prevention

Assessing the key components of

Hazard Prevention and Control

Appropriate use of engineering controls, work practices, personal protective equipment, and administrative controls

If there are documented comprehensive surveys, are they accompanied by a plan for systematic prevention or control of hazards found?
Is there a written plan, does it show that the best method of hazard protection was chosen?
Are there written safe work procedures?
If respirators are used, is there a written respirator program?
Do employees say they have been trained in and have ready access to reliable, safe work procedures?
Do employees say they have difficulty accomplishing their work because of unwieldy controls meant to protect them?
Do employee ever mention personal protective equipment, work procedures, or engineering controls as interfering with their ability to work safely?
Do employees who use PPE understand why they use it and how to maintain it?
Do employees who use PPE indicate that the rules for PPE use are consistently and fairly enforced?
Do employees indicate that safe work procedures are fairly and consistently enforced?
Are controls meant to protect workers actually putting them at risk or not providing enough protection?
Are employees engaging in unsafe practices or creating unsafe conditions because rules and work practices are not fairly and consistently enforced?
Are employees in areas designated for PPE wearing it properly, with few exceptions?
Are hazards that could feasibly be controlled through improved design being inadequately controlled by other means?

Is there a preventative maintenance schedule that provides for timely maintenance of the facilities and equipment?
Is there a written or computerized record of performed maintenance, that shows the schedule has been followed?
Do maintenance request records show a pattern of certain facilities or equipment needing repair or breaking down before maintenance was scheduled or actually performed?
Do any accident/incident investigation list facility or equipment breakdown as a major cause?
Do employees mention difficulty with improperly functioning equipment or facilities in poor repair?
Do maintenance employees believe that the preventive maintenance system is working well?
Do employees believe that hazard controls needing maintenance are properly cared for?
Is poor maintenance a frequent source of hazards?
Are hazard controls in good working order?
Does equipment appear to be in good working order?

Are good, clear records kept of medical testing and assistance?
Do employees say that test results were explained to them?
Do employees feel that more first aid or CPR-trained personnel should be available?
Are employees satisfied with the medical arrangements provided at the site or elsewhere?
Do the occupational health care provider understand the potential hazards of the worksite, so that occupational illness symptoms can be recognized?
Have further injuries or worsening of injuries occurred because proper medical assistance (including trained first aid and CPR providers) was not readily available?
Have occupational illnesses possibly gone undetected because no one with occupational health specialty training reviewed employee symptoms as part of the medical program?

Are there clearly written procedures for every likely emergency, with clear evacuation routes, assembly points, and emergency telephone numbers?
When asked about any kind of likely emergency, can employees tell you exactly what they are supposed to do and where they are supposed to go?
Have hazards occurred during actual or simulated emergencies due to confusion about what to do?
In larger worksites, are emergency evacuation routes clearly marked?
Are emergency telephone numbers and fire alarms prominent, easy to find locations?

This information is provided to you as

An EHS Network of Central Kansas "Safety Training Article"

Updated September 11, 2005