Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Case Study Example

 A worksite analysis was undertaken at a home improvement warehouse located in Tennessee, including self-inspections on a range of health and safety issues from the warehouse’s evacuation plan to processes involved in receiving and processing. A large number of items were covered as part of the checklist, which will be explained in detail in this report. Employer Postings. This was the first component of the checklist and the following things were observed. The protection poster for OSHA was highly visible and located primarily in the room used for break times and training. In the same room, the emergency numbers were posted next to a telephone, where a bound notebook containing the MSDS. In addition, the OSHA form 300 was posted within the training room, as well as a notice of the number of days that have passed without an employee accident. Finally, there were a total of eleven exit signs posted visibly throughout the warehouse. Recordkeeping. This was the second aspect of the checklist. For the organization all information about illness and occupational injuries was recorded and these records were kept within the Manager’s office. Information was also stored on the medical records of employees and an updated record of any exposure to hazardous substances. This information was in line with the current standards for OSHA and kept updated. The warehouse required employees to complete specific training on a monthly basis, with objectives that needed to be completed by the end of the month. All documentation and records were stored on the computer hard disks and on file. Additionally, backup disks were kept of all information. Correct records and permits were kept for all equipment within the warehouse, and this information was also stored in the manager’s office. Health and Safety Program. The business has people whose role is to provide employees with information about hazards for health and safety. The group responsible for this is known as the In-Focus team, meets weekly and contains team members as well as a team leader. OSHA Handbook for Small Businesses. This is the next part of the checklist. The worksite which was examined has a Human Resource Department (HRD), which is responsible for dealing with all complaints from employees regarding health and safety. Advice is given to employees on a daily basis, and there are incentives present for those in the organization who are effective at reducing the prevalence of injury and illness within the workplace. Drawings take place to achieve this on a daily and weekly basis. Medical Services and First Aid. On the worksite, there was a clinic that offered services to all people in the organization and works closely with employees. Managers are trained to respond to medical emergencies, but normal employees are not. It is important that employees are trained in this area in case a manager is not present. If an employee is exposed to a pathogen carried in the blood, a post-exposure evaluation and follow-up are able to be followed. In addition, there were medical personnel available for 24 hours each day, and there was a list of numbers for an emergency available in the break room. First aid kits were also prevalent in each part of the warehouse, as well as three eyewash stations for the entire workplace. A physician approved the contents of the first aid kits. Fire Protection. The facility has its own specific hazards, which the fire department is aware of and familiar with. Inspection occurs regularly on the interior valves and standpipes, and the fire alarm system is also tested each year and certified. Fire doors were in good working condition, with fusible links present where needed and well-protected from any obstructions. A maintenance person regularly checks to ensure the sprinkler system is in order. Fire extinguishers are present in every second aisle of the warehouse. These are recharged on a regular basis, and the tags are also checked to ensure the dates are correct. On particular days of each year employees are trained in the use of the extinguishers. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Some hazards in the warehouse require the use of PPE. This was determined by the employer, who was also involved in the selection of PPE that is effective and fits properly. Employees are trained in the use of PPE including where, when and how to use it. Protective goggles are provided where there is a risk of corrosive or flying particles. It is unlikely that a flying particle will actually hit an employee, and consequently, eye protection is not a requirement in most situations. If an employee wears eye lenses, then they are expected to wear eye protection in cases where their vision may be at risk. No foot protection, hard hats or respirators were needed for this warehouse, and consequently, no inspections were required for these. The PPE for the warehouse was kept clean, and ready for everyday use. The only place where food was consumed in the warehouse was the break room. No protection from noise was in place, as the level of noise does not get above OSHA Noise Standards. Equipment and PPE is provided to clean up any spills that occur, and there is an appropriate procedure in place to ensure that any contaminated PPE is disposed of correctly and safely. General Work Environment. This is an important aspect for the company. Throughout the workplace, floors are resistant to slips and are clean through the use of proper and immediate cleanup procedures. Waste is removed from the worksite to correct places, and regulations are followed. One issue is that dust accumulates on elevated surfaces and this is not cleaned regularly. It is important that workers use ladders and clean these areas. In the workplace, combustible dust is removed each day, and steam cleaning is used on the flooring to prevent any dust particles from building up. Additionally, conductive and metallic dust is prevented from entering areas where there is electrical equipment. There are no appropriate waste cans for waste that is oily or soaked in paint. Also, there are no pits or spray booths within the area. However, restrooms are clean and well maintained, the warehouse has adequate illumination, and all confide spaces meet compliance standards. Walkways. Non-slip materials are used for these whenever they are wet, and walkways are kept clear continually. Any holes that are present are repaired, and the aisle always has enough safe clearance for people who make use of motorized scooters. Throughout the area equipment is kept in the correct place and out of the walkways. Any material spills are cleaned up immediately. The warehouse exists on a single level, and the height of the ceiling is consistent throughout. Arrangement of the aisles has been done so that employee safety is maintained, and there is sufficient head room, as the ceiling height is 50-feet. However, there are no guardrails on any of the walkways or bridges. These should be present in case there is a fall or a slip. Openings in the Wall and Floor. There should not be any openings present in the floor of the warehouse itself or in the toeboards. The screens in the skylight were able to withstand 200 pounds, and potentially more. The sliding door, which is made of glass, was strong enough to withstand impact from a person. There were no manholes, grates or pits in the warehouse, and all wall and floor openings were resistant to fire. Stairs and Stairways. None present. Elevated surfaces. These were present at the location. There were no signs indicating the height, but if it was above 30 inches guardrails were in place. There were no toeboards underneath people. Egress and access was permanent for both headroom and storage, which is an organization requirement. Dock boards were used, and elevated surfaces were used to stack materials and prevent them from falling. Egress Evacuation or Exiting. All doors within the warehouse were marked clearly and the exit signs were visible and well-illuminated with the correct labels. All exit doors were correctly hinged, and clear from all obstructions. Four methods of egress were provided. The number of exits for emergencies was sufficient. During constriction special precautions are taken, and this results in the presence of adequate exits for the number of people present. Exit doors meet safety requirements and are timbered. There are no exit ramps or stairs. Exit Doors. These do not open into the path of traffic, and can be opened without the use of a key. None of the exit doors were revolving doors. The warehouse did not have any windows, and there was no cold storage door. With the panic hardware in place, a force of 15 pound or less was sufficient to open the door. Additionally, the exit doors only swing in one direction. Portable Ladders. All of the ladders in the warehouse were non-slip, and some were in good condition. Employees were not allowed to place a ladder on boxes or in front of a door or door opening. They must face the ladder when they use it. If the ladder is broken, it is not to be used, and employees are cautioned against stepping on the very top of the ladder. Likewise, employees are told not to extend the ladder to three feet. When ladders are used, the base must be secured. All employees are taught the methods of using a ladder and the ways of inspecting to see whether a ladder is safe. All ladders have warning labels and are well marked, with rungs 12-inches apart. Hand Tools and Equipment. While all tools in the warehouse were in good condition, they were not located in the correct places. Some were left lying around or in the break room. This should be prevented by ensuring that employees return all tools after their use. Any broken tools are replaced, and employees are made aware of the dangers associated with broken tools. Whenever tools are used, safety goggles are required. The tool handles are kept secured onto the tool, tool edges are kept smooth, and the jacks are checked on a monthly basis. A dry and cool place is used to secure the tools, and eye protection is required whenever someone is hammering. Power-Actuated Tools, Abrasive Wheel Grinders and Portable Tools. Not used by the business. Machine Guarding. There is a training program in place when employees are hired, and adequate supervision is in place for whenever a machine is operating. Safety inspection occurs on a daily basis, and machines are cleaned well each week. For each machine, there is a safety clearance for its operations, and the machine is secured in place. The power switch for each machine is where an operator can reach it with their hand, and the current can be locked out if necessary. A guarded foot operated switch is present which is used to control the equipment. Emergency stop buttons are red, and all pulls that are within seven feet of the floor or the working level have the proper level of guarding. All moving gears are also guarded, and there are no splash guards. There are a range of methods that act to protect the machine and the worker. All machine guards are secured, and are arranged to prevent any harm occurring to the worker. Special hand tools are not used, and interlocked enclosures are used to guard all revolving drums. Madrels and arbors are secured and cannot be interfered with. If a power outage occurs, the employer has appropriate provisions and procedures in place. The construction of the machines minimizes vibrations, and there are no saws or fan blades in use. Tagout/Lockout Procedures. These are undertaken at the workplace. Any machinery that is able to move is de-energized when servicing occurs. When a machine is completely disconnected from power, it can then be locked out. However, the locking out of control circuits is prohibited. All handles for control valves have a method of being locked out. The procedure used for locking out means that any energy stored must be released. Employees are required to carry keys and check the safety locks prior to reinitialization of the machine. Brazing, Compressed Gas Cylinders, Welding and Cutting. Not used at this worksite. Auxiliary and Hoist Equipment. The electric hoist has a hook that stops it at both its lowest and highest points. Every hoist is able to stop on its own, and can hold 125% of the load that it is rated for. The size of the maximum load is written on the equipment where the operator is able to see it. There are no trolleys present for the worksite. All controls on the hoists are marked to show which direction travel occurs in. All equipment has close fitting guards as well as warning devices. All ropes are of sufficient length to ensure that there is a full range of movement. There are guards located on the platform permanently. The operator is instructed that loads should not be carried above people. Industrial Forklifts-Trucks. Only employees who are trained in the usage of lifts are able to operate them, and training is provided. When a high lift is being used, overhead protective equipment is provided. Rules for the operation of the lift truck are posted and these are enforced. Each lift has working brakes and a safety brake, as well as its own horn. These are electric power, and a safe distance from the ramp is maintained. Employees must be out of the way whenever a lift is in motion. If an employee is not authorized, they are not able to ride on the lift truck or drive it. The operator is required to keep all of their body parts within the lift at all times, to ensure that the machine gets the required maintenance and to carry loads within the stated capacity. Spraying Operations, Compressors and Compressed Air, and Air Receivers. Are not present in this company. Entering Confined Spaces. All confined spaces that contain corrosive sub stances are emptied. All lines that are present in confined spaces which contain corrosive materials are disconnected, and there is a provision of natural ventilation. Oxygen deficiency is tested prior to entry into the area. For working in confined spaces lights are provided, and trained employees are stationed outside of the space. Respiratory equipment is required, and other employees are prohibited from entering the space. All portable equipment has ground fault protection. Before any welding occurs in a confined space the hoses are check to ensure that no leaks are present. No compressed bottles are allowed in confined spaces. Vehicle exhaust is prohibited from all areas below ground. Environmental Controls. All employees at the worksite have been trained in the basics of first aid and the identification of hazardous substances. All areas within the worksite are adequately lit. Combustible and Flammable Materials. All items are stored correctly to minimize any risk of fire occurring. All employees use only approved containers for the storage of combustible liquids. No smoking signs are present near any petroleum gas, and cylinders of oxygen and fuel are stored in different places. Fire extinguishers are placed based on their class. Spills are cleaned up immediately, and all storage tanks are vented regularly to prevent temperature change causing a pressure buildup. Rules are enforced to ensure correct use and storage of all hazardous materials. Hazardous Chemical Exposure. All employees are trained for situations where chemicals are used. There are eyewash stations throughout the worksite. Employees are required to wear PPE whenever chemicals are being handled, and containers are adequately labeled. Containers store flammable substances when they are not being used. All respirators have been approved by NIOSH. The operation has been evaluated by an Industrial Hygienist. The company makes use of vacuuming for dust removal instead of blowing it away. All materials that are responsible for creating fumes are stored in a remote area. Hazardous Substances Communication. The training room contains a list of all hazardous substances, as well as an exposure plan for the situation of exposure to infectious materials occurring. There is a hazard communication program as part of training for employees, as well as a training program that focuses on hazardous substances. Electrical. Standards for electrical work from OSHA are complied with. All employees must report hazards, tagout equipment and make inspections. All extension cords have grounding conductors, and electric tools are also grounded. There are no multiple plug adaptors allowed on site, and circuit interrupters are installed on 20 Amp/120 Volt current on a temporary basis at certain points in time. Disconnecting switchers are present on all circuits. Cords used have clamps and there are no splices present. In areas of electrical work, metal takes and other similar items are not allowed. All electric tools are stored in correct places. Labeling is used for disconnected switches, low voltage areas are protected by the presence of a control device, any openings that are unused are covered with a plate, and the motor is located in the proximity of a control device. Employees must work with someone else, and are instructed in the use of CPR. Noise Policy. None present. Identification of Piping Systems. Pipes that contain water not suitable for drinking has a warning instructing people not to drink from it. Each pipe is labeled so that it is apparent what is being transported. In addition, pipes are color coded and some also have tags. Materials Handling. Transporting Employees and Materials. A correct license is required to operate a vehicle. All vehicles used for transportation must be in good condition and all components need to work correctly. Some vehicles have special attachments present. All fire extinguishers are charged, and any sharp tools that are present are placed inside a box. Employees are prohibited from riding on top of a load. Control of Harmful Substances by Ventilation. There is an air system present that gathers particles and dust in order to dispose of them. The warehouse has vents that are constructed in a manner that prevents their collapse. All clean-out ports present have intervals of less than twelve feet for horizontal runs. Employees check ducts daily to ensure that a fire cannot start when different operations are present within the same ducts. Areas where exhaust systems are operating are provided with air. The location of the source point means that clean air enters the workplace. Sanitizing Equipment and Clothing. Employees must be able to clean PPE easily, and are prohibited from using any PPE that has not been properly cleaned. Machines are cleaned if they handle materials which have the potential to harm somebody. Employees are prohibited from eating or smoking in any areas where ingesting contaminants is possible. Employees must change into PPE or street clothes within a clean room so contamination does not occur. If any contact with a carcinogen occurs, the employee must shower as soon as possible. In a carcinogen-regulated area, all materials must be moved carefully. Read More