Safety Compliance: What Do You Need to Know to Stay on Track?

Akhil.Gupta
Can anyone tell me about Safety compliance?
Kumar H P
Emergency Exits

Is there sufficient directional and exit signs to ensure that all exit routes are clearly indicated in bilingual language? Do all work areas have at least two exits? Emergency exit doors should open outside.

Emergency Lighting

Do all emergency lighting units work properly? Are all emergency lights tested monthly, and records of tests kept?

Fire Extinguishers/Hose Reel/Hydrant

Are there an adequate number of fire extinguishers available? Are the locations of fire extinguishers clearly marked? Are extinguishers visually checked monthly (with control tags)? Are fire extinguishers inspected annually by an outside professional agency, and is documentation on file?

Emergency Preparedness

Does the facility have a documented emergency preparedness program? Are there records of evacuation drills and tests of alarm and emergency lighting systems? Does the facility have a documented fire and emergency evacuation plan? Are the plan's floor maps prominently displayed in the factory, including the office? Are the actual location ("You are here"), extinguisher locations, identification of major fire risks, phone numbers of local fire departments, phone numbers of ambulances/hospitals, evacuation routes, assembly areas, and first aid kit locations clearly identified?

First Aid Clinic

Is the clinic suitably equipped in compliance with guidelines (beds, first aid materials, medicines)? Are screens/curtains provided to allow privacy? Is there a system in place to check the expiration dates of medicine? Are a sufficient number of employees trained in First Aid by a recognized organization?

First Aid Kits

Are First Aid kits available in all work areas (1 per every 100 workers)? Are First Aid kits easily accessible, identified, and unlocked? Are First Aid kits adequately stocked and appropriate for work areas?

Chemical Storage Area

Are appropriate warning signs displayed? Is there an effective ventilation system? Is there an effective secondary containment system for liquid chemicals? There should be no floor drain in the chemical warehouse. Are all drums, containers, dispensers clearly labeled? Is eye wash available within 30 meters of where chemicals are stored? Are Fire Extinguishers available? Are Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) posted in areas where chemicals are stored?

Signs/Labeling

Are signs/labeling displayed in bilingual language? Are signs large enough to see from a distance and clear?

General Equipment/Housekeeping/Electricity

Use of Electricity

Are electrical switches labeled in bilingual language? Are generators installed suitably earthed? Are copies of electrician qualifications certificates, etc., kept on file? Are all electrical maintenance carried out properly recorded?

General Equipment/Housekeeping/Electrical Hazards

Are "Danger: high Voltage" warning signs clearly displayed around high voltage areas and access restricted to authorized personnel only? Are high voltage areas clean and tidy with no material storage? Is access to generator areas restricted to authorized personnel only, with warning signs posted? Is the generator room clean and tidy with no material storage? Is adequate noise protection provided for workers in generator rooms, with hearing protection warning signs displayed? Are electrical wirings suitably insulated and labeled? Are workers provided with necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) and trained in its correct use?

Machinery

Is the risk of personal injury from dangerous machinery controlled by adequate (a) hand operation switches, (b) guards, (c) minimized gaps, (d) emergency stops, (e) protective gloves, and (f) warning signs? Are fan blades adequately guarded (mesh/screen holes)? Are all conveyor belt gears, drive shafts, and belts adequately guarded? When necessary, is suitable eye protection provided and used to reduce the risk of eye injuries? Are air compressor areas clean and tidy and free of material storage? Are noise levels in the work areas acceptable, with noise surveys conducted?

Housekeeping, Sanitation, and Hygiene Toilets, Dining, and Kitchen Facilities

Kitchen

Are kitchens and floors kept clean, sanitary, odor-free, and free of grease? Are kitchen staff given regular medical checks (particularly tests for transmissible diseases such as hepatitis and typhoid)? Are refrigeration facilities available in the kitchen? Are food preparation surfaces clean, free of cracks, cuts, etc.? Are there sufficient tables/chairs inside canteen or eating facilities provided under a roof? Are all preparation knives and chopping boards kept clean, sharp, rust-free, and correctly stored? Are all electrical appliances in good condition in the kitchen? Is there a system in place to ensure the food prepared in the canteen is fresh and hygienic? Are all dry foods correctly stored, clear, and above the floor? Is the factory maintained in a clean and tidy state? Are there arrangements to remove produced waste effectively and regularly? Are passage ways kept clear of obstructions? Do all kitchen personnel wear hats or hair nets?

Bathrooms/Toilets

Is the number of toilets sufficient for both men and women? Are the bathroom facilities clean and generally free of odor? Are the bathroom facilities well-ventilated and have running water? Is soap/liquid soap, tissue paper, and hand towels available in the toilets? Are proper masks, rubber shoes, aprons, etc., provided to housekeepers? Do toilets have a water flushing system?
saravanarajan
Thank you, Mr. Kumar.

I would like to add a few aspects to your exhaustive list if you don't mind.

1. MSDS needs to be displayed in both the places where the chemicals are stored and used.
2. Staircases, if any, should be of the required width, and the height of each step should meet the legal requirements.

3. All staircases should have handrails at appropriate heights, and the handrails should be painted red.

4. All the signboards at the exit/emergency exits should be illuminated.

5. All emergency lights should be connected to a battery backup to support in case of power failure during emergencies.

6. Lifts/hoists/tackles - if any:
- Inspection certificates
- Maximum loading capacity
- Periodical maintenance
- "DO NOT USE LIFT IN CASE OF FIRE" should be displayed.
- "Passenger lift or Material Lift" should be clearly posted.

7. Different types of fire extinguishers should be available according to the material stored. Reference classes of fire and types of fire extinguishers to be used.

8. Display/Identity of Fire Trained and First Aid trained Employees at appropriate places with their photos, departments, sections, and designations.

9. A full-time qualified nurse/medical officer as per legal requirements.

10. Ambulance, if required, based on the workforce strength as per the law.

11. Different types of fire alarms - Voice-based and Visual fire alarms. Visual fire alarms should be installed in places where noise levels are high, like generator rooms, etc.

12. Machine maintenance records/cards - Preventive maintenance/breakdown maintenance.

13. An updated list of machines to track the movement of machines.

14. Canteen employees, if any, should have a health check-up once every six months.

15. Industrial committees - as required by law - Health & Safety Committee/Canteen Management Committee, etc.

16. Requirements of a Welfare Officer/Safety Officer based on workforce strength.

17. Medical inspection certificates of boiler operators and visual checkers.

18. Effluent Treatment Plant - if any trade effluent is generated during the manufacturing process and their relevant maintenance records.

19. Sewage Treatment Plant - if any - and maintenance records.

Experts are encouraged to add more and comment.

Health and Safety Compliance is a very vast area that aligns with the manufacturing process of the organization, type of industry, and the total workforce employed.

-Saravana Rajan.
Vishwajeet Singh
Dear Mr. Kumar & Rajan,

It's a valuable discussion, but I think we are not approaching things in a systematic way as you have discussed.

Vishwajeet Singh
manjushakhare
Respected Sir,

Thank you for the valuable information. I would like to share some of my views if you don't mind.

The display/sign boards of "No Smoking" or "Prohibited Area for smoking" should be illustrated as per the precautionary, Health & safety point of view. Proper display of indicators/sign boards for blind turnings/speed breakers within the premises of any type of industry/organization. Time-to-time inspection & cleanliness are required of the Scrap yard area, and it should be covered or fenced properly by adopting insulation/isolation systems. This area is totally prohibited from any type of chemical, dangerous, fire, or hazardous things.

"Request & Suggestion for Human, Environment & Global Safety" - Please do the plantation (Huge & Tall growing trees prevent the fly ash (which is one of the causes of air pollution).

Thanks & Regards,
Manjusha
A.Prasad
Good morning everybody,

Thank you very much, sirs, for providing information about industrial safety. It is very useful for those who are involved in maintaining HR and Admin safety.

Regards,
Parasad Aravilli
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