Hazard Prevention Program – Management Action Plan

Hazard Profile Group 6:

Annex C: Hazard Ranking Matrix (PDF, 463 KB)

Jobs Involving Industrial and / or Heavy Equipment Operation - Employees in this group operate binding equipment, a printing press, palletizer or other types of equipment that would be considered industrial in nature. They may also drive a forklift, truck or other types of mobile material handling equipment.

1. Mechanical Hazards

a. Struck By Mobile Equipment
Hazard Ranking = B (Possible Exposure x Severe Health Effect)

There is a possibility of being struck by this equipment given that employees may work around various types of mobile equipment (e.g. pallet jacks, etc.). This could potentially cause severe injuries.

Table
Preventive Measures	Resources	Responsibility
High visibility vests provided		Managers / Supervisors
Industrial / heavy equipment has an audible warning device that activates when reversing		Managers / Supervisors
Designated pathways for mobile equipment and pedestrians		Managers / Supervisors Health and Safety Committees / Representative
A signaller to be used if the operator's view is obstructed in any way		Managers / Supervisors Health and Safety Committees/ Representative
Equipment-specific safe operating procedures		Managers / Supervisors Health and Safety Committees/ Representative

b. Caught In Exposed Moving Equipment
Hazard Ranking = A / B (Likely Exposure x Critical / Severe Health Effect)

It is possible that employees may be caught in moving parts of equipment, given our observations of employees working on insertion machines. Depending on the parts of the machines that are moving, there is a possibility for the equipment to cause severe injury or even death.

Table
Preventive Measures	Resources	Responsibility
Interlock controls on equipment to prevent equipment from operating when a guard is removed		Managers / Supervisors Health and Safety Committees/ Representative
Non-removable guarding to prevent employee access to moving component		Managers / Supervisors Health and Safety Committees/ Representative
Long hair tied back when operating equipment		Managers / Supervisors Health and Safety Committees/ Representative
No loose clothing or jewellery when operating equipment		Managers / Supervisors Health and Safety Committees/ Representative
Employees will wear high visibility vests when working in locations nearby vehicles and other mobile equipment		Managers / Supervisors Health and Safety Committees/ Representative
ESDCwill place yellow tape along pathways on the ground to delineate pedestrian from equipment pathways		Managers / Supervisors Health and Safety Committees/ Representative
A signaller will be used in all cases where the operator’s view is obstructed in any way		Managers / Supervisors Health and Safety Committees/ Representative
A lock-out and tag-out policy and procedure specific to each piece of equipment that would require locking out is required		Managers / Supervisors Health and Safety Committees/ Representative
Maintenance schedule will be developed and maintained to ensure that equipment is continually maintained in good operating condition		Managers / Supervisors Health and Safety Committees / Representative
All pieces of machinery where an employee may access the moving components must be guarded to restrict access and employees must not be able to override the guards		Managers / Supervisors Health and Safety Committees/ Representative
Training and certification of motorized equipment or carts is required		Managers to ensure employees are trained. Employees are required to take training. Health and Safety Committees/ Representative

2. Industrial Ergonomics

a. Improper Lifting and Carrying Techniques
Hazard Ranking = C (Likely Exposure x Serious Health Effect)

Based on the possibility of lifting materials (i.e. carts, dollies, etc. are generally used to manipulate the materials) and the potential for resulting ergonomic strain.

Table
Preventive Measures	Resources	Responsibility
Employees are trained (web-based) on proper lifting and carrying techniques to minimize muscle strain	Module III: Integrated Ergonomic Program Manual Materials Training NOTE: Other resources may be available through an external provider.	Managers to ensure employees are trained. Employees are required to take training Health and Safety Committees/ Representative
Module III: Integrated Ergonomics Program	Module III: Integrated Ergonomic Program Online Ergo Awareness Training	Managers to ensure employees are trained. Employees are required to take training. Health and Safety Committees/ Representative

b. Excessive Pushing / Pulling of Mobile Equipment or Carts
Hazard Ranking = B (Highly Likely Exposure x Serious Health Effect)

Based on the frequent (i.e. highly likely) use of carts, dollies, pallet jacks, etc. and the possibility for resulting serious ergonomic strain.

Table
Preventive Measures	Resources	Responsibility
Training and awareness (web-based) on the use of manual equipment or carts is required	Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety Manual Materials Training NOTE: Other resources may be available through an external provider.	Managers to ensure employees are trained. Employees are required to take training.

c. Prolonged Static Postures
Hazard Ranking = B (Highly Likely Exposure x Serious Health Effect)

Based on the highly likely possibility that employees are in static postures and the potential for resulting minor strains.

Table
Preventive Measures	Resources	Responsibility
Use of task rotation where possible and scheduled breaks to reduce prolonged static and awkward postures must be encouraged among employees to minimize ergonomic strain	Module III: Integrated Ergonomic Program Dynamic Sitting Postures Stretching Exercises Self-adjustment tools	Managers / Supervisors

d. Noise
Hazard Ranking = B (Possible Exposure x Severe Health Effect)

Based on possibility of exposure and the potentially severe health effect over long term exposure.

Table
Preventive Measures	Resources	Responsibility
Provide appropriate Personal Protective Equipment such as ear plugs and / or ear muffs	Training on Hearing Protection	Managers / Supervisors
Training on proper use of and on circumstances when hearing protection is required		Managers to ensure employees are trained. Employees are required to take training.
Signage indicating circumstances and locations where hearing protection is required		Managers / Supervisors