OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY ......OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL WRHA OESH OP -...

OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL

WRHA OESH OP - Inspections May 2009 of 11

SAFETY & HEALTH OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE

Subject: Workplace Inspections Effective Date: May 2009 (version 1) Supercedes: New Review Date: 3 years or legislation or job changes Original Signed by: Diane Gantzel, Director, WRHA Occupational and Environmental Safety & Health 1.0 GUIDING PRINCIPLES

1.1 In keeping with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) commitment to providing a safe and healthy workplace as noted in the WRHA ‘Workplace Safety and Health’ policy (20.10.080), the following Operational Procedure has been developed to ensure that regularly scheduled workplace safety inspections are performed, the findings documented, corrective actions requested and follow-up initiated.

1.2 This operational procedure is also designed to ensure that when followed the minimum

requirements of Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health legislation is complied with and where possible exceeded.

1.3 As with all matters relating to the Safety and Health of workers the Workplace Safety and

Health Committee should be consulted for their input. 2.0 DEFINITIONS

2.1 The Act: The Workplace Safety and Health Act W210 of Manitoba.

2.2 Committee: Means a workplace (occupational) safety and health committee established under section 40 of the Workplace Safety and Health Act.

2.3 Employer: 2.3.1 Every person who, by himself or his agent or representative employs or engages one

or more workers, 2.3.2 and The Crown and every agency of the government.

2.4 Supervisor: Means a person who has charge of a workplace or authority over a worker.

2.5 Worker: 2.5.1 Any person who is employed by an employer to perform a service whether for gain or

reward, or hope of gain or reward or not. 2.5.2 Any person engaged by another person to perform services, whether under a

contract of employment or not

2.5.3 Any person undergoing training or serving an apprenticeship at an education institution or at any other place.

2.6 Director − means the person administratively responsible for the department or unit.

Director includes heads of departments. 2.7 OESH - means the Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health Unit

2.8 Workplace Safety and Health Inspections - walk through or examination of the

workplace. selected work areas/departments, or particular hazards, machinery, tools, equipment, work processes and procedures, as an essential tool to help prevent injuries, illnesses and diseases.

2.8.1 Formal (planned) Inspections

2.8.1.1 WRHA Site or Facility - scheduled and carried out by the workplace safety and health committee, supervisor and/or other designated person(s). Committee inspections must be performed at least quarterly. Results of these inspections shall be documented on a workplace inspection recording form. Note: dependent on the size of the facility and the number of employees/committees, the facility may be divided into areas and the committee divided into teams with each team being scheduled to inspect designated areas. The frequency of inspection of each area must meet the requirements of the Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulation. Some facilities/sites may institute Departmental Manager/designate quarterly departmental inspections.

2.8.1.2 Home of client - carried out as part of initial assessment and then at least

annually. Recorded on the Safety Assessment Form Tool (SAFT). These inspections will be limited to concerns related to worker safety and therefore may not include the whole home.

2.8.2 Informal (ongoing) Inspections − inspections that are carried out by all staff on a

daily basis by being conscious about workplace hazards, reporting these hazards and ensuring preventive/corrective measures are implemented.

2.8.3 Critical Parts Inspections − conducted on components, machinery, structures or

areas that are likely to result in a major problem or loss when worn, damaged, abused or misused. Experienced and knowledgeable personnel conduct inspections. Documentation must be kept.

3.0 OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE

The facility/site/program inspection procedure will consist of 3.1 Frequency of Formal Inspections

3.1.1 Formal workplace inspections of the work site, work processes and procedures will be carried out at a frequency to be determined by the workplace safety and health committee. A minimum of once every quarter is required for each facility/site, at least annually of client homes.



3.1.2 Facility/site/program workplace safety and health committees will ensure that

workplace areas are formally inspected more frequently when: 3.1.2.1 High risk of harm exists 3.1.2.2 High frequency of incidents exists 3.1.2.3 New hazardous work procedures are introduced.

3.2 Critical Parts Inspections - Carried out as required by the governing bylaws, regulations and guidelines.

3.3 Special Inspections

3.3.1 The Workplace Safety and Health Committee may also call for special inspections by

the committee members or central committee members in response to special situations (such as Right to Refuse, serious Accidents).

3.3.2 A Safety and Health Officer (SHO) of Manitoba Labour Workplace Safety and Health,

occasionally may arrive on site to conduct an inspection. The SHO will contact the most senior management available at the time of arrival. The co-chairs of the Workplace Safety and Health Committee or their designates will attend inspections. The SHO will contact the senior manager prior to leaving to discuss her/his findings.

3.4 Schedule - A workplace inspection schedule will be developed by the workplace safety and

health committee, may be posted in advance and will be reported in their minutes. The inspection schedule shall indicate:

3.4.1 The area to be inspected 3.4.2 The proposed inspection date 3.4.3 Person(s) responsible for conducting the inspection.

3.5 Documentation – documentation of all inspections is required and must be retained on site as specified in the Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulation.

3.5.1 Inspection Checklist - is a form that is used as a tool for conducting inspections.

This tool must be specific to the workplace/area, i.e. where areas have specific hazards. Samples checklists are included in the appendix and must be modified to the workplace. The items inspected shall include the following: 3.5.1.1 Management/administration of safety and health program 3.5.1.2 Housekeeping 3.5.1.3 Electrical safety 3.5.1.4 Work environment 3.5.1.5 Equipment 3.5.1.6 Hazardous Substances (chemical and biological) 3.5.1.7 Emergency Plans, Procedures and Equipment

3.5.2 Results of a formal workplace inspection shall be documented and will include: 3.5.2.1 Date, time and place of inspection 3.5.2.2 Who performed the inspection 3.5.2.3 Any substandard conditions identified 3.5.2.4 Hazard identified as low, medium or high hazard on Office checklist. 3.5.2.5 Recommended corrective action(s) - immediate and/or long-term 3.5.2.6 Person responsible for corrective action 3.5.2.7 Target completion date of recommended action.

3.5.2.8 Any immediately dangerous to life or health conditions shall be reported to the management of the area for immediate resolution. This must be documented on the report.

3.5.3 A copy of the inspection report will be distributed to:

3.5.3.1 The supervisor/manager of the area inspected 3.5.3.2 The workplace safety and health committee who will post on the

occupational health and safety (OH&S) bulletin board and report in their minutes.

3.5.3.3 Note: Documentation for Client home is as noted in the Operational Guideline for Working Alone.

3.6 Inspection Response and Follow Up – Inspection reports will be

3.6.1 Reviewed by the Committee 3.6.2 Necessary corrective action will be identified to the appropriate department/program

management by the committee co-chair 3.6.3 The committee is responsible for monitoring that the corrective action has been

taken. 3.6.4 Note: Documentation for client home will not be individually reviewed by the

committee. Site management will provide a quarterly list of identified hazards for the Committee’s information.

4.0 RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1 Employer 4.1.1 Act in accordance with the objects and purposes of the Act by ensuring, so far as is

reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of all his workers, and complying with the Act and regulations.

4.1.2 Ensure that all his workers, and particularly his supervisors, foremen, chargehands or similar persons, are acquainted with any safety or health hazards which may be encountered by the workers in the course of their service, and that workers are familiar with the use of all devices or equipment provided for their protection

4.2 Facility/Program Executive Team

4.2.1 Assign responsibilities to staff within the facility/program to ensure the implementation of this operational procedure.

4.2.2 Ensure workplace inspections are conducted as required by Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulation.

4.2.3 Ensure resources (information, training, tool, equipment and time) are available to provide / maintain 4.2.1

4.2.4 Support the Workplace Inspection Program throughout the facility/program.

4.2.5 Ensure workplace safety and health committees have adequate time during their workday to conduct inspections.

4.2.6 Ensure workplace safety and health committee members receive appropriate training to conduct workplace inspections.

4.2.7 Promptly resolve any problems and address any concerns that are raised through the inspection process.



4.2.8 Upon notification by the workplace safety and health committee of an unsafe condition, take immediate steps to protect the health and safety of any worker who may be at risk until the unsafe condition is corrected.

4.2.9 Within 30 days of receiving recommendation from the Committee detail in writing the corrective action(s) taken or reason(s) for not taking action.

4.2.10 Ensure that a documentation and training records are kept.

4.3 Directors/Managers/Supervisors

4.3.1 Ensure compliance with all aspects of the regulations. The department director is responsible for ensuring that their area of responsibility complies with all aspects of the regulations and this operational procedure.

4.3.2 Encourage and require workers to report safety concerns and hazards as soon as possible.

4.3.3 Encourage and require workers to inspect their tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) prior to each use.

4.3.4 Resolve all safety and health issues raised by workers. If the issue cannot be resolved refer to OESH and the site WSHC.

4.3.5 Within 30 days of receiving recommendations from the WSHC document any corrective action(s) or non-action(s) and forward a copy to the WSHC.

4.3.6 Cooperate and assist the workplace safety and health committees to plan and conduct workplace inspections.

4.3.7 Keep workers informed of inspection results and follow-up actions.

4.3.8 Ensure prompt correction of the unsafe conditions noted by the inspections.

4.3.9 Conduct ongoing informal inspections of the work site to identify unsafe acts or conditions.

4.3.10 Commend workers for good performance.

4.4 Worker 4.4.1 Report concerns/hazards and/or required repairs to their supervisor as soon as

possible.

4.4.2 Cooperate and assist the workplace safety and health committees by participating in the planned inspection process.

4.4.3 During the course of their day check equipment/tools before and after use report to the supervisor any defects/wear and tear that could affect the safe use of the equipment.

4.4.4 Inspect PPE prior to use to ensure good working order.

4.5 Department/Facility/Program Workplace Safety and Health Committees 4.5.1 Consult with the facility/site/program on the development and implementation of this

operational procedure.

4.5.2 Review and monitor the effectiveness of this operational procedure.

4.5.3 In cooperation with the employer, plan and schedule inspections of the work area.

4.5.4 Use checklists found in the appendix as required. Checklists must be modified to ensure they are specific to the facility/site/area.

4.5.5 Conduct regular planned inspections of the workplace, work processes and procedures.

4.5.6 Identify and report hazard(s) found during inspections and other activities.

4.5.7 Assist the employer to set hazard control priorities.

4.5.8 Recommend general types of corrective action that will prevent hazards from causing harm.

4.5.9 Discuss concerns with supervisors and committee members.

4.5.10 Document inspection results on a workplace inspection recording form.

4.5.11 Follow-up to ensure corrective action has been implemented and is effective.

4.5.12 Provide a copy of the inspection report as appropriate to the supervisor and committee and post a copy on the Committee bulletin board.

4.5.13 Report inspections on the site workplace safety and health committee minutes.

4.5.14 Dependent on the size of the facility and number of employees, a central committee may exist. In this event, this committee may

4.5.14.1 conduct regular inspections/audits

4.5.14.2 Recommend general types of corrective action that will prevent hazards from causing harm.

4.5.14.3 Follow-up to ensure corrective action is effective.

4.5.14.4 These inspections do not supplant, but are meant to supplement or audit the effectiveness of department/program inspections.

4.5.15 The Committee can seek appropriate assistance from management/workers in the inspected areas to ensure these inspections are as effective and efficient as possible

4.6 Occupational and Environmental Safety & Health

4.6.1 Consult with the facility/site/program on all aspects of this operational procedure.

4.6.2 Assist site/department/program managers in addressing and correcting reported hazards.

4.6.3 Provide educational sessions on inspections, hazard recognition and hazard control methods.

4.6.4 Review all inspection reports and maintain a copy on file

4.6.5 Client home reports will be maintained in a database of inspection reports and will provide general reports to Community Care Management Team (CCMT), and all Safety and Health Committees.

5.0 TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

5.1 The training program must be workplace specific, effective and updated annually or when changes which may affect the procedure are introduced in the workplace.


5.2 Training must involve understanding of:

5.2.1 Purpose of inspections 5.2.2 Requirements – legal and operational procedure 5.2.3 Types of inspections 5.2.4 Steps to follow 5.2.5 What is inspected 5.2.6 Hazard recognition and control 5.2.7 Documentation 5.2.8 Recommendations 5.2.9 Follow up

5.3 All training must be documented. Records must be kept as required by the Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulations.

5.4 Retraining will be offered if necessary or upon request.

REFERENCES: Government of Manitoba. (2002). The Workplace Safety and Health Act – W210. Winnipeg: Queen’s

Printer. www.safemanitoba.com Government of Manitoba. (2006). The Workplace Safety and Health Regulation – 217/2006. Winnipeg:

Queen’s Printer. www.safemanitoba.com Appendix: Appendix A – Guide To Inspections Appendix B – Sample Checklists Appendix C – Training Powerpoint


http://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/safety

http://www.safemanitoba.com/

Guide to Workplace Inspections

Introduction The purpose of conducting inspections is to aid in defining the safety needs of each facility/site not only to meet the requirements of the Workplace Safety and Health Act and its Regulation and prevent accidents/ injuries, but also to improve the overall daily operation. Inspections are one of the most common and effective tools for identifying and correcting problems before they cause injuries, occupational illnesses and property damage. Inspections should also be used to draw attention to and encourage good safety and health practices.

A formal inspection is a planned walk through or examination of a workplace, selected work area or particular hazards, machinery, tools, equipment and work practices. In any workplace, day to day activities create safety and health hazards. People, equipment, materials, and the environment constantly change. Some environmental changes remove hazards, others create new ones. Inspections help focus attention on change and help solve problems before they cause injuries and occupational illnesses. Formal inspections must include an inspection of work processes and procedures to ensure the adequacy of safe work procedures.

Legal Requirements

Section 7.4 (5)(e) of the Workplace Safety and Health Act requires … a schedule for the regular inspection of the workplace and of work processes and procedures at the workplaces. Your schedule should • Identify what will be inspected (work areas, equipment, tools,

procedures, practices, etc.) by whom and how frequently. • Include work procedures and production processes. • Statewide inspection records will be produced to ensure

accountability. • Provide for correcting defects found during each inspection. • State what training is required for those who carry out

inspections The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Operational Procedure for Workplace Safety and Health Inspections was developed to meet these legal requirements.


The Appendix contains samples checklists. These samples are made up of a series of sheets that have been divided into departments or work areas. Many of the questions are designed to meet specific sections of the Workplace Safety and Health Act and its Regulation.

Legal Requirements cont’d

e.g. Is floor dry, clean and non-slippery? The regulation states: “Floors, platforms, stairs, walkways, and aisles that are used by workers shall be kept in a state of good repair, and maintained free of tripping or fire hazards and slippery surfaces, to the satisfaction of a safety and health officer.” Other items refer to commonly accepted safe work practices; such as: Do employees abstain from using boxes or chairs to reach high shelves? Questions such as these are regulated under the General and Further Duties of Employers and Workers contained in the Workplace Safety and Health Act. General Duties differ from specific duties in that they place responsibility for the general protection of the worker without going into detail. Inspection

Guidelines Planning and Checklists

Inspections should be planned and discussed at health and safety committee meetings. An inspection checklist is used as a guide for the inspection tour. Checklists are prepared from legislation, industry standards, equipment manuals, and interviewing experience workers. Checklist must be updated regularly to reflect any changes. Checklists must be specific to your site/facility and the hazards that may be present. They should include: - observation of work activities - observation of safe work procedures - equipment and tools - use, handling, storage, and disposal of chemical and

biological substances - first aid and emergency equipment - personal protective equipment - workplace environment (air, temperature, lighting, noise,

etc.) - ergonomics Prior to the inspection, review previous inspection reports, records of concerns, equipment records or incident reports in order to clarify what requires attention during the inspection


Contact the supervisor of the area to be inspected. Discuss with the supervisor what is going to be done and review issues of concern. Ensure approval for entry into the work area has been received Ensure the inspection team is aware of any safety procedures that must be followed during the inspection. Bring checklists, pen and paper, and any other equipment required.

During the inspection Consult with the supervisor as well as any workers in the area in the inspection. When conducting workplace inspections, all workplace elements must be examined including: - Environment: noise, vibration, lighting, temperature, and

ventilation - Equipment: materials, tools and apparatus for producing a

product or delivering a service - Work process: how the worker interacts with the other

elements in a series of tasks or operations. - Look for positive safety initiatives and provide verbal

recognition and comments on initiatives in the report. - Identify any hazards present. - Draw to the attention of the supervisor the presence of any

immediate danger, other items can be included in the final report.

- Do not operate equipment – ask the operator for a demonstration

- Never ignore an item because you do not have knowledge to make an accurate judgment of safety.

- Look up, down around and inside. Be methodical and thorough.

- In your notes, clearly describe each hazards and its exact location.

- Record what you have or not examined in case the inspection is interrupted.

- Ask questions, but do not unnecessarily disrupt work activities.

- Encourage employees to bring their concerns to their supervisor.

- Advise employees of the line of communication to resolve concerns.

- Determine what controls or corrective actions are appropriate.

- Do not attempt to detect all hazards by relying on your senses or by looking at them during the inspection. You may have to request professional assistance to measure the level(s) of exposure to chemical, noise, etc.

- Take pictures as necessary. WRHA OESH OP - Inspections May 2009 of 11

Types of Hazards What types of hazards do we look for in a workplace?

Safety Hazards: e.g. inadequate machine guards, unsafe workplace conditions, unsafe work practices Biological Hazards caused by organisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites Chemical Hazards caused by a solid, liquid, vapour, gas, mist, dust or fume Ergonomic Hazards caused by anatomical, physiological and psychological demands on the worker, such as repetitive and forceful movements, vibration, temperature extremes and awkward postures arising from improper work methods and improperly designed workstations, tools and equipment. Physical Hazards caused by noise, vibration, energy, weather, heat, cold, electricity, radiation and pressures.

After the inspection - If the supervisor does not accompany the inspection team, consult the supervisor before leaving the area.

- Discuss each recommendation with the supervisor. - Report the positive observations to the supervisor. - Report items that the supervisor can immediately correct.

Note these on the report as corrected. - Document final findings using the forms and checklists

provided. - The report must be dated and signed by all persons

conducting the inspection. - Copies provided to supervisor, safety committee, posted and

kept on file. - Keep careful records of inspection reports. They can be

useful in tracking the progress of corrective action. Put the results of the inspection and any unresolved concerns on the agenda. The committee should discuss the inspection and develop proposals for corrective action. The committee is expected to bring safety and health concerns to the employer. These include hazards and concerns identified during inspection or investigation. When the committee reports an unsafe condition, the employer is expected to • protect the safety and health of workers at risk until the

unsafe condition or hazard as corrected. • Correct the basic cause of the problem • Inform workers and the committee about the corrective

action taken or planned. • When the committee since submits a concern to the

employer the employer is expected to respond in writing within 30 days


The checklists contained in the worksheets (named on the tabs below) are samples. Theymust be made specific to your workplace. You can add, modify and delete questions toreflect the hazards, equipment and processes in your site/facility.

Page set up for each worksheet

Top 0.51Left 0.5Right 0.5Bottom 1

Set page orientation to Landscape

Workplace Safety and HealthInspection Checklist - General

Facility/Site Name: _________________________________ Department/Area: ___________________________________Date: ____________________________________________ Time: _____________________________________________Performed by: _____________________________________ Performed by: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

Safe Unsafe n/aComment and Action Required (include name

of person responsible)Completion

DateSection 1: Management/administration of safety and health program

1 Safety and Health Policy displayed?2 Safety manual available?3 Infection control manual available?4 Injury/Near Miss reporting process in place?5 Hazard reporting process in place?6 Safe work procedures available?7 Departmental Safety Representative appointed?



DateSection 2: Work environment

1 Is lighting adequate and in working order?2 Are all walking surfaces in good repair and free of slip/trip

hazards?3 Are aisleways and trafficways free from obstacles and

obstructions?4 Temperature, Humidity and Ventilation5 Noise levels6 Are workstations ergonomically set up?7 Is all furniture in good repair?8 Are staff chairs at workstations adjustable?9 Is there adequate vision at corners?

10 Is stock/material stored safely? i.e. not too high, orderly, heavy items on lower shelves

11 Are handrails securely fastened to the walls?

Inspection Checklist - General Page 2 of 37



DateSection 3: Housekeeping

1 Is the area free from debris?2 Is the area clean?3 Are there plastic liners in the garbage pails?4 Is there sufficient space available for garbage storage?5 Is there regular removal of pails/bins?6 Is floor dry, clean and non slippery?7 Are portable signs used to indicate wet mopped floors or other

temporary hazards?



DateSection 4: Staff

1 Are ID badges worn by all staff, clearly visible and non staff members actions noted (if unusual)?

2 Are staff aware of any risks or potential hazards?3 Are safe work procedures followed?



DateSection 5: Equipment

1 Is all equipment in good working order?2 Is a fault reporting and tagging system in place?3 Are ladders/stools made available for reaching high shelves?4 Is the number of personal hygiene facilities adequate?




DateSection 6: Hazardous Substances (chemical and biological)

1 Are Material Safety Data Sheets accessible to employees during working hours?

2 Do staff know the location of the Material Safety Data Sheets?3 Are Material Safety Data Sheets less than three years old?4 Are all hazardous materials affixed with proper labels (supplier or

workplace)?5 Is a workplace lable applied to all decanted products?6 Are chemical stored away from sunlight, sources of ignition or

reactives/incompatibles and in tightly closed containers?7 Are all hazardous materials stored away from residents, patients

or clients where they cannot be accessed?8 Are compressed gas cylinders secured?9 Has Personal Protective Equipment required for chemical use

been identified through a MSDS review10 Is the required Personal Protective Equipment available and in

good working order?11 Do employees make proper use of the personal protective

euqipment provided as required?12 Is the use of the required personal protective equipment

enforced?13 Do staff follow the principles of routine practices?14 Are sharps disposed of properly?15 Are there sufficient containers and are any overfull?16 Are pharmaceutical wastes disposed of properly?



DateSect

1ion 7: Electrical safetyAre switches for electrical equipment located so that they can be reached easily in the event of an emergency?

2 Are light switches and cover plates in place?3 Are electrical contacts, receptacles, etc. clean and in good

4working order?Are all extension cords in good condition and properly used with no "permanent" extension cords?

5 Are panel boards, fuse and switch boxes adequately lit and readily

7accessible with controls and circuits identified? Are outlets near water sources ground fault circuit interruptors ?



Comment and Action Required (include name Completion Safe Unsafe n/a of person responsible) Date

Section 8: Emergency Plans, Procedures and Equipment1 Emergency plan available2 Are emergency telephone numbers available?45

Are all fire exits clear?Automatic fire doors are free from obstacles and in working order?

6 Extinguishers, hose cabinets, fire blankets, pull station alarms are marked and accessible?

78

Are all fire extinguishers secured?Are fire extinguishers checked on a monthly basis and recorded?

9 Are fire extinguishers checked by an outside firm on a yearly

10basis?Are staff familiar with the actions to be taking during a fire or other

11emergency situation?Do staff know the location of the nearest pull station and how to activate it?

1213

Do staff know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher?Do staff know the appearance of an activated smoke or heat detector?

14 Who is responsible for the emergency radio?15 Is the first aid kit accessible?16 Is the first aid kit full stocked?1718

Is the Post Exposure Protocol package available?Are the required power failure emergency supplies available and working? (flashlights, extension cords, etc.)

19 Is a chemical spill kit accessible?20 Is the chemical spill kit fully stocked?2122

Is the eyewash station accessible?Is the eyewash station checked on a monthly basis and recorded?

Workplace Safety and HealthInspection Checklist - Laundry














Inspection Checklist - LaundryPage 6 of 37

12 Is the sorting are separated from the clean laundry area by a physical barrier or a negative air pressure system or a positive air flow from the clean area through the dirty area?

13 Is there separate storage for clean and dirty laundry?14 Are there non slip and anti fatigue mats in place?





temporary hazards?









1 Is all equipment in good working order?2 Is a fault reporting and tagging system in place?3 Are ladders/stools made available for reaching high shelves?4 Is the number of personal hygiene facilities adequate?5 Is lint cleaned from screens and filters daily?


chemicals posted on the wall?

6 Laundry carts equipped with raising bottoms?7 Carts maintained and move easily?8 Equipment free of water leaks?9 Are tables for folding at appropriate working height?

10 Dryer tops and sprinkler heads lint-free?












enforced?13 Do staff follow the principles of routine practices?14 Are sharps disposed of properly?15 Are there sufficient containers and are any overfull?16 Are pharmaceutical wastes disposed of properly?17 Placement of Laundry chemicals - are incompatible chemicals

18segregated by at least three feet?Are wall placards/labels designating the placement of the laundry


linen?

marked and accessible?

19 Is secondary containment for laundry chemicals in place?2021

Is the hose labelled at the entry point of the container or barrel?Is the hose labelled along the path of the line feeding the product to the washer?

2223

Is the hose labelled at the washing machine entry point?Are safe work procedures in place for the disposal of the remainder of the chemicals at the bottom of the pail or barrel and

24for the containers themselves? Note - NO decantingAre puncture resistant gloves used for the soiled sorting

25practices?Are gowns and gloves available for staff use when handling soiled


Sect1

ion 7: Electrical safetyAre switches for electrical equipment located so that they can be reached easily in the event of an emergency?

23

Are light switches and cover plates in place?Are electrical contacts, receptacles, etc. clean and in good

4working order?Are all extension cords in good condition and properly used with

5no "permanent" extension cords?Are panel boards, fuse and switch boxes adequately lit and readily accessible?

67

Are the controls and circuits properly identified?Are outlets near water sources ground fault circuit interruptors ?




6 Extinguishers, hose cabinets, fire blankets, pull station alarms are



78





1213






Workplace Safety and HealthInspection Checklist - Nursing Unit





1 Safety and Health Policy displayed?2 Safety manual available?3 Infection control manual available?4 Injury/Near Miss reporting process in place?5 Hazard reporting process in place?6 Safe work procedures available?7 Departmental Safety Representative appointed?8 Safe Patient Handling and Movement Program?









Inspection Checklist - Nursing Page 11 of 37

Patient/Resident Rooms12 General cleanliness13

Are room furnishings/equipment safely placed? Overcrowded?14 Are electrical cords for radios, televisions, etc. safely placed?15

Has all patient/resident owned electrical equipment inspected?16 Are all doors and drawers within the room closed?17

If 0xygen is in used in the room, is a sign posted outside the door?18 Is proper documentation of fire proofing on wall hangings (quilts,

etc.)?





temporary hazards?





2 Are staff aware of any risks or potential hazards?3 Are safe work procedures followed?4

Is staff on duty obseved washing their hands routinely between patients/resident/clients and after handling equipment?

5 Is staff on duty observed using sliders or the appropriate mechanical devices to lift or move patients/residents as per the communication tool?


18




1 Is all equipment in good working order?2 Is a fault reporting and tagging system in place?3 Are ladders/stools made available for reaching high shelves?4 Is the number of personal hygiene facilities adequate?5 Is all wall mounted equipment securely fastened (e.g. oxygen,

suction, soap dispensers, etc.)?6 Are med carts maintained and move easily?7 Are the appropriate number and type of mechanical lifts readily

accessible?8 Have the mechanical lifts been serviced this month?9 Are the instructions attached to the mechanical lift?

10Are the appropriate number and type of sliders readily accessible?

11 Are beds, trolleys, wheelchairs and commodes maintained (especially wheels and brakes) and work appropriately?

12 Are there appropriate aids eg. grab bars and non slip mats?13 Is hazardous equipment stored safely (e.g. knives, scissors)?14 Are patient/resident/client call bells free of soiling?15 Is patient/resident/client care equipment free of soiling and visible

dust?16 Is there a special disposal for anti-neoplastic waste available?

Is an anti-neoplastic spill kit available?17If mercury is used, is a spill kit available on the unit?


precaution/isolation room adhere to the requirements posted?


Sect1

ion 6: Hazardous Substances (chemical and biological)Are Material Safety Data Sheets accessible to employees during

2working hours?Do staff know the location of the Material Safety Data Sheets?

34

Are Material Safety Data Sheets less than three years old?Are all hazardous materials affixed with proper labels (supplier or workplace)?

56

Is a workplace lable applied to all decanted products?Are chemical stored away from sunlight, sources of ignition or

7reactives/incompatibles and in tightly closed containers?Are all hazardous materials stored away from residents, patients or clients where they cannot be accessed?

89

Are compressed gas cylinders secured?Has Personal Protective Equipment required for chemical use

10been identified through a MSDS reviewIs the required Personal Protective Equipment available and in

11good working order?Do employees make proper use of the personal protective

12euqipment provided as required?Is the use of the required personal protective equipment enforced?

13 Do staff follow the principles of routine practices?14 Are sharps disposed of properly?15 Are there sufficient containers and are any overfull?1617

Are pharmaceutical wastes disposed of properly?If there is a patient/resident/client on precautions/isolation, is it

18clearly marked?Is there a sign indicating the precaution/isolation technique

19requirements?Are the appropriate clean supplies readily available in the area to meet the precaution/isolation technique requirements (e.g. masks,

20gloves, gowns)?Are the appropriate receptacles for disposal of items from the precaution/isolation area available (e.g. linen hamper, garbage

21bags, etc.)?Do all persons observed entering and leaving the


7 Are outlets near water sources ground fault circuit interruptors ?

14 Who is responsible for the emergency radio?



Sect1


23




6 Are the controls and circuits properly identified?





78





1213



15 Is the first aid kit accessible?16 Is the first aid kit full stocked?1718




Workplace Safety and HealthInspection Checklist - Housekeeping














Inspection Checklist - Housekeeping Page 17 of 37





temporary hazards?









1 Is all equipment in good working order?2 Is a fault reporting and tagging system in place?3 Are ladders/stools made available for reaching high shelves?4 Is the number of personal hygiene facilities adequate?5 Buckets and tubs in good repair?6 Vacuum cleaners, buffers, and scrubbers in good repair?7 Are tools and carts placed to prevent interference?8 Carts locked when in resident areas?9 Carts roll freely?

10 Are Battery Charging Procedures posted?11 Are shelves secured and constructed to withstand maximum

designed storage weight and to prevent tipping?













enforced?13 Do staff follow the principles of routine practices?14 Are sharps disposed of properly?15 Are there sufficient containers and are any overfull?16 Are pharmaceutical wastes disposed of properly?17 Are hoses labelled on chemical dispensing system?


14 Who is responsible for the emergency radio?


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15 Is the first aid kit accessible?16 Is the first aid kit full stocked?1718




Workplace Safety and HealthInspection Checklist - Dietary













11 Are handrails securely fastened to the walls?12 Are there non slip and anti fatigue mats in place?

Inspection Checklist - Dietary Page 22 of 37

13 Are there separate areas for clean and dirty dishes?14 Is lighting shielded?





temporary hazards?8 Is broken glass discarded into a separate, clearly marked, hard

sided container?9 Are empty food containers removed promptly from the area?





2 Are staff aware of any risks or potential hazards?3 Are safe work procedures followed?4 Are staff wearing proper hair coverings?5 Are staff wearing clean uniforms/aprons?6 Are staff wearing appropriate footwear with slip resistant soles?7 Are staff wearing hearing protection in designated areas?




1 Is all equipment in good working order?2 Is a fault reporting and tagging system in place?3 Are ladders/stools made available for reaching high shelves?4 Is the number of personal hygiene facilities adequate?


5 Is a workplace lable applied to all decanted products?

5 Is the cooking ventilation system equipped with grease filters or extractors?

6 Are cooking filters clean with no grease build-up?7 Does a dry chemical fire suppression system protect ductwork,

cooking surfaces and each deep fat fryer?8 Is the dry chemical fire suppression system serviced semi

annually by a licensed contractor and tagged accordingly?9 Are deep fat fryers equipped with thermostats and high limit

temperature control (475 F)?10

Are all knives and cleavers stored in a safe and sanitary manner?11 Is all hazardous equipment guarded (slicers, mixers, etc.)?12 Are all carts maintained and move easily?13 Are knives and cutting boards sanitized after each use?14 Are cutting boards in good condition?15 Are switches guarded to prevent inadvertent or accidental

switching on?16 Are cut resistant gloves used when cutting or chopping?17

Is ice storage protected to prevent accidental presence of foreign objects and is a proper scooping utensil (not glass) provided?

18 Is there an emergency door latch inside walk in freezers and fridges?

19 Are thermometers in freezers/fridges in working order?20 Is all food covered, raised off the floor and dated?



DateSect

1ion 6: Hazardous Substances (chemical and biological)Are Material Safety Data Sheets accessible to employees during working hours?


workplace)?


for the containers themselves? Note - NO decanting

working order?

6 Are chemical stored away from sunlight, sources of ignition or

7reactives/incompatibles and in tightly closed containers?Are all hazardous materials stored away from residents, patients or clients where they cannot be accessed?

89


10been identified through a MSDS reviewIs the required Personal Protective Equipment available and in



13 Do staff follow the principles of routine practices?14 Are sharps disposed of properly?15 Are there sufficient containers and are any overfull?1617

Are pharmaceutical wastes disposed of properly?Placement of dishwasher chemicals - are incompatible chemicals

18segregated by at least three feet?Are wall placards/labels designating the placement of the dishwasher chemicals posted on the wall?

1920

Is secondary containment for laundry chemicals in place?Is the hose labelled at the entry point of the container or barrel?

21 Is the hose labelled along the path of the line feeding the product to the dishwasher?

2223

Is the hose labelled at the dishwasher entry point?Are safe work procedures in place for the disposal of the remainder of the chemicals at the bottom of the pail or barrel and


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21 Is the eyewash station accessible?


4 Are all extension cords in good condition and properly used with


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19 Is a chemical spill kit accessible?20 Is the chemical spill kit fully stocked?


22 Is the eyewash station checked on a monthly basis and recorded?

Workplace Safety and HealthInspection Checklist - Shipping andn Receiving













11 Are handrails securely fastened to the walls?12 Are received items/pallets stored safely?

Inspection Checklist - Shipping Page 28 of 37





temporary hazards?









1 Is all equipment in good working order?2 Is a fault reporting and tagging system in place?3 Are ladders/stools made available for reaching high shelves?4 Is the number of personal hygiene facilities adequate?5 Overhead doors operate properly?6 Freight stacked properly in/on vehicle?7 Vehicles secured against accidental movement i.e. wheel chocks,

restraining devices, etc.?8 Dock plates in good repair and anchored when in use?9 Dock bumpers secure and in good condition?


been identified through a MSDS review

10 Trailer stands used where applicable; i.e. pup trailers, etc.?11 Are carts, pallet jacks and lift trucks marked for load capacity and

in good condition? Lift Trucks

12 Lift truck inspection completed by the assigned operator prior to starting shift?

13 Operated by qualified/competent, authorized person?14 Operated in a safe manner?15 Parked with hand brake set, forks lowered, mast forward, controls

neutralized, engine off?16 Overhead protection?17 Marked for load capacity?18 Seating and lighting adequate?19 Batteries safely stored?20 Battery charging procedures posted?21 Employees use hand and footholds properly to get on/off

vehicles? (three-point stance)22 Material handling equipment used properly (hand signals used

where applicable)?23 No extra riders on equipment?



DateSect

1ion 6: Hazardous Substances (chemical and biological)Are Material Safety Data Sheets accessible to employees during working hours?




or clients where they cannot be accessed?89



16 Are pharmaceutical wastes disposed of properly?

10 Is the required Personal Protective Equipment available and in



13 Do staff follow the principles of routine practices?14 Are sharps disposed of properly?15 Are there sufficient containers and are any overfull?


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Workplace Safety and HealthInspection Checklist - Facility Management





1 Safety and Health Policy displayed?2 Safety manual available?3 Infection control manual available?4 Injury/Near Miss reporting process in place?5 Hazard reporting process in place?6 Safe work procedures available?7 Departmental Safety Representative appointed?8 Is a confined space program and procedure in place?9 Is a fall protection program in place?








11 Are handrails securely fastened to the walls?12 Are airborne dust particles or chemicals vapours a concern?

Inspection Checklist - Facility Management Page 33 of 37





temporary hazards?









1 Is all equipment in good working order?2 Is a fault reporting and tagging system in place?3 Are ladders/stools made available for reaching high shelves?4 Is the number of personal hygiene facilities adequate?5 Are hand held electrical tools in good working condition and do

they meet applicable standards?6 Is the pneumatic system in the shops set at the appropriate

pressure?7 Are air hoses safely secured and properly clamped?8 Are low pressure nozzles in use in the shops?9 Are all moving parts of equipment guarded?

10 Are machine guards in good shape, firmly secured and used?11 Are lockout/tag out devices for general use available and in good

condition?


16 Are pharmaceutical wastes disposed of properly?

Section 7: Electrical safety

12 Are stones on grinding equipment in good condition?13 Do all work platforms have secure handrails, guarding or fence

panels?14 Is fall protection provided for work at heights?15 Are all ladders in good condition?












enforced?13 Do staff follow the principles of routine practices?14 Are sharps disposed of properly?15 Are there sufficient containers and are any overfull?

Comment and Action Required (include name of person responsible)

Completion DateSafe Unsafe n/a


17 Is the Post Exposure Protocol package available?

1 Are switches for electrical equipment located so that they can be reached easily in the event of an emergency?

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14 Who is responsible for the emergency radio?15 Is the first aid kit accessible?16 Is the first aid kit full stocked?



18 Are the required power failure emergency supplies available and working? (flashlights, extension cords, etc.)



Workplace Inspections

Purpose

• Identify hazards to prevent injuries, equipment damage, or property damage through elimination or control

• Meet Legal Requirements

Workplace Safety and Health Act

• A written health and safety program must include– A schedule for the regular inspection of the

workplace and of work processes and procedures at the workplace.

– Conducting workplace inspections is a duty of the Health and Safety Committee or Representative.

Workplace Safety and Health Act

The inspection schedule must include• What will be inspected, by whom and how frequently?• Include inspection of work procedures and processes• State what inspection records must be produced to

ensure accountability• Provision for correcting defects found during each

inspection• State what training those who carry out inspections

require

Types of Inspections

• Regular– Periodic, i.e. Daily, weekly, monthly– Intervals that prevent development of unsafe

conditions• Special

– When required by malfunction or incident• New Job Process• A variation from the normal process

Who Conducts Inspections?

• Operators/Users/Supervisors• Engineers or Professional Personnel• Joint Health and Safety Committee

Members or Representative• Worker and Employer Representative


• Safety and Health Committee is responsible to carry out detailed safety and health surveys with the workplace periodically for the purposes of:

– Familiarization with the types of task performed and the operation methods at the workplace

– Identification of worker concerns

– Identification of safety and health hazards, working conditions, and methods to eliminate and control hazards

• Regularly Scheduled or Formal Safety Inspections

• Conducted by the Joint Health • and Safety Committee or Representative

Inspection Steps

• Planning

• Inspecting

• Recommending and Follow up

Pre-Inspection

• Previous Inspection Reports• Incident and Injury Reports• Concerns• Health and Safety Committee minutes• Policies and Procedures (including PPE)

What is Inspected?

• Worksite– Building– Structures

• Tools, Equipment & Machinery– kitchen– Facility management– laundry– Patient Handling

• Work Methods and Practices– Use of personal

protective equipment– Safe patient handling

procedures– Housekeeping– WHMIS

Tips on Workplace Inspections

• Focusing on injury prevention: • Judge whether the items being communicated to you, or

that you are observing, are likely to cause an incident/accident.

• Dealing with issues that are not genuinely related to workplace safety will reduce the integrity of future inspections.

Inspection How To

• Plan inspection and prepare survey or monitoring tools

• Inspection Checklist• Specific spot checklist• Maps or floor plan• Work procedures

Inspection Methods

• Equipment and premises check

• Employee interviews

• Policies and procedures in place, adhered to, enforced

Conduct the Inspection

• Make and record observations• Ask questions to check understanding of

procedures• Identify and Assess Hazards• Take immediate action if necessary


Asking questions - It is important that:• Questions should be non-threatening & objective.

• Do not unnecessarily delay or interrupt critical work activities.

• Ensure question regarding hazard identification are followed by solution seeking questions.

• Thank the person who takes time to answer questions or provide input during workplace inspections.


Communicating: • The supervisor and staff in the area may identify

hazards that you won't be able to in a standard inspection. They are the experts in their area.

• They also know what controls will be most effective.

• When a hazard has been identified and measure are being taken to control it ensure that the supervisor informs workers.


• Not attaching blame: • The purpose of a workplace inspection is to find and

correct hazards or sources of danger.

Hazards Identified

• Immediate action where possible

• Put on meeting agenda

• Assign responsibility for action and completion date

Hazard Recognition and Control

Definition of Hazard

• Any existing or potential condition in the workplace which, by itself, or by interacting with another variable, can result in deaths, injuries, property damage, and other losses

Firenze 1978

Types of Hazards

• HEALTH SAFETY• Chemical Slip or Trip• Biological Fire/Explosion• Physical Equipment• Ergonomic Lifting• Violence• Working Alone

Hazard Recognition and Control (You & Me and WCB)

Spot the hazards?Can you spot the hazards in the

following photos?

Blocked electrical panel access

Electrical Panels must have a 1 meter minimum clearance at all times

Slippery Floor

Missing Saw Guard

Uneven Sidewalk

Find the Hazards

Pot boiling over

Wet Floor

Slippery surface

No Gloves

Lifting above shoulder

Door Open

Labels?? Storage ??

Cut resistant gloves ?

Unattended

Find the Hazards ……

Cluttered room

Cluttered Counter

Storage above shoulder height

Access to material on shelf

Eyewash access

Opportunity to mixclean with soiled

Unlabelled chemicals

Can we think of other hazards?

• Fire Safety & Egress• Patient/Resident Aggression/Violence• Infectious Diseases• Needle stick Injuries• Handling of Medications (Cytotoxic Drugs)• Patient Handling• Manual Handling• Allergies (Latex)

http://www.animationlibrary.com/a-l/?n=image.php3&image_id=5333

Muskulo-skeletal Injuries

Fire Safety & Egress

• Cluttered hallways, rooms

• Electrical cords• Evacuations

Patient/Resident Aggression

• Violence and Harassment– Residents– Families– Visitors– Other employees

Infectious Diseases

Needlestick

Chemical Exposure

Handling of Cytotoxic Drugs

• www.gov.sk.ca/safety/cytotoxic/cytotoxic-drugs.pdf

Patient Handling

Manual Handling

Confined Space

Fall Protection

Hearing Conservation

Ergonomics

Machine Guarding

Latex Allergies


• Dealing with high-risk hazards: • These situations should be reported and dealt with

immediately by the supervisor of the area before someone gets hurt.

• Items identified with less risk can be addressed after the workplace inspection is completed.

• Example - slip and fall hazards in moderate to high traffic areas are a good example of a high-risk hazard.


• Carefully inspecting high-risk areas: • When inspecting an area that has been identified as

a high incident/accident risk it is important that:

• The environment, machinery, and other equipment, and the work processes are observed carefully.

• Observe the way the work is done, the work process and the physical environment.


• Ensuring that all areas are covered:• Include those that are not occupied by employees

on a full-time basis. These areas may not be inspected as frequently.

• Storage areas are a good example and often a common location of initial sources of fire.

Assess the Risk Potential

• Consider– The seriousness or the potential harm– The probability of occurrence– How often and how long workers are exposed

to the hazard– How well current control and systems are

working

Risk Model

• We can use a simple Risk Model to help determine the importance of a concern

Determining Risk

• Risk models use three determinates:• Probability – how often could the hazard

occur? (A function of how much and how often)

• Severity - How much harm could the hazard pose?

• Criticality – how badly can the hazard disrupt normal events?

Determining Probability

• Determine the hazard to be one of the following:

• Frequent – may occur in one year• Occasional – may occur over next 2 yrs.• Uncommon– may occur in 2 – 5 years• Remote – may occur in 5 – 30 years

Determining Severity

• Determine severity to be one of the following:

• Catastrophic – may cause death , major damage, large financial loss.

• Major – may cause serious injury / illness, damage or financial loss

• Moderate – may cause minimal injury / illness, damage or financial loss

• Minor – will not cause injury / illness, damage or financial loss

Assigning a Risk Score

Probability

Severity of Effect

Catastrophic Major Moderate Minor

Frequent 16 12 8 4

Occasional 12 9 6 3

Uncommon 8 6 4 2

Remote 4 3 2 1

Control the Hazard

• Remove the hazard at its source

• Control the hazard along its path to the workers

• Control the hazard at the level of the worker

Eliminate the Hazard

• Remove the hazard at its source

– Choose a different process– Modify an existing process– Substitute with less hazardous substance.– Improve environment (ventilation)– Modify or change equipment or tools

Contain the Hazard

• Control the hazard along the path to the worker– Machine Guarding– Worker Booths– Enclosures– Barriers– Dilution

Controlling a Hazard at the Level of the Worker

• Does not remove the risk posed by a hazard.• Reduce the risk of injury and lessens the

potential of the seriousness of the injury.• The least effective method of hazard control.

– Lessen exposure:• Use Work schedules which reduce the length of time

exposed to hazard

– Use of Personal Protective Equipment

•Remove the hazard

•Called engineering controls i.e. - Ventilation to exhaust hazard, Enclosure to reduce noise, Isolate hazard , Wet methods (with dusts)

•Local ventilation that does not enclose, General ventilation, Mechanical guards & controls,Administrative controls (e.g. breaks)

Personal protective equipment or clothing, Safe work procedures, Training & supervision, Emergency plans,

Short Term / Long Term Solutions

• Sometimes it is not feasible to immediately remove a hazard.– Resources– Reasonable and practicable

• In these cases a short term solution may be suggested with the goal of a long term solution instituted when possible.

Hints on Developing Solutions•Points in developing solutions

– Focus on causes before solutions– Brainstorm range of possibilities– Look for short-term and long term solutions – trying to find the

best possible•Tips on Brainstorming

– Set a time limit – Welcome all ideas & build on them– Record ideas and evaluate them

•How to work towards agreement– Criticize ideas not individuals– Treat concerns seriously (show respect)– Try to understand differences & summarize various positions– Listen, clarify the facts– Find out what is agreed on

Corrective Action

• State problem or problems• Suggest method and action• Ensure assignment of people to be

responsible• Specify Target Date• Follow Up

A problem-solving cycle

1. Identify & define/clarify

problem

3. What are the

possible short & long-

term solutions?

2. What caused it? (look for root

causes)

5. Review solution(s) for short- & long-term effects.

4. Implement the chosen

solution(s)

Adapted from: Occupational Health & Safety Agency for Healthcare in British Columbia (OHSAH) (2000) Joint Health & Safety Committee Training, Day 2

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