2.2 Health And Safety Inspection Guide
The following guidance notes are intended to assist Area Safety Managers to compile their own lists of relevant safety deficiencies whilst on Safety Inspection tours. This list should not be regarded as being exhaustive, particularly in specialist areas. Safety Inspection Record form attached.
Fire / Emergency Evacuation
CHECK
- Records of employee training are kept;
- Signage is clear and up to date;
- Fire extinguishers are present at each Fire Point, are of the correct type for local hazards, have an unbroken seal and are free from obstruction;
- Provisions and awareness of procedures for assisting disabled persons - including temporarily - in emergencies are in place;
- That fire alarms are tested weekly and can be heard and are understood by all employees;
- That a Fire Practice is carried out at least annually and are actively participated in by all staff and students and not just considered to be of nuisance value.
Housekeeping
CHECK
- Risk Assessments have been carried out for all areas;
- General cleanliness of all areas;
- Gangways clearly defined, unobstructed and are of an acceptable clear width and adequate for needs, minimum of 0.9m (3ft);
- Work areas are accessible and well laid out;
- Storage facilities are stacked safely, tidy, clearly signed and accessible;
- Environmental hazards properly controlled;
- Safety equipment well maintained and used where necessary;
- Welfare facilities adequate for the size of the workforce;
- Lighting is suitable and sufficient for the needs of the area and there are enough fittings which incorporate emergency lighting;
- Heating and ventilation are suitable and sufficient for the comfort of the staff and/or students working within the area;
- All stairways are well lit, have emergency back-up and the stairs are kept clear of any obstructions;
- That there is a procedure in place to ensure that all waste materials are stored safely whilst awaiting removal from the area and that all staff in the area are aware of waste disposal procedures.
Storage
CHECK
- Racking systems are not overloading and/or poorly stacked;
- Shelving is suitable and secure;
- All bulk stacking and storage is stable;
- Damaged racks/stacks/pallets etc;
- Aisles/access/egress for accessibility and minimum width of 0.9m (3ft);
- Chemicals that react with each other must be segregated ? Use pictograms to identify areas eg. Oxidizing/reducing agents, Flammable solvents, etc;
- Liquid chemicals storage facilities contain a bund wall;
- Chemical storage areas are labelled on the outside of the door;
- Dangerous chemicals are only be stored in small quantities. Large volumes must be housed in a purpose build storage area remote from buildings;
- Flammable/hazardous material stores should only have authorised access;
- Gas cylinders are kept outside buildings and empty cylinders are stored in a separate area to full ones.
Electrical Hazards
CHECK
- All portable appliances have been tested for safety at least annually;
- There is only authorised access to switch rooms, distribution boxes, etc;
- Visually for damage to cables/extension leads, etc. before use and that they have been PAT tested at least annually;
- All cables/extensions are safely routed and do not create a trip hazard.
Hand Power Tools
CHECK
- All hand tools and equipment are visually checked for safety before use and use RCB connection, 110volt equipment or are battery operated;
- For defective tools, e.g. Mushroomed heads on chisels, etc. and that tools are being used correctly;
- Is there a clear system of authorisation for using power tools and all operatives are competency tested. Written records are available;
- That there is an on-going maintenance schedule for power tools and that written schedules and equipment maintenance records are available.
Internal Transport
CHECK
- Drivers of BSU vehicles all hold a ?Certificate of Driver Competence?;
- Maintenance records for all BSU minibuses and vans are available;
- College vehicles are not used by unauthorised personnel;
- That drivers drive with consideration eg. observe speed limits, do not park in unauthorised places, park any hydraulic equipment of tractors safely on the ground when stationary, etc.
- That drivers do not indulge in unsafe practices, eg. Carrying passengers on a tractor where there is no seat or in the back box, overload of minibuses with equipment or personnel, drive beyond recommended hours without a break, etc.
Machinery
CHECK
- All machinery instructions are clear and on display;
- Risk Assessments are carried out on all new machinery and operatives are fully trained in their use. All written records are available;
- Risk assessment sheets are displayed prominently;
- All dangerous parts guarded;
- All guards are in good condition, are correctly fitted and are efficient;
- That a systematic maintenance programme exists and records are kept in a log-book which is readily available for scrutiny;
- Emergency stop controls are accessible, working and are clearly identified;
- That access to any dangerous parts is prevented while the machine is in operation or whenever connected to power.
- That power to machinery can be instantly cut-off - where appropriate - by an emergency isolation button and its operation is checked regularly.
- That regular safety checks are carried out on all machinery and recorded in writing in a suitable log. Every three months for a full check and a brief check before use. Every machine must be checked for safety by qualified support staff, before use by a student;
- That every student must be trained in the use of workshop machinery and the instructor/technician in charge satisfied as to their competence before that student can be allowed to use the machinery without supervision;
- Lists of competency tested students must be kept for every powered machine;
- No students are left alone in a workshop or without technical staff being present to supervise.
Environment / Welfare
CHECK
- Lighting/heating/ventilation/humidity/ dust suppression/fume extraction, must all comply to statutory BS standards;
- Seating facilities are not overcrowded, aisles are not obstructed either by people sitting or baggage. There is proper provision for the safe storage of student?s baggage, especially in laboratories and workshops;
- All Emergency Exits are properly signed, are unobstructed and that room occupants are aware of the position of emergency exits;
- Sanitation/washing facilities are suitable and sufficient;
- Drinking water available and labelled;
- All facilities are maintained in a clean and tidy condition.
Ladders / Scaffold Towers
CHECK
- The ladder inspection programme is maintained and recorded in a log;
- Ladders or towers are used correctly and maintenance checks are carried out and recorded at annual intervals;
- Towers and their use comply with the requirements of the Construction (Working Places) Regulations 1966.
Lifting Equipment
CHECK
- That Safe Working Loads are clearly marked;
- That exclusion zones are in place during lifting operations and all operations are supervised by technically competent staff;
- Correct maintenance is carried out and equipment is safety certified for compliance with statutory test and examination.
Compressed Air
CHECK
- Compressors / air receivers are correctly marked with safe working pressures and have a visible identification mark or number on them;
- Test / inspection records for compliance with statutory requirements;
- That all employees involved in the use of compressors understand the dangers of compressed air;
Revised June 2002