Walk-Through Survey
RICARDO T. BALAGOT, MD, FPCOM
Components:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Preparation for site visit
Site visit
a.
General data collection
b.
Walk-through survey
c.
Primary Survey
d.
Review of industrial hygiene
program
Report of findings
Follow-up
Preparation of site visit:
Objective of site visit:
• To understand the processes, products, raw materials,
intermediates, potential hazards, expected controls
Activities:
• Clarify purpose, scope and expectations of survey
• Identify needed information from company, operations
equipment and screening sampling techniques
• Review information on work-process, chemicals used and
produced and other possible hazards that may be
encountered
o Sources of information:
o Books, Journals, Internet (NIOSH/CDC, OSHA,
ILO, WHO)
Site Visit:
• General Data Collection:
o Company Profile
o Socio-Demographic Data of
Workers
o Medical Records
o Safety, Health and Environment
Data needed ( e.g. company programs)
• Review of Process-Flow
Walk-Through or Ocular Survey
1. Follow process flow through the plant
o Start where raw materials enter and
follow movement of materials
through the plant to the final
product finishing, packing and
shipping
(in each step or process, identify
materials used and produced
including by-products and
intermediate products)
2. Preliminary familiarization and
analysis only
o Screening sampling instruments
( sound level meter,
velometer/smoke tubes, colorimetric
indicator tubes, direct reading
instruments)
Look for potential hazards (health, safety
and environment)
i. Note sources of exposure of all hazards
(chemical, physical, biologic, ergonomic)
ii. Is exposure sporadic or continuous
iii. Housekeeping
iv. Note what you feel, hear, smell, see and
taste
(Be aware of clues: raised voices, spills,
feeling of eye and upper respiratory tract
irritation)
v. Worker’s opinions
vi. Smoking and eating in work areas
Check Controls:
o
o
o
o
Are there controls?
Are they adequate and appropriate?
Are they used?
Does air movement enhance or interfere with
controls?
o Are administrative controls adhered to?
o Are PPEs appropriate? Is it used properly or used
at all? Does it fit? Are they well-maintained?
o What further control evaluation is needed?
Detailed follow-up
Devise sampling strategy
a.
sampling method
b.
sample type (area or personal)
c.
who/where to sample
d.
when to sample
e.
how many samples
f.
how long to sample
Review Hazard Controls in Depth
The walkthrough survey should document the
following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Name of department or process;
Nature of operation;
Raw materials and quantities used;
Equipment and machinery used;
Health hazards identified and routes of exposure;
Controls present;
Number of workers exposed and their position;
and,
• Items for follow-up after survey.
SAFETY
INSPECTION
Person in Charge
Improvement of
Workplaces
Objectives of
Inspection
Implementation of
Inspection
Duration, Timing of
Inspection
Inspection Criteria
Checklist
QUALIFICATIONS OF A GOOD
INSPECTOR
• Knowledge of organization’s accident experience.
• Familiarity with accident potentials and with the standard
that apply to his area.
• Ability to make intelligent decisions for corrective action.
• Diplomacy in handling personnel and situations.
• Knowledge of the organization’s operations--its workflow,
systems and products.
WHO WILL CONDUCT THE INSPECTION
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Safety Professionals
Company or Facility Management
First-line Supervisor or Foreman
Mechanical Engineer or Maintenance Supervisor
Employees
Maintenance Personnel
Other inspection teams
Contractors’ Inspection Services
Person in Charge
Improvement of
Workplaces
Objectives of
Inspection
Implementation of
Inspection
Duration, Timing of
Inspection
Inspection Criteria
Checklist
SAFETY INSPECTION
• Primary Purpose
– to detect and correct potential hazard before
accident occurs.
• Secondary Purpose
– to improve operations, increase efficiency,
effectiveness and profitability/
SAFETY INSPECTION PROGRAM
• What needs to be inspected?
• What aspects of each item need to be
examined?
• What conditions need to be inspected?
• How often must items be inspected?
• Who will conduct the inspection?
Person in Charge
Improvement of
Workplaces
Objectives of
Inspection
Implementation of
Inspection
Duration, Timing of
Inspection
Inspection Criteria
Checklist
HOW OFTEN MUST ITEMS BE
INSPECTED
•
•
•
•
Loss severity potential of the problem
The potential for injury
How quickly can the part become safe
Past history of failure
TYPES OF INSPECTION
• Continuous Inspection
– a process conducted by employees, supervisors and
maintenance personnel as part of their job
responsibilities in noting and correcting potential danger.
• Interval Inspection
– a systematic process with specific intervals regard as
“real” safety and health inspection.
THE INTERVAL INSPECTION
• Periodic
• Intermittent
• General
Person in Charge
Improvement of
Workplaces
Objectives of
Inspection
Implementation of
Inspection
Duration, Timing of
Inspection
Inspection Criteria
Checklist
PREPARING FOR INSPECTION
Must not interrupt normal operation
Review of all accidents
Review of previous inspection report
Aware of any potential hazards
Wearing Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE)
Formulate checklist
Person in Charge
Improvement of
Workplaces
Objectives of
Inspection
Implementation of
Inspection
Duration, Timing of
Inspection
Inspection Criteria
Checklist
RELATIONSHIP OF
INSPECTOR & SUPERVISOR
Inspector contact the supervisor before
inspection be conducted
Supervisor may accompany inspector
Supervisor be consulted before inspector
leaves the area
Inspector discuss each recommendation
with supervisor
Supervisors’ commitment to the inspector
to correct particular condition
SAFETY AND HEALTH INSPECTION SHEET
Name: ________________
Department: _______________
No.
Condition and Act
Unsafe
No. Condition/Act
Inspector's Name: ____________
Date: _______________________
Recommendation
Recommendation
Dr. Ricardo Balagot