CARPENTRY SAFETY CHECKLIST - 2022

Information

Audit Title
Conducted on
Prepared by
Location

HOUSEKEEPING / PREMISES CONDITION

Are accumulations of wood dust routinely removed from elevated surfaces such as ductwork, roof supports, etc.?
Is wood dust cleaned up from the floor regularly to prevent the dust creating a slipping hazard?
Are walking surfaces kept dry or appropriate means taken to assure the surfaces are slip-resistant?
Is heavy stock properly and safely secured for storage?
Are exit routes clear and unobstructed?
Are there no materials or equipment placed, either permanently or temporarily, within the exit route??
Are shop tools stored safely away and not left on the floor or on machines?

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

Are electrical machinery and appliances grounded?
Do extension cords being used have a grounding conductor?
Do plug adapters provide necessary ground conductor?
Are all disconnecting switches and circuit breakers labeled to indicated their use or the equipment served?
Do all interior wiring systems include provisions for grounding metal parts of electrical raceways, equipment and enclosures?
Are all electrical conduits, raceways and enclosures securely fastened in place?
Are all energized parts of electrical circuits and equipment guarded against a accidental contact by proper cabinets or enclosures?
Is sufficient access and working space provided and maintained about all electrical equipment to permit ready and safe operations and maintenance?
Are all unused openings (including knockouts) in electrical enclosures and fittings closed with appropriate covers, plugs or plates?
Are electrical enclosures such as switches, receptacles, and junction boxes, provided with tight fitting covers or plates?
Are extension cords used outdoors equipped with 10 mA GFCI protection?
Are operators dressed safely for the job (no loose-fitting clothing, jewelry, long hair)?

CHEMICAL SAFETY

Are flammable liquids properly stored in appropriate cabinets when not in use?
Are all portable chemical containers labeled with the name of the product and its physical and health hazards?
Are all spilled hazardous materials or liquids, cleaned up immediately and according to proper procedures?
Are compressed gas cylinders, such as oxygen separated from other flammable compressed gases by at least 20 ft (6 m) or a ½ hr. rated firewall?
Are emergency eye wash facilities that provide a flow rate of 0.4 liters for 15 minutes located within the work area where employees are exposed to corrosive materials, or other chemicals hazardous to the eyes?
Are emergency shower facilities that provide a flow rate of 75.7 liters per minute (20 gpm) for 15 minutes located within the work area where employees are exposed to corrosive materials, or other chemicals hazardous to the eyes or other parts of the body?
Are emergency eye wash and shower stations activated monthly for a period long enough to verify operation and ensure flushing fluid is available?

LADDERS

8.0 Are ladders being inspected at this time?
Are all ladders used by employees at their workplace in overall good condition?
Are ladders free of sharp edges, splinters, splits, decay or broken rings, spreaders, locking clamps and side rails?
Do ladders have no-slip feet?
Are wooden ladders unpainted to prevent hiding damage/cracks in the wood?
Are the joints between the steps and side rails tight, all hardware and fittings securely attached, and do the movable parts operate freely without binding or undue movement?
Do stepladder spreaders or locking devices securely hold the front and back sections in the open position?
Are ropes for extension ladders in good condition? not frayed or badly worn?
Are the rungs or steps clean (e.g., free of mud, grease, or oil)?
Are the steps uniformly spaced, 10 in. (25cm), and not more than 14 in. (26 cm apart, parallel, and level when the ladder is in position for use?
If there are any damaged ladders on the site, are they tagged for destruction or repair and kept out of service?
Is the use of AC-powered tools or working on or near an electrical system or overhead power lines limited to the use of wood or fiberglass ladders only (no metal ladders)?
Are ladders OSHA/ANSI-rated Type 1 (250 lbs. or 113 kg), 1A (300 lbs. or 136 kg), or 1AA (375 lbs. or 170 kg) or equivalent?
Are stepladders limited to no more than 20 ft (6m) long?
Are straight ladders limited to no more than 30 ft. (9m) long?
Is the straight or extension ladder placed at a pitch of 1:4 (i.e., 1 foot or 1 meter horizontal for each 4 feet or 4-meter vertical)?
For any ladder placed in front of a doorway, is the doors blocked or locked from the other side?
Are ladders tall enough to reach the object required?
Are ladders not placed on boxes, barrels, tables or other materials to gain additional height?
Are workers staying at least lower than two steps from the top on a step ladder or four steps from the top on a single section or extension ladder?
Are workers prohibited from climbing on the bracing on the back legs of the step ladder?
Is there only one person on the ladder at a time?
Are rolling stairs available and used instead of a ladder?
f a ladder is used to provide access to an elevated platform, do the side rails extend at least 36” (91 cm) above the platform edge and is the ladder secured?
Are ladders with structural or other defects removed from service, destroyed, and disposed of?

HAND AND PORTABLE POWER TOOLS

Are all tools and equipment used by employees at their workplace in good condition?
Are hand tools such as chisels and punches, which develops mushroom heads during use, reconditioned or replaced as necessary?
Are broken or fractured handles on hammers, axes and similar tools replaced promptly?
Are tools handles wedged tightly in the head of all tools?
Are appropriate handles used on files and similar tools
Are tools cutting edges kept sharp so the tool will move smoothly without binding or skipping?
Are portable circular saws equipped with guards above and below the base shoe?
Are circular saw guards free moving (I.e., not wired or wedged open)?
Are all AC-powered tools effectively grounded or a double-insulated type with cords in good condition?
For AC-powered tools used outdoors, is GFCI protection provided?
Do powered tools have "dead-man" switches?

STATIONARY POWER TOOLS

Are all tools and equipment used by employees at their workplace in good condition?
Are all machines guarded to protect the employees from flying debris, rotating parts, pinch points and other hazards?
Are stationary power tools securely anchored to prevent movement
Are all operating controls easily reachable from the standard operating position and away from the hazardous point of operation?
Are saw blades for table saws and chop saws inspected before each use?
Are table saws locked out before changing the blade?
Is the blade height correct for the task? The correct blade height protects the operator from kickbacks.
Are clamps or drill vice grips used to prevent the object from spinning while using a drill press?
Are drive belts and pulleys enclosed?
Is the sanding belt on a belt sander examined before each use?
Is dust collection used when operating a jointer, saw, belt drum sanders, and shapers?
Are nails, screws and other metallic objects removed from the wood before using the stationary hand tools?
Are all AC-powered tools effectively grounded or a double-insulated type with cords in good condition?
For AC-powered tools used outdoors, is 10 mAGFCI protection provided?
Are workers trained in the hazards found in pinch points or rotating parts?

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Are approved safety glasses required to be worn at all times in areas where there is a risk of eye injuries from flying chips, splinters, sparks and other solid materials?
Are protective goggles or face shields worn over safety glasses where there is any danger of chemical splashes?
Are hard hats provided and worn where the danger of hitting the head exists?
Are hard hats free of damage to the shell and suspension system?
Is appropriate foot protection required where there is the risk of foot injuries from falling objects, crushing, or hot, corrosive, or toxic substances?
Are abrasion-resistant gloves worn for handling materials with sharp edges, splinters or other surfaces that can cause severe cuts, lacerations, abrasions or punctures?
Are chemical-resistant gloves worn to prevent skin contact with harmful chemicals (e.g., solvent-based glues, paints and thinners, fuels, acids)?
Is hearing protection (e.g., ear plugs or muffs) properly worn when workplace noise levels exceed the Department’s occupational exposure limits?
Are proper respirators available ad worn by employees exposed to airborne chemical substance hazards? (e.g., high concentrations of dusts, welding fumes, solvent vapors)
Is there a schedule to replace the cartridges in chemical respirators? (e.g., monthly)
Is all protective equipment maintained and stored in a clean, functioning condition and ready for use?

MACHINE GUARDING AND SAFETY

Are push sticks or blocks available and used for saws and other cutting equipment to feed smaller pieces of stock?
Are provisions made to prevent machines from automatically restarting when power is restored after a power interruption?
Are all (a) moving chalking and gears and (b) pulleys and belts that are within 7 feet (2.1 meters) of the floor or working level properly guarded?
Are fan blades protected with a guard having openings no larger than 1/2inch (1.3cm), when operating within 7 feet (2.1meters) from the floor?
Are any foot-operated switches guarded or located to prevent accidental actuation by personnel or falling objects?
Is equipment and machinery securely anchored to prevent tipping or other movement during operation that could result on personal injury?
Are manually operated valves and switches controlling the operation of equipment and machines clearly identified and readily accessible?
Is there a power shut-off switch within reach of the operator's position at each machine?
Does the supervisor prohibit loose clothing, ties, long hair, and jewelry that may catch in moving machinery?

3.0 ABRASIVE WHEELS

When using the grinding wheel, always make sure the machine speed and the grinding wheel speed are compatible.
Do side guards cover the spindle, nut, and flange and 75 percent of the wheel?
Are the spark arrestors on the topside of bench grinders used and kept adjusted to within 1/4 inch (6.5mm) of the wheel?
Are the eye shields of bench grinders in place and in good working condition?
Is the work rest of bench grinders used and kept adjusted to within 1/8 inch (3 mm) of the wheel?
Are all abrasive wheel rpms rated for the rpm of the grinder motor? (The grinder motor rpm should not exceed the wheel rating)
Is grinding on the side of the wheel prohibited?
Are bench and pedestal grinders permanently anchored?
Is there a face shield available and its use required when the grinder is used?