Health & Safety Inspections

For Office Employees

Tulane University

April 2008

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Objectives

• To detect unsafe conditions and/or acts and to collect information about deficiencies and opportunities for improvement in safety management

• To demonstrate compliance with the requirements and standards set forth by governmental agencies

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Objectives (cont’d)

• Involve the safety team• Provide safety education• Check past training & skill development• Identify & develop positive safety attitudes• Suggest better job methods• Reinforce the positive efforts of people in the

workplace

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Inspection Procedures

• Each department must conduct a quarterly inspection of their work area.

• DSRs must ensure that these completed inspection reports are submitted to OEHS.

– Supervisors are ultimately responsible for the inspections.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Inspection Procedures(cont’d)

• To be conducted using checklists or general inspection forms prepared by OEHS. – For copies of some types of inspection forms,

go to: http://www.som.tulane.edu/oehs/DSR.htm

• Checklists or forms developed by the department may be used with the approval of OEHS.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Inspection Procedures(cont’d)

• A narrative inspection report may be used by the department as appropriate.

• Initiate follow up to listed items needing correction.

• Document type of corrective action pending or completed to include date of corrective action.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Inspection Procedures(cont’d)

• Consult as needed with your supervisor or the responsible department to ensure completion of corrective action.

• Keep a copy of the report for at least one year.• Send the report to OEHS promptly

– Even if corrective action is pending• Contact OEHS for questions or information

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Inspection Procedures(cont’d)

• Send inspection reports to L. Mayer of OEHS – Hand deliver to room 1156, Tidewater Building– Send via campus mail (TW 16) or– Fax to 504-988-1693

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Inspection Procedures(cont’d)

• The inspection reports may be given to the following OEHS staff members at their campus locations:

– Kellie Mayer – TNPRC

– Karen Douglas – Uptown Campus

– Susan Welch - TUHSC

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Inspection Procedures(cont’d)

• L. Mayer will log them into the DSR database and then give them to the appropriate OEHS staff for review and file.

• OEHS staff may contact the DSR for further information.

• L. Mayer will send an email to the inspector and DSR acknowledging report receipt and log.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Legal Obligations

• Louisiana State Worker’s Compensation Law requires quarterly inspections

• OSHA recommends general inspections

• OEHS requires inspections for specific equipment

– Cranes and derricks; industrial slings; manlifts; power presses and forging equipment; portable and fixed dry chemical extinguishers; powered industrial trucks; powered platforms; respiratory protection; welding, cutting & brazing equipment, etc.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Office Inspection ReportChecklist Items

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

1. Proper lifting and carrying techniques (body mechanics) were observed in use.

Wrong Way to Lift Right Way to Lift

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

2. Tulane’s smoking policy is being observed.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

3. All equipment with drawers have

handles in good repair.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

4. All file drawers, desk drawers, slides and locker doors are kept closed when not in

use.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

5. All sharps and pointed objects are properly stored.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

6. Lighting appears to be adequate for the tasks being performed.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

7. Housekeeping in the area is good.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

8. Storage of combustibles is kept to a minimum.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

9. All flammable or toxic materials are properly stored and wastes held for proper

disposal through OEHS.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

10. All furniture, chairs, etc. in area appear to be in good condition.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

11. Proper electrical outlets are being used instead of extension cords, portable

outlets boxes and/or 3-way adapters.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

12. Accumulation of trash and debris is absent.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

13. Fire extinguishers appropriate for office hazards (ABC) are readily available.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

14. Proper Type-non-combustible, approved trash receptacles are used.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

15. Floor surfaces are in good repair.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

16. Safety step stools or climbing devices are provided to safely reach high storage

shelves.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

17. Trip hazards such as telephone cords are absent.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

18. Floors are free of objects such as rubber bands, paper clips, trash, etc. that could

cause falls or slips.

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

19. Additional Notes

Low water pressure at fountainDo not obstruct automatic sprinkler heads – keep 18 inch clearance

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Tulane UniversityOffice of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

www.som.tulane.edu/oehsLouis Mayer, OEHS, 504-988-2447, lmayer@tulane.eduPam Fatland, OEHS, 504-988-2800, pfatlan@tulane.edu

If unable to proceed to quiz, type the link below into your browserhttps://pandora.tcs.tulane.edu/ehs/enterssn.cfm?testnum=37

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