How do employers identify and assess hazards?

OSHA does require an hazard assessment per 1910.132(d). To identify and assess hazards, employers and workers must conduct initial and periodic workplace inspections to identify new or recurring hazards. The hazards can be physical or health related.

In addition to noting the basic layout of the facility and reviewing any history of occupational illnesses or injuries, things to look for during the walkthrough survey include:

• Sources of electricity.
• Sources of motion—such as machines or processes where movement may exist—that could result in an impact or compression between personnel and equipment.
• Sources of high temperatures that could result in burns, eye injuries, or fire.
• Types of chemicals used in the workplace.
• Sources of harmful dusts.
• Sources of light radiation, such as welding, brazing, cutting, furnaces, heat treating, or high intensity lights.
• The potential for falling or dropping objects.
• Sharp objects that could poke, cut, stab, or puncture.
• Biologic hazards such as blood or other potentially infected material.

If it’s determined that hazards are present, the employer has to select protective equipment for employees and communicate the selection decisions to them.