Information
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ESH X Audit
Item
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Is there a hazard?
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Category:
- Best Practice
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Category:
- Confined Space
- Compressed Air
- Crane
- Electrical
- Employees
- Evacuation
- Fall Protection
- Fire Prevention
- First Aid
- Forklift
- Hand Tools
- HazCom
- Hearing Protection
- Housekeeping
- Hot Work
- Ladders
- LOTOTO
- Machine Guarding
- Material Handling
- Meeting
- Mobile Equipment
- Near Miss
- Noise Exposure
- Power Tools
- PPE
- Respiratory Protection
- Rigging
- Scaffolds
- Signs
- Stairs
- Slip and Trips
- Unsafe Act
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OSHA defines a confined space as one that has limited or restricted means of entry or exit, is large enough for employees to enter and perform their work and is not designed for continuous occupancy (29 CFR 1910.146(b)). A permit-required confined space is a space that has one or more of the following characteristics:
Contains or could contain a hazardous atmosphere
Contains material that has the potential for engulfing the entrant
Inwardly converging walls
Any other recognized safety or health hazards
OSHA also specifies the requirements of a non-permit required confined space. This is a space that does not contain, or with respect to atmospheric hazards, have the potential to contain any hazard capable of causing death or serious physical harm.
There are several steps an employer should follow when beginning a confined space program. The first is to evaluate the workplace and determine whether it contains permit-required confined spaces as defined by OSHA. If it is determined that there are permit-required confined spaces, the employer must inform all exposed employees of the dangers by posting signs or some other equally effective means. Signs should read:
"DANGER--PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER" or other similar language. -
Filings, chips, shavings, particles of metal, etc. are thrown up when compressed air is used for cleaning purposes. The pressure necessary to remove the particles from machines and surfaces is also strong enough to blow them into the eyes, ears or skin of people nearby. The greatest danger in dusting ones self down lies in accidental internal injury to the body. Compressed air can enter the body where the skin is not present (i.e., ear, nose, rectum or any scratch or puncture in the skin, however small) and can cause the affected part to swell to alarming proportions and be accompanied by severe pain. If the air gets into the bloodstream it can make its way into the small blood vessels of the brain, burst the vessels and cause death. A pressure strong enough to dust or clean is strong enough to breach the skin and penetrate the body. Even a pressure as low as 5–10 pounds per square inch (psi) can cause serious injury.
Due to the serious injuries caused by compressed air, OSHA requirements pertaining to the safe use of safety air guns for cleaning purposes focus on pressure and chip guarding. The federal OSHA requirement can be found in 29 CFR Part 1910.242(b), which states, . . .Compressed air shall not be used for cleaning purposes except where reduced to less than 30 psi and then only with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment.
This regulation relates to cleaning objects or items only (i.e., blow drying parts that were pulled out of a plating bath). The phrase reduce to less than 30 psi means that the nozzle pressure or opening of a gun, pipe, cleaning lance etc., used for cleaning purposes will remain at a pressure level below 30 psi in the event the tool is dead ended meaning, if the tip of an air gun is blocked. This can be achieved by relief ports that discharge sufficient air to reduce the air pressure at the nozzle to less than 30 psi. Employees should NOT use compressed air to clean themselves or clothing while they are worn.
The phrase effective chip guarding means any method or equipment that prevents a chip or particle (of any size) from being blown into the eyes or unbroken skin of the operator or other workers. Effective chip guarding may be separate from the air nozzle as in the case where screens or barriers are used. The use of protective cone air nozzles is generally acceptable for protection of the operator. However, barriers, baffles or screens may be required to protect other workers near the operator if they are exposed to flying chips or particles. Always check your local or state regulations as they may differ from the federal regulation discussed in this document. -
Electricity and Its Effects on the Body
In order for electricity to work, a complete circuit made of a conductor, a load or electricity-consuming device and a ground is needed. Electricity will flow through the conductor to the load and finally to the ground to complete the circuit. Electricity will follow the path of least resistance to ground—similar to water in a pipeline that flows out of a valve when it is opened. Electricity becomes dangerous when you become part of the circuit, because the closest path to ground may be through you, causing an electrical shock.
When you are shocked by electricity, your muscles contract. If the lungs are involved in the path of the circuit, voluntary respiration can be halted. If the heart is involved, fibrillation can occur resulting in heart failure. As little as 50 milliamperes can cause death. It is important to realize that an electrical shock may not be strong enough to cause a fatality but it could cause you to fall or jolt to dangerous surroundings.
Electrical Safety Practices at Work
Safe work practices are used to prevent electrical shock or similar injuries by keeping workers away from energized equipment or circuits and by training qualified workers on the correct procedures when working on energized equipment or circuits. Prior to using or performing maintenance on electrical equipment, the employee should first determine if it is safe by checking the following:
Make sure the electrical equipment is not located in a hazardous environment, such as a damp/wet location or where it is exposed to high temperatures and flammable liquids and gases
Make sure current and safety devices, such as fuses, breakers and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI), have not been tampered with and are working correctly
Make sure the power cord and plug do not have any defects, such as cuts in the insulation exposing bare wiring
Know if the equipment has an emergency shutoff switch and where it is located prior to use
Make sure there is sufficient space around the electrical equipment or circuit in order to maintain or operate
Make sure all personal metal jewelry is removed prior to using or working on electrical equipment or circuits
De-energize electrical equipment before testing or repairing in accordance with the Lockout Tagout standard 29 CFR 1910.147.
If de-energizing the electrical equipment or circuit will increase the potential for an electrical hazard or is necessary for testing and troubleshooting, the appropriate tools and personal protective equipment (PPE) must be used and worn for the specific parts of the body to be protected. -
Personal Protective Equipment
The type of personal protective equipment (PPE) (Quick Tips #240: Revised Personal Protective Equipment Standards) you need when using hand tools depends on the tool being used. At a minimum, eye protection in the form of safety glasses or goggles must be worn at all times for eye protection. The simple act of snipping copper wire with side-cutting pliers, striking a nail with a hammer or sawing wood can propel small pieces of debris into the air.
It is also important to protect your hands from cuts, abrasion and repeated impact. Cut-resistant gloves made of Kevlar®, Spectra® or stainless steel can help protect against the effects of a misplaced blade. Wearing standard cotton or leather gloves can help prevent wood splinters or skin abrasions from handling lumber. On jobs that require long periods of hammering, impact-resistant gloves with gel or rubber palms can reduce vibration.
Safety shoes with a reinforced toe can help protect your feet from injury caused by a dropped tool. Safety footwear come in a variety of styles and are widely available. Choose footwear that offers adequate traction for your work site.
Proper Work Practices
Wrenches
Wrenches come in an endless variety of styles such as socket, open-end, combination, adjustable and torque, to name a few. Wrenches are designed to turn or hold bolts, nuts or multiple-threaded fasteners. They are sized to keep the leverage and load in an acceptable balance.
Choose a wrench that properly fits the fastener you wish to turn. Use metric wrenches for metric bolts and American inch wrenches for inch-sized bolts; by using the correct size, the wrench is less prone to slip or round off the fastener corners.
Avoid using an extension to improve the leverage of a wrench
Do not use open-end or adjustable wrenches for final tightening or loosening frozen fasteners—These wrenches do not have the strength of a box-end or socket wrench
Apply penetrating oil on frozen fasteners before using a striking face box, socket or heavy-duty box wrench
Do not expose a wrench to temperatures that could weaken tool hardness
Always try to pull on a wrench (instead of pushing) in case the fastener loosens
Adjustable wrenches must be adjusted tightly to the fasteners and then pulled, putting the force on the fixed end
Turn power off and use electrically insulated wrenches when working on or around electrical components
Never alter a wrench
Do not over torque a fastener—Use a torque wrench to tighten the fastener to the exact torque required.
Inspect wrenches periodically for damage, such as cracking, severe wear or distortion
Always use nonsparking wrenches when in the presence of flammable vapors or dusts
Pliers
Pliers come in all shapes and sizes, such as lineman, diagonal cutting, needle nose, slip joint, locking tongue and groove. Plier uses include gripping, cutting, turning and bending. Pliers are a versatile tool, but must be used according to how they are designed.
Do not increase a pliers handle length to gain more leverage, instead choose larger sized pliers
Never subject pliers to temperatures that could decrease tool hardness
Cut hardened wire only with pliers designed for that purpose
Do not substitute pliers for a wrench when turning nuts and bolts
Be sure the pliers' jaws can grasp properly when bending rigid wire
Do not hammer with pair of pliers
Cut wire at right angles without bending wire back and forth against the cutting edge of a pliers
Always use non-sparking pliers when in the presence of flammable vapors or dusts
Hammers and Striking Tools
Hammers are one of the most used tools in our tool boxes. Nail, soft-face, ball-peen, chipping, sledge and setting are just a few of the hammers we use in the workplace and home. Many hammer types are specific to a particular industry, such as bricklayers, machinists and loggers. Each kind of hammer has a head that is tailored to work best for a particular application. Hammer handles are now made stronger, ergonomically shaped and transmit less shock to the user.
Always use a hammer of the proper weight and size for the task
Do not strike the surface at an angle—the hammer face should contact the striking surface squarely, so the two are parallel.
Do not use a hammer if the handle is damaged or loose
Use a hammer face that is 3/8" larger in diameter than the striking tool.
Never weld, heat or regrind a hammer head
Remove from service any hammer exhibiting signs of excessive wear, cracks, mushrooming or chips
Do not use one hammer to strike another
Do not use the wrong hammer for the job, match the proper type of hammer to the task it is designed to perform
Always use non-sparking hammers in the presence of flammable vapors or dust
Screwdrivers
Screwdrivers are intended for turning a variety of threaded fasteners, such as machine or wood screws, in or out of materials. Screwdriver tips come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. The slotted and Phillips tips are the most common, however, torx, hex, square and various others are also used. It is important to match the type of screwdriver you use to the type of job you're doing.
Never use a screwdriver as a pry bar, chisel, punch, stirrer or scraper.
Always use a screwdriver tip that properly fits the slot of the screw
Throw away screwdrivers with broken or worn handles
Never expose screwdrivers to temperatures that could reduce tip hardness
Turn power off and use electrically insulated screwdrivers when working on or around electrical components
Straighten tips or redress rounded edges with file
Never use pliers on a screwdriver for extra leverage; only use a wrench on screwdrivers specifically designed to accept them
Use magnetic or screw-holding screwdrivers to start fasteners in tight areas
Use both hands when using a screwdriver—one to guide the tip and the other to turn the handle. Final tightening requires both hands on the screwdriver handle
Always use non-sparking screwdrivers in the presence of flammable vapors or dusts -
The Hazard Communication Standard, also known as the "Right-to-Know Law", was first enacted on November 25, 1983, by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). It was later modified with minor changes and technical amendments that went into effect March 11, 1994.
On May 25, 2012, the Standard was updated to align with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of chemicals (GHS), Revision 3. The parts of the Standard not related to the GHS basic framework, scope and exemptions, remained largely unchanged. There have been some minor terminology modifications. For example, "hazard determination" has been changed to "hazard classification" and "material safety data sheet" has changed to "safety data sheet". The three major areas of change are hazard classification, labeling and safety data sheets.
The purpose of the Standard is to ensure that the hazards of all chemicals produced or imported are classified and that information concerning these hazards is shared with employers and employees. This transfer of information is to be accomplished by means of a comprehensive hazard communication program that includes container labeling and other forms of warning, Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and employee training.
Categories of the Right-to-Know Law
The Standard comprises six major categories: Hazard Determination, Safety Data Sheets, Labels and other Forms of Warning, Employee Information and Training, The Written Hazard Communication Program and Trade Secrets.
The first category, Hazard Determination (29 CFR 1910.1200 (d)) requires employers to identify and evaluate all chemicals used in the workplace. This evaluation is based on two hazard categories: listed and defined.
Listed hazards are those included in one of the following references: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z tables; American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLV); the National Toxicology Program; or the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Defined hazards are specified by OSHA as physical or health hazards, such as combustible liquids, oxidizers, corrosives, reproductive toxins and non-toxins.
Chemicals exempt from the standard include: wood and wood products (except wood dust), regulated hazardous waste, tobacco products, food, drugs, cosmetics, alcoholic beverages, agricultural or vegetable seed treated with pesticides, various types of pesticides, nuisance particulate, and articles. These are exempt because they are all regulated by separate government agencies.
The second major category of the Standard is SDS (29 CFR 1910.1200(g)). Once you have evaluated and identified all of the hazardous chemicals in your workplace, you must document them and obtain an SDS for each item. SDS are available from the chemical supplier or manufacturer. These SDS' contain specific chemical hazard information such as: physical hazards, health hazards, routes of entry, exposure limits (if any), precautions for safe handling and use (if known), spill clean-up procedures, personal protective equipment to be used, emergency and first-aid procedures, and the name, address and telephone number of the chemical manufacturer. All of the information on the SDS must be in English and be available to employees working with or near the hazardous chemical.
The third category, Labels and other Forms of Warning (29 CFR 1910.1200(f)), requires labels on all chemicals in the workplace. The label should contain the identity of the material, appropriate hazard warnings and the name and address of the manufacturer, importer or other responsible party. Other appropriate warning information (such as pictures and symbols) may be used in conjunction with the hazard information. Labels must be legible and in English. Labels in a second language may be added as long as the English label is present. For more information on labeling, please refer to Quick Tips #198, "HazCom and Comparing Chemical Labeling Requirements." -
Personal Protective Equipment
Power tools present more hazards than hand tools due to the speed at which they operate. There are distinct differences between the PPE suggested for use with hand tools and the PPE recommended for safe power tool use.
Eye protection, such as safety glasses or goggles, is especially important when using power tools. The speed in which drills, saws, grinders, sanders and routers operate can propel small particles much faster and farther than do hand tools. Others working around the area where power tools are used should also wear protective eyewear. Certain power tools may require using a face shield, in addition to safety glasses or goggles. For example, a face shield is recommended while using a grinder, due to the amount of hot metal particles generated.
Standard cotton or leather work gloves can protect your hands from minor scrapes and cuts while working with various materials. Cut-resistant gloves are not designed for, or capable of providing protection against a moving blade or bit. The best way to prevent injury from moving parts is to keep your hands on the tools' handles and keep all guards in place. Anti-vibration gloves minimize the vibration created by hammerdrills and rotary hammerdrills.
Safety footwear is recommended when using power tools. Power tools are heavy and can cut you. Safety shoes with a nonslip, insulated sole and a steel toe protect against dropped objects and misdirected electricity.
The higher sound levels generated by some power tools, especially if used over extended periods of time, may require the use of earplugs or earmuffs. Even the use of a dust respirator may be necessary in sanding and cutting operations. Each situation must be analyzed to determine the type of PPE that is required for the safe use of each type of power tool.
Along with PPE, proper attire is also important while using power tools. Tie back or cover long hair, wear loose fitting clothes and remove all jewelry to avoid being caught in moving blades.
Proper Work Practices
Portable power tools are designed for a wide variety of uses. Circular saws, jig saws, drills, hammer drills, sanders, grinders, routers and numerous other power tools save us time and effort on the job. The growing popularity of cordless battery-operated tools is putting power tools to use in more places than ever before, heightening the need for awareness of the dangers they present if not operated properly. The following safety rules are common to all power tools. In addition, each type of tool has its own unique hazards, which must be taken into account.
Read the owners manual to understand the tools proper applications, limitations, operation and hazards
Do not use electric power tools in the proximity of flammable vapors, dusts or construction materials. Also avoid using electric power tools in wet environments
Protect yourself from electric shock by insuring your tools are properly grounded; use a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter for corded tools
Always check for hidden wires that may contact bladed tools
Select a tool based on the task for which it is designed
Only use attachments specifically recommended for your power tools, and ensure their proper installation
Inspect tools for damage including the cord, presence of guards, correct alignment, binding of components, or any condition that would affect the operation of the tool
If a tool is damaged, or a condition develops while a tool is in use, have the tool fixed before using it again
Avoid excessive force to make cutting tools cut faster; feed material only as fast as the tool is designed to accept to prevent excessive wear and decreased control
Keep others away from the work area, or provide shields to stop flying debris and other distractions
Always maintain tool control by keeping a tight grip on a tool
Maintain your balance and do not overreach
Do not operate a power tool if you are under the influence of medications or alcohol, or if you are tired or distracted
Secure your work in a vise or clamp for increased stability
Use the tools side handle, if available, for better control
Verify that all tools are unplugged or that the power source is removed when changing blades, performing maintenance or when tools are not in use
Be sure adjustment knobs are tightened and remove any adjustment keys before use
Keep tools in a secure location when not in use
Avoid unintentional tool start-up by keeping your finger off of the power switch -
Slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents. They cause 15% of all accidental deaths, and are second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a total of 5,657 fatal work injuries for calendar year 2007. Of the fatality cases, 847 were associated with falls. In addition, of the 1,078,140 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work in 2008, there were 260,610 cases associated with slips and falls.
Fall injuries constitute a considerable financial burden: workers' compensation and medical costs associated with occupational fall incidents have been estimated at approximately $70 billion annually in the United States. The most frequent complaints related to slips and falls are shoulder, back, elbow, wrist and knee injuries.
The two regulatory standards that apply to slips, trips, and fall are OSHA 29 CFR 1910.22, walking-working surfaces, and the ANSI A1264.2-2006, provision for the slip resistance on walking/working surfaces.
Causes of slips, trips and falls vary considerably and can include one or more of the following:
Walkway surface substances and spills; including oil, water, and/or other liquid surface contamination
Lack of training and/or knowledge about slips, trips and falls
Mats or rugs which become unanchored or loose
Weather-related conditions like rain, snow and/or ice
Use of inappropriate footwear
Walkway surfaces that are in disrepair
Sheen/smooth walkway surfaces that do not allow for adequate footwear-traction
Surprisingly, approximately 70 percent of slips, trips, and falls occur on level walking surfaces. Training employees to use hazard-awareness and prevention practices is essential to reducing those numbers. Once trained, common sense also plays an important role in slips, trips and fall prevention.
OSHA indicates some very good floor safety recommendations for slips, trips and fall prevention, some of which include:
Keep floor surfaces clean and dry
Ensure wet-floor warning signs are posted in and around wet floor locations as well as providing and maintaining adequate drainage
Maintain clear aisles and passageways and prevent obstructions
Ensure walkway surfaces are in good repair
Provide floor plugs for power equipment to ensure power cords are not run across walkway paths
Report and clean up spills immediately
Provide non-slip coatings or surfaces in slippery locations
Minimize carpet and matting trip hazards
Use prudent housekeeping procedures and provide adequate lighting in poorly lit areas such as halls and stairwells
Maintain and eliminate uneven floor surfaces -
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