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800 Introduction to Construction Safety Management
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The Comprehensive Baseline Survey

A comprehensive baseline survey should include a review of previous accidents, injuries, and illnesses; complaints; previous studies; etc. Comprehensive surveys should be performed depending on the business size and nature of the hazards at least every three years by private consultants, insurance company, and/or state-funded programs.

The baseline survey should include a review of the following:

  1. copies of written inspections and surveys by: fire department, in-house as required by safety and health standards (e.g, overhead crane inspections, powered industrial truck daily inspection, etc.)
  2. employee report of hazards or potential hazards
  3. accident and incident investigations with corrective actions and follow-up
  4. injury and illness trend analysis
  5. personal protective equipment assessment
  6. ergonomic analysis
  7. specific identification of confined spaces
  8. identification of energy sources for specific machines

As part of the worksite analysis process, the employer/general contractor should also require subcontractors to perform a baseline analysis as necessary in accordance with OSHA and company requirements. The subcontractors should share pertinent information with the general contractor, and/or other subcontractors.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-2. Comprehensive surveys should be performed, depending on the business size and nature of the hazards, at least every _____.