Workplace Safety Observation Tour Notes

Transcription

1 Workplace Safety Observation Tour Notes The following summary report highlights key observation findings noted during the 2012 COR Safety Audit. The intent of this document is to share the 2012 observation findings with each District facility and provide each facility the same opportunity to enhance safety in their workplace. The attached photos are intended to provide examples, not to single out any one facility. The entire audit process is based on a snapshot in time, and in interpreted as closely as possible by the auditor. Administrators and non-school based leads are encouraged to share this document with their employees in an effort to increase awareness and begin monitoring your workplace. Safety Mentions Well organized art room with engineered storage units. Great strapping system installed to store the large physical education mats. A power bar has been installed along the wall of a classroom to help reduce the amount of cords on the floor and in the walkway. The cleanest and best organized classroom! Well Organized Shop Area Great Storage System Shelving Unit (heavy items on the bottom) Under Desk Shoe Management

2 Good Storage Practice A homemade tag-out tag was placed on a piece of defective equipment, great practice. The red tape used to secure cords and wires in some of the classrooms increases visibility. The tape appears to be both heavy duty and quite adhesive. Caretaking rooms were well organized using hooks and holders to neatly store many pieces of equipment. Staff members have managed the wires and cords in their workspace by using wall hooks. The drama lights have been hung onto a racking system for storage while not in use. A homemade Out of Order sign has been placed on a bench grinder in a shop. A protective strip has been placed on the edges of a flammables cabinet after a cut injury occurred recently.

3 The Science Lab Technician has decorated her safety goggles to help easily identify and locate them. Such a practice shows the importance of such equipment to students. Great Storage Unit Great Cord Management A CTS shop had implemented a storage system to neatly hang brooms and dust pans keeping them off the floor and out of the corners. The art room appeared to be very well organized with lots of engineered storage racking. Great cord management one of the computer labs. A computer lab had installed what looks like modified conduit to attempt to contain the multiple computer cables and cords.

4 Opportunities for Improvement There were many areas noted with paper less than 18 from ceiling, paper on paper and non-emergency paper posted less than 1 meter from the doorway. Restricted Workspace Potential to Block Fire Extinguisher Physical-education equipment has been stored in the Airhandling room beside a large overhead water valve. Fluorescent light fixtures were stored on top of each other. The students use the light fixtures for projects. The tubes can be easily broken when stored in this manner. A bench grinder was missing the brush rest. Pinch Point- Injury Risk Improper Overhead Storage Practices

5 Daisy Chains Unsecured Fire Extinguishers Portable space heater on small table in classroom walkway. Heavy boxes on top shelf. A container marked with WHMIS labeling indicating it was hand soap in the caretaking supply room must be relabeled as the container did not contain hand soap. Wooden easels were noted as loosely piled overhead and on top of a storage unit. A hallway marked as an emergency exit route was noted as partially blocked by the storage of equipment Excess and Unsecured Storage

6 Storage was noted quite close to a few sprinkler heads in the school. Consider purchasing protective cages to keep the sprinkler head from being damaged and potentially causing further damage. It might be beneficial to share with all employees at an upcoming staff meeting the importance of keeping the sprinkler heads free of storage for ultimate performance but also to prevent damage. The shredding bin in one staff kitchen area was noted as stuffed back in a corner with items stored around it and on top of it. The District is responsible to ensure the safety of contractors while on site. The excess lifting and maneuvering that may be required by the shredding company s employees while emptying the shredding bin could result in an injury. Excess Clutter in Office Walkway Improper Storage/Restricted Access/ Limited Mobility Unapproved Fridge Under Desk and Excess Clutter Daisy Chain and Trip Hazard Excess Storage Under Computer Workspace File Storage on Office Floor- Slip/Trip Hazard Unsecured Storage Improperly Loaded Shelving Unit (Top Heavy)

7 Clutter in aisles and storage near electrical panels. Damaged Power Cord Frayed Power Cord Overhead storage should be revisited in the caretaker room. Consider providing sufficient shelving or storage units for the required equipment. Ladder blocking emergency door and extinguisher. Damaged rest and rest out too far. Man door noted as having objects stored in the pathway. These items could become obstacles during an emergency evacuation situation. No Exit sign on the door. Old copies of the District s Commitment to H&S still posted in some facilities. An employee was noted with excess storage under their work space desk area, restricting proper ergonomics. Cord Issues

8 Unmounted Household Mirror Among Cords Improper StoragePractices Blocked Emergency Equipment Some desk areas were noted as having limited space that can restrict the teacher s movement while working and accessing their desk and articles. Some areas contained small book shelves that appeared to be overloaded. An emergency stop button was noted as difficult to access in shop. The emergency alarm bell was noted plugged by a cloth. Tables stored behind classroom door. Risk of Injury to Caretakers Blocked Electrical Panel Blocked Panel & Items Hung on Panel

9 Desk Floor Space Restricted Storage in Mechanical Room Daisy Chaaaaain Unauthorized Appliances Blocked Fire Extinguisher Fire Extinguisher Partially Blocked Restricted access to emergency equipment. Ladder too short for area. Frayed Power Cord Wrapped in Electrical Tape Evacuation kit- Not ready to go.

10 Map rolls were noted leaning in a corner of a classroom. The maps could be knocked over and cause both injury and damage to the maps. Consider a storage rack to hold the rolls of maps. Excess items appeared to be stored in the infirmary, restricting access to the First Ait kit and cot. The furniture being used to store the microphone for the PA system in the front office area does not provide enough work space. A bookshelf in an office was noted as insufficient for the current use. It appeared over stacked, improperly stacked, and was not secured from tipping over. Consider a more effective use of the space and more appropriate shelving. A bent shelving unit in a storage room was noted as having a heavy item stored on it. Exposed Wires Storage at Bottom of Stairs.

11 OTHERS (No Pictures) Safety Mentions Hazard tape was applied to step edges in a mechanical room to identify the quick step-down in the room. Cages have been mounted around most fluorescent light tubes in a school. The MSDS in most science labs were up to date. Ladders were noted secured to the wall in a caretaking room. The District vehicle inspected contained a triangle kit, and a fire extinguisher. The active construction area was marked off by pylons and red caution tape. A caretaker was observed using a step ladder during the observation tour. The ladder usage practices observed appeared to be appropriate. The employee was using the ladder shelf to hold needed supplies. He activated the ladder locks and did not climb onto the top two rungs. The employee was not over-reaching while conducting the job task. A gym storage room was extremely full but appeared to be quite well organized. Opportunities for Improvement One classroom door and an office were noted with the lockdown coverings permanently affixed to the window on the door. Many rooms were noted with paper on paper displays. Many classrooms were noted with more than 20% of their classrooms covered with paper The First Aid kits in the building were not stocked to the required levels The inside loading dock/shipping area was noted as poorly lit. The task lighting should be reviewed in the area. Some offices were using portable space heaters that were not CSA approved. An eyewash fountain was available however the tap required repairs. Ensure the tap is repaired or replaced. The MSDS in a staff lunchroom were outdated. Much of the safety documents in the staff lunchroom were noted as quite old. A Media Communications lab contained multiple power bars under the front desk area. There were seven power bars that could be identified, however there could possibly have be more in the mix. Unapproved portable air conditioning units were noted in the drama theatre. Most of the First Aid kits throughout the schools were missing the required contents list. A couch was noted in front of an emergency exit door in a drama room. The Formula 333 spray bottles were not labelled. Consider revising documentation storage procedures to ensure the current year of safety documentation is stored in the blue binder. Confirm the District s suggested documentation storage practices with either David Rost or Greg Moore. An employee working with heavy textbooks was noted wearing open toed footwear. Consider reviewing the risks associated with the falling text books in this area to determine if this risk is acceptable. Gym equipment was noted stored in the mechanical room. The Home-Economics room did not appear to have a set of oven mitts for each oven. An extension cord was noted without a ground plug. Spray bottles in almost all facilities did not display proper WHMIS labeling. Thank you. Lori Markowsky External AASP COR Auditor E-HSA-122