Checklist for Hazardous Materials

How to Carryout Workplace Inspections?

Preparedness for the Inspection

The accomplishment of worksite inspections builds upon the essential and mandatory information. There should also be an entire system of management controls which is formative enough to permit for alterations to be made, for example in equipment or work practices, when required.

To appropriate identify hazards, the inspector conducting the inspection should have the essential training, which should include the following:

1. The Plant & Machinery layout – a floor plan is useful in preparing for the worksite inspection and documenting the inspection findings
2. The possible hazards related to the various machinery, equipment, materials, substance and processes
3. Existing hazard controls, applicable standards and regulations
4. Ministry of Labour (MOL) inspection reports.
5. Outcomes of previous inspections
6. Accident/incidents data
7. MEP reports

Conducting the Worksite Inspection

Making sure that all items are highlighted during the site inspection, it is beneficial to make checklists having reference, in point form, to all possible hazards. These inspection checklists should never be considered as permanent lists. They should be analysed, review as necessary – for example, when machinery or processes are altered/changed or when accident experience reveals previously unsuspected hazards.

The following attached checklist sample for hazardous materials is for your ease to inspect the material. The checklist should have references to the hazards of:

• Tools, machinery and guarding, materials handling equipment 
• Physical Factors (floors, exits, lighting, work station layout, task design, noise)

How to Conduct Workplace Inspections?

Documentation of Observation

It is mandatory to analyse and review all the information gathered and rank each problem in terms of its importance. All detected and identified hazards should be classified into A, B, or C, as follows:

1. Class a Hazard

A condition or practice likely to cause permanent disability of human body, loss of life or body part, and/or extensive loss of structure, equipment or material in financial terms.  eg, an unguarded saw.

2. Class B Hazard

A condition or practice possibly to cause serious injury or illness, resulting in temporary disability (human) or property (financial) but not extensive.  For example, spilt oil on the main aisle or water on the floor.

3. Class C Hazard

A condition or practice potential to cause minor, non-disabling injury or illness (human), or nondestructive property damage (Financial terms). E.g., handling substance or chemicals without using proper protective gloves.

Identification

• Containers labelled appropriately to meet the state’s legal requirements?
• Our labels are easy to read?
• Safety data sheets (SDSs) available, current and complete?

Preventive Measures Ventilation-PMV

• Ventilation proper/adequate? (evidence of dust, fumes, etc., may be caused by inadequate or malfunctioning ventilation system)

Handling Procedures and Equipment & Machinery

• Handling procedures appropriate and adopted?
• Industrial hygiene facilities provided?  (for example, locker rooms, changing room, showers, laundry facilities, etc.)
• Eating/drinking on work prohibited was swallowing the material/substances may be a problem?
• “No Smoking” signs posted near flammables/combustibles material/substances?

Leaks and Spills

• Evidence of substances/materials leaks or spills?
• Various cleaning procedures appropriate and followed?

Waste Disposal

• Proper and essential waste disposal procedures followed?

Storage

• Are Chemical/substance storage conditions appropriate?
• Proper safety containers for flammable liquids/substances?

PPE

• Proper and essential personal protective equipment (PPE) adequate and used?
• Gloves
• Footwear
• Respirators
• Eye Protection
• Other

Download File

Checklist for Hazardous Materials