or other

walking surfaces repaired properly, covered

or otherwise made safe?

  Is there safe clearance for walking in aisles

where motorized or mechanical handling

equipment is operating?

  Are materials or equipment stored in such a

way that sharp projectives will not interfere

with the walkway?

  Are spilled materials cleaned up immediately?

  Are changes of direction or elevation readily

identifiable?

  Are aisles or walkways that pass near moving

or operating machinery, welding operations,

or similar operations arranged so employees

will not be subjected to potential hazards?

  Is adequate headroom provided for the entire

length of any aisle or walkway?

  Are standard guardrails provided wherever

aisle or walkway surfaces are elevated more

than 30 inches above any adjacent floor or

the ground?

  Are bridges provided over conveyors and

similar hazards?

Floor and Wall Openings

  Are floor openings guarded by a cover,

guardrail or equivalent on all sides ( except at

entrance to stairways or ladders)?

  Are toeboards installed around the edges of

permanent floor openings ( where people may

pass below the opening)?

  Are skylight screens of such construction and

mounting that they will withstand a load of

at least 200 pounds?

  Is the glass in the windows, doors, glass

walls, etc., which are subject to human

impact, of sufficient thickness and type for

the condition of use?

  Are grates or similar type covers over floor

openings such as floor drains of such design

that foot traffic or rolling equipment will not

be affected by the grate spacing?

  Are unused portions of service pits and pits

not actually in use either covered or protect-ed

by guardrails or equivalent?

  Are manhole covers, trench covers and simi-lar

covers, plus their supports, designed to

carry a truck rear axle load of at least 20,000

pounds when located in roadways and sub-ject

to vehicle traffic?

  Are floor or wall openings in fire- resistive

construction provided with doors or covers

compatible with the fire rating of the struc-ture

and provided with a self- closing feature

when appropriate?

Stairs and Stairways

  Are standard stair rails or handrails on all

stairways having four or more risers?

  Are all stairways at least 22 inches wide?

  Do stairs have landing platforms not less

than 30 inches in the direction of travel and

extend 22 inches in width at every 12 feet or

less of vertical rise?

  Do stairs angle no more than 50 and no less

than 30 degrees?

  Are stairs of hollow- pan type treads and

landings filled to the top edge of the pan with

solid material?

  Are step risers on stairs uniform from top to

bottom?

  Are steps on stairs and stairways designed

or provided with a surface that renders them

slip resistant?

  Are stairway handrails located between 30

and 34 inches above the leading edge of stair

treads?

  Do stairway handrails have at least 3 inches

of clearance between the handrails and the

wall or surface they are mounted on?

  Where doors or gates open directly on a

stairway, is there a platform provided so the

swing of the door does not reduce the width

of the platform to less than 21 inches?

- 18-

  Are stairway handrails capable of withstand-ing

a load of 200 pounds, applied within 2

inches of the top edge, in any downward or

outward direction?

  Where stairs or stairways exit directly into any

area where vehicles may be operated, are ade-quate

barriers and warnings provided to pre-vent

employees stepping into the path of traffic?

  Do stairway landings have a dimension

measured in the direction of travel at least

equal to the width of the stairway?

  Is the vertical distance between stairway

landings limited to 12 feet or less?

Elevated Surfaces

  Are signs posted, when appropriate, showing

the elevated surface load capacity?

  Are surfaces elevated more than 30 inches

above the floor or ground provided with

standard guardrails?

  Are all elevated surfaces ( beneath which

people or machinery could be exposed to

falling objects) provided with standard

4- inch toeboards?

  Is a permanent means of access and egress

provided to elevated storage and work

surfaces?

  Is required headroom provided where necessary?

  Is material on elevated surfaces piled, stacked

or racked in a manner to prevent it from tip-ping,

falling, collapsing, rolling or spreading?

  Are dock boards or bridge plates used when

transferring materials between docks and

trucks or rail cars?

Exiting or Egress

  Are all exits marked with an exit sign and

illuminated by a reliable light source?

  Are the directions to exits, when not immedi-ately

apparent, marked with visible signs?

  Are doors, passageways or stairways that are

neither exits nor access to exits and which

could be mistaken for exits appropriately

marked “ NOT AN EXIT,” “ TO BASEMENT,”

“ STOREROOM,” etc.?

  Are exit signs provided with the word “ EXIT”

in lettering at least 5 inches high and the

stroke of the lettering at least 1/ 2- inch wide?

  Are exit doors side- hinged?

  Are all exits kept free of obstructions?

  Are at least two means of egress provided from

elevated platforms, pits or rooms where the

absence of a second exit would increase the risk

of injury from hot, poisonous, corrosive, suffo-cating,

flammable or explosive substances?

  Are there sufficient exits to permit prompt

escape in case of emergency?

  Are special precautions taken to protect

employees during construction and repair

operations?

  Is the number of exits from each floor of a

building, and the number of exits from the

building itself, appropriate for the building

occupancy load?

  Are exit stairways that are required to be

separated from other parts of a building

enclosed by at least two- hour fire- resistive

construction in buildings more than four sto-ries

in height, and not less than one- hour

fire- resistive construction elsewhere?

  Where ramps are used as part of required

exiting from a building, is the ramp slope lim-ited

to 1 foot vertical and 12 feet horizontal?

  Where exiting will be through frameless glass

doors, glass exit doors, storm doors, etc., are

the doors fully tempered and do they meet

the safety requirements for human impact?

Exit Doors

  Are doors that are required to serve as exits

designed and constructed so that the way of

exit travel is obvious and direct?

  Are windows that could be mistaken for exit

doors made inaccessible by means of barriers

or railings?

  Are exit doors openable from the direction of

exit travel without the use of a key or any

special knowledge or effort when the build-ing

is occupied?

  Is a revolving, sliding or overhead door pro-hibited

from serving as a required exit door?

  Where panic hardware is installed on a

required exit door, will it allow the door to

open by applying a force of 15 pounds or less

in the direction of the exit traffic?

- 19-

  Are doors on cold storage rooms provided

with an inside release mechanism that will

release the latch and open the door even if

it’s padlocked or otherwise locked on the

outside?

  Where exit doors open directly onto any

street, alley or other area where vehicles

may be operated, are adequate barriers and

warnings provided to prevent employees

stepping into the path of traffic?

  Are doors that swing in both directions and

are located between rooms where there is

frequent traffic provided with viewing panels

in each door?

Portable Ladders

  Are all ladders maintained in good condition,

joints between steps and side rails tight, all

hardware and fittings securely attached,

and moveable parts operating freely without

binding or undue play?

  Are nonslip safety feet provided on each

ladder?

  Are nonslip safety feet provided on each

metal or rung ladder?

  Are ladder rungs and steps free of grease

and oil?

  Is it prohibited to place a ladder in front of

doors opening toward the ladder except when

the door is blocked open, locked or guarded?

  Is it prohibited to place ladders on boxes,

barrels or other unstable bases to obtain

additional height?

  Are employees instructed to face the ladder

when ascending or descending?

  Are employees prohibited from using ladders

that are broken, missing steps, rungs, or

cleats, broken side rails, or other faulty

equipment?

  Are employees instructed not to use the top

step of ordinary stepladders as a step?

  When portable rung ladders are used to gain

access to elevated platforms, roofs, etc., does

the ladder always extend at least 3 feet

above the elevated surface?

  Is it required that when portable rung or

cleat type ladders are used, the base is so

placed that slipping will not occur, or it is

lashed or otherwise held in place?

  Are portable metal ladders marked with

signs reading “ CAUTION— Do Not Use

Around Electrical Equipment” or equivalent

wording?

  Are employees prohibited from using ladders

as guys, braces, skids, gin poles, or for other

than their intended purposes?

  Are employees instructed to only adjust

extension ladders while standing at a base

( not while standing on the ladder or from a

position above the ladder)?

  Are metal ladders inspected for damage?

  Are the rungs of ladders uniformly spaced at

12 inches, center to center?

Hand Tools and Equipment

  Are all tools and equipment ( both company-and

employee- owned) used by employees at

their workplace in good condition?

  Are hand tools such as chisels, punches, etc.,

that develop mushroomed heads during use,

reconditioned or replaced as necessary?

  Are broken or fractured handles on hammers,

axes and similar equipment replaced promptly?

  Are worn or bent wrenches replaced regularly?

  Are appropriate handles used on files and

similar tools?

  Are employees made aware of the hazards

caused by faulty or improperly used hand

tools?

  Are appropriate safety glasses, face shields,

etc., used while using hand tools or other

equipment that might produce flying materi-als

or be subject to breakage?

  Are jacks checked periodically to ensure they

are in good operating condition?

  Are tool handles wedged tightly in the head

of all tools?

  Are tool cutting edges kept sharp so the

tool will move smoothly without binding or

skipping?

  Are tools stored in a dry, secure location

where they won’t be tampered with?

- 20-

  Is eye and face protection used when driving

hardened or tempered studs or nails?

Portable ( Power- Operated) Tools

and Equipment

  Are grinders, saws and similar equipment

provided with appropriate safety guards?

  Are power tools used with the correct shield,

guard or attachment, recommended by the

manufacturer?

  Are portable circular saws equipped with

guards above and below the base shoe?

  Are circular saw guards checked to ensure

they are not wedged up, thus leaving the

lower portion of the blade unguarded?

  Are rotating or moving parts of equipment

guarded to prevent physical contact?

  Are all cord- connected, electrically operated

tools and equipment effectively grounded or

of the approved double- insulated type?

  Are effective guards in place over belts, pul-leys,

chains, and sprockets on equipment such

as concrete mixers, air compressors, etc.?

  Are portable fans provided with full guards

or screens having openings 1/ 2 inch or less?

  Is hoisting equipment available and used for

lifting heavy objects, and are hoist ratings

and characteristics appropriate for the task?

  Are ground- fault circuit interrupters pro-vided

on all temporary electrical 15 and 20

ampere circuits used during periods of

construction?

  Are pneumatic and hydraulic hoses on

power- operated tools checked regularly for

deterioration or damage?

Abrasive Wheel Equipment— Grinders

  Is the work rest used and kept adjusted to

within 1/ 8 inch of the wheel?

  Is the adjustable tongue on the top side of

the grinder used and kept adjusted to within

1/ 4 inch of the wheel?

  Do side guards cover the spindle, nut, flange

and 75 percent of the wheel diameter?

  Are bench and pedestal grinders permanent-ly

mounted?

  Are goggles or face shields always worn

when grinding?

  Is the maximum RPM rating of each abra-sive

wheel compatible with the RPM rating

of the grinder motor?

  Are fixed or permanently mounted grinders

connected to their electrical supply system

with metallic conduit or other permanent

wiring method?

  Does each grinder have an individual on and

off control switch?

  Is each electrically operated grinder effec-tively

grounded?

  Before new abrasive wheels are mounted, are

they visually inspected and ring tested?

  Are dust collectors and powered exhausts

provided on grinders used in operations that

produce large amounts of dust?

  Are splash guards mounted on grinders that

use coolant to prevent the coolant from

reaching employees?

  Is cleanliness maintained around grinders?

Powder- Actuated Tools

  Are employees who operate powder- actuated

tools trained in their use and do they carry a

valid operator’s card?

  Is each powder- actuated tool stored in its

own locked container when not being used?

  Is a sign at least 7 inches by 10 inches

with bold face type reading “ POWDER-ACTUATED

TOOL IN USE” conspicuously

posted when the tool is being used?

  Are powder- actuated tools left unloaded until

they are actually ready to be used?

  Are powder- actuated tools inspected for

obstructions or defects each day before use?

  Do powder- actuated tool operators have

and use appropriate personal protective

equipment such as hard hats, safety goggles,

safety shoes and ear protectors?

Machine Guarding

  Is there a training program to instruct

employees on safe methods of machine

operation?

- 21-

  Is there adequate supervision to ensure that

employees are following safe machine operat-ing

procedures?

  Is there a regular program of safety inspec-tion

of machinery and equipment?

  Is all machinery and equipment kept clean

and properly maintained?

  Is sufficient clearance provided around and

between machines to allow for safe operations,

set up and servicing, material handling, and

waste removal?

  Are equipment and machinery securely

placed and anchored when necessary to pre-vent

tipping or other movement that could

result in personal injury?

  Is there a power shut- off switch within reach

of the operator’s position at each machine?

  Can electric power to each machine be locked

out for maintenance, repair or security?

  Are the noncurrent- carrying metal parts of

electrically operated machines bonded and

grounded?

  Are foot- operated switches guarded or

arranged to prevent accidental actuation by

personnel or falling objects?

  Are manually operated valves and switches

controlling the operation of equipment and

machines clearly identified and readily

accessible?

  Are all emergency stop buttons colored red?

  Are all pulleys and belts that are within

7 feet of the floor or working level properly

guarded?

  Are all moving chains and gears properly

guarded?

  Are splash guards mounted on machines that

use coolant to prevent the coolant from

reaching employees?

  Are methods provided to protect the operator

and other employees in the machine area

from hazards created at the point of opera-tion,

ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying

chips and sparks?

  Are machinery guards secure and so

arranged that they do not offer a hazard in

their use?

  If special hand tools are used for placing

and removing material, do they protect the

operator’s hands?

  Are revolving drums, barrels and containers

required to be guarded by an enclosure that

is interlocked with the drive mechanism, so

that revolution cannot occur unless the

guard enclosure is in place?

  Do arbors and mandrels have firm and

secure bearings and are they free from play?

  Are provisions made to prevent machines

from automatically starting when power is

restored after a power failure or shutdown?

  Are machines constructed so as to be free

from excessive vibration when the largest

size tool is mounted and run at full speed?

  If machinery is cleaned with compressed air,

is air pressure controlled and personal protec-tive

equipment or other safeguards utilized to

protect operators and other workers from eye

and body injury?

  Are fan blades protected with a guard having

openings no larger than 1/ 2 inch when operat-ing

with 7 feet of the floor?

  Are saws used for ripping equipped with

anti- kick back devices and spreaders?

  Are radial arm saws so arranged that the

cutting head will gently return to the back of

the table when released?

Lockout/ Blockout Procedures

  Is all machinery or equipment capable of

movement required to be de- energized or dis-engaged

and blocked or locked out during

cleaning, servicing, adjusting or setting up

operations, whenever required?

  Where the power disconnecting means for

equipment does not also disconnect the elec-trical

control circuit:

Are the appropriate electrical enclosures

identified?

Is means provided to ensure the control cir-cuit

can also be disconnected and locked out?

  Is the locking out of control circuits in lieu of

locking out main power disconnects prohibited?

- 22-

  Are all equipment control valve handles pro-vided

with a means for locking out?

  Does the lockout procedure require that

stored energy ( mechanical, hydraulic, air,

etc.) be released or blocked before equipment

is locked out for repairs?

  Are appropriate employees provided with

individually keyed personal safety locks?

  Are employees required to keep personal con-trol

of their key( s) while they have safety

locks in use?

  Is it required that only the employee exposed

to the hazard place or remove the safety lock?

  Is it required that employees check the safe-ty

of the lockout by attempting to start up

after making sure no one is exposed?

  Are employees instructed to always push the

control circuit stop button prior to re- energiz-ing

the main power switch?

  Is there a means provided to identify any or all

employees who are working on locked- out equip-ment

by their locks or accompanying tags?

  Are a sufficient number of accident preven-tive

signs or tags and safety padlocks provid-ed

for any reasonably foreseeable repair

emergency?

  When machine operations, configuration or

size requires the operator to leave his or her

control station to install tools or perform

other operations and that part of the machine

could move if accidentally activated, is such

element required to be separately locked or

blocked out?

  In the event that equipment or lines cannot

be shut down, locked out and tagged, is a

safe job procedure established and rigidly

followed?

Welding, Cutting and Brazing

  Are only authorized and trained personnel

permitted to use welding, cutting or brazing

equipment?

  Do all operators have copies of the appropri-ate

operating instructions and are they

directed to follow them?

  Are compressed gas cylinders regularly

examined for obvious signs of defects, deep

rusting or leakage?

  Is care used in handling and storage of

cylinders, safety valves, relief valves, etc.,

to prevent damage?

  Are precautions taken to prevent the mixture

of air or oxygen with flammable gases, except

at a burner or in a standard torch?

  Are only approved apparatus ( torches, regu-lators,

pressure- reducing valves, acetylene

generators, manifolds) used?

  Are cylinders kept away from sources of

heat?

  Are the cylinders kept away from elevators,

stairs or gangways?

  Is it prohibited to use cylinders as rollers or

supports?

  Are empty cylinders appropriately marked

and their valves closed?

  Are signs reading “ DANGER— NO SMOKING,

MATCHES OR OPEN LIGHTS,” or the equiv-alent,

posted?

  Are cylinders, cylinder valves, couplings, reg-ulators,

hoses and apparatus kept free of oily

or greasy substances?

  Is care taken not to drop or strike cylinders?

  Unless secured on special trucks, are regula-tors

removed and valve protection caps put

in place before moving cylinders?

  Do cylinders without fixed wheels have keys,

handles or nonadjustable wrenches on stem

valves when in service?

  Are liquefied gases stored and shipped valve

end up with valve covers in place?

  Are provisions made to never crack a fuel gas

cylinder valve near sources of ignition?

  Before a regulator is removed, is the valve

closed and gas released from the regulator?

  Is red used to identify the acetylene ( and

other fuel gas) hose, green for oxygen hose,

and black for inert gas and air hose?

  Are pressure- reducing regulators used only

for the gas and pressures for which they are

intended?

  Is open circuit ( no- load) voltage of arc weld-ing

and cutting machines as low as possible

and not in excess of the recommended limits?

- 23-

  Under wet conditions, are automatic controls

for reducing no- load voltage used?

  Is grounding of the machine frame and safe-ty

ground connections of portable machines

checked periodically?

  Are electrodes removed from the holders

when not in use?

  Is it required that electric power to the welder

be shut off when no one is in attendance?

  Is suitable fire extinguishing equipment

available for immediate use?

  Is the welder forbidden to coil or loop weld-ing

electrode cable around his or her body?

  Are wet machines thoroughly dried and tested

before being used?

  Are work and electrode lead cables frequent-ly

inspected for wear and damage and

replaced when needed?

  Do means for connecting cable lengths have

adequate insulation?

  When the object to be welded cannot be

moved and fire hazards cannot be removed,

are shields used to confine heat, sparks, and

slag?

  Are fire watchers assigned when welding or

cutting is performed in locations where a

serious fire might develop?

  Are combustible floors kept wet, covered by

damp sand or protected by fire- resistant

shields?

  When floors are wet down, are personnel pro-tected

from possible electrical shock?

  When welding is done on metal walls, are

precautions taken to protect combustibles on

the other side?

  Before hot work is begun, are used drums,

barrels, tanks and other containers so thor-oughly

cleaned that no substances remain

that could explode, ignite or produce toxic

vapors?

  Is it required that eye protection helmets,

hand shields and goggles meet appropriate

standards?

  Are employees exposed to the hazards creat-ed

by welding, cutting or brazing operations

protected with personal protective equipment

and clothing?

  Is a check made for adequate ventilation

where welding or cutting is performed?

  When working in confined places, are envi-ronmental

monitoring tests taken and means

provided for quick removal of welders in case

of an emergency?

Compressors and Compressed Air

  Are compressors equipped with pressure

relief valves and pressure gauges?

  Are compressor air intakes installed and

equipped so as to ensure that only clean

uncontaminated air enters the compressor?

  Are air filters installed on the compressor

intake?

  Are compressors operated and lubricated in

accordance with the manufacturer’s recom-mendations?

  Are safety devices on compressed air systems

checked frequently?

  Before any repair work is done on the pres-sure

system of a compressor, is the pressure

bled off and the system locked- out?

  Are signs posted to warn of the automatic

starting feature of the compressors?

  Is the belt drive system totally enclosed to

provide protection for the front, back, top,

and sides?

  Is it strictly prohibited to direct compressed

air towards a person?

  Are employees prohibited from using highly

compressed air for cleaning purposes?

  If compressed air is used for cleaning off cloth-ing,

is the pressure reduced to less than 30 psi?

  When using compressed air for cleaning, do

employees wear protective chip guarding and

personal protective equipment?

  Are safety chains or other suitable locking

devices used at couplings of high pressure

hose lines where a connection failure would

create a hazard?

  Before compressed air is used to empty con-tainers

of liquid, is the safe working pressure

of the container checked?

- 24-

  When compressed air is used with abrasive

blast cleaning equipment, is the operating

valve a type that must be held open

manually?

  When compressed air is used to inflate auto

tires, is a clip- on chuck and an inline regula-tor

preset to 40 psi required?

  Is it prohibited to use compressed air to clean

up or move combustible dust if such action

could cause the dust to be suspended in the

air and cause a fire or explosion hazard?

Compressed Air Receivers

  Is every receiver equipped with a pressure

gauge and with one or more automatic

spring- loaded safety valves?

  Is the total relieving capacity of the safety

valve capable of preventing pressure in the

receiver from exceeding the maximum allow-able

working pressure of the receiver by

more than 10 percent?

  Is every air receiver provided with a drain

pipe and valve at the lowest point for the

removal of accumulated oil and water?

  Are compressed air receivers periodically

drained of moisture and oil?

  Are all safety valves tested frequently and at

regular intervals to determine whether they

are in good operating condition?

  Is the inlet of air receivers and piping sys-tems

kept free of accumulated oil and car-bonaceous

materials?

Compressed Gas Cylinders

  Are cylinders with a water weight capacity

over 30 pounds equipped with means for con-necting

a valve protector device or with a col-lar

or recess to protect the valve?

  Are cylinders legibly marked to clearly iden-tify

the gas contained?

  Are compressed gas cylinders stored in areas

that are protected from external heat sources

such as flame impingement, intense radiant

heat, electric arcs or high temperature lines?

  Are cylinders located or stored in areas

where they will not be damaged by passing

or falling objects or subjected to tampering

by unauthorized people?

  Are cylinders stored or transported in a man-ner

to prevent them from creating a hazard

by tipping, falling or rolling?

  Are cylinders containing liquefied fuel gas

stored or transported in a position so that

the safety relief device is always in direct

contact with the vapor space in the cylinder?

  Are valve protectors always placed on cylin-ders

when the cylinders are not in use or

connected for use?

  Are all valves closed off before a cylinder is

moved, when the cylinder is empty, and at

the completion of each job?

  Are low pressure fuel gas cylinders checked

periodically for corrosion, general distortion,

cracks or any other defect that might indi-cate

a weakness or render it unfit for serv-ice?

  Does the periodic check of low pressure fuel

gas cylinders include a close inspection of the

cylinders’ bottoms?

Hoist and Auxiliary Equipment

  Is each overhead electric hoist equipped

with a limit device to stop the hook travel

at its highest and lowest point of safe

travel?

  Will each hoist automatically stop and hold

any load up to 125 percent of its rated load if

its actuating force is removed?

  Is the rated load of each hoist legibly marked

and visible to the operator?

  Are stops provided at the safe limits of travel

for trolley hoists?

  Are the controls of hoists plainly marked to

indicate the direction of travel or motion?

  Is each cage- controlled hoist equipped with

an effective warning device?

  Are close- fitting guards or other suitable

devices installed on hoists to ensure hoist

ropes will be maintained in the sheave

grooves?

  Are all hoist chains or ropes of sufficient

length to handle the full range of movement

of the application while still maintaining two

full wraps on the drum at all times?

- 25-

  Are nip points or contact points between

hoist ropes and sheaves that are permanent-ly

located within 7 feet of the floor, ground or

working platform guarded?

  Is it prohibited to use chains or rope slings

that are kinked or twisted?

  Is it prohibited to use the hoist rope or chain

wrapped around the load as a substitute for

a sling?

  Is the operator instructed to avoid carrying

loads over people?

  Are only employees who have been trained in

the proper use of hoists allowed to operate

them?

Industrial Trucks— Forklifts

  Are only drivers authorized by the employer

and trained in the safe operations of indus-trial

trucks permitted to operate such vehi-cles?

Methods must be devised to train oper-ators

in safe operation of powered industrial

trucks.

  Does employer ensure that each powered

industrial truck operator is competent to

operate a powered industrial truck safely, as

demonstrated by the successful completion of

required training and evaluation in accor-dance

with 1910.178( l)— Operator Training?

  Is substantial overhead protective equipment

provided on high lift rider equipment?

  Are the required lift truck operating rules

posted and enforced?

  Is directional lighting provided on each

industrial truck that operates in an area

with less than 2 footcandles per square foot

of general lighting?

  Does each industrial truck have a warning

horn, whistle, gong or other device that can

be clearly heard above the normal noise in

the areas where operated?

  Are the brakes on each industrial truck capa-ble

of bringing the vehicle to a complete and

safe stop when fully loaded?

  Will the industrial truck’s parking brake

effectively prevent the vehicle from moving

when unattended?

  Are industrial trucks operating in areas

where flammable gases or vapors or com-bustible

dust or ignitable fibers may be pres-ent

in the atmosphere approved for such

locations?

  Are motorized hand and hand/ rider trucks so

designed that the brakes are applied and

power to the drive motor shuts off when the

operator releases his or her grip on the

device that controls the travel?

  Are industrial trucks with internal combus-tion

engines, operated in buildings or

enclosed areas, carefully checked to ensure

such operations do not cause harmful concen-trations

of dangerous gases or fumes?

Spraying Operations

  Is adequate ventilation ensured before spray

operations are started?

  Is mechanical ventilation provided when spray-ing

operations are done in enclosed areas?

  When mechanical ventilation is provided dur-ing

spraying operations, is it so arranged that

it will not circulate the contaminated air?

  Is the spray area free of hot surfaces?

  Is the spray area at least 20 feet from

flames, sparks, operating electrical motors

and other ignition sources?

  Are portable lamps used to illuminate spray

areas suitable for use in a hazardous location?

  Is approved respiratory equipment provided

and used when appropriate during spraying

operations?

  Do solvents used for cleaning have a flash

point to 100 F or more?

  Are fire control sprinkler heads kept clean?

  Are “ NO SMOKING” signs posted in spray

areas, paint rooms, paint booths and paint

storage areas?

  Is the spray area kept clean of combustible

residue?

  Are spray booths constructed of metal, masonry

or other substantial noncombustible material?

  Are spray booth floors and baffles noncom-bustible

and easily cleaned?

- 26-

  Is infrared drying apparatus kept out of the

spray area during spraying operations?

  Is the spay booth completely ventilated

before using the drying apparatus?

  Is the electric drying apparatus properly

grounded?

  Are lighting fixtures for spray booths located

outside of the booth and the interior lighted

through sealed clear panels?

  Are the electric motors for exhaust fans

placed outside booths or ducts?

  Are belts and pulleys inside the booth fully

enclosed?

  Do ducts have access doors to allow cleaning?

  Do all drying spaces have adequate ventilation?

Entering Confined Spaces

  Are confined spaces thoroughly emptied of

any corrosive or hazardous substances, such

as acids or caustics, before entry?

  Are all lines to a confined space containing

inert, toxic, flammable or corrosive materials

valved off and blanked or disconnected and

separated before entry?

  Is it required that all impellers, agitators or

other moving equipment inside confined

spaces be locked out if they present a hazard?

  Is either natural or mechanical ventilation

provided prior to confined space entry?

  Are appropriate atmospheric tests performed

to check for oxygen deficiency, toxic sub-stances

and explosive concentrations in the

confined space before entry?

  Is adequate illumination provided for the

work to be performed in the confined space?

  Is the atmosphere inside the confined space

frequently tested or continuously monitored

during conduct of work?

  Is there an assigned safety standby employee

outside of the confined space, when required,

whose sole responsibility is to watch the

work in progress, sound an alarm if neces-sary

and render assistance?

  Is the standby employee appropriately trained

and equipped to handle an emergency?

  Is the standby employee or other employees

prohibited from entering the confined space

without lifelines and respiratory equipment

if there is any question as to the cause of an

emergency?

  Is approved respiratory equipment required

if the atmosphere inside the confined space

cannot be made acceptable?

  Is all portable electrical equipment used

inside confined spaces either grounded and

insulated or equipped with ground fault

protection?

  Before gas welding or burning is started in a

confined space, are hoses checked for leaks,

compressed gas bottles forbidden inside of

the confined space, torches lighted only out-side

of the confined area, and the confined

area tested for an explosive atmosphere each

time before a lighted torch is to be taken into

the confined space?

  If employees will be using oxygen- consuming

equipment such as salamanders, torches, fur-naces,

etc., in a confined space, is sufficient

air provided to ensure combustion without

reducing the oxygen concentration of the

atmosphere below 19.5 percent by volume?

  Whenever combustion- type equipment is

used in a confined space, are provisions made

to ensure the exhaust gases are vented out-side

of the enclosure?

  Is each confined space checked for decaying

vegetation or animal matter that may pro-duce

methane?

  Is the confined space checked for possible

industrial waste that could contain toxic

properties?

  If the confined space is below the ground and

near areas where motor vehicles are operat-ing,

is it possible for vehicle exhaust or car-bon

monoxide to enter the space?

Environmental Controls

  Are all work areas properly illuminated?

  Are employees instructed in proper first aid

and other emergency procedures?

  Are hazardous substances, blood and other

potentially infectious materials that may

cause harm by inhalation, ingestion, or skin

absorption or contact identified?

- 27-

  Are employees aware of the hazards involved

with the various chemicals they may be

exposed to in their work environment, such

as ammonia, chlorine, epoxies, caustics, etc.?

  Is employee exposure to chemicals in the

workplace kept within acceptable levels?

  Are the safest methods and products being

used?

  Is the work area’s ventilation system appro-priate

for the work being performed?

  Are spray painting operations done in spray

rooms or booths equipped with an appropri-ate

exhaust system?

  Is employee exposure to welding fumes con-trolled

by ventilation, use of respirators,

exposure time or other means?

  Are welders and other workers nearby

provided with flash shields during welding

operations?

  If forklifts and other vehicles are used in

buildings or other enclosed areas, are the

carbon monoxide levels kept below maximum

acceptable concentration?

  Has there been a determination that noise

levels in the facilities are within acceptable

levels?

  Are steps being taken to use engineering

controls to reduce excessive noise levels?

  Are proper precautions being taken when han-dling

asbestos and other fibrous materials?

  Are caution labels and signs used to warn of

hazardous substances ( e. g., asbestos) and

biohazards ( e. g., bloodborne pathogens)?

  Are wet methods used, when practicable, to

prevent the emission of airborne asbestos

fibers, silica dust and similar hazardous

materials?

  Are engineering controls examined and

maintained or replaced on a scheduled basis?

  Is vacuuming with appropriate equipment

used whenever possible rather than blowing

or sweeping dust?

  Are grinders, saws and other machines that

produce respirable dusts vented to an indus-trial

collector or central exhaust system?

  Are all local exhaust ventilation systems

designed and operating properly such as air

flow and volume necessary for the applica-tion,

ducts not plugged, or belts slipping?

  Is personal protective equipment provided,

used and maintained wherever required?

  Are there written standard operating proce-dures

for the selection and use of respirators

where needed?

  Are restrooms and washrooms kept clean

and sanitary?

  Is all water provided for drinking, washing

and cooking potable?

  Are all outlets for water not suitable for

drinking clearly identified?

  Are employees’ physical capacities assessed

before being assigned to jobs requiring heavy

work?

  Are employees instructed in the proper man-ner

of lifting heavy objects?

  Where heat is a problem, have all fixed work

areas been provided with spot cooling or air

conditioning?

  Are employees screened before assignment to

areas of high heat to determine if their

health condition might make them more sus-ceptible

to having an adverse reaction?

  Are employees working on streets and road-ways

where they are exposed to the hazards

of traffic required to wear brightly colored

( traffic orange) warning vests?

  Are exhaust stacks and air intakes so located

that contaminated air will not be recirculat-ed

within a building or other enclosed area?

  Is equipment producing ultraviolet radiation

properly shielded?

  Are universal precautions observed where

occupational exposure to blood or other

potentially infectious materials can occur

and in all instances where differentiation of

types of body fluids or potentially infectious

materials is difficult or impossible?

Flammable and Combustible Materials

  Are combustible scrap, debris, and waste

materials ( oily rags, etc.) stored in covered

metal receptacles and removed from the

worksite promptly?

- 28-

  Is proper storage practiced to minimize the

risk of fire, including spontaneous combus-tion?

  Are approved containers and tanks used for

the storage and handling of flammable and

combustible liquids?

  Are all connections on drums and com-bustible

liquid piping vapor and liquid tight?

  Are all flammable liquids kept in closed con-tainers

when not in use ( e. g., parts cleaning

tanks, pans, etc.)?

  Are bulk drums of flammable liquids grounded

and bonded to containers during dispensing?

  Do storage rooms for flammable and com-bustible

liquids have explosion- proof lights?

  Do storage rooms for flammable and com-bustible

liquids have mechanical or gravity

ventilation?

  Is liquefied petroleum gas stored, handled,

and used in accordance with safe practices

and standards?

  Are “ NO SMOKING” signs posted on lique-fied

petroleum gas tanks?

  Are liquefied petroleum storage tanks guard-ed

to prevent damage from vehicles?

  Are all solvent wastes and flammable liquids

kept in fire- resistant covered containers until

they are removed from the worksite?

  Is vacuuming used wherever possible rather

than blowing or sweeping combustible dust?

  Are firm separators placed between contain-ers

of combustibles or flammables, when

stacked one upon another, to ensure their

support and stability?

  Are fuel gas cylinders and oxygen cylinders

separated by distance, fire- resistant barriers,

etc., while in storage?

  Are fire extinguishers selected and provided

for the types of materials in areas where

they are to be used?

Class A Ordinary combustible material

fires.

Class B Flammable liquid, gas or grease

fires.

Class C Energized electrical equipment

fires.

  Are appropriate fire extinguishers mounted

within 75 feet of outside areas containing

flammable liquids and within 10 feet of any

inside storage area for such materials?

  Are extinguishers free from obstructions or

blockage?

  Are all extinguishers serviced, maintained

and tagged at intervals not to exceed one

year?

  Are all extinguishers fully charged and in

their designated places?

  Where sprinkler systems are permanently

installed, are the nozzle heads so directed

and arranged that water will not be sprayed

into operating electrical switch boards and

equipment?

  Are “ NO SMOKING” signs posted where

appropriate in areas where flammable or

combustible materials are used or stored?

  Are safety cans used for dispensing flamma-ble

or combustible liquids at a point of use?

  Are all spills of flammable or combustible

liquids cleaned up promptly?

  Are storage tanks adequately vented to pre-vent

the development of excessive vacuum or

pressure as a result of filling, emptying or

atmosphere temperature changes?

  Are storage tanks equipped with emergency

venting that will relieve excessive internal

pressure caused by fire exposure?

  Are “ NO SMOKING��� rules enforced in areas

involving storage and use of hazardous

materials?

Hazardous Chemical Exposure

  Are employees trained in the safe handling

practices of hazardous chemicals, such as

acids and caustics?

  Are employees aware of the potential haz-ards

involving various chemicals stored or

used in the workplace, such as acids, bases,

caustics, epoxies, phenols, etc.?

  Is employee exposure to chemicals kept with-in

acceptable levels?

  Are eye wash fountains and safety showers

provided in areas where corrosive chemicals

are handled?

- 29-

- 30-

  Are all containers, such as vats, storage

tanks, etc., labeled as to their contents, for

example, “ CAUSTICS”?

  Are all employees required to use personal

protective clothing and equipment when han-dling

chemicals ( gloves, eye protection, respi-rators,

etc.)?

  Are flammable or toxic chemicals kept in

closed containers when not in use?

  Are chemical piping systems clearly marked

as to their content?

  Where corrosive liquids are frequently han-dled

in open containers or drawn from stor-age

vessels or pipe lines, are adequate means

readily available for neutralizing or dispos-ing

of spills or overflows properly and safely?

  Have standard operating procedures been

established and are they being followed

when cleaning up chemical spills?

  Where needed for emergency use, are respi-rators

stored in a convenient, clean and sani-tary

location?

  Are respirators intended for emergency use

adequate for the various uses for which they

may be needed?

  Are employees prohibited from eating in areas

where hazardous chemicals are present?

  Is personal protective equipment provided,

used and maintained whenever necessary?

  Are there written standard operating proce-dures

for the selection and use of respirators

where needed?

  If you have a respirator protection program,

are your employees instructed on the correct

usage and limitations of the respirators? Are

the respirators NIOSH approved for this par-ticular

application? Are they regularly inspect-ed

and cleaned, sanitized and maintained?

  If hazardous substances are used in your

processes, do you have a medical or biological

monitoring system in operation?

  Are you familiar with the threshold limit val-ues

or permissible exposure limits of air-borne

contaminants and physical agents

used in your workplace?

  Have control procedures been instituted for

hazardous materials, where appropriate,

such as respirators, ventilation systems,

handling practices, etc.?

  Whenever possible, are hazardous sub-stances

handled in properly designed and

exhausted booths or similar locations?

  Do you use general dilution or local exhaust

ventilation systems to control dusts, vapors,

gases, fumes, smoke, solvents or mists that

may be generated in your workplace?

  Is ventilation equipment provided for

removal of contaminants from such opera-tions

as production, grinding, buffing, spray

painting and/ or vapor degreasing and is it

operating properly?

  Do you monitor employees to make sure there

are no complaints about dizziness, headaches,

nausea, irritation or other discomfort when

they use solvents or other chemicals?

  Do you watch for employee health problems

such as dryness, irritation or sensitization of

the skin?

  Have you considered the use of an industrial

hygienist or environmental health specialist

to evaluate your operation?

  If internal combustion engines are used, is car-bon

monoxide kept within acceptable levels?

  Is vacuuming used, rather than blowing or

sweeping dusts, whenever possible for cleanup?

  Are materials that give off toxic, asphyxiant,

suffocating or anesthetic fumes stored in

remote or isolated locations when not in use?

Respiratory Protection Program

In any workplace where respirators are neces-sary

to protect the health of the employee or

whenever respirators are required by the employ-er,

established and implemented a written respi-ratory

protection program with worksite- specific

procedures? The program must be updated as

necessary to reflect those changes in workplace

conditions that affect respirator use. You must

include in the program the following provisions as

applicable:

  11. Procedures for selecting respirators for

use in the workplace,

  12. Medical evaluations of employees

required to use respirators,

  13. Fit testing procedures for tight- fitting

respirators,

  14. Procedures for proper use of respira-tors

in routine and reasonably foresee-able

emergency situations,

  15. Procedures and schedules for cleaning,

disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repair-ing,

discarding and otherwise main-taining

respirators,

  16. Procedures to ensure adequate air

quality, quantity and flow of breathing

air for atmosphere- supplying respira-tors,

  17. Training of employees in the respirato-ry

hazards to which they are potential-ly

exposed during routine and emer-gency

situations,

  18. Training of employees in the proper

use of respirators, including putting on

and removing them, any limitations on

their use, and their maintenance,

  19. Procedures for regularly evaluating

the effectiveness of the program.

Hazardous Substances Communication

  Is there a list of hazardous substances used

in your workplace?

  Is there a current written exposure control

plan for occupational exposure to bloodborne

pathogens and other potentially infectious

materials, where applicable?

  Is there a written hazard communication pro-gram

dealing with material safety data sheets

( MSDS), labeling and employee training?

  Is each container for a hazardous substance

( including vats, bottles and storage tanks)

labeled with product identity and a hazard

warning ( communication of the specific

health hazards and physical hazards)?

  Is there a material safety data sheet readily

available for each hazardous substance used?

  Is there an employee training program for

hazardous substances?

  This program needs to include:

  11. An explanation of what an MSDS is

and how to use and obtain one.

  12. MSDS contents for each hazardous

substance or class of substances.

  13. Explanation of “ right to know.”

  14. Identification of where employees can

see the employer’s written hazard

communication program and where

hazardous substances are present in

their work areas.

  15. Physical and health hazards of sub-stances

in the work area and specific

protective measures to be used.

  16. Details of the hazard communication

program, including how to use the

labeling system and MSDSs.

  The employee training program on the blood-borne

pathogens standard needs to contain

the following elements:

  11. An accessible copy of the standard and

an explanation of its contents.

  12. A general explanation of the epide-miology

and symptoms of bloodborne

diseases.

  13. An explanation of the modes of trans-mission

of bloodborne pathogens.

  14. An explanation of the employer’s expo-sure

control plan and the means by

which employees can obtain a copy of

the written plan.

  15. An explanation of the appropriate

methods for recognizing tasks and

other activities that may involve expo-sure

to blood and other potentially

infectious materials.

  16. An explanation of the use and limita-tions

of methods that will prevent or

reduce exposure, including appropriate

engineering controls, work practices

and personal protective equipment.

  17. Information on the types, proper use,

location, removal, handling, decontami-nation

and disposal of personal protec-tive

equipment.

  18. An explanation of the basis for selec-tion

of personal protective equipment.

  19. Information on the hepatitis B vaccine.

- 31-

  10. Information on the appropriate actions

to take and people to contact in an

emergency involving blood or other

potentially infectious materials.

  11. An explanation of the procedure to follow

if an exposure incident occurs, including

the methods of reporting the incident and

the medical follow- up that will be made

available.

  12. Information on post- exposure evalua-tions

and follow- up.

  13. An explanation of signs, labels and

color coding.

  Are employees trained in the following:

  How to recognize tasks that might result

in occupational exposure?

  How to use work practice and engineering

controls and personal protective equip-ment

and to know their limitations?

  How to obtain information on the types,

selection, proper use, location, removal,

handling, decontamination and disposal of

personal protective equipment?

  Who to contact and what to do in an

emergency?

Electrical

  Do you specify compliance with OSHA stan-dards

for all contract electrical work?

  Are all employees required to report as soon

as practicable any obvious hazard to life or

property observed in connection with electri-cal

equipment or lines?

  Are employees instructed to make prelimi-nary

inspections and/ or appropriate tests to

determine what conditions exist before start-ing

work on electrical equipment or lines?

  When electrical equipment or lines are to be

serviced, maintained or adjusted, are neces-sary

switches opened, locked out and tagged

whenever possible?

  Are portable electrical tools and equipment

grounded or of the double- insulated type?

  Are electrical appliances such as vacuum

cleaners, polishers and vending machines

grounded?

  Do extension cords being used have a

grounding conductor?

  Are multiple- plug adapters prohibited?

  Are ground- fault circuit interrupters installed

on each temporary 15 or 20 ampere, 120 volt

AC circuit at locations where construction,

demolition, modifications, alterations or exca-vations

are being performed?

  Are all temporary circuits protected by suit-able

disconnecting switches or plug connec-tors

at the junction with permanent wiring?

  Do you have electrical installations in haz-ardous

dust or vapor areas? If so, do they

meet the National Electrical Code ( NEC) for

hazardous locations?

  Are exposed wiring and cords with frayed or

deteriorated insulation repaired or replaced

promptly?

  Are flexible cords and cables free of splices or

taps?

  Are clamps or other securing means provided

on flexible cords or cables at plugs, recepta-cles,

tools and equipment, and is the cord

jacket securely held in place?

  Are all cord, cable and raceway connections

intact and secure?

  In wet or damp locations, are electrical tools

and equipment appropriate for the use or

location or otherwise protected?

  Is the location of electrical power lines and

cables ( overhead, underground, underfloor,

other side of walls) determined before digging,

drilling or similar work is begun?

  Are metal measuring tapes, ropes, handlines

or similar devices with metallic thread

woven into the fabric prohibited where they

could come in contact with energized parts of

equipment of circuit conductors?

  Is the use of metal ladders prohibited in

areas where the ladder or the person using

the ladder could come in contact with ener-gized

parts of equipment, fixtures or circuit

conductors?

  Are all disconnecting switches and circuit

breakers labeled to indicate their use or

equipment served?

- 32-

  Are disconnecting means always opened

before fuses are replaced?

  Do all interior wiring systems include provi-sions

for grounding metal parts of electrical

raceways, equipment and enclosures?

  Are all electrical raceways and enclosures

securely fastened in place?

  Are all energized parts of electrical circuits

and equipment guarded against accidental

contact by approved cabinets or enclosures?

  Is sufficient access and working space provid-ed

and maintained about all electrical equip-ment

to permit ready and safe operations

and maintenance?

  Are all unused openings ( including conduit

knockouts) in electrical enclosures and fittings

closed with appropriate covers, plugs or plates?

  Are electrical enclosures such as switches,

receptacles, junction boxes, etc., provided

with tight- fitting covers or plates?

  Are disconnecting switches for electrical

motors in excess of 2 horsepower capable of

opening the circuit when the motor is in a

stalled condition without exploding? ( The

horsepower rating of switches must be equal to

or in excess of the motor’s horsepower rating.)

  Is low voltage protection provided in the

control device of motors driving machines or

equipment that could cause probable injury

from inadvertent starting?

  Is each motor disconnecting switch or circuit

breaker located within sight of the motor

control device?

  Is each motor located within sight of its con-troller

or the controller disconnecting means

capable of being locked in the open position or

is a separate disconnecting means installed in

the circuit within sight of the motor?

  Is the controller for each motor in excess of

2 horsepower rated in horsepower equal to or

in excess of the rating of the motor it serves?

  Are employees who regularly work on or

around energized electrical equipment or

lines instructed in cardiopulmonary resusci-tation

( CPR)?

  Are employees prohibited from working alone

on energized lines or equipment over 600 volts?

Noise

  Does every area in the workplace have a

continuous noise level that does not exceed

85 dBA?

  Is there an ongoing preventive health pro-gram

to educate employees in safe levels of

noise, exposures, effects of noise on their

health and the use of personal protection?

  Have work areas where noise levels make

voice communication between employees dif-ficult

been identified and posted?

  Are noise levels being measured using a

sound level meter or octave band analyzer

and are records being kept?

  Have engineering controls been used to

reduce excessive noise levels? Where engi-neering

controls are determined to not be

feasible, are administrative controls ( such

as worker rotation) being used to minimize

individual employee exposure to noise?

  Is approved hearing protective equipment

( noise attenuating devices) available to every

employee working in noisy areas?

  Have you tried isolating noisy machinery

from the rest of your operation?

  If you use ear protectors, are employees

properly fitted and instructed in their use?

  Are employees in high noise areas given peri-odic

audiometric testing to ensure that you

have an effective hearing protection system?

Fueling

  Is it prohibited to fuel an internal combus-tion

engine with a flammable liquid while

the engine is running?

  Are fueling operations done in such a manner

that likelihood of spillage will be minimal?

  When spillage occurs during fueling opera-tions,

is the spilled fuel washed away com-pletely,

evaporated, or other measures taken

to control vapors before restarting the engine?

  Are fuel tank caps replaced and secured

before starting the engine?

  In fueling operations, is there always metal

contact between the container and the fuel

tank?

- 33-

  Are fueling hoses of a type designed to han-dle

the specific type of fuel?

  Is it prohibited to handle or transfer gasoline

in open containers?

  Are open lights, open flames, or sparking or

arcing equipment prohibited near fueling or

transfer of fuel operations?

  Is smoking prohibited in the vicinity of fuel-ing

operations?

  Are fueling operations prohibited in build-ings

or other enclosed areas that are not

specifically ventilated for this purpose?

  Where fueling or transfer of fuel is done

through a gravity flow system, are the

nozzles of the self- closing type?

Identification of Piping Systems

  When nonpotable water is piped through a

facility, are outlets or taps posted to alert

employees that it is unsafe and not to be used

for drinking, washing or other personal use?

  When hazardous substances are transported

through above ground piping, is each

pipeline identified at points where confusion

could introduce hazards to employees?

  When a pipeline is identified by color painting,

are all visible parts of the line so identified?

  When pipelines are identified by color painted

bands or tapes, are the bands or tapes located

at reasonable intervals and at each outlet,

valve or connection?

  When pipelines are identified by color, is the

color code posted at all locations where con-fusion

could introduce hazards to employees?

  When the contents of pipelines are identified

by name or name abbreviation, is the infor-mation

readily visible on the pipe near each

valve or outlet?

  When pipelines carrying hazardous sub-stances

are identified by tags, are the tags

constructed of durable materials, the mes-sage

carried clearly and permanently distin-guishable,

and are tags installed at each

valve or outlet?

  When pipelines are heated by electricity,

steam or another external source, are suitable

warning signs or tags placed at unions, valves

or other serviceable parts of the system?

Materials Handling

  Is there safe clearance for equipment

through aisles and doorways?

  Are aisleways designated, permanently

marked and kept clear to allow unhindered

passage?

  Are motorized vehicles and mechanized

equipment inspected daily or before use?

  Are vehicles shut off and brakes set before

loading or unloading?

  Are containers of combustibles or flamma-bles,

when stacked while being moved,

always separated by dunnage sufficient to

provide stabi