Workplace Safety Observation Tour Notes
The following summary report highlights key observation findings noted during the 2012 COR Safety Audit. The
intent of this document is to share the 2012 observation findings with each District facility and provide each facility
the same opportunity to enhance safety in their workplace. The attached photos are intended to provide
examples, not to single out any one facility. The entire audit process is based on a snapshot in time, and in
interpreted as closely as possible by the auditor. Administrators and non-school based leads are encouraged to
share this document with their employees in an effort to increase awareness and begin monitoring your
workplace.
Safety Mentions
Well organized art room with engineered storage units.
Great strapping system installed to store the large physical
education mats.
A power bar has been installed along the wall of a classroom
to help reduce the amount of cords on the floor and in the
walkway.
The cleanest and best organized classroom!
Well Organized Shop Area
Great Storage System
Shelving Unit (heavy items on the bottom)
Under Desk Shoe Management
Good Storage Practice
A homemade tag-out tag was placed on a piece of defective
equipment, great practice.
The red tape used to secure cords and wires in some of the
classrooms increases visibility. The tape appears to be both
heavy duty and quite adhesive.
Caretaking rooms were well organized using hooks and
holders to neatly store many pieces of equipment.
Staff members have managed the wires and cords in their
workspace by using wall hooks.
A homemade “Out of Order” sign has been placed on a bench
grinder in a shop.
The drama lights have been hung onto a racking system for
storage while not in use.
A protective strip has been placed on the edges of a
flammables cabinet after a cut injury occurred recently.
The Science Lab Technician has decorated her safety goggles
to help easily identify and locate them. Such a practice shows
the importance of such equipment to students.
Great Storage Unit
Great Cord Management
A CTS shop had implemented a storage system to neatly hang
brooms and dust pans keeping them off the floor and out of
the corners.
The art room appeared to be very well organized with lots of
engineered storage racking.
Great cord management one of the computer labs.
A computer lab had installed what looks like modified conduit
to attempt to contain the multiple computer cables and cords.
Opportunities for Improvement
There were many areas noted with paper less than 18” from
ceiling, paper on paper and non-emergency paper posted less
than 1 meter from the doorway.
Potential to Block Fire Extinguisher
Fluorescent light fixtures were stored on top of each other.
The students use the light fixtures for projects. The tubes can
be easily broken when stored in this manner.
Pinch Point- Injury Risk
Restricted Workspace
Physical-education equipment has been stored in the Airhandling room beside a large overhead water valve.
A bench grinder was missing the brush rest.
Improper Overhead Storage Practices
Daisy Chains
Portable space heater on small table in classroom walkway.
Unsecured Fire Extinguishers
Heavy boxes on top shelf.
A container marked with WHMIS labeling indicating it was
hand soap in the caretaking supply room must be relabeled as
the container did not contain hand soap.
Wooden easels were noted as loosely piled overhead and on
top of a storage unit.
A hallway marked as an emergency exit route was noted as
partially blocked by the storage of equipment
Excess and Unsecured Storage
Storage was noted quite close to a few sprinkler heads in the
school. Consider purchasing protective cages to keep the
sprinkler head from being damaged and potentially causing
further damage. It might be beneficial to share with all
employees at an upcoming staff meeting the importance of
keeping the sprinkler heads free of storage for ultimate
performance but also to prevent damage.
The shredding bin in one staff kitchen area was noted as
stuffed back in a corner with items stored around it and on
top of it. The District is responsible to ensure the safety of
contractors while on site. The excess lifting and maneuvering
that may be required by the shredding company’s employees
while emptying the shredding bin could result in an injury.
Excess Clutter in Office Walkway
Improper Storage/Restricted Access/ Limited Mobility
Unapproved Fridge Under Desk and Excess Clutter
Daisy Chain and Trip Hazard
Excess Storage Under Computer Workspace
File Storage on Office Floor- Slip/Trip Hazard
Unsecured Storage
Improperly Loaded Shelving Unit (Top Heavy)
Clutter in aisles and storage near electrical panels.
Frayed Power Cord
Damaged Power Cord
Overhead storage should be revisited in the caretaker room.
Consider providing sufficient shelving or storage units for the
required equipment.
Ladder blocking emergency door and extinguisher.
Damaged rest and rest out too far.
Man door noted as having objects stored in the pathway.
These items could become obstacles during an emergency
evacuation situation. No Exit sign on the door.
Old copies of the District’s Commitment to H&S still posted in
some facilities.
An employee was noted with excess storage under their work
space desk area, restricting proper ergonomics.
Cord Issues
Unmounted Household Mirror Among Cords
Improper StoragePractices
Blocked Emergency Equipment
Some desk areas were noted as having limited space that can
restrict the teacher’s movement while working and accessing
their desk and articles.
Some areas contained small book shelves that appeared to be
overloaded.
An emergency stop button was noted as difficult to access in
shop.
The emergency alarm bell was noted plugged by a cloth.
Blocked Electrical Panel
Tables stored behind classroom door. Risk of Injury to
Caretakers
Blocked Panel & Items Hung on Panel
Desk Floor Space Restricted
Storage in Mechanical Room
Daisy Chaaaaain
Unauthorized Appliances
Blocked Fire Extinguisher
Fire Extinguisher Partially Blocked
Restricted access to emergency equipment.
Ladder too short for area.
Frayed Power Cord Wrapped in Electrical Tape
Evacuation kit- Not ready to go.
Map rolls were noted leaning in a corner of a classroom. The
maps could be knocked over and cause both injury and
damage to the maps. Consider a storage rack to hold the rolls
of maps.
Excess items appeared to be stored in the infirmary,
restricting access to the First Ait kit and cot.
The furniture being used to store the microphone for the PA
system in the front office area does not provide enough work
space.
A bookshelf in an office was noted as insufficient for the
current use. It appeared over stacked, improperly stacked,
and was not secured from tipping over. Consider a more
effective use of the space and more appropriate shelving.
A bent shelving unit in a storage room was noted as having a
heavy item stored on it.
Exposed Wires
Storage at Bottom of Stairs.
OTHERS (No Pictures)
Safety Mentions
Hazard tape was applied to step edges in a mechanical room to identify the quick step-down in the room.
Cages have been mounted around most fluorescent light tubes in a school.
The MSDS in most science labs were up to date.
Ladders were noted secured to the wall in a caretaking room.
The District vehicle inspected contained a triangle kit, and a fire extinguisher.
The active construction area was marked off by pylons and red caution tape.
A caretaker was observed using a step ladder during the observation tour. The ladder usage practices observed
appeared to be appropriate. The employee was using the ladder shelf to hold needed supplies. He activated the
ladder locks and did not climb onto the top two rungs. The employee was not over-reaching while conducting the
job task.
A gym storage room was extremely full but appeared to be quite well organized.
Opportunities for Improvement
One classroom door and an office were noted with the lockdown coverings permanently affixed to the window on
the door.
Many rooms were noted with “paper on paper” displays.
Many classrooms were noted with more than 20% of their classrooms covered with paper
The First Aid kits in the building were not stocked to the required levels
The inside loading dock/shipping area was noted as poorly lit. The task lighting should be reviewed in the area.
Some offices were using portable space heaters that were not CSA approved.
An eyewash fountain was available however the tap required repairs. Ensure the tap is repaired or replaced.
The MSDS in a staff lunchroom were outdated. Much of the safety documents in the staff lunchroom were noted
as quite old.
A Media Communications lab contained multiple power bars under the front desk area. There were seven power
bars that could be identified, however there could possibly have be more in the mix.
Unapproved portable air conditioning units were noted in the drama theatre.
Most of the First Aid kits throughout the schools were missing the required contents list.
A couch was noted in front of an emergency exit door in a drama room.
The Formula 333 spray bottles were not labelled.
Consider revising documentation storage procedures to ensure the current year of safety
documentation is stored in the blue binder. Confirm the District’s suggested documentation storage
practices with either David Rost or Greg Moore.
An employee working with heavy textbooks was noted wearing open toed footwear. Consider
reviewing the risks associated with the falling text books in this area to determine if this risk is
acceptable.
Gym equipment was noted stored in the mechanical room.
The Home-Economics room did not appear to have a set of oven mitts for each oven.
An extension cord was noted without a ground plug.
Spray bottles in almost all facilities did not display proper WHMIS labeling.
Thank you.
Lori Markowsky
External AASP COR Auditor
E-HSA-122