Industrial Safety and Health for Goods and Materials Services - Chapter 24 pot

24 Summary This book is dedicated to those sectors that fulfill the handling, storing, and selling of goods and materials function for the service industry. Thus, the most prominent workplace is the office setting. This book addresses the hazards and safety and health issues that face owners, employers, and workers who work principally in stores and warehousing environments. The industry sectors as defined in this book are those in the retail, wholesale, and warehousing services sectors. All of these service sectors have components that require the storage of goods and materials. The workers in the retail sector interact more with the public than those working in the wholesale and warehousing sectors. To ensure optimum safety and healthful conditions in the retail, wholesale, and warehousing sectors, a comprehensive workplace inspection checklist has been included as a part of the summary of this book. Use this inspection checklist to evaluate the goods and materials workplaces related to safety and health. Feel free to alter or add to this list to tailor it to your specific workplace. Workplace inspections are a way of identifying hazards in the workplace. Inspections also provide a system to monitor whether hazards have been fixed. All facilities should conduct workplace inspections at least twice a year. If difficulties are noted inspections should be conducted more often. These checklists are by no means all-inclusive. You should add to them or delete portions or items that do not apply to your operations; however, carefully consider each item as you come to it and then make your decision. You will also need to refer Providing goods and materials while providing a safe and healthy workplace for workers. ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. to Occupati onal Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for complete and specific standards that may apply to your situation. (Note: These checklists are typical for general industry.) 24.1 CHEMICALS Yes & No & If hazardous substances are used in your processes, do you have a medical or biological monitoring system in operation? Yes & No & Are you familiar with the threshold limit values (TLVs) or permissible exposure limits (PELs) of airborne contaminants and physical agents used in your workplace? Yes & No & Have control procedures been instituted for hazardous materials, where appropriate, such as respirators, ventilation systems, and handling pract ices? Yes & No & Whenever possible, are hazardous substances handled in properly designed and exhausted booths or similar locations? Yes & No & Are there written standard operating procedures for the selection and use of respirators where needed? Yes & No & If you have a respirator protection program, are your employees instructed on the correct usage and limitations of the respirators? Are the respirators National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved for this particular application? Are they regularly inspected and cleaned, sanitized and maintained? Yes & No & If hazardous substances are used in your processes, do you have a medical or biological monitoring system in operation? Yes & No & Are you familiar with the TLVs or PELs of airborne contaminants and physical agents used in your workplace? Yes & No & Have control procedures been instituted for hazardous materials, where appropriate, such as respirators, ventilation systems, and handling pract ices? Yes & No & Whenever possible, are hazardous substances handled in properly designed and exhausted booths or similar locations? Yes & No & Do you use general dilution or local exhaust ventilation systems to control dusts, vapors, gases, fumes, smoke, solvents, or mists which may be generated in your workplace? Yes & No & Is ventilation equipment provi ded for removal of contaminants from such operations as production grinding, buffing, spray painting, and=or vapor degreasing, and is it operating properly? Yes & No & Do employees complain about dizziness, headaches, nausea, irritation, or other factors of discomfort when they use solvents or other chemicals? Yes & No & Is there a dermatitis problem? Do employees complain about dryness, irritation, or sensitization of the skin? When combustion engines are used, is carbon monoxide kept within acceptable levels? ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Yes & No & Is vacuuming used, rather than blowing or sweeping dusts whenever possible for cleanup? Yes & No & Have you considered the use of an industrial hygienist or environmental health specialist to evaluate your operation? 24.2 COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS Yes & No & Are compressed gas cylinders (CGCs) kept away from radiators and other sources of heat? Yes & No & Are CGCs stored in well ventilated, dry locations at least 20 ft away from materials such as oil, grease, excelsior, reserve stocks of carbide, acetylene, or other fuels as they are likely to cause acceleration of fires? Yes & No & Are CGCs stored only in assigned areas? Yes & No & Are CGCs stored away from elevators, stairs, and gangways? Yes & No & Are CGCs stored in areas where they will not be dropped, knocked over, or tampered with? Yes & No & Are CGCs not stored in areas with poor ventilation? Yes & No & Are storage areas marked with signs such as ‘‘Oxygen, No Smoking, or No Open Flames?’’ Yes & No & Are CGCs not stored outside generator houses? Yes & No & Do storage areas have wood and grass cut back within 15 ft? Yes & No & Are CGCs secured to prevent falling? Yes & No & Are CGCs stored in a vertical position? Yes & No & Are protective caps in place at all times exc ept when in use? Yes & No & Are threads on cap or cylinder not lubricated? Yes & No & Are all CGCs legibly marked for the purpose of identifying the gas content with the chemical or trade name of the gas? Yes & No & Are CGCs marked with stencils, stamps, or labels? Yes & No & Are markings located on the slanted area directly below the cap? Yes & No & Does each employee determine that CGCs are in a safe condition by means of a visual inspection? Yes & No & Is each portable tank and all piping, valves, and accessories visually inspected at intervals not to exceed 2.5 years? Yes & No & Are inspections conducted by the owner, agent, or approved agency? Yes & No & On insulated tanks, is the insulation not to be removed if, in the opinion of the person performing the visual inspection, external corrosion is likely to be negligible? Yes & No & If evidence of any unsafe condition is discovered, is the portable tank not to be returned to service until it meets all corrective standards? ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. 24.3 CRANE SAFETY Yes & No & Is a wind indicator or wind sock placed on all outside cranes and is it visible to the operator? Yes & No & Is the rated load capacity of the crane on the crane at all times and is it visible from the ground? Yes & No & Is a fire extinguisher of the appropriate size and type on the crane at all times? Yes & No & Are all walking surfaces of the non-slip type? Yes & No & Do all ladders, stairs, and railings comply with requirements of the regulations? Yes & No & Are all moving parts such as gears, set screws, moving components, or anything dangerous guarded? Yes & No & Is each independent hoisting unit provided with at least one self- setting brake or holding brake? Yes & No & Do all electrical equipment and wiring components comply with electrical regulations? Yes & No & Do all ropes, chains, and cables meet the manuf acturer’s recommendations? Yes & No & Is any crane that has a power traveling mechanism equipped with a warning signal to include a visual warning light? Yes & No & Has the employer ensured all operators of cranes are properly trained? Yes & No & Are the danger areas under the load and any area below where the load will travel marked and blocked off to prevent other employees from walking under suspended loads? Yes & No & Are all passages and walkways safe from movement of the crane? Yes & No & Are cones, warning tapes, or guards erected? Yes & No & Does the cab allow the operator to see the load at all times? Yes & No & Is the cab illuminated to allow operator to see sufficiently? Yes & No & Is there a preventive maintenance program based on manufacturer’s recommendations? Yes & No & Is there a location provided to perform maintenance on cranes where it causes the least interference with surrounding operations? Yes & No & During maintenance are controls switch ed off? Yes & No & Is the main switch locked out and tagged out? Yes & No & Do the signs posted on the crane, and on the hook where it can be seen from the floor, state ‘‘Out of Order?’’ Yes & No & Does operating cranes on the same runway as an idle crane have rail stops or suitable means to prevent contact of cranes? Yes & No & Are all guards in place, safety devices reactivated, and maintenance equipment removed before operating a crane? Yes & No & Are cranes inspected daily (before every use), monthly, and quarterly? Yes & No & Are they inspected annually by an outside expert (e.g., manufacturer’s representative)? ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Yes & No & Is a certificate of the annual inspection retained? Yes & No & Does the manufacturer’s representative inspect cranes annually and retain the certificate? Before every use, are the following tested: Yes & No & Hoisting and lowering devices? Yes & No & Trolley travel? Yes & No & Bridge travel? Yes & No & Locking or safety devices? Yes & No & Inspect all grooves to detect surface defects that may damage ropes? Yes & No & Inspect all ropes at least once a month? Yes & No & Inspect rope, cable, or chains for kinks before lifting? Yes & No & Has a preventative maintenance program based on the manufacturer’s recommendations been established? Yes & No & Are all adjustments or repairs done by a qualified person? 24.4 EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND PLANNING Yes & No & Is there a written emergency response planning which is available to all employees? Yes & No & Is there an established procedure specifically outlining the steps to be taken by all employees including route of evacuation, meeting place outside building, and designation of person responsible for verifying that employees are all accounted for? Yes & No & Have proper evacuation procedures been communicated to everyone before the need for an actual evacuation, and have those procedures been actively practiced in a mock evacuation situation? Yes & No & Is there an established protocol for determining the need for evacuation? Yes & No & Is there a designated person responsible for making an evacuation decision? Yes & No & Is the need for evacuation communicated to employees in such a way that everyone (other than those designated as the initial contacts) receives the same information at the same time? Yes & No & In the event of electrical failure, is there a backup system for both broadcasting of messages and lighting of escape routes? Yes & No & Are established escape routes clearly marked, and are maps posted outlining the entire route? Yes & No & Are escape routes determin ed to be the shortest safe route possible, allowing adequate room and number of routes for the number of employees? Yes & No & Are all emergency exits clearly marked and functioning properly? Yes & No & Are all escape routes free of clutter and tripping hazards? Yes & No & Is there adequate emer gency lighting along the route s? ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Yes & No & Are emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers and flashlights located at predetermined sites along escape routes and is this equipment routinely tested for proper operation? Yes & No & In the event that employees are required to remain within hallways=stairways of escape route for longer than expected, is there adequate ventilation, temperature control, and some type of communication equipment? Yes & No & Are all established meeting places outside of the building a reasonably safe distance away? Yes & No & Is there an establis hed method for verification that all employees have left the building, and a way to communicate to emergency personnel the identities and possible locat ions of those who have not? 24.5 ERGONOMICS 24.5.1 M ANUAL MATERIAL HANDLING Yes & No & Is there lifting of loads, tools, or parts? Yes & No & Is there lowering of tools, loads, or parts? Yes & No & Is there overhead reachi ng for tools, loads, or parts? Yes & No & Is there bending at the waist to handle tools, loads, or parts? Yes & No & Is there twisting at the waist to handle tools, loads, or parts? 24.5.2 PHYSICAL ENERGY DEMANDS Yes & No & Do tools and parts weigh more than 10 lb? Yes & No & Is reaching greater than 20 in.? Yes & No & Is bending, stooping, or squatting a primary task activity? Yes & No & Is lifting or lowering loads a primary task activity? Yes & No & Is walking or carrying loads a primary task activity? Yes & No & Is stair or ladder climbing with loads a primary task activity? Yes & No & Is pushing or pulling loads a primary task activity? Yes & No & Is reaching overhead a primary task activity? Yes & No & Do any of the above tasks require five or more complete work cycles to be done within a minute? Yes & No & Do workers complain that rest breaks and fatigue allowances are insufficient? 24.5.3 OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL DEMANDS Yes & No & Do manual jobs require frequent, repetitive motions? Yes & No & Do work postures require frequent bending of the neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, or finger joints? ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Yes & No & For seated work, do reaches for tools and materials exceed 15 in. from the worker’s position? Yes & No & Is the worker unable to change his=her position often? Yes & No & Does the work involve forceful, quick, or sudden motions? Yes & No & Does the work involve shock or rapid buildup of forces? Yes & No & Is finger-pinch gripping used? Yes & No & Do job postures involve sustained muscle contr action of any limb? 24.5.4 ENVIRONMENT Yes & No & Is the temperature too hot or too cold? Yes & No & Are the worker’s hands exposed to temperatures less than 708F? Yes & No & Is the workplace poorly lit? Yes & No & Is there glare? Yes & No & Is there excessive noise that is annoying, distracting, or producing hearing loss? Yes & No & Is there upper extremity or whole body vibration? Yes & No & Is air circulation too high or too low? 24.5.5 GENERAL WORKPLACE Yes & No & Are walkways uneven, slippery, or obstructed? Yes & No & Is housekeeping poor? Yes & No & Is there inadequate clearance or accessibility for performing tasks? Yes & No & Are stairs cluttered or lacking railings? Yes & No & Is proper footwear worn? 24.5.6 TOOLS Yes & No & Is the handle too small or too large? Yes & No & Does the handle shape require bent wrist to use the tool? Yes & No & Is the tool hard to access? Yes & No & Does the tool weigh more than 9 lb? Yes & No & Does the tool vibrate excessively? Yes & No & Does the tool cause excessive kickback to the operator? Yes & No & Does the tool become too hot or too cold? 24.6 FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION Yes & No & Does the employer provide portable fire extinguishers for small fires? Yes & No & Are all fire extinguishers clearly marked with symbols that distinctly reflect the type of fire hazard for which they are intended? ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Yes & No & Are portable fire extinguishers located where they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting them to possible injury? Yes & No & Are fire extinguishers fully charged and operable at all times? Yes & No & Are Class A and D fire extinguis hers no more than 75 ft apart? Yes & No & Are Class B fire extinguishers no more than 50 ft apart? Yes & No & Are Class C fire extinguishers patterned among class A and B extinguishers where a class C fire hazard exists? Yes & No & Are all fire extinguishers clearly marked with symbols that distinctly reflect the type of fire hazard for which they are intended? Yes & No & Are protective clothing, such as respiratory, head, hand, foot, leg, eye, and face guards, worn to protect the entire body? Yes & No & Are fixed extinguishing systems used on specific fire hazards? Yes & No & Is an alarm with a delay in place to warn employees before a fixed extinguisher is to be discharged? Yes & No & Are hazard warning or caution signs posted at the entrance to, and inside, areas protected b y systems that use agents known to be hazardous to employees’ safety and health? Yes & No & Are fire detection systems installed and maintained to assure best detection of a fire? Yes & No & Is an employee alarm system installed that is capable of warning every employee of an emergency? Yes & No & Is the alarm system such that can be heard above the sound level of the work area? Yes & No & Are warning lights installed, if there are hearing impaired employees? Yes & No & Are all firefighting equipment inspected at least annually, and records maintained? Yes & No & Are portable fire extinguishers inspected at least monthly, and records maintained? Yes & No & Is any damaged equipment removed immediately from service and replaced? Yes & No & Is hydrostatic testing done on each extinguisher at least once every 5 years? Yes & No & Are fixed extinguishing systems inspected annually by a qualified person? Yes & No & Are fire detection systems tested monthly if they are battery operated? Yes & No & Is training on the use of portable fire extinguishers, and records of attending employees maintained? Yes & No & Is training provided to employees designated to inspect, maintain, operate, or repair fixed extinguishing systems? Yes & No & Is an annual review training required to keep them up to date? Yes & No & Are all employees trained to recognize the alarm signals for each emergency (fire, tornado, chemical release, etc.)? ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Yes & No & Are employees trained for reporting emergencies, locating alarms, and sounding them? Yes & No & Is training provided on evacuation procedures? Yes & No & Are drills performed periodically to ensure employees are aware of their duties? Yes & No & Is all training conducted by a qualified=competent person? Yes & No & Has the employer established and maintained a written policy that establishes the existence of a fire brigade? Yes & No & Does the employer use employees who are physically capable of performing the duties as a member of a fire brigade that may be assigned to them during an emergency? Yes & No & Is the employee provided training by the employer before being assigned any emergency response duties? Yes & No & Are all fire brigade members trained at least annually, and interior structural firefighter s provided with an education session or training at least quarterly? Yes & No & Did the employer infor m the fire brigade members of special hazards, such as storage and use of flammable liquids and=or gases, toxic chemicals, radio active sources, and water reactive substances that they may encounter during an emergency? 24.7 FORKLIFTS Yes & No & Do all new forklift meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) BS6.1-1969? Yes & No & Is the ANSI label, load ratings, and=or any plates in place and visible at all times? Yes & No & Is each forklift examined before each shift and is an operator checklist completed? Yes & No & Is a defective, unsafe, and out of order forklift removed from service? Yes & No & Are all repairs done by trained, authorized personnel? Yes & No & Is a copy of the maintenance report kept on file? Yes & No & Are lockout=tagout procedures used during maintenance? Yes & No & Are forklifts operated only by properly licensed operators? Yes & No & Is refresher training conduct ed annually? Yes & No & Are new employees tested despite previous experience? Yes & No & Are special battery changing areas provided for electric trucks? Yes & No & Is a hoist or crane provided to lift batteries? Yes & No & Does proper ventilation exist in areas where exhaust-releasing forklifts are operated? Yes & No & Are riders not allowed on forklifts? Yes & No & Are forklifts turned off, controls in neutral, fork lowered, and brakes set when the driver is not in his seat? Yes & No & Do all forklifts have an overhead guard in place? ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Yes & No & Are traffic regulations posted in forklift areas and compliance ensured? Yes & No & Are only safely arranged loads lifted with a forklift? Yes & No & Is the forklift operated within its rated capacity? Yes & No & Are forklifts never fueled while it is running? Yes & No & Are safety devices never allowed to be removed from the forklift? Yes & No & Is the forklift maintained clean at all times? Yes & No & Are operators trained, for the specific machine that the employee will be operating? Yes & No & Is training repeated annually and are training materials retained? 24.8 HAND AND PORTABLE POWER TOOLS 24.8.1 H AND TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT Yes & No & Are all tools and equipment (both company’s and employees’) used by employees at their workplace in good condition? Yes & No & Are hand tools such as chisels and punches, which develop mushroomed heads during use, reconditioned, or replaced as necessary? Yes & No & Are broken or fractured handles on hammers, axes, and similar equipment replaced promptly? Yes & No & Are worn or bent wrenches replaced regularly? Yes & No & Are appropriate handles used on files and similar tools? Yes & No & Are employees made aware of the hazards caused by faulty or improperly used hand tools? Yes & No & Are appropriate safety glasses, face shields, etc. used while using hand tools or equipment that might break or produce sparks? Yes & No & Are jacks checked periodically to ensure they are in good operating condition? Yes & No & Are tool handles wedged tightly in the head of all tools? Yes & No & Are tool cutting edges kept sharp so the tool will move smoothly without binding or skipping? Yes & No & Are tools stored in dry, secure locations where they would not be tampered with? Yes & No & Is eye and face protection used when driving hardened or tempered spuds or nails? 24.9 HAZARD COMMUNICATION Yes & No & Is there a list of hazardous substances used in your workplace? Yes & No & Is there a written hazard communication program dealing with material safety data sheets (MSDSs), labeling, and employee training? ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. [...]... material handling equipment trained (includes hand trucks, cranes, hoists, fork trucks, or any motorized equipment)? Are all operators of forklifts trained by a certified instructor? Are all material handling equipment kept in good repair, and maintained by trained personnel? Are all material handling equipment inspected before use, daily, monthly, and annually as required? Are all material handling equipment... persons use appropriate and safe equipment in their repair work? Is the maintenance equipment itself property guarded? Are maintenance and servicing workers trained in the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.147, lockout=tagout hazard, and do the procedures for lockout=tagout exist before they attempt their tasks? ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC 24. 14 MATERIAL HANDLING 24. 14.1 MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENT... all exits and their locations? 24. 16 MEDICAL SERVICES AND FIRST AID Yes & No & Yes & No & Yes & Yes & No & No & Yes & Yes & No & No & Are medical facilities and medically trained personnel on-site if possible? In the absence of any nearby medical facility, have personnel been adequately trained to render first aid? Are physician-approved first-aid supplies readily available? Are there facilities for quick... no more than 12 in apart? Are job made ladders constructed to conform with the established OSHA standards? Are all fixed ladders painted or treated to prevent rusting? Do fixed ladders 20 ft or higher have a landing every 20 ft if there is no surrounding cage? If it has a cage or safety device, is there a landing every 30 ft? 24. 12 LIFTING SAFETY Yes Yes Yes Yes & & & & No No No No & & & & Have all workers... secured and not easily removable? Do the safeguards ensure that no objects will fall into the moving parts? Do the safeguards permit safe, comfortable, and relatively easy operation of the machine? Can the machine be oiled without removing the safeguard? Is there a system for shutting down the machinery before safeguards are removed? Can the existing safeguards be improved? Is there a point-of-operation... locating and understanding the functioning and use of the safeguards? Have operators and maintenance workers been trained in how and under what circumstances guards can be removed? Have workers been trained to act in cases of damaged missing, or inadequate guards? Is protective equipment required? If protective equipment is required, is it appropriate for the job, in good condition, kept clean and sanitary,... explanation of what an MSDS is and how to use and obtain one? MSDS contents for each hazardous substance or class of substances? Explanation of ‘‘Right to Know?’’ Identification of where an employee can see the employers written hazard communication program and where hazardous substances are present in their work areas? The physical and health hazards of substances in the work area, and specific protective measures... system and MSDSs? Are employees trained in the following: Yes & No & Yes & No & Yes & No & Yes & No & How to recognize tasks that might result in occupational exposure? How to use work practice and engineering controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) and to know their limitations? How to obtain information on the type selection, proper use, location removal handling, decontamination, and disposal... doorways, turns, and passages have safe clearances for equipment and material? Are clearance signs posted in a visible place to warn employees of clearance limits? Are all ramps, open pits, tanks, vats, ditches, and elevated surfaces 4 ft or more guarded? 24. 14.3 HOUSEKEEPING Yes & Yes & No & No & Are storage areas kept clean, dry, and in good condition? Are storage areas kept free of tripping and slipping... to contact and what to do in an emergency? 24. 10 HEALTH HAZARDS Yes & No & Yes & No & Yes & No & Yes & No & Yes & Yes & Yes & No & No & No & Have any organisms that could cause health problems been identified? Have any chemicals that could cause health problems been identified? Has any physical hazard that could cause health problems been identified? Has any ergonomic hazard that could cause health problems . refer Providing goods and materials while providing a safe and healthy workplace for workers. ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. to Occupati onal Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for. 24 Summary This book is dedicated to those sectors that fulfill the handling, storing, and selling of goods and materials function for the service industry. Thus,. usage and limitations of the respirators? Are the respirators National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved for this particular application? Are they regularly inspected and