Module 3b: Hazard Prevention and Control

Overview:

Effective management actively establishes procedures for timely identification, correction or control of hazards.

Once hazards and potential hazards are recognized, a hazard prevention and control program can be designed.  This consists
of implementing a hierarchy of controls.   These controls provide a systematic way to determine the most effective feasible
method to reduce the risk associated with a hazard. 

Application of the hierarchy of controls takes into account the nature and extent of the risks being controlled, the degree of
risk reduction desired, the requirements of applicable federal and state standards, recognized best practices in industry,
available technology, cost effectiveness, and internal organization standards.  Often a combination of controls is most effective.
When controlling a hazard, first consider methods to eliminate the hazard or substitute a less hazardous method or process. 
If this is not feasible, engineering controls such as machine guards and ventilation systems should be considered.  This process
continues down the hierarchy until the highest-level feasible control is found.

Hierarchy of Controls:

• Elimination.
• Substitution of less hazardous materials, processes, operations or equipment.
• Engineering controls.
• Warnings.
• Administrative controls, training, job planning, rotation and scheduling, changes to work procedure, implementation of
  work area protection (e.g, barricades), and similar measures.
• Personal protective equipment.

Establish and implement processes to identify and take appropriate steps to prevent and control potential risks associated
with new processes or operations at the design stage and changes to its existing operations, products, services or suppliers. 
The design of machines, equipment, and facilities should take human factors (that is, the characteristics and capabilities of
humans) into account.  For example, warning lights should be designed to attract attention, based on the ability of the
human eye to detect and respond to light at different frequencies.  Workstations should be designed to minimize awkward
postures and undue force.
 
Other areas to establish and implement controls:

• Procurement - evaluate potential safety and health risks associated with purchased products, raw materials and other
  goods before introduction into the workplace.
• Contractors - evaluate and control potential safety and health risks to employees from contractor’s planned and
  unplanned activities, operations and materials on the organization’s premises, and to the contractors’ employees
  from the workplace environment.
• Emergency Preparedness - establish and implement a process to prevent, prepare for, and/or respond to emergencies.
• Medical Program – implement a medical care program to assist injured workers and maintain cost containment.
• Rules/Procedures – implement system for consistent and fair enforcement of rules and work practices.

Topic 2: Safety and Health Inspection

When conducting a safety and health inspection, observe the following:

• Material.
• Equipment and machinery.
• Environment.
• Employee work practices.

To ensure that you conduct the best possible inspections:

• Talk to workers.
• Observe workers at their jobs.
• Record observations with clear notes.
• Take photos or videos or make drawings.
• Look at control systems.
• Use direct reading equipment:
• Noise levels.
• Temperature and humidity.
• Light, meter, etc.

On inspections reports be sure to include:

• Potential hazard (including location, equipment, and personnel).
• Action taken (or to be taken).
• Responsible person for actions.
• Correction date.

Follow-up to implement needed corrections must be planned as a part of the self-inspection process.  During follow-up,
you may discover additional areas of concern that should be addressed.  You may also need to develop a written report
and recommendations to address concerns that require authorization or approval from upper management.  Your report
may include recommendations for:

• A better process.
• Relocation of a process.
• Redesign of a work area, process, equipment or tool.
• Provisions for Personal Protective Equipment.
• Changes to training programs.
• Retraining of staff.
• Increased attention to maintenance programs.

Activities: 

Safety and Health Inspection
Checklists remind us of what to look for and provide a place to record observations.  After time, we use them without
thinking about what we’re seeing.  In this activity, you will have a chance to see another person conduct a safety or health
inspection in your work area – and find out what he/she sees that you may be missing.

• Work in pairs.  In your work area, find a location where an accident has occurred that may have been prevented
  through better inspections.  If that doesn’t apply, then find a location that has a lot of activity and potential hazards.
• One person will do the safety and health inspection, while their partner observes and also write down their observations.
  Create a blank form that contains two columns.  The first column is:  Items Observed – materials, equipment,
  environment, employee work practices.  The second column is Potential Hazard—What to Look For.  Write
  down every item you observe and the potential hazard.
• Then, compare your notes with each other. Compare the items written down to those on your regular inspection
  checklist.  Discuss any suggestions to modify the checklist, to include those items in your safety and health
  inspection checklist.

Tools

• Self-Inspection Checklist. 
• Hazard Correction Tracking Form. 
• Excavator-Backhoe Annual Inspection Report.
• Construction Checklist for Safe Crane Operation.
• Construction Job Site Safety Review. 

Workplace HazCom Inspection
As a means to keep employees informed of hazardous materials, this inspection activity provides a good way for employees
to refresh their knowledge about the hazardous chemicals that they use.

• Use the Workplace HazCom Inspection form or use your company’s form.
• Prepare to conduct the inspection:
• Select and jot down 5-6 hazardous chemicals used in your work area. 
• Identify whether the chemical is non-hazardous or hazardous.  Refer to the label and/or Material Safety Data Sheets
  (MSDS.)
• List the hazards of each chemical.
• List whether the containers are properly labeled—minimum requirements include the name of the chemical, address
  of the manufacturer, and hazards of the chemical.
• Record whether a MSDS is available and where it is located.
• Record whether personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when using the chemical, and if so, what type is
  recommended.
• Record whether hazcom training has been provided.

Tool

• Workplace HazCom Inspection form. 

Topic 3: Emergency Evacuation Drill

Because we understand what to do in the event of an emergency, we seldom practice what to do.  The result is that if an
emergency occurs, we may not do the right thing—we won’t remember to activate the fire alarm, or where we’re supposed
to regroup after an evacuation, or any of the important details.  The ability to understand how to do something is not the same
as the ability to do it.

Activity

Practice Drill

On a designated day, supervisors review evacuation procedures with their people, and locations outside the building where
evacuees should regroup.  Review the entire facility plan with employees in case a fire breaks out when they are in another
area of the building.  Finally, conduct an actual drill when everyone evacuates the company and is accounted for in the
designated outside areas.

Tool

• Emergency Procedures - Safety Checklist.

Safety and Health Work Practices and Rules

Work practices and rules are essential for any organization because they prescribe the accepted behavior and practices the
employer expects of employees.  Ask employees for their input in composing rules and practices. The following examples
can be considered for safe work practice and rule development:

• Practicing good housekeeping.
• Wearing PPE.
• Practicing ergonomic principles.
• Using and following lockout/tagout procedures.
• Using and following confined space entry procedures.
• Using and following machine guarding procedures.
• Demonstrating negligence with company equipment or materials.
• Engaging in horseplay.
• Stealing company property.
• Provoking or engaging in an act of violence against another person on company property.
• Using alcohol, illegal or non-prescription drugs.
• Driving company vehicles unsafely.

Activities

Review Accident

• Develop a new or review a safety or health work practice.  Review a recent accident and see if there is a written
  safety or health work practice. If not, obtain employee input and develop a written safe work practice.  If there
  already is a written practice in place, review for accuracy and use as a training tool with employees.

List of Violations

• Make a list of the kinds of violations that you consider major or serious.  Make another list of safety and health or
  other behaviors, which are not acceptable.  Use these lists as a starting point to develop safety and health rules. 

Tool

• Construction Safety Rules.