Food-Service-Manual-for-Health-Care-Institutions

Safety, Security, and Emergency Preparedness
Certain circumstances usually surround an OSHA inspection of a food service facility, for
which advance notice of the visit may or may not have been given. On announcing himself or
herself and showing adequate identification, the compliance inspector performs the following
activities:
• Reviews all accident report forms on file.
• Inspects records of workplace illnesses and injuries.
• Requests the name and address of the company physician or staff members trained in
administering medical aid.
• Checks the supplies in the first-aid kit.
• Asks questions concerning the number of people working on each shift, the number of
supervisors and workers on staff, and the classification of staff members by job and gender.
• Reviews the department’s safety-training programs.
• Requests that a ranking supervisor and a shop steward (if the institution is unionized)
accompany him or her on the tour of the department.
• Talks with employees about safety topics.
• Points out hazards or unsafe conditions such as oil, debris, and trash in traffic and work
areas.
• Checks all machines, electrical equipment (including plugs) for proper grounding, ladders,
tools, and storage areas.
• Notes the location, application, and last testing date of each fire extinguisher.
• Reports to the supervisor (and to the shop steward in unionized institutions) any unsafe
actions observed among workers.
• Makes written comments on all violations cited.
• Talks with individual employees previously cited for violations to determine the best
way to correct the safety problems.
After the inspection, citations and penalties (if any) are issued if the organization was
found to be in violation of OSHA standards. The seriousness of the violation determines
whether a fine is levied or legal action is taken.
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard and Right-to-Know Law
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) was originally intended to
alert manufacturing employees to the use of hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Employers
were required to inform employees about the physical and health hazards involved, safe handling
procedures, and emergency and first-aid procedures. In 1987, OSHA expanded the standard
to include areas other than manufacturing.
Under the revised standard, chemical manufacturers and importers who produce, manufacture,
or import hazardous chemicals are required to prepare technical hazard information
to be used on labels and material safety data sheets (MSDSs) to accompany the hazardous
chemicals. The law also defines which types of chemicals must be labeled and whether labels
may be removed at any time. Employers are required to inform employees when potentially
hazardous chemicals are being used in the workplace (Right-to-Know Law) and, furthermore,
make the information supplied by manufacturers and importers available to employees. Also,
they must establish programs on hazard training and written communication (discussed
below).
Material Safety Data Sheets
Chemical manufacturers and importers must supply an MSDS for every hazardous chemical
they produce or import. The supervisor in the area where the chemical is to be used must maintain
an MSDS, which must be forwarded to employers at the time of the initial shipment. The
information must be written in plain English, be readily available to designated employee
439