163 TOOL 9 Checklist of Existing Occupational Health and Safety Mechanisms Courtesy of Prof. Roberto Castro-Córdoba, University of Costa Rica Health Care Institution Date DEFINITION AND DISSEMINATION OF THE OHS POLICY Is there a written OHS policy at the health care facility? Was the policy disseminated to: a) Directors and area managers? b) Department managers and professionals? c) Supervisors and team leaders? d) Workers? MANAGEMENT S COMMITMENT Is there any written document where management s role and responsibilities regarding occupational health and safety is established for every administrative level? Do these responsibilities involve: a) Directors and area managers? b) Department managers and professionals? c) Supervisors and team leaders? d) Workers? Is the search for ongoing improvements considered part of this commitment? Is occupational health and safety taken into account when purchasing decisions are made? Is management s attitude towards OHS proactive? MANAGEMENT S PARTICIPATION IN PROMOTING OHS Have department or area managers promoted annual meetings to evaluate OHS accomplishments and define main objectives? Does senior management participate in these annual meetings? During the year, has the health care facility s management promoted several OHS meetings with participation of senior level management, area managers, supervisors and team leaders? Have those meetings produced written resolutions and measures that have been adopted? Have those adopted measures improved the health care facility s OHS management? During the last two years, have preventive actions been carried-out? ORGANIZATION OF THE OHS SYSTEM MEDICAL SERVICES Is there a health care unit for the health care facility s workers (OHSU)? Is this OHSU registered with the national health system? Does the OHSU s physician have specialization in occupational health or occupational medicine? Please describe the physician s background Has the physician taken any training on OHS during the past year? Does the OHSU have a secretary? Does the OHSU participate in the health care facility s occupational health and safety activities? (Occupational health and Safety Committee, Work Groups, other committees) Does the OHSU have nurses? Is there any other support personnel? What kind?
164 Does the OHSU develop activities to prevent occupational diseases? Does the OHSU develop activities to prevent other diseases (diabetes, hypertension, etc.)? Does the OHSU develop activities to prevent occupational accidents? OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE (OHSC) Was an occupational health and safety committee (OHSC) established? Was a meeting of the OHSC held last month? OHSC meetings periodicity (mark only one): a) Some meetings over a one year period b) Monthly meetings Does the OHSC keep a record of meeting proceedings? Are workers representatives in the OHSC chosen by the workers? Is the OHSC registered with the appropriate national entities such as Ministry or Secretary of health, work, etc.? Does the OHSC have specific attributions in the OHS Program? Hospital Infections Control Committee? Fire Control Committee? Emergency and Disaster Control Committee? Hospital Waste Control Committee? Other? COORDINATION OF OTHER COMMITTEES WITH THE OHSC (please mark T APPLICABLE if the health care service does not have a committee) OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL Is there a person responsible for handling occupational health issues (hygiene, safety, and risk prevention)? The appointee s academic degree is: a) technician b) technician with high-school degree or further specialization c) licensed professional d) licensed professional with master s degree or further specialization How much time does the professional devote to the OHS: a) Some hours per week b) Half time c) Full time Has the professional received specific OHS training outside the company at least once over the last three years? Does the professional have the tools to study the environment and work conditions and to analyze the job posts? Does management request this professional s approval when purchasing products, equipment, etc.? Does the professional supervise new installation projects, construction, etc.? Does the professional participate in OHSC program activities? Does this professional interact with the facility s doctor? Does this professional contribute with research on new work processes?
165 OHS PROCEDURES INFORMATION Is there an active system to inform workers about: a. risks? b. work method changes? c. job post manuals? Is there a written means to disseminate information to the workers? Has management established a schedule of informational meetings for: a. directors and area managers? b. department managers and professionals? c. supervisors and team leaders? d. workers in general? Is written information on risk prevention provided to new and relocated workers at the beginning of the new duties? TRAINING Is an education period provided to the worker upon entry to the company or upon a job change? (orientation courses) Are there procedure manuals or instruction books for training? If an education plan exists, the plan is: The same for all workers Job specific Is there a person who is responsible for workers education? Has an assessment of education necessities been carried out? Has senior management participated in the educational activities aimed at improving OHS management? Is first-aid training provided for workers? Is fire-prevention and fire-extinction training for workers provided? Is training of workers on occupational health and safety provided? Are training activities part of the overall education and training plan? Do educational activities target a) some workers? b) most workers? c) all workers? Is there any training aimed at improving workers aptitudes in their respective jobs? Does the company provide opportunities for workers receive outside education (educational leave, scholarships, etc.)? ACCIDENT STATISTICS Is there a system for notifying and recording accidents? Does the accident notification and registration system classify accidents by job areas? Is a statistical analysis conducted on accident frequency and severity? Are accidents classified by: a) Type of accident? b) Substance or equipment involved? c) Type of injury? d) Cause of accident? Are accident statistics carried out to analyze risk factors? Results reflecting the likelihood of accidents are disseminated to: a) directors and area managers b) department managers and professionals c) supervisors and team leaders d) workers in general Based on statistical results, was an action plan prepared to reduce: a) accidents in general? b) specific accidents? Are accidents reported to the responsible entity for Occupational Injuries Registry? Are accidents that do not require workers compensation reported?
166 EVALUATION OF THE HEALTH CARE FACILITY S OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION Are occupational accidents investigated? Is an investigation procedure in place? Does this procedure aim: a) To analyze the causes of the accident? b) To explore activities to that can correct such accidents? Who conducts the investigation? Does the OHS technician participate in the investigation? Are the conclusions of the accident investigation used to correct poor work conditions? Is supervision maintained over compliance with corrective activities? What is the compliance level of the recommended corrective actions: a) High b) Medium c) Low The investigation findings are reported to: a) Management b) Directors and chiefs of departments c) Area chiefs d) Supervisors, team leaders, or heads of affected sections e) Workers of the area affected f) The Occupational Health and Safety Committee SAFETY INSPECTIONS Are safety and hygiene inspections carried out periodically? Degree of inspection: a) Most areas or sections b) Many areas or sections c) Some areas only Is an inspection form utilized? (Please request a copy of it) Is this form a verification of a compliance checklist? Does the form contain a section for analyzing and evaluating risk factors? Does the form contain recommendations about control measures? Are there checklists organized by job posts, equipment, infrastructures, and work methods? The inspection is carried-out by: a) The occupational hygiene and safety technician, b) Other technical personnel, c) The Occupational Health and Safety Committee. Does inspection lead to the commitment to correct poor work conditions? Is compliance with the corrective measures verified? Level of compliance is: a) High b) Medium c) Low The investigation results are reported to: a) Senior management b) Directors and department chiefs c) Area chiefs d) Supervisors, team leaders, or section teams e) Workers in affected areas f) The Occupational Health and Safety Committee CONTROL OF HEALTH RISKS Is there a periodic hygiene control program (covering noise, vibrations, etc.) in place? Are there available tools for measuring risk factors? please indicate what they are: Is toxicological information sought for the products in use? Are Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) available to all workers that use the products? Is management aware of the health and safety regulations concerned?
167 The standards of health and safety are met: a) Completely b) Partially Are pre-hiring medical examinations conducted? Are periodic medical assessments carried-out? Are preventive measures mainly aimed at controlling risk factors rather than at personal protection? Is there periodic control on the implementation of the preventive and corrective measures? PERSONAL PROTECTION Is the compulsory use of personal protection equipment clearly established? Is there an adequate control over personal protective equipment purchases? Is there an adequate control over personal protective equipment use? Are workers trained to use protective equipment? Is the selection of equipment done with workers participation? WORK PROCEDURES AND REGULATIONS Is the health care facility aware of the country s legislation on occupational health for the health care sector? Is a copy of the legislation available? Are health and safety standards and procedures strictly met by workers? Do the safety standards contain: a) General prevention measures? b) Measures for specific jobs? c) Safe work procedures? Do workers participate in preparing standards? Is the Occupational Health and Safety Committee consulted before preparing standards? Are the safety standards reviewed periodically? Do personnel understand the standards? Are standards available for all workers? Are the standards made known to visitors and suppliers? Person responsible for this evaluation Signature Date: