Objective 02: Safety Checklists, Inspections, Audits, Reviews Flashcards
What is the purpose of checklists, inspections, audits and review?
- To control and measure safety performance in a plant
2. To establish trends that identify how well the health and safety management system is operating
What are the benefits of using checklists, inspections, audits, and review?
- Confirm compliance
2. Provide plant management and employees with information which they can use to prevent incidents
Checklist
A series of standard observations or actions that, when checked off, indicate that the applicable observation or action has been made
What are some uses of checklists?
- Initiate corrective action
- Track results
- Provide evidence of the results of safety procedures
What are some common checklists?
- Emergency Equipment Tests - emergency alarm, fire pumps, emergency shower
- Housekeeping
- Measuring equipment calibration - explosimeter, oxygen meter
- Shutdown device tests
What do supervisors use facility Safety Inspections for?
To determine that the required measures to control hazards are performed on an ongoing basis
When are Safety Inspections performed?
On a scheduled basis, usually weekly
What basic activity is performed via Safety Inspections?
Deficiencies and non-conformances are noted, documented and shared with everyone in the work unit so that action can be taken to correct the deficiencies.
If a supervisors chooses to form a team to carry out Safety Inspections, who is typically included in the team?
- Employee Health and Safety Committee Member
- Maintenance Representative
- Supervisor as leader
Why do Supervisors typically lead Safety Inspections?
- Emphasize the importance that the supervisor places on safety
- Supervisor is legally responsible to ensure everything possible is done to protect the health and safety of workers
What is the purpose of Safety Audits?
To evaluate the effectiveness of each element of the overall health and safety program
What is the best way to conduct audits, quantity-wise?
Rather than a single audit, it’s better to conduct sub-audits of different elements of the health and safety management process or program throughout the year
Why are multi audits preferable?
- The approach of an audit may encourage management to act especially safe temporarily
- Continuous improvement is facilitated as resulting requirements for action to correct deficiencies and improve processes are spread throughout the year
Which personnel conducts Safety Audits?
- Not directly responsible for the activity being examined
- Familiar with both the company health and safety program and applicable regulatory requirements
- Impartial and objective
- Trained in how to conduct effective audits
What 5 questions do all audit comments, recommendations, and corrective actions focus on?
- Does the program cover all regulatory and best industry practice requirements?
- Has the program been properly implemented and maintained
- Is there documented proof of compliance
- Is the program addressing the priority areas of risk
- Is the plant’s health and safety plan being achieved
Which areas do Safety Audits probe?
- Employee knowledge
- Written program review
- Program administration
- Record and document review
- Equipment and material
- General area walk-through
What do Safety Audits probe about Employee Knowledge?
That they are effectively trained such that they have the knowledge required to operate in a safe manner on a daily basis.
What determines the level of health and safety knowledge an employee should have?
Their specific activities, duties, and responsibilities
How do Safety Audits probe Employee Knowledge?
- Written Quizzes
- Formal Interviews
- Informal Questions
What do Safety Audits probe during the Written Program Review?
The Plant Program is compared to requirements for hazard identification and control, required employee training, and record keeping as required by the government
What do Safety Audits probe about Program Administration?
The implementation and management of specific program requirements
What do Safety Audits probe during the Record and Document Review?
- Records that demonstrate that specific regulatory requirements are being met
- Results, recommendations, and corrective actions from previous program audits are reviewed in order to determine whether there has been continuous improvement
What do Safety Audits probe about Equipment and Material?
The processes that are in place to ensure operability of the equipment and the integrity of the materials, especially as it relates to hazard control systems
Why do Safety Audits perform a General Area Walk-Through?
To obtain additional insight into the effectiveness of safety programs and to note down any unsafe conditions and unsafe acts observed
What does planning a Safety Audit involve?
- Establishing and providing the scope of the audit a few days before the audit
- Ensuring that the members of the audit team are knowledgeable and competent to carry out the audit
- Planning the fact gathering
- Ensuring that the results of past audits are available
What is produced as a result of a Safety Audit?
A concise report that details all areas of the program focusing on the 5 basic questions. Each program requirement is addressed, deficiency noted, and recommendations for improvement presented
To whom are the results of a Safety Audit presented?
Supervisors and managers are informed of the basic findings and recommendations and recognized for personal accomplishments
What Follow-Up Action is taken after a Safety Audit?
Appropriate actions to implement each recommendation is developed and incorporated into the plant’s health and safety plan together with target dates and accountability. If any recommendation is rejected, the reasons for the rejection need to be properly documented
How do Annual Safety Review/Management Reviews differ from monthly audits?
Audits focus on whether the system, as designed, is working properly. The Annual Safety Review examines the adequacy, effectiveness, and suitability of the program taking into account the organization’s overall business objectives and external and internal factors
Who conducts the Annual Safety Review?
Top management
What items does an Annual Safety Review assess?
- Possible need for changes to policies and objectives in light of changing circumstances and the commitment to continuous improvement
- Operation of the health and safety management system to assess whether it’s being fully implemented and remains suitable for achieving the organization’s stated health and safety policies and objectives
What results from Annual Safety Reviews?
- New or updated objectives for continuous improvement appropriate for the upcoming period
- Possibly changes to the health and safety management system
- Appropriate resources are included in the applicable budget areas
