If possible, obtain a toxic substance list from the facility personnel. Plant facilities usually have a warning system which alerts employees to an emergency situation. Make sure you are aware of the emergency warning systems and procedures for fire evacuation, severe weather, or toxic release signals. If specialized training is required, document the type, contact person, and personal protective equipment needed. Discuss health and safety with plant personnel prior to starting the field inspection:

• Attend required plant safety orientation.
• During the pre inspection meeting or safety orientation session, inquire about unusual or extreme health and safety hazards that may be present in the area being inspected.
• Determine the safest procedures for plant personnel to obtain samples required as part of the on-site inspection.
• Review the types of portable equipment, flashlights, etc. to be used with plant health and safety personnel to confirm that these will not be sources of ignition for flammable gases, vapor, or particles while in Hazardous Locations

Start the inspection in the control room. Enter present operating data on the process flowchart. Review the present data and any shifts from baseline conditions to determine if there should be considered while inspecting or walking close to the equipment. Work at a controlled pace, and be aware of the chemical, physical, and/or biological hazards that may be present. Study the EPA air pollution source inspection recognition and avoidance training materials. Be aware of hazards including but not limited to the following:

• Physical Hazards such as:
  • Broken railing or poorly maintained ladders,
  • Dangerous or unprotected machinery,
  • Rotating equipment,
  • Low or heated pipes,
  • High temperature surfaces,
  • Intermittent steam vents,
  • Emergency gas bypass vents that could open suddenly,
  • Exposed electrical contacts,
  • Overhead high voltage lines,
  • Static electricity on probes or duct surfaces,
  • Dripping chemicals,
  • Weak roofs,
  • Elevated walkways,
  • Unstable construction,
  • Open trenches or unsafe scaffolding,
  • Natural physical hazards,
  • Unusual odors or fumes, or
  • Walking/work surfaces for slip, trip, or fall potentials.

• Chemical Hazards such as:
• Emissions from stack or vents that could suddenly fumigate platforms or down-wash onto the ground,
• High concentrations of toxic gases and/or asphyxiants that could accumulate in poorly ventilated areas around positive pressure control devices, process equipment, or ducts,
• Fugitive emissions of gases, vapor, and dust, or
• Hazardous chemicals present as liquids spraying from process equipment, present as puddles on the ground, present as small deposits on horizontal surfaces, or present in other areas.

Note: Identify the locations of eyewash stations and safety showers while walking through the facility. Be prepared to go to these locations immediately if you or plant personnel accompany you are splashed by chemicals.

• Biological Hazards such as:
• Fluids present on the tipping floor of medical waste incinerators,
• Ash and non-combusted material from medical waste incinerators which have severe combustion problems,
• Fugitive emissions from medical waste incinerator chambers that are operating at very low gas temperatures, or
• Fugitive emissions from ruptured bags of medical waste.

Record unexpected hazards encountered during the work on the field activity protocol checklist as well as instructions on how these hazards should be handled.

Use personal protective equipment when necessary:

• Wear safety shoes or safety boots at all times when performing an inspection. Replace safety shoes or boots when they become contaminated or if the slip resistant sole has become worn.
• Wear hard hats to provide protection from falling objects and from head injuries due to overhead obstacles.
• Wear eye protection (safety glasses or safety spectacles with sideshields, or safety goggles) in areas where plant policy or signs indicate "eye protection required". Replace eye protector that has become scratched and may obscure vision due to light scattering.
• Wear hearing protection in areas posted as high noise areas and whenever it is difficult to hear an individual talking in a normal tone of voice 3 feet way.
• Use protective gloves to protect hand when handling rough materials or possible contact with chemicals.

• Dress appropriately for the environment in which you will be working:
• DO NOT wear neckties, jewelry, or other materials which may be caught and pull you into machinery.
• Wear clothing that fits properly. Very loose or baggy clothing may get caught in equipment or pulled into machinery.
• Contact lenses must not be worn by employees conducting field work.
• Wear personal protective equipment (safety shoes, hard hat, eye protection, hearing protectors, etc.) when required.
• Never inspect a plant alone. Always allow "plant personnel to lead the way" when conducting inspections. Remember the general rule - Plant Personnel Go First.
• Always have plant personnel open access hatches or doors.
• DO NOT carry tools or equipment that may impair your ability to move about safely.
• Always request that plant personnel disconnect instruments taps, inspection ports, or other equipment if necessary for the inspection. All of these activities should be fully discussed as part of the pre-inspection meeting or other preliminary discussions with responsible plant personnel.
• Always request that plant personnel obtain any samples that may be required. They should obtain these samples using established plant safety procedures.
• Work at heights may be required in order to perform certain inspection and emission test observation tasks. Care must be taken to avoid accidents:
• Wear a fall arrest harness with a shock absorbing lanyard whenever working more that six feet above a secure platform. A fall arrest harness must be worn rather than simply a climbing belt.
• Make sure all ladders, catwalks, and scaffolding are secure before use.
• Never use a ladder that is not consistent with OSHA standards.
• Only one person should be on a ladder section at a time.
• Visually check elevated platforms for obvious corrosion and/or deterioration prior to climbing to these locations.
• Check for possible high temperature gas or toxic gas fumigation of elevated platforms before climbing to these locations.
• Both lands should be free for climbing a ladder.
• Leave elevated platforms and surfaces when the wind speed (gusts) exceed 25 mph or if the surface id becoming covered with ice or snow.
• DO NOT work directly under others working above.
• Obey barricade tapes or other warnings indicating that there are potential overhead hazards.
• Avoid nests of bees, wasps, and other insects that may use sheltered areas in elevated platforms as habitats.
• DO NOT climb on handrails on elevated platforms or roofs.
• DO NOT use ladders mounted horizontally or planks of any type to cross from one elevated platform to another. Use OSHA complying ladders or other safe means of access.
• DO NOT walk on steel work (beams) between elevated platforms.
• DO NOT walk on roofs that appear to be structurally weak, are covered with solid deposits or slippery liquids, or sloped, or have other potential hazards. If a roof looks secure, remain cautious and follow plant personnel who are familiar with the roof.
• Never throw any equipment or material from a roof or elevated surface.