In successful safety programs, supervisors, safety directors or safety committee teams make regular, detailed surveys of the workplace to correct unsafe acts by employees and unsafe conditions such as those arising from mishandling of materials, scrap accumulation, or wear and tear on machinery.
Safety Survey Tips
Cover your entire operation. Note what’s right and what’s wrong. Businesses should start by surveying their raw materials and continue through all production phases, to completion and delivery of the final product. Perform inspections, as required, of equipment such as fire extinguishers, pressure vessels, boilers and elevators. Use checklists to ensure you haven’t missed anything.
Safety surveys include:
- Written reports
- Recommendations
- Target dates for corrective actions
- Names of individuals responsible for implementing corrections
Wear safety gear and observe safe practices appropriate to the surveyed areas. Do not talk to workers without a supervisor’s approval. Avoid criticism and stick strictly to facts.
Checklists: What to look for
Building
- Structural safety – walls, floors, elevators, stairways, railings
- Housekeeping – aisles, walking and working surfaces
- Egress – unobstructed exits, visible exit signs
- Fire Protection – extinguishers, sprinkler systems, water tanks, storage of flammables
- Electrical – switchboxes, outlets, extensions
- Lighting adequacy
Equipment
- Guarding, wiring, transmissions, shafting
- Hand tools, power tools
- Chains, cables, ropes subject to severe strain
- Machinery, vehicles, tires
Environment
- Atmospheric contaminants
- Noise levels
Procedures, Practices
- Safe practices in all operations
- Personal protective equipment
Personal Action
- Unsafe work or acts
Common Reasons for Incidents and Injuries
- Disregard for safe work practices
- Disregard for proper protective equipment
- Violation of rules and regulations
- Defective, inoperable guards
- Improper lifting
- Horseplay, practical jokes
- Ignorance of work materials, chemicals
- Wrong tool used for job
- Worker physically unfit for job
- Worker not trained to safely perform job
- Distractions such as cell phones, music, multitasking