AARC’s Safety Program

The development of a program requires an extensive audit prior to preparation of the written safety programs. Our staff performs audits on a weekly basis for a diverse group of organizations. After each audit, a formal report is presented consisting of ideas and solutions, based on observations from the worksite analysis, for the control of general workplace hazards. AARC’s staff constantly develops and updates our client’s safety management systems. The revisions are guided by audits of on-going activities at facilities and job sites. AARC has developed a range of safety manuals for giant petrochemical complexes down to three-man machine shops. From this experience we have acquired an extensive background in the field of Safety Program development.

A SAFETY AUDIT SERVES THREE BASIC PURPOSES:

• Protection of Employees’ Health and Well-being
  • Audits ensure that provisions have been made for a healthy and safe work environment. There is a provision in the Occupational Safety & Health Act called the “general duty clause”. Inspectors often apply the clause to cite employers when there is no specific regulation in effect. Therefore it is not enough that a facility simply “meet” the regulations. Facility owners and operators must be aware of, and take action to correct, potentially hazardous conditions before the inspectors arrive.
• Compliance with Federal and State Programs
• Management of Direct and Indirect Costs
  • Workers’ compensation insurance is an inescapable component of business. An occupational health and safety program helps control workers’ compensation insurance costs by reducing the number and severity of lost time incidents.
    Occupational Health and Safety audits provide a record of the company’s performance and demonstrate that appropriate rules were adopted and enforced through training and supervision.

Are you ready for an OSHA Inspection?

If an OSHA inspector turns up on your doorstep, and you haven’t invited him over, it is generally for one purpose – to find violations.
The violations include deficiencies in posting OSHA notices, machinery maintenance safeguard failures, failure to protect workers from dust, fumes, and temperature extremes, inadequacies in the written hazard program, forklift training, clear passageways and the accessibility of Material Safety Data Sheets.
In 1990, the federal government alone, wrote fines totaling nearly $63,000,000. This does not include fines levied by states that have their own safety inspection programs.

ADVANTAGES OF AN AUDIT

• Cuts sick leave, Workman’s Compensation claims, and down time
• Reduces the possibility of OSHA citations
• Reduces exposure to liability and litigation
• Increases management and employee awareness of health and safety
• Enhances quality of the workplace environment
• Clarifies occupational health and safety priorities
• Improves awareness of applicable regulations and industry standards
• Successful follow-up to an audit improves employee morale

AARC’s PREFERRED SAFETY AUDIT METHOD

• Based on the type of facility, an audit team is assigned
• Facility personnel are notified of the audit and a site visit is arranged
• The site visit includes:
  • Opening conference
  • In-house records review
  • Management and employee interviews
  • Facility walkthrough and inspection
  • Closing conference
• Audit report is prepared and submitted
• Corrective measures are audited
• Follow-up
• Conclusions and recommendations are submitted

Audit Report:

Defines facility strengths and weaknesses

• Provides a detailed evaluation of potential or existing hazards. The audit report will clearly delineate the strengths and weaknesses of your health program.
• Determines companies’ compliance status. Health and safety program weaknesses are detected and schedules for correction prior to the OSHA inspector’s visit.
• Highlights areas such as recordkeeping, training, management involvement, machine guarding, and others, which OSHA inspectors are most likely to review.

Potential Findings & Considerations

• General Findings
• OSHA Regulations
• Other Applicable Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
• Status of Workers’ Compensation Program
• Record keeping
• Training
• Fire Suppression Equipment Testing
• Hazard(s) Posting
• Electrical and Machinery Lockout/Tagout Procedures
• Management and Employee Awareness of Health & Safety Issues
• Potential Corporate Liabilities

Audio Corrective Measures and Follow-Up

• The audit generates a list of recommended corrective measures and a prioritized follow-up schedule. These are the heart of any health and safety program.

Conclusions & Recommendations

• General Statement – Status of Program
• Action Plan, Schedule and Estimate of Costs