Hazard Identification Is Carried Out According To Site Specified Safety Requirements (SO3-AC3)

When conducting inspections, follow these basic inspection principles to identify hazards:

• Draw attention to the presence of any immediate danger - other items can await the final report.
• Shut down and "lock out" any hazardous items that cannot be brought to a safe operating standard until repaired.
• Do not operate the equipment. Ask the operator for a demonstration. If the operator of any piece of equipment does not know what dangers may be present, this is cause for concern. Never ignore any item because you do not have the knowledge to make an accurate judgement of safety.
• Look up, down, around and inside. Be methodical and thorough. Do not spoil the inspection with a "once-over-lightly" approach.
• Clearly describe each hazard and its exact location in your rough notes. Allow "on-the-spot" recording of all findings before they are forgotten. Record what you have or have not examined in case the inspection is interrupted.
• Ask questions, but do not unnecessarily disrupt work activities. This interruption may interfere with the efficient assessment of the job function and may also create a potentially hazardous situation.
• Consider the static (stop position) and dynamic (in motion) conditions of the item you are inspecting. If a machine is shut down, consider postponing the inspection until it is functioning again.
• Consider factors such as how the work is organised or the pace of work and how these factors impact safety.
• Discuss as a group, "Can any problem, hazard or accident generate from this situation when looking at the equipment, the process or the environment?" Determine what corrections or controls are appropriate.
• Do not try to detect all hazards simply by relying on your senses or by looking at them during the inspection. You may have to monitor equipment to measure the levels of exposure to chemicals, noise, radiation or biological agents.
• Take a photograph if you are unable to clearly describe or sketch a particular situation.

To make a report, first, copy all unfinished items from the previous report into the new report. Then write down the observed unsafe condition and recommended methods of control. Enter the department or area inspected, the date and the inspection team's names and titles on top of the page. Number each item consecutively, followed by a hazard classification of items according to the chosen scheme.

State exactly what has been detected and accurately identify its location. Instead of stating "machine unguarded," state "guard missing on upper pulley #carpentry maintenance area".

Assign a priority level to the hazards observed to indicate the urgency of the corrective action required. For example:

A = Major - requires immediate action

B = Serious - requires short-term action

C = Minor - requires long-term action

Report issues in a concise, factual way. Management should be able to understand and evaluate the problems, assign priorities and quickly reach decisions.

After each listed hazard, specify the recommended corrective action and establish a definite correction date if possible and appropriate. Each inspection team member should review for accuracy, clarity and thoroughness.