For trucking industry workers, an assessment of exposures to injuries and illnesses should focus on management commitment, worker training, and the operational exposures of strains, falls, machine hazards, powered industrial trucks, noise, and hazardous substances.

Management Commitment

• Is there a written safety program?
• Is there an understanding of the financial impact of losses/injuries onthe bottom line?
• Are healthcare and/or other benefit programs made available to allworkers?
• What are the ages, training, and experience of the workers?
• Is there high rate of employee turnover?
• Are new workers required to take pre-employment physicals?
• What is the historical frequency and severity of workers’ compensationclaims?
• Are on-site medical services provided?
• Has the company ever been cited for safety deficiencies by federal or State agencies?
• Is personal protective equipment (PPE) provided to workers?
• Do the workers participate in the selection of PPE?
• What are the hours of operation of the business and how many shifts are involved?

Worker Training

• Is there a safety orientation and training program for new workers?
• Is training integrated into the daily operations and conducted on a regular basis?
• Is formal, documented training provided to all workers?
• Are less-experienced workers properly supervised?
• Does worker training cover plant safety regulations?
• Are workers trained in the proper handling and storage or hazardous chemicals?
• Are workers trained in the proper use and care of PPE?
• Is refresher training offered or required on an annual basis?
• Are non-production workers trained in the hazards of production equipment?
• Are supervisors required to take any specialized training pertaining to production hazards?
• What are the training and experience of the production supervisors?
• Are workers trained and certified to operate each powered truck according to Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA) requirements?

• Have all workers been trained in OSHA lockout/tagout procedures?
• Have all workers been trained in OSHA confined space procedures?
• Have all workers been trained in the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard?

Operational Exposures - Strains

• Are workers instructed in safe-lifting techniques?
• Are workers encouraged to obtain help when lifting or moving heavy objects?
• Are procedures for two-person lifts used, where appropriate?
• Are back injuries investigated to determine the causes and identify needed procedural changes?
• Does the employer match work assignments with employees' capabilities?
• Are workers required to report all back injuries immediately, and are they referred for medical treatment?

Operational Exposures - Falls

• Is slip-resistant flooring or mats used in appropriate locations?
• Are floors kept neat and orderly to prevent same-level slips, trips, and falls?
• Are good-housekeeping procedures emphasized?
• Is trash removed on a daily basis?
• Are wiring and telephone cords properly secured to prevent tripping hazards?
• Are worn, torn, or loose flooring immediately repaired?
• Are warning signs used during and after a floor has been mopped or waxed?
• Is adequate lighting provided in aisles, stairways, and storage rooms?
• Is there an elevated loading dock?

Operational Exposures - Machines

• Are there written lockout/tagout procedures?
• Have workers been trained in the lockout/tagout procedures used by outside contract personnel doing maintenance on company machines?
• Are machines, such as conveyors, shut down, and locked and tagged, before any inspection or servicing operation commences?

Operational Exposures – Conveyors and Cranes

• Are conveyors used to move material in the plant or for loading trucks?
• Are overhead cranes used to move materials around the facility?
• Are rated loads posted on the cranes?
• Are the cranes routinely inspected?
• Are the slings checked prior to use?

Operational Exposures - Powered Industrial Trucks

• What type(s) of powered trucks are used in the facility?
• Are trucks maintained and serviced on a regular basis?
• Are industrial trucks of the correct size and capacity for the loads designated?
• Are fuels, used in industrial trucks, properly stored and refueling conducted outdoors?
• If there is a designated battery-charging area, is it ventilated and protected and smoking prohibited?
• Do workers wear proper protective clothing during battery-charging operations?
• Are eyewash stations readily available in the battery-charging area?
• Are industrial trucks equipped with motion alarms?
• Are industrial trucks equipped with roll-over protection?

Operational Exposures - Noise

• Are workplace noise levels evaluated and monitored?
• Are noise-level readings taken for each machine and in the immediate area?
• Are any workers exposed to noise levels at or above 85 dB?
• Are any workers exposed to noise levels above 90 dB?
• Are audiometric exams required?
• Is there a mandatory hearing protection program throughout the plant?
• Is hearing PPE provided and mandated for wear by all workers and visitors to the plant?
• Are high noise areas identified with signs that state the requirement to wear hearing protection?
• Have engineering steps been taken to reduce noise levels?

Operational Exposures - Hazardous Substances

• Have the hazardous chemicals that are stored, handled, or used by workers been identified?
• Are Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) obtained and made available to workers?
• Are all workers able to read the MSDS and understand the hazards and safety requirements?
• Are hazardous chemicals properly labeled?
• Is personal protective equipment (PPE) provided for workers who use or handle chemicals?
• Is the exhaust ventilation system adequate to remove flammable/toxic vapors and dust?
• Are flammable and combustible liquids stored in approved containers?
• Are waste removal procedures for chemicals established?
• Are emergency overhead showers and eye wash stations provided?
• Have any workers reported dermatitis problems from contact with cement?
• Are hazardous materials loaded, transported, and unloaded by company personnel?

SOURCE: ISO Services Properties, Inc.