Safety Mini-Checklist

Safety Mini-Checklist

School Workshop Safety

All questions must be answered. ‘No’ answers indicate gaps in safety practices for which careful hazard identification, assessment and control of risks and should be undertaken.

Yes / No
Administrative and miscellaneous
Does the Industrial Arts Department have a written policy for WHS risk management?
Has a formal risk assessment of all workshop hazards been undertaken?
Has the risk assessment taken into account hazards not specific to workrooms, but which may be exacerbated by workshop conditions, for example:
· computer workstations?
· electricity?
· machinery and equipment?
· manual handling?
· noise?
· slips and trips?
Have control measures been determined and implemented?
Has expert advice from external sources been obtained where appropriate?
Are control measures monitored and reviewed for their effectiveness?
Have standard operating procedures specific to each workshop been developed and are they readily available?
Are safety rules clearly displayed in each workshop?
Are staff (and students) consulted about WHS in the workshop?
Are staff and students adequately trained in workshop safety procedures?
Are staff provided with ongoing training in WHS and workshop safety?
Are workshops inspected regularly?
Is all food and drink prohibited in workshops?
Are "No Smoking" signs prominently displayed?
Are gas bottles secured?
Are all safety and warning signs clearly visible?
Are pressure vessels certified, and is each certificate clearly visible near the vessel?
Is personal protective equipment (e.g. glasses, gloves, shoes, coats, etc) provided?
Are staff and students adequately supervised to ensure safe work procedures are followed?
Are all accidents and incidents in the workshop reported, investigated and recorded?
Are records of the risk management program, inspections, audits, investigations and inventories, etc kept up to date?
Housekeeping
Are floors kept clean, dry and free from slip/trip hazards?
Is each workshop checked to ensure that old equipment, stores, rubbish etc are not allowed to accumulate?
Is shelving stable, free of extraneous material and not too high?
Are walkways free from obstruction?
Emergencies
Do the school's emergency procedures take into account all possible emergencies which might involve workshops?
Is a qualified first aid officer at the school?
Is there a first aid kit/cabinet in each workshop?
Is the first aid kit/cabinet accessible to staff and stocked with appropriate and up-to-date supplies?
Is suitable emergency and firefighting equipment (e.g. extinguishers, overhead sprinklers, smoke detectors, respirators) provided for each workshop?
Is this equipment checked regularly to ensure it is in good working order?
Are staff trained in the use of this equipment?
Are exits and corridors kept clear of obstruction and unlocked?
Are emergency exits provided in adequate numbers, illuminated and signposted?
Have emergency procedures been practised in the last 12 months?
Environmental
Are waste management procedures in place?
Is tipping of waste down sinks prohibited?
Are waste types segregated and stored correctly?
Are noise levels acceptable?
Are all lights working and is there adequate lighting for the tasks performed?
Is work space adequate for all tasks performed?
Is ventilation adequate?
Chemical safety
Is there an up-to-date inventory of all chemicals stored or used in the workshop?
Are material safety data sheets (MSDS) supplied with all chemicals?
Are MSDS available in all workshops?
Are all chemicals containers clearly labelled?
Are chemicals stored in compatible containers?
Are incompatible chemicals segregated in storage areas?
Are procedures in place for the safe handling of hazardous chemicals?
Do all staff and students who use chemicals wear appropriate personal protective equipment, according to the relevant MSDS?
Is leakage of chemicals onto storage shelving prevented/controlled?
Is storage of chemicals in fume cupboards prohibited?
Do staff and students know what to do in the event of a chemical spill or other chemical emergency?
Compressed gases (cylinders)
Are MSDS available for all classes of compressed gases used in the workshops?
Is the gas name label clearly legible on the shoulder of each cylinder?
Are cylinders secured to walls or trolleys by brackets or chains?
Are empty cylinders kept separate from full cylinders and clearly identified?
Are cylinder valves closed when cylinders are not in use?
Are staff (and students) aware of testing procedures for gas leaks?
Is there adequate ventilation in the workshops where gas cylinders are located?
Where fume cupboards are installed, has expert advice on their safe use been obtained, and are safe work procedures being observed?
Dust and fume extraction
Is dust or fume extraction equipment connected to all equipment that requires it?
Is the dust extraction working satisfactorily?
Does the extraction velocity appear adequate?
Is the fume extraction working satisfactorily?
Are staff aware of the correct method of cleaning dust extraction equipment?
Are dust extraction bags emptied regularly? (daily/weekly depending on use)
Automotive
Is the correct equipment for lifting motors used?
Do you have a car hoist?
Is the equipment regularly serviced and maintained?
If you have a pit, is it appropriately marked?
Is the pit covered when not in use?
Is waste oil disposed of appropriately?
Is sawdust available for oil spillage?
Do you have separate containers for oily rags?
Is approved chemical storage available? Are there appropriate ventilation and extraction in automotive workshops?
Machines
Do all machines have guards where necessary?
Are all guards painted with an appropriate safety colour?
Are all machines fitted with the appropriate safety signs?
Do all machines have written instructions for use displayed?
Do these instructions contain details about the use of ancillary equipment (e.g. dust extractors)?
Is there a planned maintenance program for the machines?
Is it followed and documented?
Is the emergency stop button readily accessible on all machines?
Are lines painted around machines to delineate working areas?
Spray painting
If spray painting or airbrush painting is carried out, are approved spray booths used?
Are paints and thinners stored in flammable liquids cabinets?
Is appropriate personal protective equipment used?
Has the compressor been pressure tested by an approved authority on a regular basis?
Is there a maintenance program for the spray painting equipment and booth?(filters, guns)
Plastics
Is the plastics area well ventilated?
Does the plastics area have a fume extraction system?
Is personal protective equipment supplied and used by both staff and students?
Are staff and students aware of the hazards associated with the use of solvents and resins?
Are protective goggles worn during practical lessons?
Is dust extraction equipment connected to all machines used for plastics work?
Pan brake
Is the equipment in good working order?
Is the equipment locked if accessible to lower year/level students?
Is the equipment securely mounted?
Welding and soldering
Is there a separate storage area for full and empty gas cylinders?
Are all gas cylinders stored upright?
Are all gas cylinders chained to a wall or stand?
Are rubber hose lines inspected regularly?
Is all gas welding and cutting equipment regularly tested?
Where applicable, are manifold operating instruction displayed?
Are all arc welding bays adequately screened from flash?
Is all arc welding equipment in good order?
Are appropriate gloves and aprons used when welding?
Are appropriate welding glasses/shields used?
Is all sheet metal soldering conducted under appropriate fume extraction?
Is all electronics soldering conducted in well-ventilated areas?
Metal casting
Are staff and students aware of the dangers involved in casting?
Is the area adequately ventilated?
Are staff aware of the dangers of using polyurethane foam?
Is appropriate personal protective equipment used?
Is there a written procedure for this process?
Is it followed at all times?
Action Notes
School
Name of person completing checklist / Position or Role
Signature / Date