The Textile Finishing Industry

Table of contents

Why a safety list?___________________________________________________ 2

Procedure_________________________________________________________ 2

Step by Step Plan___________________________________________________ 2

Summary of employees and their activities_________________________________ 4

The checklist______________________________________________________ 5

Plant and machinery_________________________________________________ 6

Mechanical lifting____________________________________________ 6

Moving parts_______________________________________________ 6

Machine safety______________________________________________ 6

Rough surfaces and sharp objects________________________________ 7

Uncontrolled movements_______________________________________ 7

Machine maintenance_________________________________________ 8

Electrical safety_____________________________________________________ 9

Electricity__________________________________________________ 9

High Voltage_______________________________________________ 10

Hazardous substances______________________________________________ 11

Substances________________________________________________ 11

Regulations________________________________________________ 11

Storage and stocking_________________________________________ 11

Handling__________________________________________________ 12

Release and spread of dangerous substances______________________ 12

Fire and explosion hazards____________________________________________ 13

Fire prevention_____________________________________________ 13

Fire detection______________________________________________ 13

Fire fighting________________________________________________ 13

Mains services_____________________________________________ 13

Explosion hazards___________________________________________ 14

Transport________________________________________________________ 15

Internal Transport___________________________________________ 15

Garage entrance and exit______________________________________ 15

Physical safety____________________________________________________ 16

Noise____________________________________________________ 16

Contact with heat___________________________________________ 16

Radiation__________________________________________________ 16

Health___________________________________________________________ 17

Occupational diseases, industrial accidents and absence due to illness___ 17

Stress____________________________________________________ 17

Relational stress____________________________________________ 17

Ergonomics_______________________________________________________ 18

Machines_________________________________________________ 18

Work and working postures____________________________________ 18

VDU work_________________________________________________ 18

Loads____________________________________________________ 18

Emergencies______________________________________________________ 19

First-aid___________________________________________________ 19

Escape routes______________________________________________ 19

Emergency lighting__________________________________________ 19

Emergency procedures_______________________________________ 19

Workplace and premises_____________________________________________ 20

Environment_______________________________________________ 20

Lighting__________________________________________________ 20

Persons falling______________________________________________ 20

Premises__________________________________________________ 21

Personnel facilities___________________________________________ 21

Access to premises__________________________________________ 21

Policy and organisation______________________________________________ 22

Training and Instructions_____________________________________ 22

New technology____________________________________________ 22

Working with third parties_____________________________________ 22

Motivation of personnel (health and safety)________________________ 22

Protective equipment_________________________________________ 23

Machine and product purchases________________________________ 23

Permits___________________________________________________ 23

Why a safety list?

Of all companies, the impact of sickness, an accident or incidents, is the greatest for small businesses or organisations. The loss of one machine or the temporary unfitness for work of one employee has an appreciable impact on the productivity and efficiency of the entire organisation. Small businesses must, when compared with large ones, make up for a deficiency with fewer means and personnel.

The causes of the loss are usually attributable to unsafe and unhealthy situations at work. In order to prevent them, it is very important to know what the at-risk areas in your company are. You can track down risks and hazards by carrying out a risk inventory and assessment. Once they are known, you can reduce them (and finally prevent them) by taking appropriate measures. The likelihood of loss or injury is thus reduced.

This checklist is to be the basic document for the works manager wanting to improve health and safety in his workplace. Going through this list together with staff also constitutes a step towards a more competitive and efficient business.

In order to provide the assurance of a safe and healthy environment, the legislators have made carrying out a risk assessment mandatory (89/391/EEC). This checklist does not relieve you from this obligation, but it will be an aid to making it easier to meet the legal stipulations.

The checklist does not assume any prior additional theoretical knowledge. This means that it can simply be used by anyone in the trade. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to consult the competent persons or authorities.

Procedure

The checking principle is simple but in order to conduct it properly you must make sufficient time available. You should allow 4 hours fully to cover this checklist. In order to make the best use of this booklet, you should go through it step by step. It is not necessary to work through the booklet at one go, but we do recommend that you do so.

Part 1

In part one, you will find a table where you fill in the workers concerned and their activities. This table will help you to achieve a better overall view of the business and the various jobs.

Part 2

Part two contains the checklist as such. The list is subdivided into four columns. Column 1 shows a summary of the various items requiring attention which come up in the questions and hints in column 2. These questions are not exhaustive. It is possible that certain questions will not apply to your business or that additional questions will be required. You can adapt the list yourself to your business. Column 3 gives a number of solutions to correct problem items. Important items requiring attention which must be advised to personnel are marked (*). The black dot (l) is ticked if there is room for improvement. If the situation does not require any action, then the white dot (¡) is ticked. Where the subject does not apply, you will leave column 3 blank.

Important problems in the trade are given additional emphasis with the "L" symbol. Special measure which are particularly effective are indicated with a "J".

Part 3

Part 3 contains useful addresses for more information.

Step by Step Plan

In the next step you will draw up a list of the problem items according to the extent of their effect on safety. In prioritising problem items, you can take the following criteria into consideration:

· risk elimination takes precedence over risk reduction

· collective measures take precedence over individual measures

· many people take precedence over few people

· little money, substantial result takes precedence over much money, little result.

You will link these remarks to the action to be taken, a person responsible and a target date. If required, you can describe matters in more detail (e.g. budget available). By dealing with problem items systematically, you will work step by step towards an improved safety policy in your business.

Summary of employees and their activities

Employee	Main Activity	hours/day	Subsidiary Activity	hours/day	Details*
William O.	fork lift truck driver	5	maintenance	3
Stephen D.	warper	8			back ailments

* Are the employees qualified for the job? (fork lift truck drivers, electricians, etc.)

Has the work been properly distributed among the workforce?

Does the employee's health enable him to do this job?

Are there special risk groups working in the business, such as trainees, pregnant women, youngsters and disabled persons?

The checklist

The questions and hints should help you better to locate the problem

Employees must be briefed on action indicated with * at an information meeting.

Plant and machinery

¡ : in order, under control

l : not in order, to be improved

P

Possible problems

Questions and hints

Action

P

Mechanical lifting

Has the lifting machinery (overhead crane, hoists, etc.) and slinging equipment (chains, hooks, wire ropes, etc.) been approved recently?

Lifting machinery to be inspected periodically by a competent authority:

annually for mechanisms and structures

every three months for slinging equipment

Are machines checked regularly?

A daily visual check of the machine to be performed before starting work

P

P

Moving parts

Are there machines with unprotected or unguarded moving parts?

Machines purchased or built in house after 1-1-1995 must be CE marked.

Moving parts which can be touched to be guarded

Possible problems. If a problem is not relevant for you, proceed to the next item. You can make your own additions where necessary.

The action proposed here can help to reduce the risk. If the action has already been taken you can indicate this by ticking the white dot (¡). Action which has not as yet received attention must be indicated with the black dot (l). If it does not apply you just go on to the next point.

Plant and machinery

¡ : in order, under control

l : not in order, to be improved

Possible problems		Questions and hints		Action

Mechanical lifting	w	Has the lifting machinery (overhead crane, hoists, etc.) and slinging equipment (chains, hooks, wire ropes, etc.) been submitted for approval recently?	w	Lifting machinery to be inspected periodically by a competent authority: - annually for mechanisms and structures - every three months for slinging equipment		¡ ¡	l l

	w	Are machines checked regularly?	w	A daily visual check of the machine to be performed before starting work	*	¡	l

Moving parts L	w	Are there machines with unprotected or unguarded moving parts?	w - - -	Machines purchased or built in house after 1-1-1995 must be CE marked. Moving parts which can be touched to be guarded. Machines must not be capable of being started without safety devices. Consider two handed operation of start buttons if no guarding can be fitted.		¡ ¡ ¡ ¡	l l l l

	w	Is it possible to touch or get into machinery while it is in motion?	w	Danger areas to be clearly indicated and access impeded by suitable guarding.		¡	l

Machine safety	w	Can a machine be stopped immediately in case of emergency or an accident?	w	Fit machines with emergency stops.		¡	l

	w	Can unintentional starting be prevented?	w -	The start button is to be placed such that it cannot be pressed unintentionally. Start-up of very large machines to be preceded by an audible warning.		¡ ¡	l l

	w	Is the control panel laid out safely?	w	The operator station to be arranged such that the operator is not exposed to any additional hazards.		¡	l

	w	Have machine operators been adequately trained (to avoid improper use of machinery)	w -	Training and instructions to be given. Safety instructions for operators to be drafted in the appropriate language(s).	*	¡ ¡	l l

Rough surfaces and sharp objects	w	Is there a danger of cuts? · corners · sharp points · shears · razor blades · ..................	w -	Sharp implements to be put away after use. Protective clothing (gloves) to be worn when handling sharp objects and materials.	* *	¡ ¡	l l

Uncontrolled movements	w	Is it possible for objects or equipment to move out of control?	w	Collective and individual protective equipment to be used. J guards safety footwear [safety] helmet gloves		¡ ¡ ¡ ¡	l l l l
		fork lift truck swinging out	- - -	Fork lift truck drivers to be trained. Other persons (e.g. pedestrians) to be kept at a distance as far as possible. Audible warning for HGVs when reversing.		¡ ¡ ¡	l l l
		loads swaying	- - - -	Restrict manoeuvring speed of lifting machinery. Unauthorised persons not to be permitted in the vicinity of hoisting machinery. Never walk under loads. The safe working load of machines to be observed.	*	¡ ¡ ¡ ¡	l l l l
		loads or stacked goods falling from above	- - - - - -	Individual protective equipment to be used when stacking goods (gloves, helmet, safety footwear). Products to stacked tidily and stably (stacks not too high). Robust storage racking to be provided. Fork lift trucks with a sufficiently robust overhead guard (FOPS) to be used. Ensure stability in transport (tied down loads if possible). Provide passages of adequate width for vehicles.	*	¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡	l l l l l l

	w	Is it possible for machines to move unexpectedly during maintenance?	w - - -	Isolate the electrical power supply before starting work. Remove fuses. Release energy stored up in the machine (e.g. hydropneumatic) before starting maintenance. Immobilise moving parts during maintenance.		¡ ¡ ¡ ¡	l l l l

Machine maintenance	w	Is preventive maintenance carried out on the various appliances and machines?	w - - -	A maintenance scheme to be set up for the various machines. Have the operator carry out routine maintenance or inspection of the machine daily. Log book and maintenance manuals to be arranged for the various machines. Steam piping to be checked as well.		¡ ¡ ¡ ¡	l l l l

	w	Are anomalies in a machine notified explicitly?	w -	Machine anomalies to be noted in the log book. Deficiencies in the machine to be notified and (have) repaired as soon as possible.		¡ ¡	l l

	w	Are the machines laid out properly?	w -	Machines to be positioned such that it is possible to get past them easily. Machines to be positioned in a logical sequence such that repeated walking about is avoided.		¡ ¡	l l

	w	Is work on machines clearly indicated?	w	Use signs whenever a machine is being worked on (e.g. maintenance signs)	*	¡	l

Electrical safety

¡ : in order, under control

l : not in order, to be improved

Possible problems		Questions and hints		Action

Electricity	w	Is there a plan of the mains electrical supply?	w	A plan of the existing mains electrical supply with the low voltage panels and circuits to be drawn up.	¡	l

	w	Is there an inventory of the various items of electrical equipment with their specifications?	w	Draw up an inventory of the various items of electrical equipment installed with their specifications.	¡	l

	w	Is the supply power rating suitable for the stock of machines?	w	Adapt the power supply to suit.	¡	l

	w	Are there sufficient circuit breakers? (current protection, earth leakage circuit breaker, differential current circuit breaker, fuses)	w	Fit the necessary circuit breakers to suit the supply.	¡	l

	w	Are the machines suitable for their environment with regard to moisture and dust?	w	Check the minimum IP protection rating.	¡	l

	w	Is work on the power supply carried out by trained electricians?	w	Have electrical work carried out by trained workers only.	¡	l

	w	Is the electricity supply subject to periodic approval?	w	Arrange inspection by an approved body: · for low voltage: every five years and when expanding the system · for high voltage: annually	¡ ¡	l l

	w	Is there a danger of tripping over cables lying about?	w -	Do not allow cables to run loose over the floor, but fix them in channels. Avoid excessive use of extension leads.	¡ ¡	l l

	w	Are electric cables, plugs and sockets and enclosures in order?	w -	Carry out an in-house periodic check (e.g. annually) on all electrical appliances. · electrical equipment in use · leads · plugs · sockets · distribution board · generators · ................. Replace unserviceable plugs, sockets and cables at once.	¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡	l l l l l l l

High Voltage	w	Is work carried out in the vicinity of (a) high voltage (booth)?	w -	High voltage equipment to be properly screened off. High voltage to be indicated with the appropriate pictogram.	¡ ¡	l l

	w	Is the high voltage booth accessible?	w -	High voltage booth door to be kept locked. Prohibit access to unauthorised persons.	¡ ¡	l l

	w	Is the high voltage booth still Askarel based?	w -	Apply a pictogram with a St Andrew's cross to the door of the booth. Askarel transformers must be replaced no later than 31-12-2005	¡ ¡	l l

Hazardous substances

¡ : in order, under control

l : not in order, to be improved

Possible problems		Questions and hints		Action

Substances pigments alkalis acids latex wax dust .................	w	Has a record been drawn up of the hazardous substances and agents? (These are all substances with a label with an orange and black illustration on them, for instance a skull, St Andrew's cross. These may be: paints, cleaning products, etc.)	w	Set up a record of dangerous substances to include, among other things: · List of the substances · The quantity of the substance present · Safety information leaflet or MSDS on each product · The required permits (environment, discharge) · The manner and place of storage · Waste processing	¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡	l l l l l l

Regulations	w	Are the required precautions being applied as stipulated in the MSDS, permits and other regulations? (If in doubt consult the supplier or a competent authority.)	w	The prescribed precautions to be taken in respect of: · fire hazards · poisoning · waste disposal · individual and collective protective equipment to be made available.	¡ ¡ ¡ ¡	l l l l

Storage and stocking