Month: October 2018

 

1. Are all live electrical conductors only accessible to qualified personnel?
2. Are cabinets and other enclosures installed so that moisture cannot enter and accumulate within the enclosures?
3. Are electrical installations of over 600 volts made inaccessible to unqualified persons by ANY of the following methods:
   a. Enclosed and accessible only with lock and key;
   b. Made with metal-enclosed equipment; or
   c. Enclosed in a vault or area which has access controlled by a lock?
4. Are interlocks used on doors which allow access to voltages from 500 to 1000 volts AC or DC?

 

1. Are paths, car park surfaces, carpets and rugs in good condition and unlikely to cause people to slip, trip or fall?  
2. Are indoor walking surfaces non-slippery even if the liquid is spilled on them?  
3. Do people walk not run? Do people wear sensible shoes?  
4. Are paths and car parks kept snow and ice-free during the winter months?
5. Are filing cabinet drawers always closed when not in use?  
6. Are electrical cords always stored tidily?
7. Are all staircases equipped with handrails? Does everyone hold on to handrails?  
8. Will people look for a step ladder or footstool rather than use a chair to reach a high object?  
9. Do people use an elevator when carrying heavy loads or hot drinks?  
10. Do people always have one hand free when carrying something up or downstairs?
11. Has everything possible been done to prevent falls from regularly accessed locations above ground?
12. Is a robust footstool or step ladder provided where people have to access high shelves or cabinets?  
13. Do step ladders over six feet provided for retrieval of objects from top shelves or cabinets have handrails to prevent falls?  
14. Are all jobs involving working at heights covered by a permit and procedure?
    a. Even brief “inspection” type jobs?
    b. Even for roof access using permanent or temporary ladders or stairs?
15. Are people working on ladders working safely?  
16. Is the ladder always secure (tied off or held)?  
17. Are nonmetallic ladders used for electrical work?  
18. Are they working within easy reach (i.e., not overreaching)?
19. Is the use of ladders controlled and are they regularly inspected?
    a. Even contractors own equipment?
20. Are handrails, walkways, and carparks checked for damage and wear?  Do people report damage?

Learn how EXP’s Observations module can help you conduct effective hazard spotting using best practices.

1. Ensure the electrical equipment is marked with ALL of the following information:
   a. The manufacturer’s name or trademark;
   b. Voltage;
   c. Current;
   d. Wattage; and
   e. Other ratings (as necessary)?
2. Are each disconnecting means marked to indicate its purpose?
3. Ensure sufficient access and working space is provided and maintained around electrical equipment to ensure safe operation and maintenance?
4. Does the provided working space met ALL of the following criteria;
   a. Not less than 30 inches wide in front of the electric equipment;
   b. Not used for storage;
   c. Has at least one entrance;
   d. Has at least three feet in front of live parts;
   e. Has adequate illumination; and
   f.  Has minimum headroom of 6 feet 3 inches
5. Are all live parts guarded using approved enclosures and are all covers in place and closed?
6. Are electrical disconnect switches readily operable from the operating floor level?
7. Ensure there are  means for disconnecting all conductors from the service-entrance conductors include ALL of the following features:
   a. A disconnecting means that indicates whether it is open or closed;
   b. A disconnecting means installed at a readily accessible location nearest the entrance of the Service-entrance conductors; and
   c. Each service disconnecting means simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded conductors?
8. Are live parts of fixtures, lamps, appliances, protected from employee contact?
9. Are portable handlamps that are supplied through flexible cords equipped with an approved handle that includes a guard attached to the lamp holder or the handle?
10. Are only weatherproof lamp holders and fixtures installed in wet or damp locations?
11. Are receptacles, cord connectors, and attachment plugs designed to be used only with the same voltage or current rating?

1. Is it possible to for cords and plugs to identify and distinguish grounded conductors from all other conductors?
2. In branch circuits, do outlet devices have an ampere rating not less than the load to be served?
3. Are flexible cords and cables used ONLY for the following equipment:
   a. Pendants;
   b. Wiring of fixtures;
   c. The connection of portable lamps or appliances;
   d. Elevator cables; and
   e. Wiring of cranes and hoists?
4. Are flexible cords and cables used ONLY in the following manner:
   a. To connect stationary equipment to facilitate their frequent interchange;
   b. To prevent the transmission of noise or vibration;
   c. On appliances where the fastening means and mechanical connections are designed to permit removal for maintenance or repair; or
   d. As data-processing cables approved as a part of the data-processing system?
5. Is the flexible cord equipped with an attachment plug and energized from an approved receptacle outlet?
6. Are flexible cords and cables used in ANY of the following ways:
   a. As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure;
   b. Where run through holes in walls, ceilings, or floors;
   c. Where run through doorways, windows, or similar openings;
   d. Where attached to building surfaces; or
   e. Where concealed behind building walls, ceilings, or floors?
7. Are flexible cords used only in continuous lengths (without splice or tap)?
8. Are flexible cords connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief prevents the direct transmission of pull?

1. Put in regular appearances on the floor and focus on safety culture by talking and listening to employees.
2. They should know the essential safety regulations themselves and always follow them; this is of prime importance.
3. Discuss safety regulations they do not stand behind and potentially modify them and reach a consensus.
4. Always set a good example by wearing the required PPE. It is good to do more than is required, for example by wearing safety glasses at all times, even where it is not required.
5. Integrate safety considerations into everyday management. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.
6. Participate in safety observation tours.
7. Show appreciation for safe behavior, especially in situations where the production pressure is high, and take immediate corrective measures if hazardous work is observed. Not seeing and not correcting unsafe behavior will be considered as its approval and lowers the safety norms within the company.
8. Take a clear position for safety whenever a conflict between productivity and safety occurs, based on the policy.
9. Hold safety meetings regularly.
10. Ask critical questions about the following of safety regulations during production problems.
11. Compliment employees that regularly work safely and show appreciation for their attitude to safety.
12. Do not wholly delegate safety. Merely stating the goal of zero accidents is not sufficient.

• Is there a system in place to ensure there is fall protection for employees, contractors, and visitors where there is potential to fall six feet (1.8 meters) or more.  
  • This system should be based on risk.  See examples of fall protection ways by risk in the Risk vs. Suggested Fall Protection Table below.
  • The system should include one or more of the following.  
    • Physical protection through the incorporation of railings, gates, or individual fall arresting systems.  
    • Administrative protection by training, risk assessments, rule/procedures, and at height work permit system.
• Audit frequently to ensure fall protection is provided.
• Employees, contractors, and visitors who use fall arrest systems must be trained in there proper use before using this protection. The exception to this fall protection guidance is the safe use of properly maintained ladders, for only going up or down.  The safe use of ladders and their maintenance must be documented in site safety rules or procedures.
• For contractors, and visitors who use fall suppression systems on property, it is their employer’s responsibility to train and provide the needed equipment properly.
• It is suggested that sites must put fall protection requirements on contracts or bills of lading and provide signs for transportation contractors to ensure proper use of fall protection equipment.

Fall Protection: Risk vs. Suggested Chart

 

 

Who Can Use Lockout, Tagout, Tryout

Only individuals that are trained and tested on the location’s Lockout, Tagout and Tryout procedure can Lockout, Tagout and Tryout.

The location must determine who can sign or authorize the Lockout, Tagout and Tryout permits.  This information is to be included in the location Lockout, Tagout and Tryout procedures. These designated individuals must be trained and tested for comprehension before they sign permits.

When the Lockout, Tagout and Tryout Procedure is to be Used

Whenever major repair, replacement, renovation or modification of existing non-lockable machinery or equipment is performed a lockable energy isolating device must be installed.  All new equipment must be designed to accept a lockout device wherever unexpected energization, start-up, or release of stored energy.

Site procedures must address all energy sources; such as, electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic. Stored energy, as in springs, elevated machinery members,  rotating flywheels, hydraulic systems, and process materials in all forms (gas, liquid, or solid) must be considered for isolation (lockout/tagout). Pressure must be dissipated or restrained by methods such as blocking, bleeding down, etc.

Communication of Lockout, Tagout, and Tryout

Notify all affected people that a lockout/tagout will be taking place and the reason why. Written notification is the preferred method of communication.

• Permit:
  • The location procedure must have a permit system to record the following:
• Preparation:
  • Inspect the equipment or system to locate and identify the:
    • Energy types, magnitude, and hazards of the energy involved, and the energy control/isolating devices available.
    • Material hazards types, magnitude, and hazards of the materials included, and the energy control/isolating mechanisms available.
    • Record this information on the permit.

• Authorization to Proceed:
  • Have the permit reviewed and signed by the people authorized to approve permits.
• Shutdown/Isolation:
  • Shut off the switches, valves or other isolating devices so that equipment can be isolated from all potentially hazardous energy sources.