Conducting Effective Sawmill Inspections
Introduction to Sawmill Purpose Inspection Training Provide training for JHSC members that focuses on sawmill inspection expectations. Familiarize everyone with WorkSafeBC Regulations and other applicable regulating bodies. Identify what should be inspected. What to do post inspection.
Relevant Legislation in BC Workers Compensation Act (WCA) WorkSafeBC Occupational Health & Safety Regulations (OHS regs) British Columbia Safety Authority (electrical safety) Transport Canada (Marine and Road Transportation Regulations Heli-logging in Timberlands ops) BC Fire Code National Fire Protection Association
Legal requirements WorkSafeBC OH&S Regulations. Workplace Inspections - 3.5 General requirement Every employer must ensure that regular inspections are made of all workplaces, including buildings, structures, grounds, excavations, tools, equipment, machinery and work methods and practices, at intervals that will prevent the development of unsafe working conditions.
Legal requirements WorkSafeBC OH&S Regulations. 3.8 Participation of the committee or representative An inspection required by section 3.5 and a major inspection required by section 3.7 must, where feasible, include the participation of members of the joint committee or the worker health and safety representative, as applicable, but (a) if there is no committee or worker health and safety representative the employer must designate an employer representative and the union must designate a worker representative, or (b) if there is no union the employer must invite the workers to designate one of their number.
3.5 General requirement Workplace Inspections 1. What are committee members attempting to identify when doing workplace inspections?. 2. How often should workplace inspections be conducted?. 3. When an unsafe condition is found during regular tour or inspection what steps should be followed? 4. Do committee members only do workplace inspections once a month?
Legal requirements WorkSafeBC OH&S Regulations. 3.7 Special inspections A special inspection must be made when required by malfunction or accident.
Legal requirements WorkSafeBC OH&S Regulations. 4.3 Safe machinery and equipment (1) The employer must ensure that each tool, machine and piece of equipment in the workplace is; (a) capable of safely performing the functions for which it is used, and (b) selected, used and operated in accordance with (i) the manufacturer's instructions, if available, (ii) safe work practices, and (iii) the requirements of this Regulation.
Legal requirements WorkSafeBC OH&S Regulations. 4.3 Safe machinery and equipment (continued) (2) Unless otherwise specified by this Regulation, the installation, inspection, testing, repair and maintenance of a tool, machine or piece of equipment must be carried out (a) in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and any standard the tool, machine or piece of equipment is required to meet, or (b) as specified by a professional engineer. (3) A tool, machine or piece of equipment determined to be unsafe for use must be identified in a manner which will ensure it is not inadvertently returned to service until it is made safe for use.
Legal requirements WorkSafeBC OH&S Regulations. 4.3 Safe machinery and equipment (contd.) (4) Unless otherwise specified by this Regulation, any modification of a tool, machine or piece of equipment must be carried out in accordance with (a) the manufacturer's instructions, if available, (b) safe work practices, and (c) the requirements of this Regulation.
Legal requirements Workers Compensation Act. Duties and functions of joint committee 130 A joint committee has the following duties and functions in relation to its workplace: (a) to identify situations that may be unhealthy or unsafe for workers and advise on effective systems for responding to those situations; (h) to ensure that accident investigations and regular inspections are carried out as required by this Part and the regulations; (i) to participate in inspections, investigations and inquiries as provided in this Part and the regulations
What Makes a Successful Health & Safety System? Successful safety and health systems have the following in place: Managers committed to making the program work. Employees involved in the program. A system to identify and control hazards. Compliance with OSHA regulations. Training on safe work practices. Mutual respect, caring and open communication in a climate conducive to safety. Continuous improvement
Conducting an Inspection During an inspection, identify unsafe conditions and activities that may cause injury or illness, so you can take corrective measures.
Once you know the hazards, you can decide how to control them. Prioritize the hazards you found Make a plan for correcting the hazards Correct the hazards Evaluate the changes.
Hierarchy of Control The best way to protect workers is to remove or eliminate the hazard from the workplace. Substitute dangerous chemicals, equipment or work methods with safer and less hazardous ones. Engineering controls do not eliminate hazards, but rather isolate people from hazards. Administrative controls are changes to the way people work.
Types of Hazards Chemical Biological Physical Ergonomic Psychosocial
Inspection Tools
How Do We Inspect Quality, not quantity It s about being acutely aware of everything around you. Look up Look down Look all around Look at everything and everyone It s not a race to get from point A to point B! Schedule the time to do the inspection properly. The moment you become focused on getting somewhere or distracted (such as running late for a meeting), you will start to look, but not see!
What to Focus on Here are some examples of things to look for: Uncorrected problems from the previous inspection report Workers not following safe work procedures or procedures that aren t correct Improper storage of materials (for example, in front of emergency exits or electrical panels, or blocking aisles or stairs) Accumulation of liquid or grease on floors Failure to put a sign or barrier near wet floors Lack of guarding on equipment Poor maintenance of equipment
Strategic Inspection There are four steps to setting up a good work place inspection program: 1.Planning the action to be taken. 2.Physical inspection of premises. 3.Writing reports. 4.Following up on recommendations.
Housekeeping Tripping hazards, garbage and debris, improperly stored tools and equipment, cabs and enclosures clean and orderly. Stairways and landings are clear of debris.
Slips, Trips and Falls What are examples of controls of slip, trip and fall hazards? 1. Eliminate 2. Substitute 3. Engineering 4. Administrative 5. PPE
PPE (including contractors) Mandatory PPE throughout the site - steel toe boots with ankle support, safety eyewear and hardhat. Hearing protection must be used where required. Gloves must be used where required. Appropriate high-viz is required when exposed to the hazard of vehicles or mobile equipment.
Confined Space Proper signage. All spaces have been identified and assessment complete. Emergency drill completed in the last year. Permit in place if required Air quality monitoring if required Ventilation if required Stand by person identified Rescue plan in place
Fall Protection guardrails if a raised walkway is over 4 ft. above the adjacent floor or above a hazard. Equipment inspections completed prior to use. Annual inspection competed. Proper anchor points (engineered). Equipment properly set up.
Lockout (includes proper use of latchout) All forms of energy and required equipment are de-energized/ isolated. Equipment is stopped before disconnects are disengaged. Disconnects are properly disengaged. Worker test starts and visually confirms equipment is in a zero energy state. Worker ensures stop button is pressed after test start is complete. Disconnect is properly re-energized.
Gates in working order / shut Latches installed. Purpose of gate is clear. Gates or chains preventing entry must have signage. Access gates and chains are closed.
Guarding Guarding as per OHS regulation. Can t reach Around, Under, Through or Over (AUTO) If a guard (or gate used to prevent access to an unguarded area) can be removed without a tool then that area must be considered unguarded.
Combustible Dust Unacceptable accumulations of combustible dust. Dust inspection records. Dust testing records. Dust inspection and testing records when conditions change (eg. 10 hr. shifts or species change). Unacceptable use of compressed air.
Hotwork Permits being filled out correctly. Appropriate cleaning and wetting down prior to hotwork. Workers have been trained in hotwork. Firewatch monitors constantly for ½ hour after hotwork. Firewatch assigned and monitored hourly after hotwork completed.
Fire protection Fire extinguishers have current tag and are inspected and available where identified. Smoking only in designated areas. Only service hoses used for fire watch. Fire extinguishers and hoses are accessible (not blocked). Fire drill completed within the last year.
Management of change New equipment Change in process Increase in shifts (Dust, inspections, first aid coverage) Species change
Mobile equipment operation Pre-trip has been completed. Driving to conditions. Equipment parked with forks on the ground and park brake on. Empty forklift operating with forks close to the ground and tilted back. Seatbelts are used. Functioning backup alarm. No turning on incline or decline.
Mobile equipment interface with workers Workers using designated walkways. Proper stepping of loads at walkways. Proper piling of loads. Confirmed contact with operator prior to proceeding. Head lights are being used.
Yard walkways and restricted areas Walkways clearly defined/visible Walkways clear. Infeed/Outfeed hazard areas identified. Overhead hazards clearly identified.
Seatbelts Seatbelts secured and worn as designed when vehicle or equipment is in motion. Check for tears. Seat belts are pretty durable, but even minor tears or frays in a strap could turn into a major problem. Examine buckles regularly. The buckles themselves should be checked at regular intervals.
Truck loading / unloading Truck driver, load checker and forklift are on the same side of the truck and visible to one another. 30 safe separation maintained. Proper strapping. Tarping/fall protection must occur at approved stations. No one approaches the forklift without permission.
Working alone / Man overboard Man overboard system is fully functional. Check daily documentation of man overboard system test. Working alone procedure is in place.
Boom safety Life jackets are being properly worn. Ensure man overboard beacon is on. Caulk boots in good condition. Boat secured when unattended.
Hoisting / Mechanical lifting Rating clearly identified on the beam. Weight capacities are not exceed. Pre-use inspection is documented. Adequate equipment and rating (hook condition, safety latch etc.) Proper rigging (see wire rope / synthetic sling fail criteria)
Tools (unavailable or in poor condition) The tools required to do the job are present and are in good working condition such as Hand held grinders have guards for grinding wheel or cutting disk. Cord in good condition etc.. Bench grinders have guards and 1/8 gap (maximum) between grinding wheel and tool rest. Compressed gas stored upright when practicable. Compressed gas secured during transport, use and storage. Compressed gas marked with rated pressure and type of gas.
Pike pole picaroon peavey use Tools in good condition. Correct length of pike pole for the task. Tools stored properly. No one in the line of fire when tool is being used.
Ladders Ladder in good condition. Proper ladder for the task. Proper use of ladder. i.e. Tied off, level ground, proper angle and extension (1 metre above upper landing). Not using top two steps. No carrying of heavier bulkier objects when on ladder. Ladder has feet (Do NOT USE a detached top section of an extension ladder).
Overhead hazards Toe boards on overhead working areas. The area underneath an overhead hazard is identified and controlled when lifting is occurring. Workers are not under a suspended load or in the line of fire if the load spilled.
Electrical Electrical cords in good condition and being properly used. Clear access to MCCs and disconnect panels. No open electrical boxes or exposed wires. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) used outdoors or in damp conditions.
Cross-shift management Work station is clean for incoming shift. Any new hazards are communicated to the following shift. Between shift maintenance items are communicated to the supervisor or to the incoming worker. Immediate hazards have been removed from the area to allow for a safe and efficient start for the incoming shift.
Structural integrity of facilities Welds on platforms. Condition of catwalks and platforms. Staircases and steps in good condition. Stairs are secure. Post and beams are in good condition. Annual inspections completed where required.
Kiln safety Working alone process in place for hot checks. Swamper in the clear during kiln building process. Spotter used while pushing carts.
Three point contact Use of rails when on stairwells. No double stepping. Proper access egress of equipment always facing the machine.
Ergonomics Proper lifting and bending techniques. Work station setup/operator controls. Positioning during upset conditions.
WHMIS / MSDS Current MSDS sheets. Secondary storage is labeled. Product identified for day use storage.
Signage No conflicting signage. No signs with legacy operation logos. Signs are in good condition and are legible.
After the Inspection Remedy serious hazards or unsafe work practices immediately; this is a legal obligation. Prioritize other, less serious hazards and assign someone to remedy each one. Follow up on any actions that will take time to complete (for example, purchasing new equipment). Communicate inspection findings to workers. Ensure that the safety committee has access to, and reviews, the inspection reports and process.
Critical items to remember? Report hazards with high potential immediately. Also known as imminent danger. What are some examples? If asked a question, don t guess at an answer. Get help. It s not a race. Quality trumps quantity.
Have the courage to speak up / intervene. When we observe an unsafe situation developing, there are only 2 choices you can make: Will you say something and intervene or Say nothing? How would you feel if the situation resulted in a serious close call or worse, an injury to a co-worker?