Top 3 Facility Maintenance Safety Checklist Items – Part 2 of 2

In part one of this two part series we discussed the importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when performing routine facility or building maintenance tasks.  Today’s post focuses on the remaining two safety checklist items: equipment safety and hazard awareness. Our goal is to make certain your work environment is as safe as possible and HVAC maintenance equipment is used safely and effectively. Like we said before, YOU are the most irreplaceable piece of facility maintenance gear you have!

To get you in that “let’s be careful out there” mood, here’s a sensationalized look at what could happen if your work environment is not safe.

Equipment Safety

So what’s the one thing you can do to make sure your equipment is safe to use? You should inspect your tools before you put them into action. Here’s a list of basic items to check:

• Power tools: Check that the cord is grounded and look for signs of wear.
  • Never use a cord that has exposed conductors.
  • Make sure the safeties and guards are functioning properly.
  • Always carry a cord with GFCI protection in case a protected outlet is unavailable on site.  This is especially important when working with pressure washers or condenser tube cleaners as they come in contact with water.
• Hand tools:
• Industrial maintenance tools and equipment: Check that your tools and equipment are in good working order so they will not cause injury unnecessary wear and tear to your body.  This includes things like chiller tube cleaners, boiler tube cleaners, hose/pipe cleaners, descaler systems, industrial vacuums, commercial pressure washers and drain cleaners.
• Ladders: Always inspect your ladder.
  • Look for cracks and check the rungs before putting your weight on them.
  • If you are using a step ladder, make sure it locks properly when you open it.
  • Never stand on the top platform.
  • When using such tools as stack efficiency testers or fiber scopes, be careful to maintain your balance even when running out longer probes. Never use a wooden or metal ladder when the potential for contact with electricity exists.

Hazard Awareness

What’s the one thing you can do to make sure your work environment is also safe? Before beginning any facilities maintenance work, take a look around you.  Look for trip hazards.  Note anything that might be in your way while performing your task.  See if there is a need to isolate electricity or other forms of energy.  If you are on a roof, note how far you are from the edge, and whether there are railings to protect you.  Look for vent pipes that can be right at shin level.  Clear away any puddles if you are going to be near electricity.

Sometimes the most dangerous places are the familiar ones you work in all the time.  Take a minute to determine if anything has changed since the last time you were there.

Going through these safety items may take a lot of effort at first, but once you have made them a part of your regular routine, they will take little time and make your maintenance tasks significantly safer.

Next Steps:

• Check out our learning center on how best to maintain your facility’s existing equipment.
• Subscribe to our blog to stay informed on the latest HVAC maintenance news and insight.
• Work smarter by using inspection and test equipment to better understand system performance and efficiency.

John Thompson
Goodway Blogging Team