My 20 Observations
Are workers using personal protective equipment (PPE)?
- Shoes (slippers/sandals not allowed)
- High boots (if feet touch fertiliser)
- Gloves (if hands touch fertiliser)
- Dust masks (if excessive dust)
- Safety goggle if calcium nitrate
Any workers at risk of falling down from working at heights (stacks)?
Is the floor in good condition, i.e. no large cracks, holes or drains?
Any risks of flooding from heavy rains, clogged external drains?
Any roof leaks during raining?
Is there any plastic layer or pallets on the floor to protect bottom bags?
Are electrical installations in good condition, heat sources avoided?
• no smoking (check for cigarette butts)
• roof lights not close to bulk heaps
• no contact with electrical equipment
• electrical equipment in good condition
Are entrance gates/doors/ windows being shut to avoid humidity?
Are bulk piles covered with tarpaulins to avoid humidity?
Are stacks covered with tarpaulins to avoid dust on bags?
If bags are stored outdoors:
• Elevated with wood pallets
• Covered with tarpaulins
• Kept away from direct sunlight
• Maximum duration: ______ mths
Is distance between stacks 1m?
Are stacks straight, safe and easy to count for stock count?
Within recommended height (max 35 bags high). Actual height =25
Are fuel tanks, forklifts and vehicles located away from fertilizer?
Can housekeeping and handling be characterised as “good”?
• clean and white bags
• dry and clean floors (minimal dust)
• no split bags with spillages
• sweep up spillages regularly to avoid “melted” fertilisers and wet floors?
• use sawdust or dolomite to dry floors?
Is enough water (at least 10m3 tank) with hose available if fertiliser decomposition (white smoke)?
Extinguishers (dry chemical and/or wet CO2) available to put a small fire? Smoke detector available?
Fire brigade telephone available?
Are front loaders handling products correctly? (no driving/crushing of piles)
Forklifts inspected regularly?
Are precautions taken to prevent water damage or avoid heat sources when loading, discharging?
Are DG fertilisers eg potassium nitrate (oxidizer class 5.1 products) stored separately, located together and away from flammables and combustibles (wood, paper, diesel)?
Are incompatible products stored at safe distance from each other :
• Nitrates from Urea and MOP
• Nitrates away from organic material (at least 5m from wood, plastics, fuel, grease, pesticides, acids)
Do transporters have to identify themselves before collections?
Any security guards (day and night) to prevent thefts?
Are spillage and reject fertilisers separated and inerted with sand?
Are same products from different plants stored separately?
Are products handled
“First in – First out”?
Are bags labelled correctly?
- CLP/GHS symbols (if applicable)
- handling instructions available?
Attachments