1 120i PDF
1 120i PDF
1 120i PDF
Oregon OSHA
Hazard Identification
and Control
An introduction to identifying, analyzing, and controlling hazards
in the workplace
Consultative Services:
• Offers no-cost on-site assistance to help Oregon employers recognize
and correct safety and health problems
Enforcement:
• Inspects places of employment for occupational safety and health rule
violations and investigates complaints and accidents
Field Offices:
Questions?
Call us Portland 503-229-5910
Salem 503-378-3274
Eugene 541-686-7562
Medford 541-776-6030
Bend 541-388-6066
Pendleton 541-276-2353
This guide and notes workbook is set up so that a copy of the workbook page is
shown in the order that it appears in the workbook. You are HIGHLY encouraged to
read the entire instructor manual, add your personalized notations of examples,
additional information you might want to add, alternative ways you may want to
present the material, etc.
You will also find it helpful to attend an OR-OSHA class on this topic offered by the
OR-OSHA public education instructors. Another good preparation strategy is to
complete (or at least download) OR-OSHA online courses.
Feel free to be creative in your presentations and personalize the material so that it
fits your presentation style and preferences. Variety in your methods of presentation
will improve learner attention and retention. Try not to use the same format for more
than a 20 minute timeframe without changing to something at least slightly different.
For example, lecture for 20 minutes, then have the class do an activity, then have
facilitated group discussion, etc., etc.
Do not use these notes as your presentation outline to the extent that you are trying to
present this material exactly the way you think the developer would. It will appear
unnatural and rote unless you customize the presentation to fit YOU.
You are also encouraged to offer an opportunity for the class to critique your
presentation either by using the evaluation sheet in the workbook, or some other
method. Analyzing what people have to say about how the class went is your most
valuable tool in helping you develop as a trainer. You are encouraged to provide us
with your feedback on how these materials could be improved and let us know if you
found them helpful.
Your efforts in helping your company develop self-sufficiency and internal resources
in the important area of staff training are much appreciated.
This material is for training use only
Welcome !
Every year over 6,000 Americans die from workplace injuries. An estimated 50,000
people die from illnesses caused by workplace chemical exposures and 6,000,000
people suffer non-fatal workplace injuries. Injuries, alone cost the economy more than
$110,000,000 a year.
Identifying and controlling workplace hazards involves many processes. It’s more than
simply “inspecting out hazards.” Before we can effectively control hazardous
conditions and unsafe behaviors, we need to be familiar with their characteristics and
the necessary processes to make sure they are promptly identified and analyzed. The
questions and exercises in this workshop will help us become more familiar with
hazard control concepts and we’ll discuss the many types of hazards that may exist in
the workplace. We’ll discuss the various elements of an effective hazard control
program, the nature of hazards in the workplace, and finally we’ll put everything
we’ve learned together in a final exercise.
The purpose of this workshop is to give you the basic knowledge and skills to identify,
analyze, and apply control strategies to eliminate or reduce hazardous conditions and
unsafe practices in the workplace.
Workshop goals:
Introductions
Housekeeping
Form Teams
Please Note: This material, or any other material used to inform employers of compliance requirements of Oregon OSHA standards through simplification of
the regulations should not be considered a substitute for any provisions of the Oregon Safe Employment Act or for any standards issued by Oregon OSHA. The
information in this workbook is intended for classroom use only.
What's inside?
Identifying Hazards
Controlling Hazards
FATAL: At the time of the accident, the victim, a laborer for a sand and
rock company, was repairing a split-rim tire to be mounted on a dump
truck. He had just completed patching the 22.5 inch tubeless tire and
placed a tube in the tire. He had mounted it on a 20 inch split-rim
wheel. The victim was working on the ground outside of the protective
cage. The air chuck configuration provided by the employer put the
victim in the blast zone. As the victim attempted to inflate the tire the
innertube exploded, causing the tire assembly to strike the victim in the head. The sound of the explosion
brought other employees rushing to the scene. The victim was airlifted by Life Flight to the Oregon Health
Sciences University Hospital where he died several days later of injuries related to this accident.
Fatal/Injury: On September 24, 1996, 53-year-old male elevator construction foreman (the victim) was
killed and his helper, an elevator constructor (employed by another subcontractor) was injured, when the
hydraulic elevator car they were working under fell on them. The two were adjusting the hydraulic
cylinder when the car fell, trapping them in the elevator pit. Two wooden poles (4x4 by approximately
twelve-feet long ) used to keep the elevator from falling were placed leaning against the guide rails. The
car was approximately fifteen inches above the poles, which they did not tie in place. The poles were
knocked out of position when the car fell due to the sudden loss of hydraulic pressure and trapped the
two workers under the car. The elevator apparently did not fall evenly to the bottom of the pit. This
permitted the rescue team to enter the pit area and extract the injured. However, rescuers had to use air
bags to help raise the car to remove the victim.
What do the rules for employers say? Briefly discuss the rules.
• furnish employment and a place of employment which are safe and healthful for employees
therein, and…
• shall do every other thing reasonably necessary to protect the life, safety and health of such
employees.
(a) All places of employment shall be inspected by a qualified person or persons as often as the type of
operation or the character of the equipment requires. Defective equipment or unsafe conditions found by
these inspections shall be replaced or repaired or remedied promptly.
(b) Wherever required in this safety code, a written and dated report, signed by the person or persons
making the inspection, shall be kept.
OAR 437, Div 001, Rule 0765 (7) Hazard assessment and control.
(7) Your safety committee must establish procedures for conducting workplace safety and
health inspections. Persons trained in hazard identification must conduct inspections as
follows:
Safety is freedom from danger, risks, or accidents that may result in injury, death, or property damage.
What is a hazard?
condition practice
An unsafe ___________________ or _________________ that could cause
an ____________________
injury or _____________________to
illness an employee.
What is exposure?
29
Which one of those
Minor
incidents will end up
Injuries
as a serious injury?
300
Near Miss
Incidents
H.W. Heinrich's Pyramid (1931)
Hazardous conditions and unsafe or inappropriate behaviors you see in the workplace are
the observable symptoms or effects of deeper system root causes.
Surface symptoms:
• Are unique conditions or individual behaviors (you can point at a person or object)
• May exist or be performed by anyone, anytime, anywhere
• May directly cause or contribute to an incident or accident
• May be important clues revealing root causes
2
Unpreventable acts. Only ________ % of all workplace accidents are thought to be
unpreventable. Heart attacks and other events that could not have been known by the
employer are examples of unpreventable acts. Companies often try to place most of their
injuries into this category. They justify these beliefs with such comments as: "He just
lifted the box wrong and strained his back. What could we do?" Unfortunately, they are
excuses for not looking into the "root cause" of the injury.
98
System failure. Safety management system failures account for at least _________ %
of all workplace accidents. System failures refer to inadequate design or performance of
safety programs that provide training, resources, enforcement, and supervision.
1. Falls. Lt. Chissov fell 22,000 feet and survived. Others who were not so lucky have
died falling on a slippery floor. It's not how far you fall, it's how you land! The most
common types of accidents are falls to the same surface, and falls to below. The
severity of injury from a fall depends on three factors:
1. velocity of an initial impact
2. Impact. Impacts resulting in struck by and struck against may cause serious
accidents. The severity of injury from impacting objects depends on three factors:
1. velocity of the impact
Examples: _________________________________________________________
3. Mechanical. If it's mechanical, and it moves, it's a hazard. There are as many
hazards created by moving machine parts as there are types of machines. Mechanical
hazards cause caught-in, caught-on, and crush accidents that can cut, crush, amputate,
break bones, strain muscles, and even cause asphyxiation.
Examples: _________________________________________________________
4. Vibration and Noise. Tools, equipment, and machinery that vibrate at a low
frequency can injury a part of the body or the whole body. However, the most common
sound-induced injury is due to high frequency vibration. Low frequency vibration
hazards exist in two primary categories:
1. Segmental Vibration. Exposure to equipment that vibrates at various frequencies
can affect different parts of the body. For instance, the hands are most sensitive to
vibrations at 30-40 cycles per second. Internal organs can be affected by at vibrations
as low as 4-10 cycles per second.
2. Whole-Body Vibration. Very low frequencies can affect the entire body. For
instance, truck drivers experience continuous whole-body vibration as they travel.
That's one reason truck driving is considered one of the most hazardous tasks for
lower back injuries.
5. Toxics. Virtually all materials may be toxic to some extent. In the workplace, a
material is toxic if a small quantity can cause an injurious effect, such as tissue damage,
cancer, mutations. It's important to consider the routes of entry of toxic materials into
the human body. There are four possible routes of entry:
1. Inhalation. Breathing in toxics is the most common and dangerous route.
4. Injection. Toxics may be injected into the body (needles, etc). The least common, yet
most direct route of entry.
Examples: _________________________________________________________
Examples: _________________________________________________________
Briefly cover each hazard type and ask for examples in
participants’ workplaces.
7. Flammability/Fire. Fire may cause burn injuries. In order for combustion to take
place, the fuel and oxidizer (oxygen) must be present in gaseous form. Flammable
materials include:
Examples: _________________________________________________________
8. Explosives. The results of an explosion may range from minor injury to major
catastrophe (Space Shuttle Challenger). Instantaneous release of gas, heat, noise, light
and over-pressure creates a wave front that damages anything in its path. About 2 billion
pounds of explosives are used by industry annually in construction, mining, quarrying,
and seismographic work. Many types of explosions may occur:
Examples: _________________________________________________________
9. Pressure Hazards. High and low pressure conditions in the workplace can result
in injury. Standard atmospheric pressure is 14.7 pounds per square inch (psi). High-
pressure gas distribution lines are considered high-pressure when operating at 2 psi or
higher. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) rate boilers which
operate at more than 15 psi as high-pressure. The pressure in full cylinders of
compressed air, oxygen, or carbon dioxide are over 2000 psi! Examples of pressure
hazards include:
Ruptured cylinders. The thrust generated by gas flowing through a puncture or rupture
of a cylinder can be 20 times greater than the weight of the cylinder and reach velocity of
50 feet per second in 1/10th of a second! The result: a missile.
Whipping hoses and lines. Compressed air and water hoses can kill when end fittings
become loose. Such hoses and lines should be restrained by weighting with sand bags at
short intervals, chained, clamped, etc. Never try to grab a whipping hose or line: turn off
the controlling valve.
Water hammer. The effect caused by a sudden stop of liquid flow causing a shock wave
(water hammer) that can cause a line rupture. Have you ever heard a pipe "clang"?
Employers should not allow employees to use compressed air for cleaning
themselves or their clothing. Why?
___________________________________________________________________________________
Air may be injected under the skin causing a possible embolism. Fabric may also
become super-saturated with oxygen creating a serious fire hazard. Clothing can be
___________________________________________________________________________________
totally engulfed in flame in an instant.
10. Electrical contact. Exposure to electrical current may cause injury or death. The
voltage is not so important as the amount of current. It doesn't take much current to kill.
There are five principle categories of electrical hazards:
Shock. Electrical shock is a sudden and accidental stimulation of the body's nervous
system by an electrical current. Look for bare conductors, insulation failures, buildup of
static electricity, and faulty electrical equipment.
Overheating. High current creates high heat that can result in fires, equipment burnout
and burns to employees.
Examples: ________________________________________________________
Briefly cover each hazard type and ask for examples in
participants’ workplaces.
11. Ergonomics. Improper lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, and twisting can cause
strains and sprains. Ergonomics-related hazards are the most common source of injury in
the workplace. About 45% of all claims are related to ergonomics! Ergonomics hazards
exist in:
The worker – physical/mental capability, preexisting conditions, etc.
The task – work that includes high force, repetition, frequency and duration, and
inappropriate posture, point of operation.
Examples: _________________________________________________________
12. Biohazards. Exposure to plants, animals or their products that may be infectious,
toxic or allergenic may cause illness and disease. People who work with animals, animal
products or animal wasted have a greater risk of infection. Biohazard agents include:
Examples: Briefly cover each hazard type and ask for examples in
_________________________________________________________
participants’ workplaces.
13. Workplace Violence. Workplace violence is any violent act that occurs in the
workplace and creates a hostile work environment that affects employees’ physical or
psychological well-being. A risk factor is a condition or circumstance that may increase
the likelihood of violence occurring in a particular setting. Risk factors include:
• Employee contact with the public
• Exchanging money
• Selling/dispensing alcohol or drugs
• Delivering passengers, goods or services
• Mobile workplace (such as a taxicab or police cruiser)
• Exposure to unstable or volatile persons (such as in health care, social services)
• Employees working alone, late at night/early morning, or in small numbers
• Employees working in high-crime areas
• Employees guarding valuable property or possessions
• Employees working in community settings
• Employees deciding on benefits, or in some other way controlling a person's
future, well-being, or freedom (such as a government agency)
Examples: _________________________________________________________
Struck-against. A person forcefully strikes an object. The person provides the force
or energy.
Fall-To-surface. A person slips or trips and falls to the surface he/she is standing or
walking on. A "top-ten" cause of injury.
Fall-To-below. A person slips or trips and falls to a level below the one he/she was
walking or standing on.
Bodily reaction. Caused solely from stress imposed by free movement of the body.
Sudden motions, bends, slips, trips, without falling. A common cause of injury.
Regular safety inspections and occasional audits are important in making sure the
workplace remains free of hazards that could cause injury or illness.
• The inspection examines conditions in the workplace to identify hazards. This is
what the safety committee typically performs each quarter.
• The audit evaluates the quality of program design and performance to better
control hazards. This is what the safety committee needs to perform to ensure
continuous improvement. We'll discuss this strategy in the Controlling Hazards
section.
____________________________________________________
How can you make the inspection process effective and useful?
________________________________________________________
By making sure adequate observation is conducted. Super-vision! Get employees
involved by asking for input. Don’t focus on a condition look beyond and see why the
condition exists.
__ __ __ 1. Are combustible debris and waste materials stored in covered metal receptacles and
removed from the work environment?
__ __ __ 2. Are proper storage methods used to minimize the risk of fire and spontaneous
combustion?
__ __ __ 3. Are approved containers and tanks used for the storage and handling of flammable and
combustible liquids?
__ __ __ 4. Are all connections on drums and combustible liquid piping tight?
__ __ __ 5. Are all flammable liquids kept in closed containers when not in use?
__ __ __ 6. Are bulk drums of flammable liquids grounded and bonded to containers during
dispensing?
__ __ __ 7. Do storage rooms for flammable and combustible liquids have explosion-proof lights?
__ __ __ 8. Do storage rooms for flammable and combustible liquids have mechanical or gravity
ventilation?
__ __ __ 9. Are safe practices followed when liquid petroleum gas is stored, handled, and used?
__ __ __ 10. Are all solvent wastes and flammable liquids kept in fire resistant, covered containers
until they are removed from the work site?
__ __ __ 11. Are all extinguishers fully charged and in their designated places?
__ __ __ 12. Are extinguishers free from obstructions or blockage?
__ __ __ 13. Are “NO SMOKING” signs posted and enforced in areas where flammable or
combustible materials are stored/used?
__ __ __ 14. Are all spills of flammable or combustible liquids cleaned up promptly?
2. Observation
_____________________________________________________________
Report the hazard. Warn the employee about the unsafe behavior. Conduct root
cause analysis to see if the system is contributing the existence of the hazard or
____________________________________________________________________
unsafe behavior.
Formal observation
Simple observation programs, plans and procedures can be successful tools for gathering
and analyzing data to improve the safety management system. Employees are assigned
to make observations and report results for statistical analysis.
What group is well-suited to conduct formal observation?
The safety committee.
____________________________________________________________________
What happens when the perception that discipline might occur as a result
of formal observations?
Most formal observation programs fail because management gets involved in making
____________________________________________________________________
observations. The formal observation program is not effective because employees fear being
observed and they get confused about the role supervisors are playing…are they merely
____________________________________________________________________
observers, or cops? Best to keep formal observations the job of employees only.
Although not required by OR-OSHA rules, the Job hazard analysis (also called a job
safety analysis) is an excellent process that separates a job into its basic steps. Each step
is then analyzed to identify actual and potential hazards. Once the hazards are known,
safe job procedures are developed.
The JHA can be valuable in helping present on-the-job training (OJT). The JHA is also a
opportunity for management to involve employees in developing safe work procedures.
All non-injury incidents and injury accidents, no matter how minor should be analyzed to
identify and control hazards.
• Incident analysis allows you to identify and control hazards before they cause an
injury. It’s always smart business to carefully analyze non-injury incidents.
• Accident analysis is an effective tool for uncovering hazards that either were
missed earlier or have managed to slip out of the controls planned for them.
Both processes are most useful when done with the goal of discovering all of the
underlying contributing root causes.
These controls focus on the source of the hazard itself, unlike other types of controls that
generally focus on the employee exposed to the hazard. The idea is engineer the work
environment and the job itself to eliminate or reduce the hazards. Engineering controls
use the following strategies to eliminate or reduce hazards:
Procedures. These procedures apply to specific jobs in the workplace. Use the
JHA to help develop procedures.
• Permit-required confined space entry procedures
• Lockout/Tagout procedures
• Fork-lift safety inspection procedures
An essential part of any day-to-day safety and health effort is the correction of hazards
that occur in spite of your overall prevention and control program. Documenting these
corrections is equally important, particularly for larger sites.
Documentation is important because:
• It keeps management aware of the status of long-term correction items
• It provides a record of what occurred, should the hazard reappear at a later date
• It provides timely and accurate feedback
0501 Lathe #3, needs guard Smith 9/9/05 9/15/05 Jones 9/14/05
This newly-married young man is welding on a gas tank under this pickup truck.
This procedure has been used many times before without incident.
Photo 2
This father of four is using a gas-driven cutting tool on a large water pipe.
It may be hard to see, but there are also fumes being produced by the tool.
Photo 3
This father and son team is carefully positioning the ladder and getting ready to
clean the windows from this second-floor ledge.
Recommended Corrective Action(s): Engineering controls. Ideas that correct tools, equipment,
machinery, materials, facilities, environment through redesign, substitution, replacement, barriers,
ventilation, enclosure.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Recommended System Improvement(s): Management controls: Ideas that improve safety
programs, policies, plans, processes, procedures, practices, rules, reports, and forms, and improve the
ability of management to provide adequate resources, supervision, consequence and training.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Recommended Corrective Action(s): Engineering controls. Ideas that correct tools, equipment,
machinery, materials, facilities, environment through redesign, substitution, replacement, barriers,
ventilation, enclosure.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Recommended System Improvement(s): Management controls: Ideas that improve safety
programs, policies, plans, processes, procedures, practices, rules, reports, and forms, and improve the
ability of management to provide adequate resources, supervision, consequence and training.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Recommended Corrective Action(s): Engineering controls. Ideas that correct tools, equipment,
machinery, materials, facilities, environment through redesign, substitution, replacement, barriers,
ventilation, enclosure.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Recommended System Improvement(s): Management controls: Ideas that improve safety
programs, policies, plans, processes, procedures, practices, rules, reports, and forms, and improve the
ability of management to provide adequate resources, supervision, consequence and training.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
9. This hazard type is responsible for about 45% of all injury claims in Oregon:
a. hazard communications
b. falls
c. ergonomics
d. violence
Hazard
If you can get rid of the _______________________, you don't have to
manage _____________________
Exposure
REFERENCE
MATERIALS
Workplace inspections help prevent injuries and illnesses. Through critical examination of the
workplace, inspections identify and record hazards for corrective action. Joint occupational health and
safety committees plan, conduct, report and monitor inspections. Regular workplace inspections are an
important part of the overall occupational health and safety program.
As an essential part of a health and safety program, committee members examine the workplace to:
Every inspection must examine who, what, where, when and how. Pay particular attention to items
most likely to develop unsafe or unhealthy conditions because of stress, wear, impact, vibration, heat,
corrosion, chemical reaction or misuse. Inspect the entire workplace area each time. Include areas
where no work is done regularly, such as parking lots, rest areas, office storage areas and locker rooms.
Various inspection teams can have separate responsibilities. This can be done in two ways
1. Each team inspects a separate area such as yards, warehouses, maintenance, offices, and
production lines.
2. Each team checks a separate class of items such as tools, buildings, utilities, materials, and
mobile equipment.
The type of survey used results in reports based on areas in the workplace or on categories of hazards.
Alternating from month to month may be advisable.
Workplace Elements
Look at all workplace elements - the environment, the equipment and the process. The environment
includes such hazards as noise, vibration, lighting, temperature, and ventilation. Equipment includes
materials, tools and apparatus for producing a product or a service. The process involves how the
worker interacts with the other elements in a series of tasks or operations.
• Safety hazards; e.g., inadequate machine guards, unsafe workplace conditions, unsafe work
practices.
• Biological hazards caused by organisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites.
• Chemical hazards caused by a solid, liquid, vapour, gas, dust, fume or mist.
• Ergonomic hazards caused by anatomical, physiological, and psychological demands on the
worker, such as repetitive and forceful movements, vibration, temperature extremes, and
awkward postures arising from improper work methods and improperly designed workstations,
tools, and equipment.
• Physical hazards caused by noise, vibration, energy, weather, heat, cold, electricity, radiation and
pressure.
Diagram of Area. Use drawings of plant layout, or floor plans to help you draw a diagram. Divide the
workplace into areas based on the process. Visualize the activities in the workplace and identify the
location of machinery, equipment and materials. Show the movement of material and workers, and the
location of air ducts, aisles, stairways, alarms and fire exits. Use several simple diagrams if the area is
large. Concentrate on particular types of hazards in the area. If chemicals are the main concern, make
sure the diagram emphasizes chemicals. Do the same for all other hazards, such as noise and lighting.
Explain the contents of the diagram in a legend. Describe the steps of each operation. Obtain worker
and supervisor comments on the diagram-they know the area better than anyone else.
Equipment Inventory. Know what type of machinery or equipment is present. Review technical safety
data sheets, or manufacturers' safety manuals. Read work area records to become familiar with the
injury and illness potential of the equipment.
Chemical Inventory. Determine which chemicals are used in the workplace and whether material
safety data sheets are available. Find out whether actual and potential sources of chemical exposure are
properly controlled. Make sure that all workers have received training in handling chemicals. Check
that all chemicals are labeled with pertinent information (such as handling, storage, and waste disposal)
according to Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) requirements.
Checklists. A checklist helps to clarify inspection responsibilities, controls inspection activities and
provides a report of inspection activities. Checklists permit easy on-the-spot recording of findings and
comments but be careful. Do not allow the inspection team to become so intent on noting the details
listed that it misses other hazardous conditions. Use checklists only as a basic tool. Refer to the related
documents for sample checklists that you can use as a guide to develop a checklist for your workplace.
Reports. Inspection records are important. Past inspection records show what has been identified. They
also show what an inspection team concentrated on and what areas it did not inspect. The inspection
report can draw attention to possible hazards. However, do not simply repeat or copy previous
inspections. Use the inspection report to determine whether previous recommendations were
implemented.
• Ongoing. Supervisors and workers continually conduct ongoing inspections as part of their job
responsibilities. Such inspections identify hazardous conditions and either correct them
immediately or report them for corrective action. The frequency of these inspections varies with
the amount and conditions of equipment use. Daily checks by users assure that the equipment
meets minimum acceptable safety requirements.
• Periodic. Periodic inspections are regular, planned inspections of the critical components of
equipment or systems that have a high potential for causing serious injury or illness. The
inspections are often part of preventive maintenance procedures or hazard control programs. The
law specifies that qualified persons periodically inspect some types of equipment, such as
elevators, boilers, pressure vessels, and fire extinguishers, at regular intervals.
Nobody can accurately estimate how long each inspection will take. The time required depends on what
is found, how many questions are asked, and how large and complex the work area is. Inspections are
ineffective when the given time allows for only a hasty look.
The purpose of an overall schedule is to keep the workplace free of hazards. The schedule should state:
To decide how many inspections are necessary, how long they should last and how often they are
needed, consider:
Discuss the planned inspection route before undertaking the inspection. Review where inspection team
members are going and what they are looking for. For example, during the inspection, "huddle" before
going into noisy areas. This eliminates the need for arm waving, shouting and other unsatisfactory
methods of communication.
The committee cannot inspect as a whole. Each member should have a clipboard or note pad, and
checklists for the area or items to be inspected. They also should be allowed to proceed at their own
pace.
For inspections, wear personal protective equipment (PPE) where required. If you do not have PPE and
cannot get any, do not enter the area. List this as a deficiency during the inspection. Re-inspect the area
when PPE is provided.
Engineers, maintenance personnel and other specialists should be available to provide information on
special equipment or processes. The health and safety committee may invite industrial hygienists, union
health and safety specialists, or workplace managers to join the committee inspection team to help them
in examining certain aspects of a work area.
Supervisor Involvement. Supervisors are responsible for taking action to prevent accident and injury.
Supervisors have an advantage in safety inspections because of familiarity with workers, equipment and
environment. This familiarity is also a disadvantage because it can interfere with a supervisor's
objectivity. Before inspecting a department or area, the committee should contact the supervisor in
charge but the supervisor should not act as a tour guide. The inspection team must remain independent
and make uninfluenced observations.
If the supervisor of the area does not accompany the inspection team, consult the supervisor before
leaving the area. Discuss each recommendation with the supervisor. Report items that the supervisor
can immediately correct. Note these on the report as corrected. This keeps the records clear and serves
as a reminder to check the condition during the next inspection.
Although a supervisor may interpret reporting as a criticism, committee members cannot fail to report
hazards. Retain objectivity and maintain an attitude that is firm, friendly, and fair.
Observation. Look for deviations from accepted work practices. Use statements such as, "a worker
was observed operating a machine without a guard." Do not use information derived from inspections
for disciplinary measures.
Inspection Principles
• Draw attention to the presence of any immediate danger--other items can await the final report.
• Shut down and "lock out" any hazardous items that cannot be brought to a safe operating
standard until repaired.
• Do not operate equipment. Ask the operator for a demonstration. If the operator of any piece of
equipment does not know what dangers may be present, this is cause for concern. Never ignore
any item because you do not have knowledge to make an accurate judgement of safety.
• Look up, down, around and inside. Be methodical and thorough. Do not spoil the inspection
with a "once-over-lightly" approach.
• Clearly describe each hazard and its exact location in your rough notes. Allow "on-the-spot"
recording of all findings before they are forgotten. Record what you have or have not examined
in case the inspection is interrupted.
• Ask questions, but do not unnecessarily disrupt work activities. This may interfere with efficient
assessment of the job function and may also create a potentially hazardous situation.
• Consider the static (stop position) and dynamic (in motion) conditions of the item you are
inspecting. If a machine is shut down, consider postponing the inspection until it is functioning
again.
• Discuss as a group, "Can any problem, hazard or accident generate from this situation when
looking at the equipment, the process or the environment?" Determine what corrections or
controls are appropriate.
• Do not try to detect all hazards simply by relying on your senses or by looking at them during
the inspection. You may have to monitor equipment to measure the levels of exposure to
chemicals, noise, radiation or biological agents.
• Take a photograph if you are unable to clearly describe or sketch a particular situation. Instant
developing photographs are especially useful.
To make a report, first copy all unfinished items from the previous report on the new report. Then write
down the observed unsafe condition and recommended methods of control. Enter the department or
area inspected, the date and the inspection team's names and titles on top of the page. Number each
item consecutively, followed by a hazard classification of items according to the chosen scheme.
State exactly what has been detected and accurately identify its location. Instead of stating "machine
unguarded," state "guard missing on upper pulley #6 lathe in North Building."
Assign a priority level to the hazards observed to indicate the urgency of the corrective action required.
For example:
Make management aware of the problems in a concise, factual way. Management should be able to
understand and evaluate the problems, assign priorities and quickly reach decisions. Take immediate
action as needed. When permanent correction takes time, take any temporary measures you can, such as
roping off the area, tagging out equipment or posting warning signs.
After each listed hazard, specify the recommended corrective action and establish a definite correction
date. Each inspection team member should review for accuracy, clarity and thoroughness.
Characteristics:
Missing or inadequate policies, plans, programs, processes, procedures
Missing or inadequate resources - money, time, people, materials, etc.
The deep root causes for most accidents
Effects:
Cause system performance failures
Characteristics:
Failure to effectively accomplish safety policies, plans, processes, procedures or
practices
Failure to provide training, resources, enforcement, supervision, and leadership
Effects:
Cause common hazardous conditions and/or unsafe behaviors
Cause repeated unique hazardous conditions and/or unsafe behaviors
You may request a complete list from the Research and Analysis Section, Information Management Division, Department of Consumer
and Business Services. http://www.cbs.state.or.us/imd/orosha.html
Hazard Identification and Control
This material is for training use only
Foreseeable Hazards. The hazard for which OR-OSHA issues a citation must be reasonably
foreseeable. All the factors which could cause a hazard need not be present in the same place at the
same time in order to prove foreseeability of the hazard; e.g., an explosion need not be imminent. Fore
example:
• If combustible gas and oxygen are present in sufficient quantities in a confined area to cause an
explosion if ignited but no ignition source is present or could be present, no OR-OSHA violation
would exist. If an ignition source is available at the workplace and the employer has not taken
sufficient safety precautions to preclude its use in the confined area, then a foreseeable hazard may
exist.
It is necessary to establish the reasonable foreseeability of the general workplace hazard, rather than the
particular hazard which led to the accident. For example:
• A titanium dust fire may have spread from one room to another only because an open can of
gasoline was in the second room. An employee who usually worked in both rooms was burned in
the second room from the gasoline. The presence of gasoline in the second room may be a rare
occurrence. It is not necessary to prove that a fire in both rooms was reasonably foreseeable. It is
necessary only to prove that the fire hazard, in this case due to the presence of titanium dust, was
reasonably foreseeable.
Recognized Hazards. Recognition of a hazard can be established on the basis of industry
recognition, employer recognition, or "common sense" recognition. The use of common sense as the
basis for establishing recognition shall be limited to special circumstances.
• Industry Recognition. A hazard is recognized if the employer's industry recognizes it.
Recognition by an industry, other than the industry to which the employer belongs, is generally
insufficient to prove industry recognition. Although evidence of recognition by the employer's
specific branch within an industry is preferred, evidence that the employer's industry recognizes
the hazard may be sufficient.
• Employer Recognition. A recognized hazard can be established by evidence of actual employer
knowledge. Evidence of such recognition may consist of written or oral statements made by the
employer or other management or supervisory personnel during or before the OSHA inspection, or
instances where employees have clearly called the hazard to the employer’s attention.
• Common Sense Recognition. If industry or employer recognition of the hazard cannot be
established, recognition can still be established if it is concluded that any reasonable person would
have recognized the hazard. This argument is used by OSHA only in flagrant cases.
II. Findings
A. Hazardous Conditions
1. Platform storage area does not have guardrails.
a. Root cause(s). Missing guardrails were previously identified but not budgeted for correction. Indicates
inadequate policy and procedures to respond to hazards. Note: Since management has prior knowledge of
this hazard and has elected not to take action, this hazard may be classified as a willful violation by OR-
OSHA and subject to an increased penalty.
b. Possible Accident(s) and Associated Cost(s):
(1 Struck by falling object. Average direct accident cost for this accident is $9,851. Estimated
indirect cost $36,000. Total estimated cost if accident occurs is $45,851.
(2 Fall from elevated platform. Average direct accident cost for this accident it $15,668. Estimated
indirect cost $60,000. Total estimated cost if accident occurs is $75,668.
c. Exposure, Probability and Severity:
(1 Exposure. Twelve employees work in the area throughout an 8-hour shift. Five employees
routinely work on the platform. Approximately 30 employees walk through the hazard area each day.
(2 Probability. It is likely that one of the above accidents will occur within the next year. There was a
near miss six months ago when an employee was nearly hit by a falling container.
(3 Severity. Most likely: Serious physical harm. Worst case: Fatality.
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
Inspector Inspector
_________________________________ _________________________________
[Decision Maker] Date
Exposure: (circle one) High Moderate Low What is the frequency and duration of
physical/environmental exposure?
Probability: (circle one) Certain Highly Likely Likely Unlikely What is the likelihood of
an accident occurring when exposed?
Severity: (circle one) Minor Injury Serious Injury Fatality How serious will the injury or
illness be when exposed?
Overall Risk: (circle one) Extreme High Moderate Low
Assess each task for hazards using the following criteria: (1 Type of injury or illness possible; (2 Probability -
unlikely, likely, highly likely; and (3 Severity - death, serious injury/illness, not serious injury/illness.
2. Sources of high temperatures - that could cause burns, ignition, injury to eyes, etc. ____________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Required PPE: ______________________________________________________________________________________
4. Sources of harmful atmospheres - dust, fumes, gasses, mists, vapors, fibers, etc. _____________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Required PPE: ______________________________________________________________________________________
5. Sources of light radiation - welding, brazing, cutting, furnaces, heat treating, high intensity lights, etc. ______________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Required PPE: ______________________________________________________________________________________
7. Sources of sharp objects - which could pierce the skin - feet, hands, face etc. _________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Required PPE: ______________________________________________________________________________________
9. Layout of workplace and location of co-workers - adequate space for task. _________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Required PPE: _____________________________________________________________________________________
I certify that I have conducted a workplace survey on the above task to assess the need for personal protective
equipment. The personal protective equipment noted above will be required while performing this task.
______________________________________________ ________________________
Signature Date
BODY MECHANICS
PERSONAL PROTECTION
1. Confine long hair so that it is not exposed to machinery and does not interfere with vision.
2. Require the wearing of safety goggles, glasses, or other eye protection when there is a danger
of eye injury.
3. Provide respirators for use where harmful dusts or fumes exist (see WISHA rules). **
Respirator use requires appropriate certification, fit testing, and supervision to insure that there
is proper fit, training, and inspection are all taking place.
4. Determine the physical defects and limitations of all students so that they will not be assigned
tasks detrimental to their health or physical condition.
5. Prohibit the wearing of loose clothing in the laboratory and shop areas.
6. Require students to remove rings and other jewelry while working in the laboratory and shop
areas.
7. Where noise levels are excessive over long periods of time, ear protection should be worn.
8. Protective apparel, including safety shoes, aprons, shields, and gloves, are worn properly as
required by the nature of the task.
9. Provisions are made for cleaning and sterilizing respirators, masks, and goggles.
10. Head protection is worn in all areas where there is danger of falling and/or flying objects.
FACILITY CONDITION
1. Aisles, machines, benches, and other equipment are arranged to conform to good safety
practices.
2. Stairways, aisles, and floors are maintained, clean, dry, and unobstructed with no protruding
objects.
3. Walls, windows, and ceilings are clean, maintained in good repair, and free of protrusions.
4. Illumination is safe, sufficient, and well placed.
5. Ventilation and temperature controls are proper for conditions.
6. Fire extinguishers and other necessary fire equipment are properly selected, adequately
supplied, properly located, inspected, and periodically recharged as required.
7. Exits are properly identified and illuminated.
8. Lockers and drawers are clean, free of hazards, and doors kept closed.
9. Personnel know the procedures for notification of fire and evaluation of premises.
10. Laboratories and workplaces are free from excessive dust, smoke, and airborne toxic materials.
11. Utility lines and shutoffs are properly identified.
12. Stairways, floor openings, and overhead storage areas are properly guarded with rails and toe
boards and have the proper clearances.
HOUSEKEEPING PRACTICES
1. Provide for the storage and daily removal of all sawdust, metal cuttings, rags, and other waste
materials.
2. Provide properly marked boxes, bins, or containers for various kinds of scrap stock and rags.
3. Utilize sturdy racks and bins for material storage, arranged to keep material from falling on
students and to avoid injuries from protruding objects.
4. Employ a standard procedure to keep floors free of oil, water, and foreign material.
5. Provide for the cleaning of equipment and facilities after each use.
6. Provide regular custodial service in addition to end of class cleanup.
7. Prohibit the use of compressed air to clean clothing, equipment, and work areas.
8. Keep walkways and work areas free of all obstructions.
9. Floor surfaces must be maintained in a “nonskid” condition.
10. Tools and materials are stored orderly and safely.
11. File cabinets and other tall cabinets are required to be anchored.
EQUIPMENT
1. All equipment should be operated in accordance with specifications as stated in the owner’s
manual.
2. Machines and apparatus are arranged so that operators are protected from hazards of other
machines or passing individuals.
3. Point of operation zones are properly identified and guarded.
4. Permanent enclosure guards properly protect pulleys, gears, and belts.
5. Guards are removed only for repair purposes and then replaced immediately.
6. Equipment control switches for each machine are easily available to the operator.
7. Machines are turned off when the instructor is out of the room and/or if the machine is
unattended.
8. Proper cleaning equipment is used (avoid air for cleaning purposes).
9. Nonskid areas are maintained around dangerous equipment.
10. A preventive maintenance program is established for all equipment.
11. Machines are guarded to comply with WISHA code.
12. Cutting tools are kept sharp, clean, and in safe working order.
13. All hoisting devices are maintained in a safe operating condition and specified load ratings are
easily identified.
14. Machines that are defective or being repaired are clearly marked and made inoperable by locking
out the machine power switch.
15. Machines and apparatus are marked with proper color code.
16. Equipment cords and adapters are maintained in a safe working condition.
17. Adjustment and repair of any machine is restricted to experienced persons.
18. Ladders are maintained and stored properly.
19. Machines designated for fixed location are securely anchored.
RECORDKEEPING
1. Always keep an adequate record of accidents and report it through proper channels in your
district.
2. An analysis of accidents is made for the purpose of corrective action.
HAND TOOLS
1. ____ Is the safety committee assisting in evaluating the employer's safety and
health program?
2. ____ Are established procedures that identify safety and health hazards in place?
3. ____ Are workplace inspections by the safety committee conducted at least
quarterly?
4. ____ Does the safety committee use the results of the inspection to make
recommendations?
5. ____ Does the inspection team include employer and employee representatives?
6. ____ Does the inspection report locate and identity of the hazards and make
recommendations?