Workplace Inspection Checklist for Construction Works

Element Sub element Status Observation/comments

1.0 1.1 Statement of safety and
Administrative health policy displayed
requirements 1.2 The Director, DOSHS
notified within 7 days of
commencement of building
operations or works of
engineering construction
1.3 Project site registered by the
Director, DOSHS and
certificate of registration
available
1.4 Suitably qualified safety
supervisors/officers
appointed
1.5 Abstracts of OSHA, 2007
and BOWEC Rules, 1984
conspicuously displayed at
the workplace
1.6 Important emergency
contacts displayed
conspicuously at the
workplace
1.7 All accidents entered in the
general register
1.8 The Director, DOSHS/DSSS
notified of workplace
accident within 7 days of
occurrence vide DOSH 1
forms
1.9 The Director, DOSHS/DSSS
notified of fatalities within
24 hours of occurrence
1.10 Employees out of work for
three or more days due to
workplace accident
compensated accordingly
1.11 Relevant OSH legislations
available in the workplace
1.12 Safety committee
established and trained in
line with the Safety and
Health Committee Rules
Element Sub element Status Observation/comments
1.0 1.12 Quarterly site inspections
Administrative carried out by safety
requirements committee and reports
made
1.13 Safety committee meeting
every three months and
copies of minutes
submitted to DOSHS and
DSSS
1.14 Fire team established and
trained in line with the Fire
Risk Reduction Rules, 2007
1.15 Annual statutory safety
and health audits carried
out by approved safety
advisers
1.16 Annual fire safety audits
carried out by approved
fire safety auditors
1.17 All statutory equipment
examined by government
approved plant examiners
periodically and records
kept available at the site
office
1.1.8 Monthly OSH performance
reports submitted to
Ketraco
2.0 Training and 2.1 General safety induction
instruction provided and records
maintained
2.2 Work-specific safety
induction provided and
records maintained
2.3 Work competence of
employees established and
those not competent
trained accordingly before
being assigned work
2.4 Supervisors trained by a
recognised institution in
 ensuring safety and health
at work
2.5 Toolbox talks held to
discuss specific hazards

Element Sub element Status Observation/comments

3.0 Accident 3.1 Workplace accidents and
reporting and occupational diseases
investigation recorded in the general
register
3.2 The Director, DOSHS
notified of occupational
accidents/occupational
diseases through
completing and
submitting DOSH 1 forms
3.3 Copy of completed DOSH
1 form forwarded to HSE,
KETRACO
3.4 KETRACO Project
Manager and HSE
provided with a
completed preliminary
incident report form
within 24 hours of incident
causing property damage,
near miss or a lost time
injury
3.5 KETRACO Project
Manager and HSE
provided with a set of
incident investigation
documents no later than
48 hours after the
occurrence of the event
4.0 Safety and 4.1 A risk assessment of all
health risk work procedures with
assessments and possible hazards carried
safe work out and measures taken to
method reduce risk levels
statements 4.2 Copy of risk assessment
report submitted to
DOSHS and HSE,
KETRACO.
4.3 Safe Work Method
Statements (SWMS)
 prepared for all work
activities assessed as
having a safety risk

Element Sub element Status Observation/comments

4.0 Safety and 4.4 Copies of SWMS
health risk submitted to HSE,
assessments and KETRACO before
safe work commencement of works.
method 4.5 Permit to work system
statements implemented for
hazardous work
5.0 Use of 5.1 Log of all chemicals in site
Hazardous available
Substances 5.2 File of material safety data
sheets of all chemicals
used available for
reference by affected
employees
5.3 Workers are trained on
safe use of chemicals at
work and records kept
5.4 All chemical containers
are properly labelled
5.5 Compressed gas cylinders
used in accordance with
standard code of practices
5..6 Flammable substances
protected from ignition
sources
6.0 Use of 6.1 Equipment appropriate
Equipment - certified and checked by
Tools and competent or authorised
Machinery person.
6.2 Equipment are maintained
in a safe operating
condition.
6.3 Equipment maintained as
per manufacturer’s
maintenance manual and
applicable legislation
6.4 Equipment manuals
available in the English
language.
6.5 Checklists available for
carrying out daily, weekly,
 or monthly equipment
inspections.
6.6 Hazardous moving parts
appropriately guarded
Element Sub element Status Observation/comments
6.0 Use of 6.7 Appropriate safety
Equipment - signage displayed on
Tools and machines and work
Machinery stations. Wordings in
English or Kiswahili.
7.0 Lockout - 7.1 Lock-out/tag-out
Tagout (Control procedure used for
of hazardous machinery where
energy) inadvertent exposure to
electrical energy could
cause injury
7.2 Lockout - tagout shall be
carried out by authorised
personnel and records
kept after the lockout
tagout procedure is
carried out.
8.0 Ladders 8.1 Every ladder issued is of
good construction, sound
material adequate strength
and suitable for use
8.2 Every ladder is properly
maintained
8.3 Ladder rungs, cleats, and
steps are parallel, level,
and evenly spaced when
the ladder is positioned
for use
8.4 Each stepladder has a
metal spreader or locking
device
8.5 Ladders periodically
inspected by a competent
person
8.6 Ladders visually inspected
by users before use
8.7 Portable ladders with
structural defects marked
as defective and
withdrawn from service
 8.8 Employees trained to
recognize hazards related
to ladders

Element Sub element Status Observation/comments

9.0 Temporary 9.1 All work done by qualified
Power Supply persons.
9.2 Appropriate PPE used
9.3 Temporary power panels
and live parts of wiring or
equipment fully guarded
9.4 All circuits protected
against overload
9.5 All electrical conduits
insulated
9.6 Bulbs attached to
temporary lighting strings
and extension cords
adequately protected
10.0 Noise 10.1 Regulations concerning
(Noise protection of employees
Prevention and against the effects of noise
Control Rules, exposure understood and
2005) complied with
11.0 Airborne 11.1 Dispersion of fine
Dust particulates and dust
minimised by suitable
engineering methods
11.2 PPE issued to all workers
that come into direct
contact with air-borne dust.
11.3 The contractor ensures that
all workers put on their
appropriate PPE at all times
while working in a dusty
environment.
12.0 Fire 12.1 Fire evacuation plan
Prevention developed
12.2 Adequate number and
type of fire extinguisher(s)
available
12.3 Fire fighting equipment
conspicuously located
 12.4 Fire fighting equipment
periodically inspected and
maintained in operating
condition
12.5 Phone number of fire
department posted
12.6 Flammable liquids stored
in approved containers
and correctly labelled
12.7 Highly flammable liquids
kept in workroom is less
than 50 liters and stored in
a fire resistant container.

Element Sub element Status Observation/comments

12.0 Fire 12.8 Fire alarm available
Prevention 12.9 Fuel supplies protected
from accidental impact
12.10 Fire training given to fire
marshals
12.11 equipment shut down
prior to refuelling
12.12 Equipment properly
grounded to fuel trucks
before refuelling
12.13 “No smoking” signs
posted and enforced
13.0 Emergency 13.1 Evacuation procedures
Management designed to be used
during any emergency
13.2 Emergency procedures
tested at regular intervals
14.0 First Aid 14.1 Adequately stocked first
aid box(es) provided
14.2 Enough trained first
aiders available
14.3 Stretcher(s) available
14.4 Emergency contacts of
ambulance and referral
medical facility displayed
14.5 First aid room in sites
with fifty or more persons
15.0 Shelters and 15.1 Sheltered areas for
Accommodation protection from adverse
for Clothing and weather
for Taking 15.2 Sheltered areas for meals
Meals 15.3 Storage facilities for
personal clothing
15.4 Storage facilities for
PPE’s
Element Sub element Status Observation/comments
16.0 Supply of 16.1 Adequate supply of
Drinking Water wholesome water
16.2 Adequate drinking cups
17.0 Washing 17.1 Adequate, suitable and
Facilities & clean washing facilities
Sanitary 17.2 Adequate, suitable and
Conveniences clean sanitary
conveniences
17.3 Facilities for cleaning
hands

18.0 Medical 18.1 Pre-employment and

Examination periodic medical
examination of employees
carried out by DHP’s
19.0 Pedestrian 19.1 Pedestrians protected for
Safety construction works
20.0 Transport 20.1 Drivers hold current
Safety driving licenses
20.2 Drivers/loaders taken
through site induction
training including driving
safety
20.3 Competence of drivers
certified before signing
20.4 Vehicle maintenance
carried out periodically
and as per manufacturer’s
instructions
20.5 All incidences involving
vehicles reported
20.6 Use of intoxicants while
operating vehicles
prohibited
20.7 Vehicles driven at legal
speeds
20.8 Drivers and passengers
aware of hazards in ROWs
21.0 Signs and 21.1 Excavations, holes, or
barricades openings in floors or roofs,
elevated platforms etc
barricaded
21.2 Signs, signals and
barricades to detour the
passage of persons or
vehicles installed and
maintained
21.3 Deployment of flagmen to
guide machine operators
and pedestrians within
barricaded pedestrian
walk way
21.4 Signs and Barricades
posted and removed
without delay
Element Sub element Status Observation/comments
22.0 Excavations 22.1 Walls and roof of any
excavation, shaft,
earthwork or tunnel,
deeper than 1.2 metres
reinforced
22.2 Construction material for
bracing and shoring are in
good condition and of
proper dimensions
22.3 Excavations inspected
each day by a competent
individual
22.4 Excavation, shaft, pit or
opening in the ground
more than two metres in
depth securely covered or
fenced
22.5 Excavated material piled
at least one metre back
from the edge of the
excavation
22.6 Barricades placed around
excavation areas to protect
people and animals from
falling into the excavation
after digging
22.7 Persons not permitted in
an excavation while
 equipment is in operation
next to the edge of the
excavation
22.8 No load or equipment
likely to cause a collapse
of the side of an
excavation, is placed or
moved near the edge of
the excavation
22.9 Excavator operator
maintains at least one
metre unimpaired
clearance between the
excavator’s rotating
superstructure and
adjacent objects
22.10 Persons kept outside the
work area by marking
with rope, tape, etc.
Element Sub element Status Observation/comments
22.0 Excavations 22.11 DANGER – STAY CLEAR
signs posted on all sides of
the excavator.
22.12 Employees exposed to
vehicular traffic wearing
warning vests made of
reflectorized or high
visibility material
23.0 Scaffolds 23.1 Erections properly
supervised by safety
supervisor
 Sub element Status Observation/comments
23.2 Scaffolds inspected for
visible defects by a safety
supervisor before each
work shift, and after any
occurrence which could
affect a scaffold’s
structural integrity
23.3 Employees involved in
erecting, disassembling,
moving, operating,
repairing, maintaining, or
inspecting a scaffold
trained by a competent
person
23.4 Scaffold constructed using
suitable material of
adequate strength for the
purpose for which it is
used
23.5 Guard rails, intermediate
rails, and toe boards in
place
23.6 Scaffolds and scaffold
components capable of
supporting their
maximum intended load
or rated capacities,
whichever is less
23.7 Personnel working under
the scaffold kept to a
minimum and provided
with appropriate
protective equipment

Element Sub element Observation/comments

23.0 Scaffolds 23.8 All scaffold connections
secure
23.9 Scaffolds erected on solid
footing
23.10 Employees working from
a scaffold more than 2m
above a lower level
protected from falling to
that lower level
 23.11 Scaffold fixed, secured or
placed in position so as to
prevent accidental
displacement.
Element Sub element Observation/comments
24.0 Fall 24.1 Optimal fall protection
Protection provided where there is
possibility of falling at
least two metres
24.2 A properly
manufactured/
constructed, erected,
secured and maintained
ladder in use
24.3 A properly manufactured,
erected and maintained
scaffold with complete
handrail system
24.4 A properly inspected,
operated and maintained
mobile bucket or scissors
lift
24.5 Persons working with
mobile buckets or scissors
lifts working within the
confines of the railing and
tied off utilizing a full
body harness
24.6 All openings along roof
edges, building edges, and
floor openings protected
with guard rails,
barricades and/or covers
Element Sub element Status Observation/comments
24.0 Fall 24.7 When using the body
Protection harness method of fall
protection, worker is tied
off by at least one
connection between
his/her body harness and
a secured building
structural member or
other fall protection
device.
Element Sub element Status Observation/comments
24.8 Every employee issued
with a safety harness shall
be has been instructed by a
qualified person in the
proper method of wearing,
using, and securing it.
24.9 Every safety harness and
lanyard inspected by a
qualified person upon
issue, and by the wearer
before each use.
24.10 All employees working at
height trained by a
qualified person/
organization and issued
with a height pass.
25.0 Lifting 25.1 Chain, rope or lifting tackle
Equipment: used it is of good
Chains, rope construction, sound
and lifting material, adequate strength
tackle and free from patent defect
25.2 Safe working loads
indicated in a chart
displayed in site office or
plainly marked on
equipment
25.3 Safe work load not
exceeded during use
25.4 All chains, ropes and lifting
tackle in use thoroughly
examined every six months
by a person approved by
the Director, DOSHS
25.0 Lifting 25.5 No wire rope used if in any
Equipment: length of ten diameters the
Chains, rope total number of visible
and lifting broken wires exceeds five
tackle per cent of the total number
of wires in the rope
25.6 Every sling used for raising
or lowering on a lifting
appliance is securely
attached to the appliance
Element Sub element Status Observation/comments
25.0 Lifting 25.7 Whenever two or more rope
Equipment: eyes must be placed over a
Chains, rope hook, a shackle is installed
and lifting on the hook with the shackle
tackle pin resting in the hook and
the rope eyes attached to the
shackle
25.8 Adequate steps taken to
prevent the edges of the load
being raised or lowered from
coming into contact with any
sling, rope or chain where
this would cause danger
25.9 Chain or wire rope which
has a knot tied in any part of
the chain or rope under
direct tension not used for
lifting/lowering
25.10 Chain which is shortened or
joined to another chain by
means of bolts and nuts
inserted through the links
not used for lifting/ lowering
25.11 U-bolt clips properly spaced
and installed when forming
eyes in wire ropes
Element Sub element Status Observation/comments
26.0 Lifting 26.1 Lifting machine is of good
Equipment: construction, sound
Cranes and material, adequate strength
other lifting and free from patent defect
appliances 26.2 Lifting machine properly
lubricated and maintained
26.3 All parts and gear of lifting
machines thoroughly
examined, at least once
every twelve months by a
person approved by the
Director, DOSHS
26.4 All lifting machines
inspected daily by
competent person and
records available
26.5 Lifting machines operated
by a person who is at least
eighteen years old and is
trained and possesses a
certificate in writing from a
recognised institution to
operate that machine
26.6 Lifting machine operator
has undergone competence
test and issued with
certificate of competence
26.7 Lifting appliance
adequately and securely
supported
26.8 Stability of lifting
appliances ensured when
used on a soft or uneven
surface or on a slope
26.9 Every crane, crab and winch
provided with an efficient
brake or brakes or other
safety device
26.10 Alarms working and
audible
26.11 Operation in accordance
with manufacturer’s
instruction
Element Sub element Status Observation/comments
27.0 Use of 27.1 Used in accordance with
Puller/Tensioner the users and safety
manual for the machine.
27.2 Safe work method
statements available
operators conversant
with the statements.
28.0 Hot Work - 28.1 Hot work permit issued
Including before striking an arc or
Burning and lighting a torch.
Welding 28.2 Fire extinguishers of the
proper size, type and in
sufficient number
located within 10 metres
of any welding, burning,
or open-flame work
28.3 Trained fire fighter
present during the
permit period
28.4 Fire watch provided
during and for at least 30
minutes after hot work
has been completed
28.5 Acetylene/oxygen hoses
and welding leads do
not run through
doorways
28.6 No welding or burning
done on a closed vessel
previously in use unless
it has been
decontaminated and
approved by the Site
Manager.
28.7 Flammable and
combustible materials
within and below
welding area kept away
28.8 Adequate ventilation
provided
28.9 Discarded rods properly
disposed
28.10 Welding shields in place
to protect people from
the arc
Element Sub element Status Observation/comments
28.0 Hot 28.11 Oxy-acetylene equipment
Work - disassembled, with
Including regulators removed and
Burning and protective caps installed
Welding hand-tight, prior to vehicular
transporting
28.12 Compressed gas cylinders
secured vertically to an
adequate support while in
storage, transit, or use
28.13 The cylinder valves closed
and hose lines bled after
completing the required
burning or welding
28.14 All hoses, gauges, and torches
inspected before each use.
28.15 Torches not left in a vessel,
tank, or other closed
container.
28.16 Acetylene/oxygen torches
equipped with flashback
arresters.
28.17 Cutting torch cylinders not
placed where they might
become part of electrical
circuit
28.18 Separate storage areas for
fuel, gas and oxygen
cylinders outside range of
falling debris and away from
heavily trafficked areas
28.19 Storage areas clear of
combustibles including fuels
and designated no smoking
areas and protected from
sunlight
28.20 Appropriate PPE’s provided
for persons doing hot work

Element Sub element Status Observation/comments

29.0 Use of 29.1 Safety supervisor with
Explosives adequate knowledge of the
dangers connected with
the use of explosives
supervises and directly
controls the handling and
use of explosives.
29.2 Safety supervisor ensures
that when a charge is fired,
persons employed are
positioned safely
29.3 Explosives are transported,
stored and used in
accordance with the
Explosives Act (Cap 115)
and the Mining Act (Cap
306).
29.4 Smoking, firearms,
matches, open flame lamps
and other fires, flame or
heat producing devices,
and sparks prohibited in or
near explosive magazines
and while explosives are
being handled,
transported, or used
29.5 An inventory and use
record of all explosives
maintained by contractor
29.6 Explosives not in use kept
in a locked magazine
29.7 Precautions taken to
prevent accidental
discharge of electric
blasting caps from current
induced by radar, radio
transmitters, lighting,
adjacent power lines, dust
storms and other sources
of extraneous electricity
29.8 Explosives and related
materials stored in
approved facilities
29.9 Loud warning signal given
before blasting
Element Sub element Observation/comments
30.0 30.1 All materials stored in
Housekeeping such a manner as to
prevent falling, shifting or
collapse
30.2 Materials not stored on
scaffolds in quantities
greater than needed for
one day’s use.
30.3 All bagged materials
stacked with the layers
stepped back and
interlocked to prevent the
stack from slipping or
otherwise shifting.
30.4 All nails removed from
used timber before storage.
30.5 Structural steel, poles,
pipes, bars and similar
materials stored in racks or
otherwise confined so as to
prevent shifting, spreading
or falling
30.6 All scrap timber, waste
materials, and rubbish
removed from the
immediate work areas on a
continuous basis.
30.7 All exits and access ways
should kept unobstructed.
30.8 Scrap, trash, and other
wastes shall be placed in
designated containers
authorized by the Site
Manager.
30.9 Metal containers with
covers provided for
disposal of oily and
flammable/combustible
soaked rags.
30.10 Combustibles such as fuels,
paint, flammable materials,
timber and paper stored
away from possible fire-
sources.
Element Sub element Status Observation/comments
31.0 Personal 31.1 Hazard evaluation carried
Protective out to determine type of PPE
equipment to be issued
32.2 Protective equipment
adequate for exposure
33.3 Employees issued PPE
where needed
33.4 PPE used consistently
33.5 Employees trained in the use
of PPE
33.6 Inspections of PPE done
periodically/before and after
use
33.7 Adequate maintenance and
clean storage facilities
provided
33.8 Adequate fall protection
equipment provided
33.9 Protective helmets (hard
hats) worn at all times on
site
33.10 Ear protection devices
provided and used wherever
it is not feasible to reduce
noise levels
33.11 Employees provided with
and use eye and face
protection when machines or
operations present potential
eye or face injury
33.12 Respirators and masks
provided and used
33.13 Appropriate safety footwear
provided and used
33.14 Appropriate hand gloves
provided and used
33.15 Appropriate coverall/
overall/ dustcoat provided
and used