Coordinators have the responsibility for ensuring that the provisions of this
Alternative Fuels and Raw Materials (AFR) Health and Safety (H&S) Manual are
Manual. This checklist is based upon the Safety and Health Guide for the
Response (OSHA 3114), and Holcim Self -Assessment Audit Protocol for: The
are already familiar with the operation of their facility, the general duties of its
personnel, and the basic types of AFR materials handled and processed at the
facility. The focus of this audit checklist is directed toward those sections of the
____ Who is in charge? What are the lines of authority under normal operating
conditions? In transition times, such as start-up and shutdown procedures?
In emergencies?
1
____ How is information exchange accomplished during transition periods
(starting and stopping work)?
____ Are warning signals clear? Are audible signals distinguishable and
understood?
____ Are monitoring records, training records, and material safety data sheets
available?
____ What are the job classifications of employees who work at the site? Are all
job titles present on all work shifts? Are there potentially crucial omissions?
____ Is there a means to quickly and accurately account for all persons on site?
____ Who is responsible for training employees? How often is training provided
covering standard operating procedures? Emergency procedures? How is
effectiveness of training evaluated by management?
FACILITY LAYOUT
____ Are there work zone signs indicating chemical hazards, proper PPE, first
aid stations, and emergency contacts?
____ Is the facility designed for separation and isolation ? Reactive chemicals?
Explosives? Compressed gases?
2
____ Are pumps and compressors appropriate for designated use? Are remotely
controlled switches and shutoff valves available and functioning in case of
emergencies?
____ Where hazardous liquids may leak or spill from piping or vessels, what
provisions have been made to prevent their spread to areas where
employees may be exposed to the hazards? Example: special drains for
contaminated liquids, containment ponds, etc.
____ Does the facility have special provisions to control unexpected hazardous
vapor or gas releases within the drain lines? Are there any monitoring or
warning systems?
____ Are exhaust stacks and air intakes so located that contaminated air will not
be recirculated within a building or other enclosed area?
____ Are systems in place for odor control? Example: Thermal catalytic
oxidizers or activated carbon?
____ Is a copy of the Holcim AFR H&S Manual on file and accessible to all
employees with signs notifying employees of its location?
____ Are Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) on file and accessible to all
employees with signs notifying employees of their location?
____ Have control procedures been instituted for hazardous materials, where
appropriate?
3
____ When AFR materials are received, are the specific chemical constituents
determined to assess the specific hazards they may represent?
____ Are AFR materials (i.e., solvents, sludges, CSS) properly marked, stored,
covered, and handled?
____ Have AFR materials that can produce harmful dusts been identified?
____ Have AFR materials that can irritate or damage the skin or eyes been
identified?
____ Have AFR materials that may constitute a fire or explosion hazard been
identified?
____ Are employees aware of the hazards and potential health effects involved
with the various chemicals they may be exposed to in their work
environment, such as ammonia, pesticides, epoxies, caustics, etc.?
____ Are hazardous substances, blood, and other potentially infectious materials
identified, that may cause harm by inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption
or contact?
____ Are all containers such as vats, storage tanks, etc., labeled as to their
contents, e.g., "CAUSTICS"?
____ Are employees prohibited from eating, drinking, or smoking in areas where
hazardous chemicals are present?
____ Is a copy of the Holcim AFR H&S Manual, containing guidance on selection
of personal protective equipment, on file and accessible to all employees
with signs notifying employees of its location?
4
____ Are all employees familiar with the Threshold Limit Values or Permissible
Exposure Limits of airborne contaminants and physical agents used in the
workplace?
____ Are all employees familiar with the Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health
(IDLH) values for AFR materials they may come in contact with?
____ Are employees required to use personal protective clothing and equipment
when handling chemicals (gloves, eye protection, respirators, etc.)?
____ Are steel-toed, steel shank safety shoes available? Are Kevlar-toed, safety
shoes available for non-spark zones?
____ Are air purifying respirators (HEPA, organic vapor, acid gas, etc.)
available?
____ Is the work area's ventilation system appropriate for the work being
performed?
5
____ Has the facility been inspected by an industrial hygienist or environmental
health specialist to evaluate areas of potential employee exposure to AFR
chemical constituents?
____ Have personal air monitoring samples been taken to estimate individual
exposure to chemicals in the workplace?
____ Are enclosed storage or work areas (silos, bins, work areas with open vats)
routinely monitored to ensure that concentrations of hazardous chemicals
are kept at acceptable levels?
____ Are confined spaces monitored prior to entry to assess the need for
personal protective measures?
____ For employees who routinely handle AFR materials and who may have
long-term contact with hazardous substances, is medical or biological
monitoring available to assess their health status?
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
6
____ Is the emergency plan available to all key personnel up and down the
chain of command including employee representatives and the switchboard
operator?
____ Is a copy of the Holcim AFR H&S Manual on file and accessible to
emergency response personnel? Holcim OH&S Handbook or local
adaptation thereof?
____ Are Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) on file and accessible to
emergency response personnel?
____ Has the facilities' emergency response plan been coordinated with
community emergency and rescue agencies? Local governments? Mutual
aid industries? Utility companies?
____ Have standard operating procedures been established and are they being
followed when cleaning up chemical spills?
____ Are eye wash fountains and safety showers provided in areas where
corrosive chemicals are handled?
____ Are all spilled hazardous materials or liquids, including blood and other
potentially infectious materials, cleaned up immediately and according to
proper procedures?
7
____ Are respirators intended for emergency use adequate for the various
situations in which they may be needed?
____ Where needed for emergency use, is Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
(SCBA) available?
____ Are employees familiar with the location and use of the AFR H&S Manual?
Holcim OH&S Handbook or local adaptation thereof?
____ Are employees aware of the location of MSDSs and trained in the proper
use of these and other relevant reference materials that provide information
concerning the hazards, safe handling, and safe storage of AFR materials?
____ Are employees trained in "Lock out, Tag out" procedures? Example:
working on moving or energized equipment
____ Are employees trained in the relevant exposure limits for the hazardous
substances that may constitute AFR materials?
____ Are employees trained in the proper selection, use, and care of personal
protective equipment?
____ Are employees trained to recognize the signs and symptoms associated
with exposure to hazardous chemicals?
____ Are employees trained in the proper use and care of workplace and
personal monitoring devices?
8
____ Have emergency response team personnel received specialized training in
emergency response actions including knowledge of appropriate
containment procedures, use of protective equipment, cleanup and disposal
methods, and post-cleanup clearance procedures?
____ Are signs warning of prohibited actions (e.g., no smoking, no open flames)
in place where necessary?
____ Are caution labels and hazard signs properly posted in appropriate
locations to warn of hazardous substances (e.g. pesticides), biohazards
(e.g. bloodborne pathogens), and hazardous conditions (e.g., fire danger)?
____ Are employees provided training in the meaning of various hazard warning
signs and labels and the appropriate actions to take?
____ Are all occupational injury or illnesses, except minor injuries requiring only
first aid, being recorded as required?
____ Are employee training records maintained on file and made available for
review by employees?
____ Have arrangements been made to maintain required records for the
applicable legal period of time for each specific type of record?
____ Are employees aware of the proper procedures for submitting comments
and proposing changes to the AFR H&S Manual? Holcim OH&S Handbook
or local adaptation thereof? Are employees encouraged in this activity?