Objective 02: Safety Checklists, Inspections, Audits, Reviews

Question 1

What is the purpose of checklists, inspections, audits and review?

Answer 1

1. 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

Question 2

What are the benefits of using checklists, inspections, audits, and review?

Answer 2

1. Confirm compliance

2. Provide plant management and employees with information which they can use to prevent incidents

Question 3

Checklist

Answer 3

A series of standard observations or actions that, when checked off, indicate that the applicable observation or action has been made

Question 4

What are some uses of checklists?

Answer 4

1. Initiate corrective action
2. Track results
3. Provide evidence of the results of safety procedures

Question 5

What are some common checklists?

Answer 5

1. Emergency Equipment Tests - emergency alarm, fire pumps, emergency shower
2. Housekeeping
3. Measuring equipment calibration - explosimeter, oxygen meter
4. Shutdown device tests

Question 6

What do supervisors use facility Safety Inspections for?

Answer 6

To determine that the required measures to control hazards are performed on an ongoing basis

Question 7

When are Safety Inspections performed?

Answer 7

On a scheduled basis, usually weekly

Question 8

What basic activity is performed via Safety Inspections?

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

If a supervisors chooses to form a team to carry out Safety Inspections, who is typically included in the team?

Answer 9

1. Employee Health and Safety Committee Member
2. Maintenance Representative
3. Supervisor as leader

Question 10

Why do Supervisors typically lead Safety Inspections?

Answer 10

1. Emphasize the importance that the supervisor places on safety
2. Supervisor is legally responsible to ensure everything possible is done to protect the health and safety of workers

Question 11

What is the purpose of Safety Audits?

Answer 11

To evaluate the effectiveness of each element of the overall health and safety program

Question 12

What is the best way to conduct audits, quantity-wise?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Why are multi audits preferable?

Answer 13

1. The approach of an audit may encourage management to act especially safe temporarily
2. Continuous improvement is facilitated as resulting requirements for action to correct deficiencies and improve processes are spread throughout the year

Question 14

Which personnel conducts Safety Audits?

Answer 14

1. Not directly responsible for the activity being examined
2. Familiar with both the company health and safety program and applicable regulatory requirements
3. Impartial and objective
4. Trained in how to conduct effective audits

Question 15

What 5 questions do all audit comments, recommendations, and corrective actions focus on?

Answer 15

1. Does the program cover all regulatory and best industry practice requirements?
2. Has the program been properly implemented and maintained
3. Is there documented proof of compliance
4. Is the program addressing the priority areas of risk
5. Is the plant’s health and safety plan being achieved

Question 16

Which areas do Safety Audits probe?

Answer 16

1. Employee knowledge
2. Written program review
3. Program administration
4. Record and document review
5. Equipment and material
6. General area walk-through

Question 17

What do Safety Audits probe about Employee Knowledge?

Answer 17

That they are effectively trained such that they have the knowledge required to operate in a safe manner on a daily basis.

Question 18

What determines the level of health and safety knowledge an employee should have?

Answer 18

Their specific activities, duties, and responsibilities

Question 19

How do Safety Audits probe Employee Knowledge?

Answer 19

1. Written Quizzes
2. Formal Interviews
3. Informal Questions

Question 20

What do Safety Audits probe during the Written Program Review?

Answer 20

The Plant Program is compared to requirements for hazard identification and control, required employee training, and record keeping as required by the government

Question 21

What do Safety Audits probe about Program Administration?

Answer 21

The implementation and management of specific program requirements

Question 22

What do Safety Audits probe during the Record and Document Review?

Answer 22

1. Records that demonstrate that specific regulatory requirements are being met
2. Results, recommendations, and corrective actions from previous program audits are reviewed in order to determine whether there has been continuous improvement

Question 23

What do Safety Audits probe about Equipment and Material?

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Why do Safety Audits perform a General Area Walk-Through?

Answer 24

To obtain additional insight into the effectiveness of safety programs and to note down any unsafe conditions and unsafe acts observed

Question 25

What does planning a Safety Audit involve?

Answer 25

1. Establishing and providing the scope of the audit a few days before the audit
2. Ensuring that the members of the audit team are knowledgeable and competent to carry out the audit
3. Planning the fact gathering
4. Ensuring that the results of past audits are available

Question 26

What is produced as a result of a Safety Audit?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

To whom are the results of a Safety Audit presented?

Answer 27

Supervisors and managers are informed of the basic findings and recommendations and recognized for personal accomplishments

Question 28

What Follow-Up Action is taken after a Safety Audit?

Answer 28

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

Question 29

How do Annual Safety Review/Management Reviews differ from monthly audits?

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Who conducts the Annual Safety Review?

Answer 30

Top management

Question 31

What items does an Annual Safety Review assess?

Answer 31

1. Possible need for changes to policies and objectives in light of changing circumstances and the commitment to continuous improvement
2. 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

Question 32

What results from Annual Safety Reviews?

Answer 32

1. New or updated objectives for continuous improvement appropriate for the upcoming period
2. Possibly changes to the health and safety management system
3. Appropriate resources are included in the applicable budget areas