Downloaded from https://www.everyspec.com Chapter 17 Workplace Inspections 17–1. Introduction Under the OSH Act, employers are required to furnish each employee a place of employment that is free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm. Workplace inspections are one method to identify hazards in work areas. 17–2. Intent This chapter provides policy on Army Safety Program management with special emphasis on hazard recognition and workplace inspections.
It implements the requirements of the OSH Act and prescribes DA policy to protect and preserve Army personnel and property against accidental loss, provides for safe and healthful workplaces, and assures regulatory compliance. It also provides for public safety incident reporting to Army operations and activities. Proce- dures and other guidance for workplace inspections and hazard reporting and recording are provided in DA Pam 385–10. 17–3. Policy a. Supervisors are responsible for conducting periodic documented inspections of their work area to identify hazards.
When hazards are reported by employees or identified through accident investigations and safety inspections, they will be evaluated and tracked. Once a hazard has been evaluated, prompt action is required to correct significant risk hazards. b. Supervisors are to inform all personnel of Army safety and occupational health rules and regulations, to include the use of protective clothing and equipment provided for their protection. Supervisors are to ensure adherence to established procedures, taking appropriate disciplinary action where deemed necessary. c.
Employees, military and Army civilians, are responsible for complying with standard Army safety and occupa- tional health rules, regulations, and standards; using and maintaining the personal protective clothing and equipment that has been provided for their safety; and reporting any unsafe or unhealthful working conditions and accidents to their immediate supervisor. d. Management and employees will work together to identify and correct hazardous conditions in accordance with locally established procedures for correcting hazards (based on RACs on a worst-risk-first basis). e.
Employees have the right to request that an OSHA representative conduct an inspection if they believe hazardous conditions are present in the workplace. (Note that employees should contact the local Garrison/Installation Safety Office to resolve any safety hazards prior to contacting OSHA, but they are not required to do so.) 17–4. Application of mishap risk management component of composite risk management The requirements of DA Pam 385–30 will be applied to the hazard assessment, prioritization, and correction. 17–5. Safety inspections a. Each time the supervisor or an employee enters the workplace, they will conduct a visual safety inspection.
Conducting inspections of this type will help integrate safety into the daily routine. b. Formal documented inspections (for example, using a checklist) will be done periodically to ensure a complete and total evaluation of the workplace based upon the type and nature of the work as well as determining the PPE required. c. Whenever possible, recognized hazards will be corrected on the spot. d. Work orders or service orders for hazards that cannot be corrected on the spot are submitted to the safety office. All work orders for significant-risk hazards will go through the supporting safety office for addition to the hazard tracking system. 17–6.
Standard Army safety and occupational health inspections requirements a. Qualified safety and occupational health professionals or specially trained personnel competent to conduct the inspection, using the procedures outlined in DA Pam 385–10, will conduct workplace safety inspections at least annually. b. Facilities and operations involving special hazards will be inspected more frequently as determined by qualified safety and occupational health personnel. c. Army civilian personnel offices may request assistance in determining environmental differential pay or hazard pay cases.
In these cases, qualified safety and health professionals will evaluate specific workplaces and conditions and provide a professional opinion as to the nature of the hazards and the required protective procedures. d. Inspections of workplaces in contractor activities where fewer than 25 DA personnel are employed will be at the discretion of the Army Headquarters commander based on existing conditions. While no formal annual inspection is 70 AR 385–10 • 23 August 2007