Contributed September 28, 2001 by Wayne Pardy GENERAL SAFETY - HAZARD CHECK LIST FIRE SAFETY Is there an effective fire alarm? Is the fire alarm tested every three months? Is the fire alarm functioning correctly? Are fire exits clearly marked and easily identifiable?Are fire exits free from obstruction? Are emergency procedures displayed? Are the telephone numbers of emergency services clearly displayed? Are there regular fire evacuation practices? Have fire wardens been appointed and trained? Are fire extinguishers available? Are the fire extinguishers suitable to the type of fire that may occur (eg carbon dioxide for electrical fires). Are fire extinguishers serviced regularly? Are smoke detectors installed? Is a fire sprinkler system installed? Are fire sprinklers unobstructed? Are hose reels available and connected to water supply? Is access to the hose reels unobstructed? Are flammable materials properly stored? FIRST AID Are first aid officers appointed? Are the names of first aid officers displayed? Are first aid kits full stocked? Are first aid kits readily accessible? Are there sufficient numbers of first aid kits? Are the contents of the first aid kits checked regularly? Are first aid kits replenished as necessary? Are first aid rooms appropriately equipped? LIGHTING Are all areas adequately lit? Is natural light utilised to best advantage? Is task lighting available where required? Have measures been taken to reduce glare created by unshielded lights, sunlight or from bright reflecting surfaces? Is there an emergency lighting system that is adequately maintained? Are light fittings in good repair and clean? Are all the light fittings shielded with a good cover? Is there a program for the checking and replacement of faulty bulbs and tubes at regular periods? Are fittings accessible for routine maintenance? Are illuminated signs and notices in liftways and exits in working order? WORKSTATIONS/OFFICE MACHINES Are workstations easily accessible? Does the work require the individual remaining in a fixed position for long periods? Does the individual have to twist or bend into an uncomfortable position? Does the individual have the possibility of varying his/her sitting position and leg position? Is there sufficient individual storage space? Are items that are in constant use within easy reach? Are workstations free from clutter? Is all furniture in good repair? Does the chair enable the individual to sit with their back upright? Is the chair adjustable? Does the chair swivel? Is the chair stable? Does the individual have foot support if needed? Is there access to a nearby power point? Are telephone connections nearby? Are all cords/wires out of the way? Are desk top machines placed so they cannot fall off? Is office equipment accessible to allow ease of use? Is the noise level from the equipment acceptable? Does the equipment give a clear indication of whether it is on/off? Does the machinery clearly state the name of who to contact if out of order? Are photocopiers places in a well ventilated position? MACHINES AND TOOLS Are all operators trained to use machines? Are machines adequately guarded to prevent accidental contact? Are machine guards and controls interlocked?Is the on/off switch clearly marked and close to the operator's work station? Is there adequate work space? Are elevated machines placed on a stable surface? Is the noise level satisfactory? Are machines periodically maintained? Are records kept of maintenance on machinery? Are hazardous areas clearly marked and identifiable? Are safety notices clearly displayed? Are appliances tested regularly? Are all electrical machines fitted with the correct fuses? Are power leads in good condition? Does all electrical machinery clearly state the name of the service engineers? Have precautions been made to prevent any build-up of 'leakage current' between machines connected together?Is the appropriate tool used? Are tools properly maintained? Does the operator use the tool correctly? Are drip pans provided to prevent oil spills on the floor? Is there provision to store waste materials? ELECTRICAL Are circuit breaker switches installed? Is the main switch/circuit breaker clearly labelled? Is the main switch/circuit breaker easily accessible? Are light fittings in good condition? Are light fittings suitably located? Are light fittings and switched in good working order? Are power outlets in good working order? Are power outlets of sufficient rating? Are power leads and double adaptors in good condition? Are there sufficient power outlets? Are notices and instruction provided on treatment of electrical shock? Is a Carbon Dioxide fire extinguisher placed adjacent to switchboard? HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES Is there an up-to-date register of all hazardous substances used in the workplace? Are material safety data sheets available for all hazardous substances? Are all workers fully acquainted with material safety data sheets and trained to take any necessary action in an emergency? Is the site provided with adequate and suitable personal protective equipment? Are all containers adequately labelled? Are all containers of hazardous substances suitable and undamaged? Are all chemicals safely stored?Are procedures in place to clean up spills? Are all areas in which hazardous substances are used or stored well ventilated? Are there easy to read warning signs in hazardous areas? Is regular atmospheric monitoring carried out? Is compatibility of dangerous goods considered when storing? Are the amounts of solvents used and stored kept to a minimum? Are all gas cylinders suitably stored? Are all gas cylinders secured to wall and/or trolley? Are fuel cylinders separated from oxidising cylinders? Is there provision of fume cupboards for testing and analysing? Are electrical services located outside the fume cupboard chamber? Are emergency isolation switches available and clearly identified? Is a Carbon Dioxide fire extinguisher located near the fume cupboard? Is a flammable liquid cabinet installed? Is the flammable liquid cabinet licensed with the appropriate authority? Are the warning signs on the flammable liquids cabinet legible? Are all hazardous substances disposed of in a safe manner? PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Are areas/tasks designated for use of PPE clearly marked/signed? Is appropriate PPE available? Is PPE worn in designated areas/tasks? Is PPE in good repair? Is regular maintenance carried out on PPE? Is training provided on the correct use and maintenance of PPE? MANUAL HANDLING AND LIFTING DEVICES Have systems of work eliminated the need to lift, carry push or drag heavy loads? Are the demands of the task within the physical capacity of the employee? Have systems of work eliminated the need for prolonged bending, reaching and twisting movements? Have employees received appropriate training in hazards and/or techniques relating to manual handling? Where mechanical lifting devices are not available, is team lifting organised? Have employees been trained in the principles of team lifting? Are mechanical lifting devices provided to assist with lifting and carrying heavy loads? Are operators competent in the use of lifting devices? Are mechanical lifting devices suitably maintained? Does the lifting equipment have clearly marked maximum loads? STORAGE AREAS Is storage adequate to meet requirements? Is storage suitable for the purpose used? Are storage areas easily accessible? Are stacks stable? Is there safe storage for heavy items? Are the cupboards and shelves in good condition? Is there adequate lighting? Is there adequate ventilation? Are shelves free from dust and rubbish? Are floors clear of rubbish? Are storage areas clearly identified? Are stored areas clearly identified? LADDERS/STEPS Are ladders/steps suitable for the task performed? Are ladders/steps in a good condition? Are rungs made of non-slip material or fitted with non-skid strips? Are ladders/steps stored in a safe manner? Are ladders/steps fitted with rubber feet? SAFETY SIGNS/POSTERS Are signs/posters in a prominent position and easy to understand? Are signs/posters available in other languages as necessary? Are signs/posters close to the source of the hazard? Are signs/posters adequately maintained? VENTILATION/AIR CONDITIONING Are individuals satisfied with thermal comfort? Are individuals satisfied with quality of air conditioning? Are air conditioning filters/vents cleaned regularly? Are cooling towers treated regularly? Are readings retained in a register? Are the air conditioning controls easy to access and check? LABORATORY SAFETY Have emergency procedures been established? Are employees trained in laboratory safety procedures? Are emergency telephone numbers prominently displayed? Are safety procedures available in writing and enforced at all times? Are pressure vessels certified and regularly inspected? Are disposal procedures for waste products satisfactory? Are procedures for handling and disposing of sharps adopted and implemented? Is suitable protective clothing and equipment provided and worn/used at all relevant times? Is consumption of food and drink banned in the laboratory? Are rubbish, old equipment, and stores removed promptly? TOILETS Are all toilets/showers clean, private and well ventilated? Is there at least one basin with hot and cold running water for every 15 employees? Is soap (or soap dispensers) provided? Are hand drying facilities available? Are floors treated to avoid slips due to water spillage? Is sanitary disposal in place and serviced regularly? KITCHEN/AMENITY AREAS Is the kitchen/amenities area kept clean? Is safe, cool drinking water available? Are the floors clean and in good repair? Are the furniture and fittings clean and in good repair? Are kitchen appliances and whitegoods clean? Are kitchen appliances and whitegoods regularly maintained? GENERAL Are employees aware of hazards in their workplace? Do employees report accidents? Is access/egress to building safe? Are surfaces of pathways around the building well maintained? Are floors free from litter? Are uncarpeted floors clean? (no oil, grease or water spills) Are carpets in good repair (no holes, loose threads)? Are work benches clean and tidy? Are window panes clean and unbroken? Are window ledges free of dust and rubbish? Are walls clean and in good repair? Are lifts in good working order and serviced frequently? TRAINING Is OHS included in induction training for all employees? Does initial training include a thorough review of hazards and accidents associated with the job? Is training provided for the use of emergency equipment? Is there satisfactory task (including OHS) training? Have managers and supervisors attended OHS training? Are health and safety committee members adequately trained? Are training records maintained for all OHS training? EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION Do employees have a representative on the health and safety committee? Do employees have access to the minutes of health and safety committee meetings? Are workers consulted on the safety aspects of all the equipment? Are employees encouraged to raise issues for consideration by the health and safety committee? Is health and safety a standing agenda item for staff meetings? Are employees encouraged to bring their concerns regarding health and safety to the attention of management? Are the names of health and safety representatives displayed?