General work environment Essay

Are the job locations in the right order?

Are the desks sufficiently lit?

Are pits and floor gaps covered?

Are the restrooms and laundry facilities hygienic and clean?

Does the quantity of restrooms and laundry facilities meet the minimum requirement?

Is the work surface always dry to guarantee adequate traction?

The job site’s trash and combustible waste are they safely stored and quickly cleared away?

Are other work supplies and spilled liquids cleaned up?

In the event that the pilots fail, are automated failure controls put on gas and oil fired devices?

Personal defense tools

Are there enough facial shields and safety glasses available at the workplace? Are the respective personnel trained on the proper use of the face shields and goggles?

In workstations with high possibilities of eye injury, are approved safety glasses provided?

Are protective clothing availed for protection against chemicals and cuts?

In areas with falling objects, are hard helmets provided?

Are safety boots worn for protection against hot, penetrating, or corrosive substances?

Is the protective equipment in good condition in case of emergencies?

Is there a provision for taking meals and drinks without exposure to hazardous material on site?

Walkways

Are pathways on the site kept clear?

Are the existing pathways marked accordingly?

Are non-slippery materials applied to the slippery surfaces?

Are potential dangers such as pits on the surfaces covered?

Are there clearances in locations with mechanical equipment?

Is the material storage done in a way that sharp objects do not face the pathways?

Are there suspended pathways in machine operating areas to eliminate potential hazards?

Are there guardrails on suspended pathways that exceed 30 inches above the base floor?

Floor and wall stairways

Are openings on the floor appropriately covered?

Are the window and door glasses of adequate thickness subject to unforeseen impacts?

Are pits and openings on the ground not in use properly covered?

Are the trench covers, manhole covers, and all covers subjected to similar applications designed to carry the intended applications?

Are fire compatible covers provided in fire resistive construction?

Is the structure rating appropriately evaluated and provided once required?

Stairs & Stairways

Are the stairways widths a minimum 22 inches?

Do the stairs have a standard overhead clearance of 6’6“?

Are the stairs angles within the limits of minimum 30 degrees and maximum 50 degrees?

Are the steps designed to render them slip resistant?

Is the elevation between consecutive stairway landings within the 12 feet limit?

Are the handrails at a distance of 30 to 34 inches elevation from the edge of the stair treads?

Are stairway support rails designed to handle a 200 pounds load in whatsoever direction?

For stairways that exit into a motorcade, are warnings and barriers installed to protect the employees?

Elevated surfaces

Are posters put in place showing the loading capacity allowed?

Are guardrails provided for surfaces elevated above 30 inches from the base?

For elevated work surfaces and storage locations, are permanent access means provided?

Are materials on elevated surfaces placed in a way to prevent collapsing or falling exiting

Are exit signs installed above the doors and illuminated to be easily noted?

Are the exit directions marked with signs?

Are doors that lead to other locations appropriately marked, ”STOREROOM” or “Basement”?

Are exit illuminated signs labeled “EXIT” a minimum ½ inch width and 5 inches high?

Are the exits obstructions free?

In case of emergencies, do the exits allow prompt escape without injuries or squeezing?

Are the numbers of exit locations in accordance with the occupancy load?

For locations with exit ramps, is the slope inclined 12-feet horizontally for every 1-foot vertical distance?

Do exit means such as glass exit doors meet the minimum impact required to break or open?

Portable ladders

Are the feet non-slippery for all ladders?

Are the steps free of oil or any grease?

Are the personnel instructed to face and grip the ladder in ascend and descend steps?

Are ladders with missing parts immediately removed from the site and taken for repair?

Are metal ladders provided with firm grip at their base?

Are the consecutive steps spaced at 12 inches from the previous?

Hand Tools & Equipment

Are broken handles on tools promptly repaired?

Are worn out parts and tools regularly replaced?

Are the files fit with appropriate handles?

Are the employees trained on the proper use of the hand tools and equipment?

Are all the equipment regularly checked for damage to ensure worker safety?

Abrasive wheel equipment grinders

Are there side guards covering the spindle and the flange?

Are the pedestal and bench grinders mounted permanently in their station?

Are protective goggles provided while grinding?

Is the workstation kept clean?

Machine guarding

Can the power supply be cut for repair and maintenance operations?

Are there emergency switches within reach of each machine?

Are the machines anchored to avoid tipping?

Is adequate clearance allowed in between machines?

Are the machines properly maintained and cleaned?

Are the employees trained on safe handling of the machines?

Are there routine inspection programs?

Lockout block out procedures

Are there means for lockout of equipment operating with control valve?

Are individual safety locks provided to the employee?

Does the lock operation block or release energy when locked for maintenance?

Are employees to try the safety lock checks before exposure?

Does the procedure identify the required electrical closures?

Are means put in place to enhance the corresponding control circuit and locking operations occur simultaneously?

Welding and brazing

Are electrodes stored separate from holders when not used?

Are the switches turned off when the welder is not in use?

Are fire extinguishers suitably located?

Are wet materials allowed while welding?

Are combustible materials and wastes within the welding station covered by a fire-resistant shield?

Industrial trucks

Do trained persons only operate the trucks?

Is overhead protection provided on high lifting areas?

Are the trucks operating rules and procedures enforced?

Are approved industrial trucks allowed to operate in areas with flammable materials?

Are trucks operating on gasoline in enclosed locations ensured that they do not accumulate dangerous gases?

Entering confined spaces

Are hazardous and corrosive materials emptied in confined spaces?

Are adequate ventilation means provided?

Is the illumination adequate in a confined space according to application?

Is the atmospheric condition monitored often during while performing an activity?

Are trained rescuers within reach of the confined spaces?

Is appropriate rescue equipment available?

Environmental controls

Are the workstations illuminated properly?

Is first aid training provided to all employees?

Are identified hazardous materials promptly removed?

Are employees trained on handling chemicals in their work environment?

Is the hazard exposure level within acceptable levels?

Can products that are less harmful be substituted?

Flammable & combustible materials

Are proper storage procedures followed to reduce the risk of a fire?

Are the containers used for transportation and storage of flammable and combustible liquids approved?

Are the piping for transferring combustible fluid kept tight and leak proof?

Are the combustible materials covered when not in use?

Does the storage rooms used improvise with explosion-proof wall linings?

Fire protection

Is there an existing fire prevention procedure or plan?

Does the procedure describe the type of fire protection systems appropriate for each application?

Are there procedures to cub potential ignition sources and hazards?

Are employees trained on the hazards posed by the work materials used?

Are there installed and tested alarm system?

Are those systems standard and certified?

Hazardous substances communication

Are there hazardous substances within the work environment?

Are there containers for disposing hazardous materials?

Are material-safety data sheets filled for each hazardous product within the site?

In case of exposure, are there means for communications?

Are the employee trained on hazardous work materials?

Electrical

Are the employees familiar with the required electrical safety regulations?

Are there specific actions the employees’ advice to take in the event of an imminent hazard to life and property?

Are preliminary inspections conducted on electrical equipment before starting work?

Are portable electrical equipment used in specific locations only?

Are multiple plug sockets and extensions used?

Noise

Are there specific locations on site with a noise level exceeding85 dba?

Are the noise levels routinely checked and recorded?

Is isolation of noisier equipment achievable?

Are engineering control measures aapplicable for the specific construction sites?

Are administrative controls feasible where engineering means fail?

Is the training often done especially to personnel working at noise levels of over 85 dba?

Fueling

Is fueling with a flammable liquid allowed on the site?

Are the fueling procedures undertaken in a way that ensures minimal spillage?

Are leaking fuel tank caps taken off and new ones installed?

Are fueling hoses used specific to the type of fuel?

Is smoking prohibited within the premises?

Material handling

Is adequate clearance provided in the pathways?

Are the pathways and the sections marked accordingly?

Are the equipment and machines inspected each day before work starts?

Are the trucks in a secure position when loading and unloading?

Transporting employees & materials

Are the trucks operators licensed?

Are the trucks equipped with safe and comfortable seats for lengthy operations?

Are the trucks in good working conditions?

Are routine maintenance procedures carried out on the trucks?

Are all vehicles equipped with reflective flares?

Emergency action plan

Is there an emergency evacuation plan?

Are the emergency escapes known to all personnel?

Are alarm systems certified to be and in good condition?

Is medical treatment available promptly?

References

ILO. 2015. Labour Inspection and Other Compliance Mechanisms in the Domestic Work Sector: Introductory guide. ILO. Http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?P=4432346.

King, Gary K. 2009. The Inspection of Public Records Act, NMSA 1978, Chapter 14, Article 2: a compliance guide for New Mexico public officials and citizens. [Santa Fe, NM]: [Office of the Attorney General].

Murnane, Lynne, Frederick M. Stowell, Barbara Adams, and Clint Clausing. 2009. Fire inspection and code enforcement. Stillwater, OK: Fire Protection Publications, Oklahoma State University.

Taylor, G. L. 2006. Construction codes and inspection handbook. New York: mcgraw-Hill.

United States. 2000. NPDES compliance inspection manuals. Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.

Woodson, R. Dodge. 2012. Asbestos detection, abatement, and inspection procedures. Waltham, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann. Http://www.books24x7.com/marc.asp?Bookid=47139.

Woodson, R. Dodge. 2012. Construction hazardous materials compliance guide: mold detection, abatement and inspection procedures. [Place of publication not identified]: Butterworth-Heinemann. Http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?P=947409.