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SELF-INSPECTION CHECKLISTS (Page 1 of 2)

These checklists are by no means all-inclusive. You should add to them or delete portions or items that do not apply to your operations, however, carefully consider each item as you come to it and then make your decision. You also will need to refer to OSHA standards for complete and specific standards that may apply to your work situation.

Employer posting | Recordkeeping | Safety & Health Program | Medical Services & First Aid | Fire Protection | PPE & Clothing | General Work Environment | Walkways | Floor & Wall Openings | Stairs & Stairways | Elevated Surfaces | Exiting or Egress | Exit Doors | Portable Ladders | Hand Tools & Equipment | Portable (power operated) Tools & Equipment | Abrasive Wheel Equipment-Grinders | Powder-Actuated Tools | Machine Guarding | Lockout Blockout Procedures | Welding, Cutting, & Brazing.

Employer Posting

  • Is the required OSHA workplace poster displayed in a prominent location where all employees are likely to see it?
  • Are emergency telephone numbers posted where they can be readily found in case of emergency?
  • Where employees may be exposed to any toxic substances or harmful physical agents, has appropriate information concerning employee access to medical and exposure records and "Material Safety Data Sheets" been posted or otherwise made readily available to affected employees?
  • Are signs concerning "Exiting form buildings," room capacities, floor loading, biohazards exposures to x-ray, microwave, or other harmful radiation or substances posted where appropriate?
  • Is the Summary of Occupational Illnesses and Injuries posted in the month of February?

    • Recordkeeping

  • Are all occupational injury or illness, except minor injuries requiring only first aid, being recorded as required on the OSHA 200 log?
  • Are employee medical recors and records of employee exposure to hazardous substance or harmful physical agents up-to-date and in compliance with current OSHA standards?
  • Are employee training records kept and accessible for review by employees, when required by OSHA standards?
  • Have arrangements been made to maintain required records for the legal period of time for each specific type record? (Some records must be maintained for at least 40 years.)
  • Are operating permits and records up-to-date for such items as elevators, air pressure tanks, liquefied petroleum gas tanks, etc.?

    • Safety and Health Program

  • Do you have an active safety and health program in operation that deals with general safety and health program elements as well as the management of hazards specific to your worksite?
  • Is on person clearly responsible for the overall activities of the safety and health program?
  • Do you have a safety committee or group made up of management and labor representatives that meets regularly and report in writing on its activities?
  • Do you have a working procedure for handling in-house employee complaints regarding safety and health?
  • Are you keeping your employees advised of the successful effort and accomplishments you and/or your safety committee have made in assuring they will have a workplace that is safe and healthful?

    • Medical Services and First-Aid

  • Is there a hospital, clinic, or infimary for medical care in proximity of your workplace?
  • If medical and first-aid facilities are not in proximity of your workplace, is at least one employee on each shift currently qualified to render first aid?
  • Have all employees who are expected to respond to medical emergencies as part of their work: (1) received first-aid training (2) had hepatitis B vaccination made available to them (3) had appropriate training on procedures to protect them from bllodborne pathogens, including universal precautions (4) have available and understand how to use appropriate personal protective equipment to protect against exposure to bloodborne diseases?
  • Where employees have had an exposure incident involving bloodborne pathogens, did you provide an immediate post-exposure medical evaluation and follow-up?
  • Are medical personnel readily available for advice and consultation on matters of employees' health?
  • Are emergency phone numbers posted?
  • Are first-aid kits easily accessible to each work area, with necessary supplies available, periodically inspected and replenished as needed?
  • Have first-aid kit supplies been approved by a physician indicating that they are adequate for a particular area or operation?
  • Are means provided for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body in areas where corrosive liquids or materials are handled?
    • Pursuant to an OHSA memorandum of July 1, 1992, employees who render first aid only as a collateral duty do not have to be offered pre-exposure hepatitis B vaccine only if the employer puts the following requirements into his/her exposure control plan and implements them: (1) the employer must record all first-aid incidetns involving the presence of blood or other potentially infectious materials before the end of the work shift during which the first-aid incident occurred. (2) the employer must comply with post-exposure prophylaxis and followup requirements of the standard with respect to "exposure incidents" as defined by the standard. (3) the employer must train designated first-aid providers about the reporting procedure. (4) the employer must offer to initiate the hepatitis B vaccination series within 24 hours to all unvaccinated first-aid providers who have rendered assistance in any situation involving the presence of blood or other potentially infectious materials.

    Fire Protection

  • Is your local fire department well acquainted with your facilities, its location and specific hazards?
  • If you have a fire alarm system, is it certified as required?
  • If you have a fire alarm system, is it tested at least annually?
  • If you have interior stand pipes and valves, are they inspected regularly?
  • If you have outside private fire hydrants, are they flushed at least once a year and on a routine preventive maintenance schedule?
  • Are fire doors and shutters in good operating condition?
  • Are automatic sprinkler system water control valves, air and water pressure checked weekly/periodically as required?
  • Is the maintenace of automatic sprinkler systems assigned to responsible persons or to a sprinkler contractor?
  • Are sprinkler heads protected by metal guards, when exposed to physical damage?
  • Is the proper clearance maintained below sprinkler heads?
  • Are portable fire extinguishers provided in adequate number and type?
  • Are fire extinguishers mounted in readily accessible locations?
  • Are fire extinguishers recharged regularly and noted on the inspection tag?
  • Are employees periodically instructed in the use of extinguishers and fire protection procedures?

    • Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing

  • Are protective goggles or face shields provide and worn where there is any danger of flying particles or corrosive materials?
  • Are approved safety glasses required to be worn at all times in areas where there is a risk or eye injuries such as puntures, abrasions, contusions or burns?
  • Are employees who need corrective lenses (glasses or contacts) in working environments having harmful exposures, required to wear only approved safety glasses, protective goggles, or use other medically approved precautionary procedures?
  • Are protective gloves, aprons, shields, or other means provided and required where employees could be cut or where there is reasonably anticipated exposure to corrosive liquids, chemicals, blood, or ohter potentially infectious materials. See 29 CFR 1910.1030(b) for the definition of "other potententially infectious materials."
  • Are hard hats provided and worn where danger of falling objects exist?
  • Are hard hats inpected periodically for damage to the shell and suspension system?
  • Is appropriate foot protection required where there is the risk of foot injuries from hot, corrosive, poisonous substances, falling objects, crushing or penetrating actions?
  • Are approved respirators provided for regular or emergency use where needed?
  • Is all protective equipment maintained in a sanitary condition and ready for use?
  • Do you have eye wash facilities and a quick drench shower within the work area where employees are exposed to injurious corrosive materials?
  • Where special equipment is needed for electrical workers, is it available?
  • Where food or beverages are consumed on the premises, are they consumed in areas where there is no exposure to toxic material, blood, or other potentially infectious materials?
  • Is protection against the effects of occupational noise exposure provided when sound levels exceed those of the OSHA noise standard?
  • Are adequate work procedures, protective clothing and equipment provided and used when cleaning up spilled toxic or otherwise hazardous materials or liquids?
  • Are ther appropriate procedures in place for disposing of or decontaminating personal protective equipment contaminated with, or reasonably anticipated to be contaminated with, blood or other potentially infectious materials?

    • General Work Environment

  • Are all worksited clean, sanitary, and orderly?
  • Are work surfaces kept dry or appropriate means taken to assure the surfaces are slip-resistant?
  • Are all spilled hazardous materials or liquids, including blood and other potentially infectious materails, cleaned up immediately and according to proper procedures?
  • Is combustible scrap, debris and waste stored safely and removed from the worksite promptly?
  • Is all regulated waste, as defined in the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), discarded according to federal, state, and local regulations?
  • Are accumulations of combustible dust routinely removed from elevated surfaces including the overhead structure of buildings, etc.?
  • Is combustible dust cleaned up with a vacuum systme to prevent the dust going into suspension?
  • Is metallic or conductive dust prevented from entering or accumulating on or around electrical enclosures or equipment?
  • Are covered metal waste cans used for oily and paintsoaked waste?
  • Are all oil and gas fired devices equipped with flame failure controls that will prevent flow of fuel if pilots or main burners are not working?
  • Are paint spray booths , dip tanks, etc. cleaned regularly?
  • Are the minimum number of toilets and washing facilities provided?
  • Are all toilets and washing facilities clean and sanitary?
  • Are all work areas adequately illuminated?
  • Are pits and loor openings covered or otherwise guarded?

    • Walkways

  • Are aisles and passageways kept clear?
  • Are aisles and walkways marked as appropriate?
  • Are wet surfaces covered with non-slip materials?
  • Are holes in the floor, sidewalk or other walking surface repaired properly, covered or otherwise made safe?
  • Is there safe clearance for walking in aisles where motorized or mechanical handling equipment is operating?
  • Are materials or equipment stored in such a way that sharp projectives will not interfere with the walkway?
  • Are spilled materials cleaned up immediately?
  • Are changes of direction or elevations readily identifiable?
  • Are aisles or walkways that pass near moving or operating machinery, welding operations or similar operations arranged so employees will not be subjected to potential hazards?
  • Is adequate headroom provided for the entire length of any aisle or walkway?
  • Are standard guardrails provided wherever aisle or walkway surfaces are elevated more than 30 inches above any adjuacent floor or the ground?
  • Are bridges proved over conveyors and similar hazards?

    • Floor and Wall Openings

  • Are floor openings guarded by a cover, a guardrail, or equivalent on all sides (except a entrance to stairways or ladders)?
  • Are toeboards intalled around the edges of permanent floor opening (where persons may pass below the opening)?
  • Are skylight screens of such construction and mounting that they will withstand a load of at least 200 pounds?
  • Is the glass in the windows, doors, glass walls, etc., which are subject to human impact, of sufficient thickness and type for the condition of use?
  • Are grates or similar type covers over floor openings such as floor drains of such design that foot traffic or rolling equipment will not be affected by the grate spacing?
  • Are unused portions of service pits and pits not actually in use either covered or protected by guardrails or equivalent?
  • Are manhole covers, trench covers and similar covers, plus their supports designed to carry a truck rear axle load of at least 20,000 pounds when located in roadways and subject to vehicle traffic?
  • Are floor or wall openings in fire resistive construction provided with doors or covers compatible with the fire rating of the structure and porvided with self-closing feature when appropriate?

    • Stairs and Stairways

  • Are standard stair rails or handrails on all stairways having four or more risers?
  • Are all stairways at least 22 inches wide?
  • Do stairs have landing platforms not less than 30 inches in the direction of travel and extend 22 inches in width at every 12 feet or less of verticle rise?
  • Do stairs angle no more than 50 and no less thean 30 degrees?
  • Are stairs or hollow-pan type treads and landings filled to the top edge of the pan with solid material?
  • Are step risers on stairs and stairways designed or provided with a surface that renders them slip resistant?
  • Are stairway handrails located between 30 and 34 inches above the leading edge of stair treads?
  • Do stairway handrails have at least 3 inches of clearance between the handrails and the wall or surface they are mounted on?
  • Where doors or gates open directly on a stairway, is there a platform porvided so the swing of the door does not reduce the width of the platform to less than 21 inches?
  • Are stairway handrails capable of withstanding a load of 200 pounds, applied within 2 inches of the top edge, in any downward or outward direction?
  • Where stairs or stairways exit directly into any area where vehicles may be operated, are adequate barriers and warnings provided to prevent employees stepping into the path of traffic?
  • Do stairway landings have a dimension measured in the direciton of travel, at least equal to the width of the stairway?
  • Is the verticle distance between stairway landings limited to 12 feet or less?

    • Elevated Surfaces

  • Are signs posted, when appropriate, showing the elevated surface load capacity?
  • Are surfaces elevated more than 30 inches above the floor or ground provided with standard guardrails?
  • Are all elevated surfaces (beneath which people or machinery could be exposed to flling objects) provided with standard 4-inch toeboards?
  • Is a permanent means of access and egress provided to elevated storage and work surfaces?
  • Is required headroom provided where necessary?
  • Is material on elevated surfaces piled, stacked or racked in a manner to prevent it from tipping, falling, collapsing, rolling or spreading?
  • Are dock boards or bridge plates used when transferring materials between docks and trucks or rail cars?

    • Exiting or Egress

  • Are all exits marked with an exit sign and illuminated by a reliable light source?
  • Are the directions to exits, when not immediately apparent, marked with visible signs?
  • Are doors, passageways or stairways, that are neither exits nor access to exits and which could be mistaken for exits, appropriately marked "NOT AN EXIT," "TO BASEMENT, "STOREROOM," etc.?
  • Are exit signs provided with the word "EXIT" in lettering at least 5 inches high and the stroke of the lettering at least 1/2-inch wide?
  • Are exit doors side-hinged?
  • Are all exits kept free of obstructions?
  • Are at least two means of egress provided from elevated platforms, pits or rooms where the absence of a second exit would increase the risk of injury from hot, poisonous, corrosive, suffocating, flammable, or explosive substances?
  • Are there sufficient exits to permit pormpt escape in case of emergency?
  • Are special precaustions taken to protect employees during construction and repair operations?
  • Is the number of exits from each floor of a building and the number of exits from the building itself, appropriate for the building occupancy load?
  • Are exit stairways which are required to be separated from other parts of a building, enclosed by at least 2-hour fire-resistive construction in buildings more than four stories in height, and not less than 1-hour fire-resistive constructive elsewhere?
  • Where ramps are used as part of required exiting from a building, is the ramp slope limited to 1 ft. vertical and 12 ft. horizontal?
  • Where exiting will be through frameless glass doors, glass exit doors, strom doors, etc., are the doors fully tempered and meet the safety requirements for human impact?

    • Exit Doors

  • Are doors which are required to serve as exits designed and constructed so that the way of exit travel is obvious and direct?
  • Are windows which could be mistaken for exit doors, made inaccessible by means of barriers or railings?
  • Are exit doors openable from the direction of exit travel without the use of a key or any special knowledge or effort when the building is occupied?
  • Is a revolving, sliding or overhead door prohibited from serving as a required exit door?
  • Where panic hardware is installed on a required exit door, will it allow the door to open by applying a force of 15 pounds or less in the direction of the exit traffic?
  • Are doors on cold storage rooms provided with an inside release mechanism which will release the latch and open the door even if it's padlocked or otherwise locked on the outside?
  • Where exit doors open directly onto any street, alley or other area where vehicles may be operated, are adequate barriers and warnings provided to prevent employees stepping into the path of traffic?
  • Are doors that swing in both directions and are located between rooms where there is frquent traffic, provided with viewing panels in each door?

    • Portable Ladders

  • Are all ladders maintained in good condition, joints between steps and side rails tight, all hardware and fittings securely attached and moveable parts operating freely without binding or undue play?
  • Are non-slip safety feet provided on each ladder?
  • Are non-slip safety feet provided on each metal or rung ladder?
  • Are ladder rungs and steps free of grease and oil?
  • Is it prohibited to place a ladder in front of doors opening toward the ladder except when the door is blocked open, locked or guarded?
  • Is it prohibited to place ladders on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain additonal height?
  • Are employees instructed to face the ladder when ascending or descending?
  • Are employees prohibited form using ladders that are broken, missing steps, rungs, or cleats, broken side rails or other faulty equipment?
  • Are employees instructed not to use the top step of ordinary stepladders as a step?
  • When portable rung ladders are used to gain access to elevated platforms, roofs, etc., does the ladder always extend at least 3 feet above the elevated surface?
  • Is it required that when portable rung or cleat type ladders are used, the base is so placed that slipping will not occur, or it is lashed or otherwise held in place?
  • Are portable metal ladders legibly marked with signs reading "CAUTION- Do Not Use Around Electrical Equipment" or equivalent wording?
  • Are employees prohibited from using ladders as guys, braces, skids, gin poles, or for other than their intended purposes?
  • Are employees instructed to only adjust extension ladders while standing at a base (not while standing on the ladder or from a position above the ladder)?
  • Are metal ladders inspected for damage?
  • Are the rungs of ladders uniformly spaced at 12 inches, center to center?

    • Hand Tools and Equipment

  • Are all tools and equipment (both company and employee-owned) used by employees at their workplace in good condition?
  • Are hand tools such as chisels, punches, etc. which develop mushroomed heads during use, reconditioned or replaced as necessary?
  • Are broken or fractured handles on hammers, axes and similar equipment relaced promptly?
  • Are worn or bent wrenches replaced regularly?
  • Are appropriate handles used on files and similar tools?
  • Are employees made aware of the hazards caused by faulty or imporperly used hand tools?
  • Are appropriate safety glasses, face shields, itc. used while using hand tools or equipment which might produce flying materials or be subject to breakage?
  • Are jacks checked periodically to assure they are in good operating condition?
  • Are tool handles widged tightly in the head or all tools?
  • Are tool cutting edges kept sharp so the tool will move smoothly without binding or skipping?
  • Are tools stored in dry, secure location where they won't be tampered with?
  • Is eye and face protection used when driving hardened or tempered spuds or nails?

    • Portable (Power Operated) Tools and Equipment

  • Are grinders, saws and similar equipment provided with appropriate safety guards?
  • Are power tools used with the correct shield, guard, or attachment, recommended by the manufacturer?
  • Are portable circular saws equipped with guards above and below the base shoe?
  • Are circular saw guards checked to assure they are not widged up, thus leaving the lower portion of the blade unguarded?
  • Are rotating or moving parts of equipment guarded to prevent physical contact?
  • Are all cord-connected, electrically-operated tools and equipment effectively grounded or of the approved double insulated type?
  • Are effective guards in place over belts, pulleys, chains, sprockets, on equipment such as concrete mixers, air compressors, etc.?
  • Are portable fans provided with full guards or screens having openings 1/2 inch or less?
  • Is hoisting equipment available and used for lifting heavy objects, and are hoist rating and characteristics appropriate for the task?
  • Are ground-fault circuit interrupters provided on all temporary electrical 15 and 20 ampere circuits, used during periods of construction?
  • Are pneumatic and hydraulic hoses on power-operated tools checked regularly for deterioration or damage?

    • Abrasive Wheel Equipment-Grinders

  • Is the work rest used and kept adjusted to within 1/8 inch of the wheel?
  • Is the adjustable tongue on the top side of the grinder used and kept adjusted to within 1/4 inch of the wheel?
  • Do side guards cover the spindle, nut, and flange and 75 percent of the wheel diamter?
  • Are bench and pedestal grinders permanently mounted?
  • Are goggles or face shields always worn when grinding?
  • Is the maximum RPM rating of each abrasive wheel compatible with the RPM rating of the grinder motor?
  • Are fixed or permanently mounted grinders connected to their electrical supply system with metallic conduit or other permanent wiring method?
  • Does each grinder have an individual on and off control switch?
  • Is each electrically operated grinder effectively grounded?
  • Before new abrasive wheels are mounted, are they visually inspected and ring tested?
  • Are dust collectors and powered exhausts provided on grinders used in operations that produce large amounts of dust?
  • Are splash guards mounted on grinders that use coolant to prevent the coolant reaching employees?
  • Is cleanliness maintained around grinders?

    • Powder-Actuated Tools

  • Are employers who operate powder-actuated tools trained in their use and carry a valid operators card?
  • Is each powder-actuated tool stored in its own locked container when not being used?
  • Is a sign at least 7 inches by 10 inches with bold face type reading "POWDER-ACTUATED TOOL IN USE" conspicuously posted when the tool is being used?
  • Are powder-actuated tools left unloaded until they are actually ready to be used?
  • Are powder-actuated tools inspected for obstructions or defects each day before use?
  • Do powder-actuated tool operators have and use appropriate personal protective equipment such as hard hats, safety goggles, safety shoes and ear protectors?

    • Machine Guarding

  • Is there a training program to instruct employees on safe methods of machine operation?
  • Is there adequate supervision to ensure that employees are following safe machine operating procedures?
  • Is there a regular program of safety inspection of machinery and equipment?
  • Is all machinery and equipment kept clean and properly maintained?
  • Is sufficient clearance provided around and between machines to allow for safe operations, set up and servicing, material handling and waste removal?
  • Is equipment and machinery securely placed and anchored, when necessary to prevent tipping or ohter movement that could result in personal injury?
  • Is there a power shut-off switch within reach of the operator's position at each machine?
  • Can electric power to each machine be locked out for maintenance, repair, or security?
  • Are the noncurrent-carrying metal parts of electrically operated machines bonded and grounded?
  • Are foot-operated switches guarded or arranged to prevent accidental actuation by personnel or falling objects?
  • Are manually operated valves and switches controlling the operation of equipment and machines clearly identified and readily accessible?
  • Are all emergency stop buttons colored red?
  • Are all pulleys and belts that are within 7 feet of the floor or working level properly guarded?
  • Are all moving chains and gears properly guarded?
  • Are splash guards mounted on machines that use coolant to prevent the coolant from reaching employees?
  • Are methods provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards created at the point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips, and sparks?
  • Are machinery guards secure and so arranged that they do not offer a hazard in their use?
  • If special handtools are used for placing and removing material, do they protect the operator's hands?
  • Are revolving drums, barrels, and containers required to be guarded by an enclosure that is interlocked with the drive mechanism so that revolution cannot occur unless the guard enclosures is in place, so guarded?
  • Do arbors and mandrels have firm and secure bearings and are they free from play?
  • Are provisions made to prevent machines from automatically starting when power is restored after a power failure or shutdown?
  • Are machines constructed so as to be free from excessive vibration when the largest size tool is mounted and run at full speed?
  • If machinery is cleaned with compressed air, is air pressur controlled and personal protective equipment or toher safeguards utilized to protect operators and other workers from eye and body injury?
  • Are fan blades protected with a guard having openings no larger than 1/2 inch, when operation within 7 feet of the floor?
  • Are saws used for ripping, equipped with anti-kick back devices and spreaders?
  • Are radial arm saws so arranged that the cutting head will gently return to the back of the table when released?

    • Lockout Blockout Procedures

  • Is all machinery or equipment capable of movement, required to be de-energized or disengaged and blocked or locked-out during cleaning, servicing, adjusting or setting up operaton, whenever required?
  • Where the power disconnecting means for equipment does not also diconnect the electrical control circuit:
    • Are the appropriate electrical enclosures identified?
    • Is means provided to assure the control circuit can also be disconnected and locked-out?
  • Is the locking-out or control circuits in lieu of locking-out main power disconnects prohibited?
  • Are all equipment control valve handles provided with a means for locking-out?
  • Does the lock-out procedure require that stored energy (mechanical, hydraulic, air, etc.) be released or blocked before equipment is locked-out for repairs?
  • Are appropriate employees provided with individually keyed personaly safety locks?
  • Are employees required to keep personal control of their key(s) while they have safety locks in use?
  • Is it required that only the employee exposed to the hazard, place or remove the safety lock?
  • Is it required that employees check the safety of the lock-out by attempting a start up after making sure no one is exposed?
  • Are employees instructed to always push the control circuit stop button prior to re-energizing the main power switch?
  • Is there a means provided to identify any or all employees who are working on locked-out equipment by their locks or accompanying tags?
  • Are a sufficient number of accident preventive signs or tags and safety padlocks provided for any reasonably foreseeable repair emergency?
  • When machine operations, configuration or size requires the operator to leave his or her control station to install tools or perform other operations, and that part of the machine could move if accidentally activated, is such element required to be separately locked or blocked out?
  • In the event that equipment or lines cannot be shut down, locked-out and tagged, is a safe job procedure established and rigidly followed?

    • Welding, Cutting and Brazing

  • Are only authorized and trained personnel permitted to use welding, cutting or brazing equipment?
  • Does each operator have a copy of the appropriate operating instructions and are they directed to follow them?
  • Are compressed gas cylinders regularly examined for obvious signs of defects, deep rusting, or leakage?
  • Is care used in handling and storage of cylinders, safety valves, relief valves, etc., to prevent damage?
  • Are precautions taken to prevent the mixture of air or oxygen with flammable gases, except at a burner or in a standard torch?
  • Are only approved apparatus (torches, regulators, pressure-reducing valves, acetylene generators, manifolds) used?
  • Are cylinders kept away from sources of heat?
  • Are the cylinders kept away from elevators, stairs, or gangways?
  • Is it prohibited to use cylinders as rollers or supports?
  • Are empty cylinders appropriately marked and their valves closed?
  • Are signs reading: DANGER-NO SMOKING, MATCHES, OR OPENLIGHTS, or the equivalent, posted?
  • Are cylinders, cylinder valves, couplings, regulators, hoses, and apparatus kept free of oily or greasy substances?
  • Is care taken not to drop or strike cylinders?
  • Unless secured on special trucks, are regulators removed and valve-protection caps put in place before moving cylinders?
  • Do cylinders without fixed and wheels have keys, handles, or non-adjustable wrenches on stem valves when in service?
  • Are liquefied gases stored and shipped valve-end up with valve covers in place?
  • Are provisions made to never crack a fuel-gas cylinder valve near sources of ignition?
  • Before a regulator is removed, is the valve closed and gas released from the regulator?
  • Is red used to identify the acetylene (and other fuel-gas) hosw green for oxygen hose, and black for inert gas and air hose?
  • Are pressure-reducing regulators used only for the gas and pressures for which they are intended?
  • Is open circuit (No Load) voltage of arc welding and cutting machines as low as possible and not in excess of the recommended limits?
  • Under wet conditions, are automatic controls for reducing no load voltage used?
  • Is grounding of the machine frame and safety ground connections of portable machines checked periodically?
  • Are electrodes removed from the holders when not in use?
  • Is it required that electric power to the welder be shut off when no one is in attendance?
  • Is suitable fire extinguishing equipment available for immediate use?
  • Is the welder forbidden to coil or loop welding electrode cable around his body?
  • Are wet machines thoroughly dried and tested before being used?
  • Are work and electrode lead cables frequently inspected for wear adn damage, and replaced when needed?
  • Do means for connecting cable lengths have adequate insulation?
  • When the object to be welded cannot be moved and fire hazards cannot be removed, are shields used to confine heat, sparks, and slag?
  • Are fire watchers assigned when welding or cutting is performed in locations where a serious fire might develop?
  • Are combustible floors kept wet, covered by damp sand, or protected by fire-resistant shields?
  • When floors are wet down, are personnel protected from possible electrical shock?
  • When welding is done on metal walls, are precautions taken to protect combustibles on the other side?
  • Before hot work is begun, are used drums, barrels, tanks, and other containers so thoroughly cleaned that no substances remain that could explode, ignite, or produce toxic vapors?
  • Is it required that eye protection helmets, hand shields and goggles meet appropriate standards?
  • Are employees exposed to the hazards created by welding, cutting or brazing operations protected with personal protective equipment and clothing?
  • Is a check made for adequate ventilation in and wher welding or cutting is performed?
  • When working in confined places, are environmental monitoring tests taken and means provided for quick removal of welders in case of an emergency?

    • Page 2 of Self-Inspection Checklist