Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/236097
Eliminate Hazards By Improving Your Inspection Process Find problem areas before they come and find you; then be prepared to correct them. BY ERIC STILES The service department has recently been overwhelmed with customer repairs and equipment set-up jobs. Although the manager and his crew usually do their best to make housekeeping a priority, the work backlog has impacted their daily cleanup routine, and tools and debris are left out. An employee turning into a service bay fails to see the air hose lying across the floor and gets his foot caught, causing him to fall forward into a workbench. The employee tries to break the fall but the force is significant. He suffers facial and shoulder injuries along with a broken wrist. After multiple surgeries, the employee returns to work six months later, but at a limited capacity. Total expenses for the accident exceed $325,000. Some believe that accidents just happen, but I don't agree. It's true that accidents are unexpected, but they are often preventable. They usually occur when we feel rushed or have been taken out of our routine. A great way we can reduce these accidents is by eliminating physical hazards through organized facility self-inspections. Documented, regular inspections can reveal unsafe conditions before they lead to an injury or accident. Let's look at some ways to improve the inspection process. Planning Your Inspection Before the inspection, there are a number of items you'll need to prepare to meet your goals: Analyze your accident history to emphasize those conditions or operations known to be a problem area. Consider using a checklist as a guide for each department or operation dealing with conditions or practices likely to be encountered. The person making the inspection should be trained on what to recognize and how to use this checklist more effectively. Prioritize your findings based on level of urgency and the 20 | www.cedmag.com | Construction Equipment Distribution | January 2014 hazards posed to employee safety or property. Of primary importance is the need to establish a corrective action plan and a deadline to see that things are taken care of in a timely manner. Prepare a clear and concise report as a result of your tour and provide a summary of explanations for corrective action. Send reports directly to those responsible for safety and health coordination to determine who is responsible for corrective action. This will also assure that the most urgent situations are given priority. Be prepared to address various regulatory safety and health standards that may have a bearing on your findings. For example, general safety and health standards are subject to OSHA (federal or state) enforcement. Fire safety issues are a concern with local fire officials. Conducting the Inspection When preparing for an inspection, conducting the tour, or completing follow-up reports, keep these points in mind: Always be sure to wear appropriate personal protection as required in the area you are reviewing. Avoid faultfinding. Emphasize fact-finding. Correct conditions through the appropriate department head or supervisory channel. Make brief, accurate notes as you methodically tour an area. Locate and list each problem and try to determine the root cause(s). You may need to seek technical advice if you are not sure about something. Suggest alternative solutions. Keep accurate records and follow up on a regularly scheduled basis. Be sure that those things that pose imminent danger are taken care of properly. Direct your attention to some of these more common workplace issues: Employee safety and health – Lockout/tagout provisions, electrical safety practices, slip and fall hazards, lower back