Small Business Self-Evaluation Checklist: Working Environment

Most accidents are the end result of many contributing causal factors. Employee/management behaviors and system defects create an overall safety culture that may or may not support safe conditions and practices. If the safety culture is not supportive, and an employee is exposed to the hazard, the probability of an accident increases greatly. Under such conditions, an accident is more likely a matter of “when” not “if.”

This “Client Handout” provides small business owners a means of identifying potential problem areas that may occur and contribute to an unsafe working environment. Any question answered “No” should be thoroughly investigated and corrective actions taken.

Questions	Yes	No	N/A
Are work areas properly illuminated?
Are hazardous substances and potentially infectious materials that may cause harm by inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption or contact, properly identified?
Are employees aware of the hazards involved with various chemicals they may be exposed to in their work environment?
Are caution labels and signs used to warn of hazardous substance and biohazards?
Is the work area’s ventilation system appropriate for the work being performed?
Are wet methods used, when practicable, to prevent the emission of airborne asbestos fibers, silica dust, and similar hazardous materials?
Is vacuuming with appropriate equipment used, whenever possible, rather than blowing or sweeping dust?
Are grinders, saws, and other machines that produce respirable dusts vented to an industrial collector or central exhaust system?
Are spray painting operations done in spray rooms or booths equipped with an appropriate exhaust system?
Are welding operations conducted behind flash shields?
Is employee exposure to welding fumes controlled by ventilation, use of respirators, exposure time limits or other means?
Are exhaust stacks and air intakes so located that contaminated air will not be recirculated within a building or other enclosed area?
Has the facility been tested for noise?
Are steps being taken to use engineering controls to reduce excessive noise levels?
If forklifts and other vehicles are used in buildings or other enclosed areas, are the carbon monoxide levels kept below maximum acceptable levels?
Are engineering controls examined and maintained, or replaced, on a scheduled basis?
Is personal protective equipment provided, used, and maintained, wherever required?
Are there written, standard operating procedures for the selection and use of respirators?
Are restrooms and washrooms kept clean and sanitary?
Is potable water provided for drinking and washing?
Are all outlets for water not suitable for drinking clearly identified?
Are employees’ physical capacities assessed before being assigned to jobs requiring heavy work?
Are employees instructed in the proper manner of lifting heavy objects?
Where heat is a problem, have these work areas been provided with spot cooling or air conditioning?
Are employees screened before assignment to areas of high heat to determine if their health condition might make them more susceptible to having an adverse reaction?
Are employees working on streets and roadways, where they are exposed to the hazards of traffic, required to wear brightly colored warning vests?
Is equipment producing ultra-violet radiation properly shielded?
Are universal precautions observed where occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials can occur?