Dryside Ltd Unit 270, 14 London Road Guildford Surrey GU1 2AG

Transcription

1 Unit 270, 14 London Road Guildford Surrey GU1 2AG Health and Safety Policy Environmental Policy Corporate Responsibility Policy Equal Opportunities Policy Smoking Policy Organisation and Arrangements Date of First Issue 4/1/ HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY STATEMENT Dryside Ltd are committed to working in a way that protects the health, safety and welfare of its employees and others affected by its activities. As a minimum we will comply with current legislation and strive to progressively improve performance. The management of the safety management system is central to the development of the Company and all its employees regarding the safety culture and safe system of work which is an integral element of efficient business management. As a Company we are committed to ensure full compliance with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1074 and other such relevant legislation that may be brought into effect by the said Act. We will promote equally the duties of management and employees in regard to personal responsibility. All employees and those working on our projects have a duty to co-operate with supervisors and managers, to maintain safety provisions, to take care of their own and others health and safety and to report any concerns or unsafe conditions. The Company is committed to: Co-operating with all parties to the construction processes

2 Providing a healthy and safe environment Identifying hazards and assessing risks Providing safe systems of work Providing information, training and instruction Consulting with the workforce Providing competent supervision and workforce Providing plant, equipment and materials that are fit for purpose and are adequately maintained so as to be compliant with legislation and standards so that they are free from risk when used Providing personal protective equipment Providing adequate welfare facilities The immediate and underlying causes of work related injuries and near misses identified and necessary preventative action implemented to prevent re-occurrences Random alcohol and drug testing where applicable The responsibility for monitoring and reviewing this Policy rests with the Managing Director. However, the Director, Shareholder and Supervisors must recognise the need and accept the responsibility for the health and safety at work of people under their control. Directors are responsible for making adequate physical and organisational resources available. Supervisors must devise and implement safe systems of work and supervisors ensure that workers are briefed and consulted on the risks and comply with method statements. Directors are ultimately responsible for ensuring that the Policy is brought to the notice of all employees in respect of sites, workshops and offices. The Company has appointed Eddie Henry, whose role is to provide additional monitoring, advice, training and instruction on all environment, health, safety and welfare matters. He will carry out site and office audits and inspections as and when required and bring to the attention of management any deficiency observed and stop any operation where the Company s employees or other persons are at risk. Peter.Gorman Managing Director 4/1/ ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY STATEMENT Statement of Commitment The Environment Protection Act 1990 requires employers to take measures to protect the Environment. Dryside Ltd cares about the environment in all its forms and recognises that concern for the environment should be an integral and fundamental part of its business. The Company is aware that its operations affect the environment; its objective is to balance the needs of its business aims with the need to protect the environment, particularly that local to its operations. Environmental Policy Dryside Ltd will: 1 Conduct its operations and maintain all its facilities and sites to comply with existing environmental legislation and to minimise the risk of all forms of pollution consequent to its actions 2 Continually strive to reduce the environment impact of the Company s activities 3 Work with its suppliers to minimise the impact of their operations on the environment in so far that they relate to Dryside Ltd through a quality purchasing policy 4 Maintain an open information policy towards all parties affected, interested and involved in its activities and to issues which concern the environment 5 Respond to the needs of its employees, the concerns of local communities and other interested parties Make appropriate resources continually available to ensure the environment policy is implemented in full. The effectiveness of the Policy depends on the full operation of all employees. All employees are encouraged to suggest changes in work practices / materials used which will promote a more environmentally friendly outcome. 2

3 Implementation of Policy All employees have responsibility relating to activities under their control and must at all times: Implement the Company s Policy Recognise that environmental risks are part of the normal checklist for risk assessment and management Promote waste reduction and recycling initiatives Actively seek ways of minimising energy consumption Review operational details in the event of spillage Reduce wherever practicable the level of harmful emission Provide any relevant information pertaining to the environment to ensure effective relations with the community The environmental management group of senior managers will periodically: Formally review environmental performance, energy consumption and the use of materials which are harmful to the environment Formally review the environmental policy arrangements for implementation and related controls This Policy will be reviewed annually. Peter Gorman Managing Director 1.2 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY POLICY STATEMENT 3

4 Dryside Ltd are committed to recognising our responsibilities to all our stakeholders: Shareholders; Customers; Employees; Those with whom we do business our suppliers, subcontractors and business partners; and Society, especially the communities neighbouring our operation. We will deal with all of these groups fairly and, at a minimum, in accordance with our contractual obligations to them. In line with this commitment we will conform to a set of core principles: Legal conformance Sustainability considering economic, environmental, social, equal opportunities and ethical issues in managing our business. a. Economic We consider the potential impact of our developments on the local economy of the communities concerned b. Environmental We assess and manage the environmental impacts of our operations. We seek to promote best practice in design, construction and subsequent use and maintenance of the products we build. c. Social We seek to encourage social inclusion in the communities that we help to develop and to operate in an ethical manner with all stakeholders. We strive to manage our activities in a safe manner and to protect the health of our employees and contractors. We also seek to develop the skills and experience of our employees and to offer opportunities for advancement. d. Equal Opportunities We seek to eliminate racial discrimination and to promote equal opportunity in employment. e. Ethical We expect our employees to avoid and resolve conflicts of interest between their private financial activities and their part in the conduct of company business. Continual improvement in all aspects of our business, Dryside Ltd will strive to continually improve its performance. This Policy will be reviewed annually. Peter Gorman Managing Director 1.3 EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY STATEMENT Dryside Ltd believes that an effective Equal Opportunities Policy is an essential means of increasing the value of its service by creating teams with the optimum competence to meet our customer needs. Dryside Ltd will therefore provide equal opportunities in employment and will not discriminate either directly or indirectly on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, age, sex, religious belief, marital status, disability or sexuality. We will apply employment policies that are fair, equitable and consistent with the skills and abilities of our employees. The Policy will help to ensure that the company achieves its objective of equal opportunities for recruitment, training and promotion. All appointments and promotions will be based on an objective assessment of the skills and abilities needed to perform the required tasks. 4

5 All Line Managers have responsibility for promoting equality of opportunity in their own area and should ensure that their own procedures and practices comply with the provisions of the Company's Equal Opportunities Policy. The performance and example of managers is crucial to improving opportunities for disadvantaged groups and members of staff. Individual employees at all levels have responsibility for ensuring that equality of opportunity and absence of discrimination is consistently provided in all of the Company's employment practices, and its activities. All employees, therefore, should be aware that the following acts are unlawful and would constitute misconduct liable to disciplinary action that may include summary dismissal: Discriminating in the course of recruitment or consideration for promotion, Indulging in verbal or physical harassment of any kind Victimising individuals who have made allegations or complaints of discrimination or harassment All employees are responsible for ensuring that the Company's Policy of Equal Opportunity is applied to our dealing with clients, professional teams, regulators and the general public. This policy will be reviewed annually. Peter Gorman Managing Director 1.4 SMOKING POLICY Purpose Dryside Ltd Smoking Policy has been developed to protect all employees, service users, customers and visitors from exposure to second-hand smoke and to assist compliance with the Health Act Exposure to second-hand smoke increases the risk of lung cancer, heart disease and other serious illnesses. Ventilation or separating smokers and non-smokers within the same airspace does not completely stop potentially dangerous exposure. Policy It is the policy of Dryside Ltd that all our workplaces are smoke free and all employees have a right to work in a smoke free environment. The Policy shall come into effect on Sunday 01 December Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed and substantially enclosed premises in the workplace and this includes Company vehicles. This Policy applies to all employees, consultants, contractors, customers or members and visitors. Implementation Overall responsibility for Policy implementation and review rests with Mr Peter Gorman, Managing Director of Dryside Ltd, however, all staff are obliged to adhere to and support the implementation of the Policy. The person named above shall inform all existing employees, consultants and contractors of the Policy and their roles in the implementation and monitoring of the Policy. They will also give to all new personnel a copy of the Policy on recruitment or induction. Appropriate No Smoking signs will be clearly displayed at the entrances to and within the premises and in all smoke free vehicles. Non-Compliance 5

6 Local disciplinary procedures will be followed if a member of staff or sub-contractor does not comply with this Policy. Those who do not comply with the smoke free Law may also be liable to a fixed penalty fine and possible criminal prosecution. Help and Assistance to Stop Smoking The NHS offers a range of free services to help smokers stop smoking. Using a computer, visit gosmokefree.co.uk or call the NHS Smoking Helpline on for details. Alternatively, you can text GIVE UP and your full postcode to to find your local NHS Stop Smoking Service. Peter Gorman Managing Director 2. ORGANISATION DUTIES OF PERSONNEL 2.1 Organisation Chart Peter Gorman Managing Director Eddie Henry Manager Paula Holland Accounts Stuart Denmanm Team Leader 2.2 Introduction The Director and Shareholders of Dryside Ltd are determined that its excellent health, safety and environmental record is maintained and progressively improved. Every single employee and self-employed person working on our sites and in our offices or yards has a contribution to make. Everybody has a duty to work safely and to ensure that they have the necessary knowledge and training in order to understand what is safe and unsafe and to make a contribution towards improvement. The purpose of these notes is to outline the responsibilities that each employee has to take care of himself or herself and others. This is not just a priority it is part of our business philosophy that must be projected in everything that we do. The Director and Supervisors of the Company are fully committed to the health, safety and welfare of their employees and fully accept responsibility for other persons who may be affected by the Company activities. Our goals are simply stated To manage an accident and injury free project To conduct our work in the spirit of respect for other people To provide equal employment opportunities regardless of colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sex or disability. Policy statements for health, safety and environment, corporate social responsibility and equal opportunities are included within this document. 6

7 Responsibilities of all personnel The law places specific responsibilities on all personnel whilst at work: To take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions whilst at work To co-operate with the Company and others to enable the Company to fulfil its legal obligations To not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare If any person does not comply with the above then the Health and Safety Executive can prosecute them. 2.3 Director Responsible for Health, Safety and Environment Peter Gorman Managing Director The Director is responsible for establishing the Company Health, Safety and Environmental Policies and for setting in place an organisation and arrangement for monitoring and reviewing the execution of the policy. The Managing Director has the following duties: Review the Health, Safety and Environmental Policy annually and make recommendations for continual improvement. Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of health, safety and environmental legislation and best practice and bring this to the attention of the Directors and Supervisors for implementation as appropriate To maintain a health, safety and environmental library and sources of information Establish a series of audits that give a comprehensive overview of the current safety performance of the Company and each site and location within it Stop activities or projects where there is an imminent risk of an accident occurring or where there is a serious contravention of legislation or Company policy Establish and maintain an accident and incident reporting strategy; maintain records of injuries and organise investigations of HSE reportable and other relevant accidents as appropriate Implement management and employee training schemes as appropriate to the activities of the construction company using both in-house and external resources Act as a consistent champion for health, safety and the environment within the company with all levels of employee and the directors Ensure that each project has a comprehensive Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan in place prior to the start of works on site when acting as Principal Contractor on projects Ensure that each project is established with a starter pack comprising the working section files and other information such that they are able to organise health and safety provision from the outset 2.4 Directors Directors are responsible for making adequate physical and organisational resources available to execute the Health, Safety and Environment Policy and the Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan for each project. A Director has the following duties: 7

8 Establish a health, safety and environmental culture within each project and department that establishes health, safety and environment as a core value of the Company. Support the health, safety and environmental training programme by allowing personnel the time to complete training programmes and by providing the financial resources to pay for the training. Take an overview of the construction methods for each project ensuring that in each case the safest way of executing the works is adopted, both physically and organisationally. Support the Managing Director in promoting a positive safety culture and attitude throughout the company. Ensure that projects are planned with an adequate lead-time to commencement and an adequate construction period so that the works can be executed logically and safely. Ensure that all equipment within the workplace is maintained in a safe condition, guarded in accordance with the relevant legislation and has the statutory certificates of inspection or examination. Ensure that personal protective equipment is readily available and maintained, and relevant employees are aware of its correct use, storage and procedures for replacement. Support a good standard of welfare facilities on site even though it may be shared welfare facilities and promote the concept of respect for people. Assist with accident investigations where appropriate. Will be prepared to give evidence to the Health and Safety Executive representing the Company. Keep records of PPE issued and is always readily available and maintained and employees are aware of its correct use. 2.5 External Health and Safety The Managing Director is responsible for the monitoring and assessment of the Company Health & Safety Policy. Provide training, enhance the Company s reputation in accident prevention and create within the Company a positive safety and health awareness and attitude at all levels of employees from Directors to Operatives. External Health and Safety Advisers have the following duties: Provide advice to project and company management and supervision in respect of health and safety legislation and company health, safety and environmental procedures. Carry out site inspections, if required, in association with the Directors and Site Managers to ensure that all Company procedures are being observed, statutory notices have been posted, canteens, washing facilities and other welfare amenities have been provided and are properly maintained. Stop activities or projects where there is an imminent risk of an accident occurring or where there is a serious contravention of legislation or Company policy. Investigate the cause of accidents or dangerous occurrences and recommend means of preventing recurrence. Provide comprehensive written investigation reports in relation to all HSE reportable accidents. Carry out audits of systems and paperwork and provide reports as requested. Consult with the Directors and Senior Managers to review and assess the health and safety training requirements for all supervisors and operatives. 8

9 Assist with training for all levels of employees and suggest methods to promote general awareness of injury prevention and damage control. Liaise with official and professional institutions e.g. HSE, EMAS, Fire Authority, Local Authority, Local Government Authorities and Professional Institutes. Assist the Directors and Senior Managers in identifying hazards and undertaking risk assessments for tasks highlighted in the Safety Plan or those that are subsequently identified. Review method statements developed by site management or subcontractors to ensure that adequate control measures have been incorporated. Seek to provide continual on-site learning and education for Director, Shareholders, Senior Managers and workers by providing advice and guidance and showing how to perform the various safety functions. Foster within the Company at all levels an understanding that good health, safety and environment are a core business value of the Company. 2.6 Manager Managers will: Be responsible to the Director for the implementation of the Company Health and Safety Policy in all those projects and business activities under his control. Have an understanding of the application of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the CDM Regulations 2007 and other specific Health and Safety Regulations and Codes of Practice relevant to the Company s operations. Ensure that a suitable Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan is prepared for all projects under their control and ensure that this Plan is approved by the Project CDM Co-ordinator before works commence on site. Arrange site meetings where health and safety matters are discussed and organise sites so that work is carried out to the required standard of health and safety with minimum risk to persons, equipment and materials. Determine at the project planning stage and establish at the commencement of work: o The most appropriate order and method of working o The provision of welfare and sanitation facilities o Hazards which might arise and complete risk assessments as required o Allocation of responsibilities o Necessary fire precautions o Adequate first-aid facilities o All planning requirements are adhered to for each project Ensure that suitable risk assessments for general and specific risks have been undertaken. Ensure adequate site supervision. Ensure compliance with approved Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan and ensure that this Plan is reviewed and amended as required. Ensure that site specific COSHH assessment for products used by or generated as a result of Company work are undertaken. Ensure that specific enquiries are made to the Client prior to commencement on site as to the presence of asbestos or other deleterious material. Take steps to ensure the competence in health and safety of any persons or sub-contractors to whom work is subcontracted. 9

10 Ensure that tenders are adequate to cover sound methods of working and the provision of the required welfare facilities. Ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided and used as required by risk assessments. Ensure the provision of First aid facilities and equipment as necessary and ensure that sufficient numbers of suitably trained First Aiders are available. Support Site Managers and Supervisors in the ongoing enforcement of compliance by operatives and contractors. Monitor and review Health and Safety inspection reports and ensure any necessary remedial actions have been undertaken. Assist with accident investigation, where appropriate. Will be prepared to give evidence to the Health and Safety Executive representing the Company. Set a personal example, including the wearing or use of protective clothing or equipment as appropriate on site visits. 2.7 Manager The Manager is responsible to the Director for the implementation of the Company s Health and Safety Policy on site. The Manager is responsible to the Director for the implementation of the Company s Health and Safety Policy on site. The Manager has the following duties: Have an understanding of the application of the Health and Safety At Work Act 1974, The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, The CDM Regulations 2007 and other specific regulations and Code of Practices relevant to the Company s operations regarding health and safety. Review the Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan to enable all of the functions identified in the Plan to be satisfactorily discharged. Brief all Supervisors on their role within the Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan and ensure that all Supervisors sign the Supervisor s declaration in respect of their health and safety responsibilities. Plan the strategy for the construction of the project in a way that will minimise safety hazards to the workforce. Be aware that the safest method of proceeding must always be used. Organise any sub-contracting in a way that minimises risk and maximises the ability of the available site team to control the sub-contractor. Ensure that the Part I and Part II pre-qualification of sub-contractors is carried out including the pre-start meeting and that this is documented and that all insurances and method statements are checked and in place. Carry out the Dryside Ltd in-house meeting for packages of work to be carried out by Dryside Ltd personnel. Ensure adequate competent supervision and an appropriate Risk Assessment and Method Statement for the package activities. Ensure that scaffolds and temporary works (propping, shoring, etc.) are properly designed by a competent Engineer and drawings produced that show clearly the requirements of the scheme, including the allowable loadings, e.g. NASC TG20 08 and revision TG Brief Supervisors so that they gain a clear understanding of the proposed working methods and procedures. Assist with Risk Assessments, particularly developing those indicated in the Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan and ensure that those supervising high risk items understand the requirements of the method statements. 10

11 Carry out necessary statutory inspections of fixed or mobile scaffolding and excavations and record results where appropriate or ensure any sub-contractors carry out their legal duties if it is within their remit. Carry out induction training on site for new employees and apprentices, and also for those transferring from job to job or site to site. Ensure that hazards from material stacking, positioning of plant and installation of electricity supply are eliminated. Ensure that any necessary plant, equipment, monitoring, hygiene and welfare facilities and protective clothing and equipment specified in the risk assessment, must be present at the relevant location before the task is carried out. Ensure adequate levels of supervision and training for young persons. Arrange for the availability of necessary first aid facilities, including making appropriate arrangements to share facilities with the Client if necessary. Ensure that all work equipment hired or purchased is suitable for the purpose intended, is properly maintained and in a date for statutory examination. Specifically authorise any live electrical working which may prove necessary ensuring that a method statement has been completed and that any Permit requirements are known and complied with within the guidelines set out in Chapter 13 of BS 7671:2008 and the HS(G)85 Live Working is Prohibited in Domestic Situations. Ensure that all machinery and plant, including power and hand tools, is checked, that it is in good order and safe condition and that any defects are reported to the Plant Hire Company or owner. Ensure that appropriate fire fighting appliances are maintained on site as necessary, and that adequate fire and emergency procedures are in place before the start of any contract. To accompany any Enforcement Officer who visits site. Reprimand any employee or contractor failing to exercise their safety responsibilities and report them to the Safety Adviser. Always make the time to discuss safety issues with the Safety Adviser, review with him or her Safety Inspection Reports and ensure that the items on the report are actioned in a timely manner. Once completed the report should be signed off and faxed to Safety Department for verification. Lead by example and by a determination not to tolerate poor safety performance. Always consider safety ahead of production. 11

12 2.8 Surveyors Surveyors will: Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the CDM Regulations 2007 and other special Regulations and Codes of Practice relevant to the Company s operations. Ensure tenders are adequate to cover safe systems of work, adequate welfare facilities and other control measures necessary for the safe execution of the work. Identify shortcomings to enable alternative strategies to be developed to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and the Company Health and Safety Policy. Ensure potential trade contractors are assessed for competence and to ensure that they have the relevant Health and Safety documentation and Public and Employers Liability Insurance. Ensure that sub-contract tenders are sufficient to include all necessary Health and Safety measures. Ensure that sub-contract documents or terms of appointment clearly set out the Health and Safety responsibilities of each of the parties. Set a personal example, including the wearing or use of protective clothing or equipment as appropriate on site. 12

13 2.9 Estimators Estimators will: and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the CDM Regulations 2007 and other special Regulations and Codes of Practice relevant to the Company s operations. Maintain their knowledge of current practice and advances in safety equipment and construction methods to ensure provision is made for their incorporation into Company working. Promote the safe conduct of work on projects by ensuring adequate provision within tenders to cover safe systems of work and adequate welfare facilities on Company projects. Make due allowance for hazards identified in the Pre-tender Health and Safety Information Pack. Seek clarification, where necessary, for any particularly hazardous element of the work, bring to the attention of management and ensure due allowance for appropriate safety requirements. Ensure trade contractors are aware of and have made due allowance for managing the risks and hazards in their submissions. Liaise with the proposed project team and Safety Adviser to ensure all aspects of Health and Safety have been considered and suitable allowance made for in any tender submissions. Ensure potential trade contractors are assessed in accordance with Company policy for assessment of contractors. Ensure trade contract tenders are sufficient to include all necessary health and safety matters. Set a personal example, including the wearing or use of protective clothing or equipment, as appropriate on site. Have an understanding of the application of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the CDM Regulations 2007 and other special Regulations and Codes of Practice relevant to the Company s operations. 13

14 2.10 Buyers Buyers will: and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) and other special regulations and Codes of Practice relevant to the Company s buying activities. Ensure that all users of products and articles supplied or hired for use at work shall be made aware of any relevant information and instructions which may be provided by a manufacturer or supplier. Ensure that hazard data sheets and / or relevant information on hazardous materials used in the Company s work will be obtained from the manufacturer or supplier and copies supplied to site and the Safety Adviser. Ensure that all equipment, materials and services supplied to the Company are in accordance with Company requirements and meet the statutory requirements of the current legislation regarding plant and equipment. Ensure that all plant supplied to site is safe, suitable for its intended purpose and is supplied with current certificates of inspection and testing. Ensure that operation and safety instructions are supplied with all plant. Ensure that PPE procured for site is appropriate to the use and environment for which it is intended. Where plant is purchased or on long term hire, ensure the facilities are in place for periodic inspection and testing as required by the relevant legislation. Co-ordinate suppliers and deliveries to take account of site circumstances or restrictions. Ensure that sub-contract tenders are adequate to cover safe systems of work, adequate welfare facilities and other control measures necessary for the safe execution of the work. 14

15 Ensure potential trade contractors are assessed in accordance with Company s policy for assessment of contractors. Ensure trade contract tenders are sufficient to include all necessary health and safety matters. Set a personal example, including the wearing or use of protective clothing or equipment, as appropriate on site. 15

16 2.11 Supervisor Responsible to the Manager for implementing the requirements of the Dryside Ltd s H & S Policy under his control. The Supervisor has the following duties: Ensure that all activities under his control are adequately assessed and all foreseeable hazards are eliminated or controlled to establish and maintain places and systems of work that are safe and without risk to health and that safety devices, equipment and protective clothing are provided and correctly used. Give health and safety instructions and see they are obeyed. Do not permit individuals to take unnecessary risks, encourage them to report any defects or other problems that may adversely affect their health and safety, or that of others. All health and safety site rules are followed at all times. Co-ordinate with the Sub-contractors and all others affected by the works, in the exchange of information and coordination of measures and procedures to be taken in the event of emergency, dangerous occurrences or risks arising from or connected to any site undertakings. Establish procedures for daily and weekly safety inspections and monitor that all activities are undertaken in a safe manner. Satisfy themselves that any employees under their control are properly supervised and have received information and instructions on risks associated with the tasks being undertaken, see the necessary certificates of training or suitable certificates of competence. Undertake, if required, any induction training, toolbox talks and task briefings ensuring that all workers under their control have been given an appropriate task briefing that explains the relevant method statement. Select appropriate toolbox talks that reinforce the task briefing and provide these to the work force in a careful and sincere manner. If applicable, cooperate with the Safety Adviser at all times; accompany him or her on site tours and action items on the inspection reports in a timely manner. Set a good example at all times by adopting safe systems of work, pass on information and instruction at task allocation briefings. Discourage improvisation, encourage the correct wearing and use of personal protective equipment. Ensure that only trained and authorised personnel operate items of plant. Ensure that all equipment is maintained in a safe condition, stored correctly and has the statutory certificates of inspection of examination, as required under PUWER 98 and LOLER 98. Notify the Director and Manager immediately of any incidents / accidents that might occur on site Employee Accountable through the chain of line management to their respective Supervisor, to co-operate with him or any other persons in so far as is necessary to enable them to comply with any duty or requirement imposed on them by any legal provisions and Policy requirements. Employees on site have the following duties: To take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others who may be affected by their activities, to avoid improvisation that involves risk and, where appropriate, make suggestions on ways of eliminating hazards. Comply with the instructions from their Supervisor, given at task allocation or toolbox talks, on the safe systems of work and correct use of tools, plant and equipment. 16

17 Use correctly and take care of any personal protective clothing and safety equipment supplied to them and report any defects to their immediate Supervisor. Keep tools in good condition. Report to the person in charge of the work any defects in plant or equipment of which they become aware. Develop a personal concern for safety for themselves and for others, particularly newcomers and young people. Avoid improvising which entails unnecessary risks and could cause harm to themselves and to others. Warn new employees of any known hazards on site. Do not operate any items of plant or equipment unless they have been specifically trained, instructed or authorised to do so. Refrain from horseplay, the misuse of safety equipment and abuse of welfare facilities and to obey warning signs and notices. Comply with the Company Health and Safety rules and, where applicable, the site rules in the Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan. Set a personal example to other personnel. Co-operate in the investigation of accidents with the objective of introducing methods to prevent a recurrence Sub-contractors Labour Only Workers, only if applicable Accountable through the chain of line management to their respective Supervisor, to co-operate with him or any other persons in so far as is necessary to enable them to comply with any duty or requirement imposed on them by any legal provisions and Policy requirements. Workers on site have the following duties: To take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others who may be affected by their activities, to avoid improvisation that involves risk and, where appropriate, make suggestions on ways of eliminating hazards. All sub-contractors are to comply with the Company Health and Safety Policy and must ensure that their own Company Policy is adequate and is complied with. All sub-contractor works must be carried out to comply fully with relevant legislation and Codes of Practice ensuring the health and safety of sub-contractors own employees as well as other workers on the job and the general public. Sub-contractors must meet any costs in order to ensure their compliance with this Policy. Take immediate remedial action in the event of safety risks or unsafe practices being observed. Scaffolding or other working platforms used by sub-contractor s employees (even when the scaffold is erected for other contractors) must be inspected by a competent person appointed by the sub-contractor to ensure that it is erected and maintained in accordance with relevant Regulations, i.e. TG20:08 and TG20:14. The sub-contractor must also ensure that the statutory inspection register is completed by the competent person and is available for inspection when required. Sub-contractor s employees are not permitted to alter any scaffold provided for their use or interfere with any plant or equipment on the project unless specifically authorised to do so, ideally in writing. All plant, tools or equipment brought onto a site by sub-contractors must be safe and in good working order; they must be fitted with any necessary guards and safety devices and have any necessary certificates available for inspection, thus ensuring that they are in full compliance with all current legislation. 17

18 Any injury, disease, dangerous occurrence or damage cause by sub-contractors or sub-contractor s employees must be reported immediately to Dryside Ltd. Sub-contractors must comply with any safety instruction given by a representative of the Company. Sub-contractors must make their own arrangements for the provision of any necessary personal protective equipment. All sub-contractors should be aware of the Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan and advise their employees of its existence and relevant information contained therein. Relevant information must be provided for the Health and Safety file as required and identified in the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2007, or at the request of the Project Manager / Site Manager or CDM Coordinator. Sub-contractors must provide suitable and sufficient training to enable their operatives to carry out works in a safe manner. This should include appropriate trade training, specific and general safety training and regular tool box talks on subjects relative to the works in hand on each project. Comply with the instructions from their Supervisor, given at task allocation or toolbox talks, on the safe systems of work and correct use of tools, plant and equipment. Use correctly and take care of any personal protective clothing and safety equipment supplied to them and report any defects to their immediate Supervisor. Do not operate any items of plant or equipment unless they have been specifically trained, instructed or authorised to do so. Refrain from horseplay, the misuse of safety equipment and abuse of welfare facilities and to obey warning signs and notices. Co-operate in the investigation of accidents with the objective of introducing methods to prevent a recurrence. 18

19 2.14 Van / Lorry Driving 1. Make regular inspections of your vehicle for obvious defects and ensure any defects noticed are rectified without delay and log them on the record sheet. 2. Drive in accordance with Road Traffic Legislation and the Highway Code at all times and be particularly careful when driving on sites to consider the conditions of temporary access roads or roads that are under construction and being used for access purposes. 3. Ensure before reversing that there are no obstructions or people behind the vehicle. 4. Report all accidents or damage, however minor, to the Company. 5. Ensure any traffic violations you are involved in, which result in yourself being prosecuted, are reported to the Company. 6. Ensure your vehicle is serviced in accordance with the manufacturer s requirements. 7. Check lifting equipment on a daily basis if driving a Company lorry or van. 8. Check all chains and other accessories for lifting on a daily / weekly basis and record the findings. 9. Check lights, tyres, oil, water, windscreen wipers and washer reservoir, etc., at least every week. 10. Do not drink alcohol or take medication, which could affect your driving ability before driving a vehicle. 11. Mobile Phones: (a) You must exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times; (b) Do not use a hand held telephone or microphone while you are driving; (c) Before answering the telephone find a safe place to stop first; (d) Do not speak into a hands free microphone if it will take your mind off the road; (e) Do not read maps whilst driving COMPANY VEHICLE DRIVERS FACTS AND DECLARATION FORM As you are aware, the vehicle that has been assigned to you to carry out your duties is maintained and serviced by Dryside Ltd. Needless to say, we expect that drivers of Company vehicles accept responsibility to carry out the following simple inspection procedures and requirements when involved in accidents with your Company vehicle. 1. Photocopy your current driving licence and forward copy to the Administration Department. 2. Check oil and water at weekly intervals. If vehicle is using an unusual amount of either water or oil, notify the Director or Contracts Manager responsible for their operation. 3. Check tyre pressures weekly. 4. Check tyre treads if excessive wear, notify the Director or Contracts Manager responsible for their operation. 5. Ensure vehicle is serviced at the required mileage reading. No excessive unserviced mileage is acceptable. 6. Regularly clean the inside and outside of the vehicle. 7. Observe the legal speed limit and other legal requirements, as the Company is not responsible for speeding fines or any other fines imposed. 8. Report any accidents immediately to Mr. Eddie Henry, Telephone No

20 9. If involved in an accident, do not accept liability but be polite and not abusive with the third party. Also telephone the Police and notify them of the accident just in case they are required to attend the scene. 10. Only authorised persons, who have forwarded their driving particulars to Head Office, are permitted to drive Company vehicles. 11. All pending traffic convictions involving a Company vehicle must be reported to Mr Eddie Henry I confirm that I will accept and abide by the conditions, as stated in Items No above, when driving a Company vehicle supplied by Dryside Ltd. Signed:... Dated:... Authorisation of Usage: ARRANGEMENTS Arrangements for Concern over Health and Safety Issues All employees are responsible for ensuring that any act or condition identified as unsafe, or any situation that introduces imminent danger into the workplace, is dealt with in the correct manner. If any employee has any concern over health and safety issues they should tell their immediate superior or Health and Safety Manager / Adviser. If neither is available then they should tell the Director to whom they report. Concerns must be addressed quickly and no employee shall continue work until the working environment is safe. Arrangements for Health and Safety Procedures 3.1 Introduction It is the policy of Dryside Ltd to ensure that it will meet its statutory obligations with regards to Health, Safety and Welfare of all employees in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and all other current Regulations applicable. Safety legislation and other documents which these procedures are based upon are listed below and are intended to be a guide to the more frequently encountered legislation applicable to the works carried out by the Company. 3.2 Acts of Parliament Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Environmental Protection Act 1990 New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and

21 3.3 Safety Regulations Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 CDM Regulations 2007 Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989 Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 and 2005 amendment Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 x Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 Employers Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 and Regulations 1998 amended in 2002 The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 as amended in 2002 Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 Health and Safety (Information for Employees) Regulations 1989 Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 as amended in 2002 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 as amended in 2003 and 2006 Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 as amended in 2002 Control of Noise Regulations 2005 x Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992 as amended in 2002 Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 as amended in 2002 Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 as amended in 2013 Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 Site Waste Management Plans Regulations 2008 Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 as amended in 2002 Working at Height Regulations 2005 as amended in 2007 Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) HSE Guidance Notes The HSE publishes guidance and Approved Codes of Practices which offer advice and help in understanding how to comply with current law. By following the guidelines it will normally be sufficient to comply with the law. However, the ACOP s have a special legal status and if prosecuted and proved that the ACOP s were not followed then the fault lies with the non-compliant person or company. (EH) series Environmental Hazards regarding compliance with the COSHH Regulations (PM) series Plant and Machinery guidance and helps (GS) general series publications (L) legal references guidance (HSG) health and safety guidance publications As a generalisation, there is an obligation for all concerned with work of any kind, to ensure that the work being undertaken is with a minimum risk to the health, safety and welfare of both the employee and the general public. 3.5 Policy Dryside Ltd has a policy for health and safety that is reviewed at regular intervals and safety procedures put in place that are supportive to the arrangement section of this policy. 21

22 4. SAFETY, HEALTH, WELFARE AND SECURITY DOCUMENTATION 4.1 Form F10 Notification of a Construction Project Under CDM 2007, this form is to be completed by the Client appointed CDM Coordinator for every project that Dryside Ltd or any joint venture where the Company has been appointed Principal Contractor under CDM All completed forms are to be sent to the nearest local office of the HSE to the project undertaken. A copy of this form has to be displayed on the site and ideally a copy shown on the site s main notice board and in the site canteen for all employees to see. 4.2 Register of Inspections Under current legislation a Weekly Inspection Register for Excavations, Lifting Accessories, Work Equipment and Scaffolding must be kept. These forms are to be kept on each site and completed by a competent person and a record kept on site. All Site Management teams should ensure that these are completed accordingly and the visiting Health and Safety Adviser will check on each site visit as part of their remit. 4.3 Accident Book BL510 (Second Edition 2012) This is to be in compliance with the Data Protection Act and kept at each workplace or site. It is a statutory duty that the Accident Book is filled in when someone is injured as a result of an accident at work. It is the duty of the person who has the accident (IP) to ensure that the Accident Book is filled in correctly. All Site Management teams should ensure that details of injuries are correctly completed in the book. Copies of all accidents are to be returned to the Head Office as a record, and analysis to identify any trends. Site Management teams should always notify the Health and Safety Adviser of any accidents that have happened so as the incident can be fully recorded in case it is required by the Company s insurers. 4.4 Form F2508 Notice of Incidents, Injuries to Persons at Work or Dangerous Occurrences. Any accident that is reportable under RIDDOR will be reported to the HSE either by phone, or hard copy using the F2508 form. Under current legislation the HSE is only notifiable if the IP is off work more than 7 days, but if any person is off work for a lesser period it should still be recorded and kept on record. For any major injuries, as defined under RIDDOR, these incidents must be reported to the HSE immediately by phone. 4.5 Health and Safety Law Poster Information for employees about the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and its legal requirement to complete the poster and display it at each workplace, preferably in the canteen and the main notice board on site. 4.6 Company Health and Safety Policy This is the Company s statement of Policy for health and safety which is a legal requirement and should be available for all workers to view at each workplace. 4.7 COSHHH Assessment sheets and manufacturer s hazardous data sheets relative to substances hazardous to health should be obtained from each supplier and these kept on site where the substances are being used. This data shall be included in the Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan. 22

23 4.8 Certificate of Employer s Liability Insurance This certificate should be displayed at each workplace and this includes copies of all sub-contractor s Insurance Certificates which is the Site Management team s responsibility to obtain. 4.9 Records of Noise levels Where noise levels are taken, records of these measurements are to be kept on site. Noise data sheets relating to equipment and situations which produce noise levels above the standards set out in the Noise at Work Regulations shall be kept on site. All these noise records shall be included in the Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan Risk Assessments Copies of risk Assessments identifying the main foreseeable risks at the workplace, and procedures for removing, reducing or controlling these risks, shall be kept on site and included within the Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan The Health and Safety Information Pack which is given by the Client s CDM Co-ordinator as in accordance with CDM 2007, shall be developed into the Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan and kept available in each site office. Contents of the Health & Safety Plan shall be made known to all contractors working on the sites. This is a live document and therefore should be amended or updated as necessary as each project progresses Site Waste Management Plan The Site Waste Management Plan is a legal requirement on all projects valued at 300,000 plus. The Plan must identify the Client, the Principal Contractor, the person who drafted it, the location of the site and the estimated cost of the site. In addition, it must record the estimates of all the waste material to be generated and what action is to be taken for re-cycling or disposal. There are more requirements for the Principal Contractor to record what has happened to all waste taken off site Fire and Emergency Plan A fire and emergency plan must be developed for all projects Traffic Management Plan A Traffic Management Plan must be prepared for all projects where site traffic and / or plant affect workers and members of the public. NB Details of both Traffic Management and Fire Plans must be conveyed to the site staff, operatives and any visitors during induction training, and be displayed at suitable locations around the site. These plans must be updated and amended as the project develops Relevant Legislation/ Reference / Guidance Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 CDM Regulations 2007 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 and 2005 amendment Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989 Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 as amended in 2002 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 as amended in 2003 and 2006 Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 as amended in 2002 Site Waste Management Plans Regulations 2008 Working at Height Regulations 2005 as amended in

24 5. SITE SET-UP AND WELFARE FACILITIES 5.1 Office Accommodation There shall be provided on each site, wherever possible, a suitable office situated as near as is reasonably practicable to any area of operations, for the purpose of keeping site documents, drawings, work records, etc. when acting as Principal Contractor under CDM Washing facilities There shall be provided on every site, suitable and sufficient basins large enough to allow employees to wash their faces, hands and forearms. All basins shall have a supply of clean, hot and cold or warm running water. Soap and hand cleaner gel along with towels (either roller-type cloth or paper) or dryers should be installed in the units. Washing facilities need to be as close to canteens and rest rooms so that employees can wash before eating. This is applicable in the main office and when on site acting as Principal Contractor. 5.3 Toilets There shall be provided on every site, suitable and sufficient toilets for the use of all employees situated near the washing facilities and easily accessible from where the work is being done. Wherever possible, toilets should be flushed by water and connected to the mains drainage system. If this is not possible, toilets with a built in water supply and drainage tank may be provided. If neither option is available, chemical toilets may be provided but consultation with the Safety Adviser must be sought before installation. Where male and females are employed on a site, then separate facilities shall be provided for each sex. This is applicable in the main office and when on site acting as Principal Contractor. 5.4 Mess Units There shall be provided on every site a suitable unit for the use of employees to take breaks, refreshments, meals, and shelter from bad weather and for the deposit of clothing. This unit shall be adequate for the number of employees on site as identified in the pre-start assessment of requirements. Facilities provided within the unit shall consist of:- Sufficient tables Sufficient chairs with back rests Sufficient coat hooks for each person on site Adequate heating arrangements A means of heating food (e.g. gas or electric ring, or microwave oven) Refrigerator A kettle or urn for boiling water A constant supply of drinking water direct from the mains if available. An alternative is bottles or tanks of water which may be used for storage. It should be possible for non-smokers to use the facilities without suffering discomfort from tobacco smoke. This is applicable in the main office and when on site acting as Principal Contractor. 5.5 Cleanliness of Accommodation All office accommodation, toilets, mess facilities, shall be kept clean and swept out and all rubbish, etc. removed at least once every day. Access to all site accommodation and units shall be kept clear of any obstructions. This is applicable in the main office and when on site acting as Principal Contractor. 24

25 5.6 Lighting Every part of the site should be made available so that natural light can let every employee carry out their duties safely. When natural light is inadequate or not available, artificial lighting should be provided. This is applicable in the main office and when on site acting as Principal Contractor. 5.7 First Aid Facilities On each site there shall be provided at least one first aid box to BS 8599, containing the following items:- x A leaflet giving general guidance on the first aid, for example the HSE leaflet Basic Advice on First Aid Medical adhesive plasters 40 - No. Sterile eye pads - 4 No. Individually wrapped triangular bandages - 6 No. Safety pins - 6 No. Individually wrapped medium sterile unmedicated wound dressings - 8 No. Individually wrapped large sterile unmedicated wound dressings - 4 No. Individually wrapped wipes - 10 No. x Paramedic shears - 1 No. Pairs of latex gloves - 3 No. Sterile eyewash if no clean running water - 2 No. The first aid box shall be kept in the site office and be prominently displayed. A sign advising all employees where it is kept should be displayed outside the office. This is applicable in the main office and when on site acting as Principal Contractor. So far as reasonably practicable, a suitably trained First Aider shall be available at each workplace. 5.8 Security Fencing All construction work should be fenced off using suitable and sufficient security fencing to prevent unauthorised access onto site and be signed in accordance with the HSE recommendations. This fencing will be inspected at regular intervals to ensure it is in good condition. 5.9 Signage Suitable and sufficient signage will be displayed in accordance with the health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 throughout the site. This is applicable in the main office and when on site acting as Principal Contractor Use of Facilities by Sub-Contractors Sufficient welfare facilities shall be provided on site for all contractors sharing the site. Where contractors provide their own facilities by arrangements, these arrangements shall be identified in the Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan. This is applicable in the main office and when on site acting as Principal Contractor Relevant Legislation/ Reference / guidance Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 CDM Regulations 2007 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 and 2005 amendment Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989 Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 as amended in 2002 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 as amended in 2003 and 2006 Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 as amended in 2002 Site Waste Management Plans Regulations 2008 x Working at Height Regulations 2005 as amended in 2007 x Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 as amended in 2002 L74 First Aid Regulations 1981 ACOP x HSG150 Health and Safety in Construction 25

26 6. ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the Transport and Works Act Alcohol or drug abuse for employees and sub-contractors (including supervisory and management staff) can adversely affect the safety and health of themselves or others on our sites. No-one who has taken alcohol or drugs is permitted on site. Construction work is dangerous and requires 100% concentration. IT PUTS EVERYONE ELSE AT RISK TOO. The rule about no alcohol or drugs has the same origin as the no radio or personal stereo rule. If people don t want to concentrate on the job you don t want them on site. Alcohol or drug abuse and work are not compatible. Even in small quantities, any alcohol or drug will affect performance physically and mentally. Warning signs for substance abuse: High accident rate x Sudden mood changes Poor concentration span x Increase in short term sickness leave Confusion x Dishonesty and theft Absenteeism x Deterioration in relationships with Irritability / aggression colleagues and management Impaired job performance Dryside Ltd will take a positive approach to those workers seeking help or guidance to overcome alcohol and/or drug related problems. Dryside Ltd will try to not employ or retain any worker directly or indirectly, who has been justifiably dismissed by any employer for drug and/or alcoholic related offences. SUPERVISORS REMEMBER! Tell your team what you expect of them total focus on the job in hand Be clear that you will not allow one person to put the whole team in danger 26

27 7. ACCIDENT AND DANGEROUS OCCURRENCE REPORTING AS PER RIDDOR 1995 AS AMENDED IN 2013 All projects should now have a copy of the new style Accident Book B1 510 (second edition 2012) that has a separate tear off page for each accident. This new type of Accident Book has been introduced by the HSE to comply with the Data Protection Act so that only those immediately involved can see the details of the accident. The following is Dryside Ltd s policy for dealing with accident reports: - 1. Every injury must be recorded in the accident book. This is particularly important, and a legal requirement in respect of accidents that are reportable to the HSE. Accidents that involve a loss of time must also be recorded, as well as all injuries requiring first aid. 2. Complete the cover of the accident book indicating the site address, the Dryside Ltd Company name and the name of the person on site responsible for co-ordinating safety who will receive the report and send it to Head Office. 3. Enter a reference on the cover page. Next number both the accident forms and their counterfoils sequentially. This will help you to check that you have accounted for all report forms. 4. Following an accident, every section of the report must be completed including Section 6, employer s statement. The employer s statement is there for Dryside Ltd to be able to comment on the accident, i.e. is it genuine, and to give some brief details of the cause. The report must be dated and signed in every case in Section 6. Each report must be given a sequential number and a date entered on the tear off stub at the bottom of the book. 5. The completed report must be sent to the Head Office at Unit 270, 14 London Road,Guildford Surrey GU1 2AG att Eddie Henry, Indicate the site name clearly in Section 6, so that the office administrator knows who has sent it. Eddie Henry will review the reports and decide on any follow up action needed such as an investigation. Where it is known that a person will be off work this should be indicated in Section 6, employer s statement. 6. A photocopy of the report may be kept on site in a closed file that is not open to general view, in order to comply with the Data Protection Act. 7. All injuries, dangerous occurrences and diseases that are reportable to the HSE, should be telephoned through to Mr. Eddie Henry, who will complete the statutory report via the HSE website. The definitions of these are included below. 8. Adherence to the above procedure is mandatory and essential both to protect the interests of the injured party and Dryside Ltd. 9. Reportable major injuries are: fracture other than to fingers, thumbs or toes; amputation; dislocation of the shoulder, hip, knee or spine; loss of sight (temporary or permanent); chemical or hot metal burn to the eye or any penetrating injury to the eye; injury resulting from an electric shock or electrical burn leading to unconsciousness or requiring resuscitatio or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours; any other injury: leading to hypothermia, heat-induced illness or unconsciousness; or requiring resuscitation; or requiring admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours; unconsciousness caused by asphyxia or exposure to harmful substance or biological agent; acute illness requiring medical treatment, or loss of consciousness arising from absorption of any substance by inhalation, ingestion or through the skin; and acute illness requiring medical treatment where there is reason to believe that this resulted from exposure to a biological agent or its toxins or infected material. 27

28 10. Reportable dangerous occurrences are: collapse, overturning or failure of load-bearing parts of lifts and lifting equipment; explosion, collapse or bursting of any closed vessel or associated pipework; failure of any freight container in any of its loadbearing parts; plant or equipment coming into contact with overhead power lines; electrical short circuit or overload causing fire or explosion; any unintentional explosion, misfire, failure of demolition to cause the intended collapse, projection of material beyond a site boundary, injury caused by an explosion; accidental release of a biological agent likely to cause severe human illness; failure of industrial radiography or irradiation equipment to de-energise or return to its safe position after the intended exposure period; malfunction of breathing apparatus while in use or during testing immediately before use; overturning of cranes, i.e. mobile, tower or self-erecting; collapse or partial collapse of a scaffold over five metres high, or erected near water where there could be a risk of drowning after a fall; dangerous occurrence at a well (other than a water well); dangerous occurrence at a pipeline; a road tanker carrying a dangerous substance overturns, suffers serious damage, catches fire or the substance is released; a dangerous substance being conveyed by road is involved in a fire or released; and fires from welding, cutting or tar boilers. The following dangerous occurrences are reportable except in relation to offshore workplaces: unintended collapse of: any building or structure under construction, alteration or demolition where over five tonnes of material falls; a wall or floor in a place of work; any false-work; explosion or fire causing suspension of normal work for over 24 hours; sudden, uncontrolled release in a building of: 100 kg or more of flammable liquid; 10 kg of flammable liquid above its boiling point; 10 kg or more of flammable gas; or of 500 kg of these substances if the release is in the open air; and accidental release of any substance which may damage health. 11. Reportable Diseases x certain poisonings; x some skin diseases such as occupational dermatitis, skin cancer, chrome ulcer, oil folliculitis/acne; lung diseases including: occupational asthma, farmer's lung, pneumoconiosis, asbestosis, mesothelioma; x infections such as: leptospirosis; hepatitis; tuberculosis; anthrax; legionellosis and tetanus; other conditions such as: occupational cancer; certain musculoskeletal disorders; decompression illness and hand-arm vibration syndrome; and Asbestosis or asbestos related cancer from stripping asbestos containing materials or equipment. 12. Over-Seven-Day Lost Time Injury If there is an accident connected with work (including an act of physical violence) and your employee, or a selfemployed person working on your premises, suffers an over-seven-day injury you must report it to the enforcing authority within fifteen days. An over-7-day injury is one which is not "major" but results in the injured person being away from work OR unable to do their full range of their normal duties for more than three days. 13. Over-Three-Day Lost Time Injury If there is an accident connected with work (including an act of physical violence) and your employee, or a selfemployed person working on your premises suffers a three to seven day injury, you must report it to the Head Office and place it in the accident book. x An over-3-7-day injury is one which is not "major" but results in the injured person being away from work OR unable to do their full range of their normal duties for more than three days. 14. Fatalities and Major Injuries In the event of a fatality or major injury, this must be reported to a director immediately and the HSE must be notified by telephone by calling the Incident Centre on (Opening hours Monday to Friday hrs). 28

29 15. Near Misses In order to raise safety and health standards all employees will be encouraged to report near misses or situations they perceived to be dangerous, to their supervisor. Upon receiving the report the supervisor shall investigate the situation and implement remedial actions to prevent re-occurrences. Details of such incidents will be reported to the Head Office and the visiting Safety Adviser. 16. Sub-Contractors (Bona-Fide companies) Sub-contractors will enter details of any accidents requiring first aid treatment in the Site Accident Book. They will report any accidents involving their own employees to the HSE in line with their own company procedures; but will provide Site Management with copies of such details, along with details of any investigations undertaken and measures applied to prevent a recurrence. Copies of these details will be forwarded to Mr. Eddie Henry at the Head Office. All Site Management teams should notify the Safety Adviser of any of these incidents. 17. Sub-Contractors (Self-employed) Self-employed sub-contractors will enter details of any accidents requiring first aid treatment in the site accident book. Recording and reporting of any of these accidents will be in accordance with Dryside Ltd s procedures detailed above. All Site Management teams should notify the Safety Adviser of any of these incidents 7.1 RIDDOR Incident / Accident Investigations The following table has been developed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to help to determine the level of investigation which is appropriate. 29

30 Minimal Level Investigation The Company s Supervisor will look into all the circumstances of the incident / accident, complete our form and try to learn any lessons which will prevent future incidents. Low Level Investigation This will involve a short investigation by the relevant supervisor, line manager into all the circumstances and immediate underlying and root causes of the incident / accident and try to prevent a recurrence and learn any general lessons. Medium Level Investigation This will involve a more detailed investigation by the relevant supervisor / line manager, the external health and safety adviser /consultant and any employee representatives who will look for the immediate, underlying and root causes of the incident / accident for remedial action to be taken. High Level Investigation This investigation will involve a team based investigation which involves supervisors / line managers, external health and safety advisers / consultants, employee representatives, if applicable, and directors. This investigation will be carried out under the supervision of senior managers or directors with the help and assistance of expert safety advice from safety professionals, internal or external, and will look for the immediate, underlying and root causes. Procedures will be scrutinised and revised to meet any recommendations necessary so as to avoid any future recurrences. Sickness Reporting All sickness absence must be reported and recorded. Self-certification forms are to be completed for absence from 1 to 7 days, including days which would normally be rest days. These forms must be retained by the Manager. Doctors certificates are required for absence from 7 days, and must be sent to the personnel department. Managers must complete the weekly sickness and injury absence form and send it to the personnel department. Nil returns are not required. Continuous absence from 4 weeks equals long-term sickness. Managers must contact the sick employee and inform the personnel department. Continuous sickness, which results in a permanent incapacity to undertake duties, may be assessed for ill health retirement following liaison with the personnel department. Any work related disease (whether or not resulting in sickness absence) must be reported to an occupational health adviser as soon as possible. Contact your occupational health adviser for further advice pending return to work following long-term absence due to sickness concerning rehabilitation, redeployment or possible ill health retirement. Guide to Sickness Absence Reporting 1 7 Day Absence Over 7 Days Absence All Sickness Absence Employees to: Day 1: Send Doctors Certificate to Mr Peter Gorman. Inform your Director / Manager or Supervisor Line Manager / Supervisor to: Employee to: Send Doctors certificate to Mr. Peter Gorman. Complete self-certification form and send to Mr Peter Gorman weekly absence sheet and send Over 4 Weeks Absence Line Manager/Supervisor to: Ensure self-certification is complete Line Manager/Supervisor to: Retain self-certification form x Continue weekly absence returns x Complete weekly absence sheet 30

31 Admin 8. FIRST AID First aid at work is covered by the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 as amended in These Regulations provide a flexible framework within which employers can develop effective first aid arrangements appropriate to their workplace and the size of their workforce. 8.1 Definition of First Aid First aid is defined in the Regulations as follows: (a) (b) In cases where a person will need help from a doctor or a nurse: treatment for the purpose of preserving life and minimising the consequences of injury or illness until such help is obtained. Treatment of minor injuries which would otherwise receive no treatment or which do not need treatment by a doctor or nurse. It should be noted that the definition covers any illness at work and not just accidents. Companies must, therefore, plan for times when someone has a heart attack or just collapses. Reference The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, Regulation 2(1). Appointed person (AP) can give a restricted range of first-aid treatment to someone who is injured or becomes ill at work, look after the first-aid equipment and call the emergency services when required. Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) persons can do the above, plus give emergency first aid to someone who is injured or becomes ill while at work. The First Aid at Work (FAW) person includes EFAW and also equips the first aider to apply first aid to a range of specific injuries and illnesses. 8.2 Legislative requirements Under The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 as amended in 2013, duties are placed on employers to: Make an assessment of the first aid needs appropriate to the circumstances (hazards and risks) of each workplace. Provide adequate first aid equipment and facilities appropriate to the type of work or operations undertaken. Appoint a sufficient number of suitable and trained people to render first aid to employees who are injured or become ill at work. Appoint a sufficient number of suitable people who, in the temporary absence of the first aider, will be capable of dealing with an injured or ill employee needing help from a medical practitioner or nurse, and who are able to take charge of first aid equipment and facilities. Inform employees of the first aid arrangements, including the location of equipment and personnel. This will require that notices be posted and signs displayed. Provision should be made for employees with language or reading difficulties. 8.3 Shared facilities To avoid the unnecessary duplication of facilities where employees of more than one employer are working together, arrangements may be made to share facilities. Whilst there is no requirement for shared facilities to be 31

32 formally recorded, industry best practice is that the arrangements are recorded in writing, with each employer retaining a copy. In such circumstances, it is the responsibility of each employer to ensure that the agreed facilities are actually provided and that all their employees are aware of these arrangements. 8.4 Number of first aiders required as Appendix 3 of L74 (Third Edition 2013) The Regulations and ACoP do not specify numbers but set out guidelines on the number of trained AP s, EFAW s and FAW s needed, dependent on the size of undertaking the hazards present and the number of people employed. HSE publication L74 (Third Edition 2013) contains a table outlining the recommended number of first aid trained staff for various industry sectors and sizes of workplace At least one EFAW trained first aider depending upon the type of injuries which might occur More than 50 At least 1 EFAW or FAW trained first-aider, depending on the type of injuries that may occur 9. RISK ASSESSMENT 9.1 Purpose The main objective of a risk assessmenx Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2002 Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 Noise at Work Regulations 2005 Vibration Regulations 2005 Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 Working at Height Regulations 2005 First Aid Regulations 1981 The Health and Safety (Training for Employment) 1990 Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 Health and Safety (Young Persons) Regulations 1997 CDM Regulations 2007 CAR

33 9.2 Training & Competency All staff that are required to conduct risk assessments must be competent to do so. As a minimum, a one-day training course is deemed to be sufficient together with experience in the discipline being assessed. The one-day training must be delivered by a recognised safety training organisation such as the British Safety Council, ROSPA, IOSH, etc. Dryside Ltd also provides this training in house by suitably qualified professionals. 9.3 Assessments Assessments are either carried out by Managers or occasionally by groups. The format of the group must contain a trained and certified risk assessor and others with the necessary technical skills and or relevant experience in the discipline being assessed. Staff and safety representatives must be consulted and have the opportunity to take a full part in the process. 9.4 Methodology Dryside Ltd uses the risk assessment methodology set out below for all risk assessments carried out within the group: L = Likelihood S = Severity/Consequence 1 = Less than yearly 1 = No lost time 2 = Once a year 2 = First aid injury 3 = Monthly 3 = Lost time injury 4 = Weekly 4 = Hospital treatment 5 = Daily or more frequently 5 = Major injuries / Fatalities By giving a numeric rating to the likelihood of the hazard causing harm and the probable severity/consequence that would result and then multiplying the two figures together, the relative risk for each hazard is determined. A score of 15 or over is unacceptable and work would be stopped until suitable control measures were in place and a further risk assessment conducted. A score of 10 to 15 would necessitate a priority review using the ALARP principal. A score of 6 to 10 would be reviewed annually. A score of 5 or less is deemed to be insignificant. It is recognised that cost benefit analysis forms an integral part of the allocation and prioritisation of available resources in an endeavour to reduce risk levels. Risk Hazard Rating = Likelihood x Severity 33

34 L i k e l i h o o S e v e r I t y No Lost Time 1 First Aid Injury 2 Time off Injury 3 Hospital Treatment 4 Less than Yearly 1 Once a Year 2 Monthly 3 Weekly 4 Daily Risk assessments are carried out as an integral part of the project start up Major Injuries 5 procedure Unacceptable Risk Risks highlighted in Fatality the a management brief are subject to a formal risk assessment as part of the project Safety Strategy. Risks that will affect the infrastructure and therefore will require zone approval Risks imposed by the railway infrastructure due to the type of work being undertaken Risks imposed by the construction work that will be taking place It is recognised that the way in which the risk assessment is completed will need to differ according to the type of site. On relatively straightforward contracts, e.g. most standard sites, it should be possible to complete a risk assessment for the whole contract prior to commencement. It is the Director s responsibility to ensure that the risk assessments and the completed Method Statement is carried out at the due time. The risk assessments must be kept up to date. The Site Manager should review them weekly and change them if circumstances require it. Each time they are reviewed, whether or not they are changed, the date of the review should be noted on the assessment. d 9.5 Site Assessments The Directors and Site Managers will assess all changes to the contract, from whatever source, for the impact on safety and other loss potential. The Directors and Site Managers will seek the support of the Project Sponsor to ensure that sufficient and suitable resources are employed on the project to maintain safety throughout the duration of the project. 34

35 9.6 Methodology in the use of Risk Assessments (What to Do on Site) Extract the risk assessments which are relevant to your site Read and Check each for suitability and, if O K, sign the back Complete a new assessment form for New or Major changes of risk Use to help allocate Safety Resources and Equipment Use to extract the COSHH assessments Read and Check each for suitability and, if O K, sign the back Use as a base for Method Statements and Task Briefings Use as a base for Task Briefings and COSS briefings File in the site pack 9.7 Generic Risk Assessment It is sometimes necessary to produce generic risk assessments, such as during the tender stage of projects. Dryside Ltd has included a matrix of generic risk assessments as an appendix to this document. The matrix attempts to address the foreseeable risks the group could be exposed to. 9.8 Actions and Timescales RISK LEVEL TRIVIAL TOLERABLE MODERATE ACTION AND TIMESCALES No action required No additional controls are required. Consideration may be given to a more costeffective solution or improvement that imposes no additional cost burden. Monitoring is required to ensure that the controls are maintained. Efforts should be made to reduce the risk, but the cost of prevention should be carefully measured. Monitoring is required to ensure that the controls are maintained. SUBSTANTIAL Work should not be started until the risk has been reduced. Considerable resources may have to be allocated to reduce the risk. Where the risk involves work in progress, urgent agent action should be taken. INTOLERABLE Unacceptable. Work should not be started or continued until the risk has been reduced. If it is not possible to reduce the risk even with unlimited resources, work has to remain prohibited. Note: Tolerable here means that the risk has been reduced to the lowest level that is reasonably practicable. 9.9 Periodical Review Risk assessments shall be subject to an annual review by the Director and will additionally be undertaken after any accident / incident or near miss and at any time there is reason to believe it is no longer valid. The results of any review shall be documented and retained for audit purposes. 35

36 9.10 Sub-contractors Sub-contractors shall be required to provide their own Risk Assessments covering their aspects of work. These assessments will be reviewed by the manager or Director Where Dryside Ltd s RAs affect other contractors on site, these will be communicated to them via the site inductions or by some other means Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan Generic and Specific Risk Assessments, together with Method Statements identified by them, will form part of the Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan. 36

37 10. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES 10.1 Potential for Causing Emergencies Before any project commences on site, potential emergency situations must be considered. These might include fires or bomb threats, but dependent on the project it might include things like working in confined spaces, or how to rescue persons hanging in a safety harness. Each project will be different, but in all cases emergency contingency plans should be considered at the planning stage. At all times the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Fire Safety in Construction Work HSG 1688 will have to be adhered to Action to be taken to deal with Emergency Situations The following actions should be taken on all sites when dealing with such emergencies:- Each site or workplace shall be assessed for the potential of fire or other emergencies. Where Assessments identify high risks, procedures will be established at that site to deal with such situations. Provisions shall be made at each workplace for the access on to sites of emergency and rescue service vehicles. In the event of an emergency the most senior person on site shall summon by telephone all necessary emergency and rescue services. Provision shall be made for the emergency services to be met at the site entrance and directed to the location of the emergency. All persons not required to assist in any rescue operation shall be removed from the area of the emergency. Planned escape routes shall be identified at every temporary site accommodation, permanent building and any structure under construction. Appropriate signage shall be installed to ensure that all persons are directed to a place of safety away from the emergency. Instructions in case of fire or emergency shall be included in all induction training Fire Precautions on site Prevention of fire is essential if lives, plant and jobs are not to be lost. 1. Do not smoke in any No Smoking areas. 2. Do not smoke, or use any naked flame near flammable materials, either in the main office, on site or in the yard area. 3. Appropriate fire extinguishers are located in all working areas on site or in the yard, canteen facilities and anywhere else they are required. 4. Do not allow combustible waste to accumulate clear up and dispose of the materials correctly. 5. Never use unauthorised fires or cooking appliances -- only light fires when instructed and properly attended. 6. Keep LPG cylinders away from fires, boilers or other heat sources. 7. Never hang or drape wet clothing on or very near heaters where they could become a fire hazard use the proper drying room facilities supplied by the Company. 8. Ensure fire extinguishers are close at hand for hot works, i.e welding works and plumbing. 9. Ensure that site equipment and materials, etc. are separated as far as possible to prevent the spread of fire. 10. Ensure you are familiar with the site building layout and fire escape routes and that you know how to raise the alarm. 11. Do not misuse or interfere with a fire extinguisher wherever it may be placed. 37

38 12. If a fire does occur: Raise the alarm and call the fire brigade Try to fight the fire with the extinguishers if you can do so without putting yourself in danger report to Site Supervisor or Site Manager x report to the assembly point All personnel must not re-enter the building or site until told to do so by a Senior Manager 10.4 General Fire Precautions for Offices and Yards It is in everyone s interest that all premises have good fire precautions, and you can help by taking the following action: 1. Do not allow combustible waste to accumulate in the office or workplace. Clear up and dispose of the materials correctly. 2. Ensure that all paper and cardboard materials are stored in a closed off unit. 3. Do not allow combustible material or items that will slow down escape, to be placed in escape routes, i.e. in corridors or near fire doors. 4. Do not wedge or hold open fire doors, they are designed to be kept shut. 5. Do not secure doors on escape routes so that they cannot be opened easily by a person escaping. 6. Do not obscure signs that show the escape routes, fire-alarm call points or fire extinguishers. 7. Do not store highly flammable and flammable liquids on property or in offices. 8. Do ensure electrical equipment is properly connected, periodically tested and not left switched on unnecessarily unless designed to do so. 9. Keep LPG cylinders away from fires, boilers or other heat sources, as they should be stored in proper designed cages. 10. Never hang or drape wet clothing on or very near heaters where they could become a fire hazard. Use the proper drying room facilities provided. 11. Ensure you are familiar with the office/yard layout and fire escape routes and that you know how to raise the alarm properly in the event of a fire. 12. Do take part in fire drills, especially if you are disabled and will need help. 13. Senior Managers should liaise with local Fire Authorities for advice on fire precautions, escape routes, fire drills, etc. 14. Senior Managers must ensure that fire alarms and systems are tested regularly and records of all tests kept Classification of Fire Fires are classified in accordance with British Standard EN2:1992 Classification of Fires. For all practical purposes there are FIVE main classes of fire: A B C D and F. Class A Fires which involve solid materials such as wood, paper, cardboard, textiles, furniture and plastics where there are normally glowing embers during combustion. Such fires are extinguished by cooling, which is achieved by using water. 38

39 Class B Fires which involve liquids or liquefied solids such as paints, oils or fats. These can be further sub-divided into: Class B1 Fires which involve liquids that are soluble in water such as methanol. They can be extinguished by carbon dioxide, dry powder, water spray, light water and vaporising liquids. Class B2 Fires which involve liquids not soluble in water, such as petrol or oil. They can be extinguished by using foam, carbon dioxide, dry powder, light water and vaporising liquid. They can be extinguished using foam or dry powder in conjunction with water to cool any containers involved or nearby. Class C Fires which can involve gases such as natural gas, or liquefied gases such as butane or propane. Class D Fires which involve metals such as aluminium or magnesium. Special dry powder extinguishers are required to extinguish these fires, which may contain powdered graphite or talc. Class F Fires which involve high temperature cooking oils or fats in large catering establishments or restaurants. Electrical Fires Fires involving electrical equipment or circuitry do not constitute a fire class on their own, as electricity is a source of ignition that will feed a fire until switched off or isolated. But there are some pieces of equipment that can store, within capacitors, lethal voltages even when isolated. Extinguishers specifically designed for electrical use like carbon dioxide or dry powder units should always be used for this type of fire hazard Fire Safety If you should discover flames, smoke or abnormal heat, you should: 1. Shout FIRE and operate the buildings fire alarm (larger buildings only). 2. Call the emergency services by dialling (9)999 (first 9 required if using an internal telephone. 3. Use appropriate fire extinguisher to attack any fire only if you can do so without risk to yourself. 4. Leave the building by the nearest usable escape route and go to the designated assembly point. 5. Do not re-enter the site or building until you are told it is safe to do so. 6. Training is available for the use of basic firefighting equipment. 7. Which fire extinguisher to use: For fires on Water Foam Bcf Powder Co2 Paper, wood, textile and fabric Y Y Y Y O Fats and liquids X Y Y Y Y Live electrical equipment X X Y Y Y Vehicles X Y Y Y Y Running liquids X Y Y Y O the use of bcf (halon) is being phased out because it is harmful to the environment Y X O = correct extinguisher and safe to use = incorrect extinguisher and would be unsafe to use = extinguisher is not recommended but presents no danger to the user 39

40 10.7 Fire Safety Signs Types of Fire Extinguishers and Labels (Note: Main colour of all extinguishers is red with 5% reserved for label) 40

41 10.8 Typical Fire Plan 11. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT 41

42 The need to wear or use personal protective equipment shall be assessed at each workplace or site and for each particular operation. Dryside Ltd will protect its employees by providing safety helmets, ear protectors, face masks, goggles, screens, gloves and high viz and, in special circumstances, specific P.P.E. to carry out their work safely free of charge. It is the Company s policy that the following P.P.E. should be worn at all times when on site or in a factory environment. Hard hat (safety helmet) at all times when on site conforming to EN 397 High viz vest at all times when on site conforming to EN 471 Class 2 Steel toe-capped footwear at all times when on site conforming to EN 345 Gloves suitable for the task that is being carried out conforming to EN 388 Disposable dust masks when required conforming to EN 149 FFP1 Eye protection when using any abrasive wheel equipment to Grade 1 (EN 166B) impact goggles Ear defenders when noise levels exceed 85 dba conforming to EN Overalls (disposable overalls shall be worn when working with contaminants as per risk assessment) Inclement weather protection clothing for extreme weather conditions Training will be provided, if necessary, for any operative needing to use specialist PPE. It is the duty of all engaged sub-contractors working for Dryside Ltd to provide the appropriate suitable PPE to their own employees when working on any of our sites. On very hot sunny days the respective Site Manager will advise workers on site of the dangers regarding direct sunlight and to use sun-block or cover exposed skin as appropriate. Removing shirts in hot weather will not be permitted despite the operative wearing their high viz vest directly over their skin. Generally the wearing of shorts are not permitted on our sites, shorts that do go down below the knees could be made an exception. However, when working on a Client occupied site the dress code must be adhered to and shorts are not to be worn. 1. Managers must ensure that all employees are provided with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), for the work they are engaged in, and that all sub-contract employees come to site with the appropriate PPE so as to be allowed to work on site. 2. Records of the issue of all PPE to every employee must be kept at the Head Office. 3. Suitable instruction must be given to all persons issued with PPE on its correct use, maintenance and how to obtain replacements. 4. All employees and sub-contractors must wear the appropriate PPE when carrying out any task where it is necessary to prevent risk of injury or contamination from harmful substances. 5. Employees must inform the Company if any P.P.E. is damaged or unsuitable so that it can be replaced without charge. 6. No work must be carried out using damaged or non-wearing of P.P.E. when instructed to do so. 7. PPE should be stored in a clean safe place when not in use. Overalls must be regularly cleaned or disposed of in the appropriate manner if the disposable type. 8. If you have any doubt about how to use the PPE issued to you, contact your Supervisor or Director for advice. 12. TRAINING, INDUCTION INFORMATION 42

43 12.1 Training To achieve the required standard of safety, all levels of staff will be required to undergo appropriate and suitable Safety Training Courses. The appropriate level of training is identified in the Safety Training Matrix held by the Head Office. Additional training will be provided as necessary for specific tasks or operations. It shall be the responsibility of all Line Managers to ensure that all persons under their control are suitably trained for any task or operation that is part of their works or that they are instructed to undertake. Employees will be required to attend safety update training at regular intervals. Site training will be by weekly toolbox talks and task briefings on specific site operations. Employees of sub-contractors shall be trained and competent for any task that they are to undertake. Proof of them having received suitable safety training shall be provided to the Site Management prior to being allowed to start work Induction Induction training will be given on the first day of employment to any new employee so that all employees are familiar with basic procedures once they are at their place of work. This will be a minimum of half a day for all Managers and Supervisors at head office and all site employees will be inducted for a minimum of 30 minutes on every site they are working on. As and when employees are transferred to a new site or place of work, they shall receive specific induction training relative to that working place or site prior to starting work. Before any sub-contractor s employees are authorised to work on any construction site they shall receive induction training specific to that site provided by the Principal Contractor Information To ensure that the Management Team can resolve problems that occur on site, the Company keeps records of accidents, investigation reports inspection/audit reports, maintenance to plant, risk assessments and training records at the Head Office. All employees, when on site, can view the Company s Safety Policy and other relevant documentation upon request to the Site Manager. All sites will display the appropriate signage as laid down in the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, and in accordance with the recommendations stated in HSG MANUAL HANDLING The term Manual Handling is defined as the movement of a load by human effort alone. This effort may be applied directly or indirectly using a rope or a lever. Generally, manual handling injuries are caused by incorrect or excessive use of bodily force, leading to sprains and strains. Poor posture and repetitive movement are common factors and injuries can be cumulative, at times leading to permanent disabilities. The Law requires Companies to take three steps. Step one is to avoid hazardous manual handling operations where reasonably practicable. Step two is to consider whether the load must be moved at all. Step three, if it is a must, whether it can be moved mechanically, e.g. by a forklift truck or other mechanical means. Whenever possible, use mechanical lifting aids/machines, etc., to avoid manual handling operations. 43

44 1. There should be either a local or a generic risk assessment for all manual handling tasks involving any significant risk of injury. 2. Training is available for anyone whose work involves manually lifting/moving heavy objects. 3. Never attempt to lift or move something beyond your capability. 4. Seek help if the load is too heavy or awkward to lift on your own. 5. Think about how to lift the load and the direction you want to go before you start to lift it. 6. Wherever possible, use the appropriate gloves, especially if the load has sharp edges, notches, grease or anything that may weaken your grip or injure your hands. 7. Always wear safety footwear when lifting heavy objects. 8. Follow good lifting techniques: Place your feet close to the load. Lower your body, bending your knees in a smooth action. Grasp the load. Start the lift by raising your head, which straightens your back and allows your legs to take the strain. Move upwards in a smooth continuous action. Never lift and twist at the same time. 14. ACCESS AND EGRESS 14.1 General 44

45 Safe access and egress shall be provided at all times. Walkways shall be kept clear of loose materials, tools, etc., and tripping hazards shall be eliminated. Trailing electrical cables, etc., shall be positioned so that they do not create tripping hazards. Appropriate action shall be taken to segregate pedestrian and vehicle traffic as identified in the Site Traffic Management Plan. Where work is carried out in areas to which members of the public have access, they shall, where practicable, be kept free of obstruction, etc. Holes in the walkway shall be covered with a steel road plate or any obstructions will be protected by barriers. Only authorised persons shall be allowed on construction sites. The means of authorisation and identification shall be assessed for each contract and rules relating to this will be incorporated into the Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan. All sub-contractors shall be required to inform the Site Manager of the numbers and names of all their employees working on the site on a daily basis. Records of all authorised persons working on or visiting site shall be kept in the site office. Barriers and warning signs shall be provided to prevent access to areas of danger. 45

46 Typical example of a front entrance to a construction site 46

47 15. EXCAVATIONS 15.1 General Excavation work is an essential part of the construction process and one of the most hazardous. Excavation work has to be properly planned, managed, supervised and carried out to prevent accidents and ill health to workers. A major factor in excavation accidents is the type of soil which is being excavated. The soil structure may range from sand to clay and rock. Sand and gravel tend to be more unstable than clays or rock and require more support during the excavation process to protect both workers and plant from the effects of collapse. The stability of soils changes rapidly with water content and many excavations have collapsed in the past after storms. It is impossible to forecast the behaviour of earth as its whole condition can change in hours. Experienced groundworkers and supervisors have thought they could read the conditions. Excavations frequently collapse and people die as a result each year. You must take all practical steps to ensure the stability of all excavations. This applies regardless of how deep the excavation is or the height from which material may fall. Before starting any excavation work it is important to plan the work by following a comprehensive planning procedure (as described in HSG185) so that all significant hazards can be addressed; 15.2 Barriers Typical example of a trench barrier for deep excavation works 15.2 Excavation Support Typical example of different excavation support methods Remember when excavating on site you need to ensure: The permit to excavate is prepared and signed Buried services must be located Suitable safe means of getting to and from the work must be planned and maintained, provide an access ladder. If dangerous dust or fumes are possible, undertake a COSHH assessment and regular atmospheric monitoring Ensure edges are protected 47

48 Select shorings suitable to withstand vibrations from mechanical excavators and which will prevent material falling from above. Ensure that there are hand rails above boxes or temporary shoring Ensure that when excavating trenches a minimum of two boxes is dug before commencing to place materials or personnel inside the box Always ensure that there is a safety zone in the trench for personnel to enter when works are in progress All excavations must be fenced off and secured to prevent any unauthorised person entering the working space Keep plant and equipment away from the excavation edges to prevent cave-ins Always have an emergency procedure in place before any deep excavation work Remember, a trench deeper than 1.8 metres is termed as a confined space and must be treated accordingly Supervise and inspect a competent person must inspect the work o At the start of every shift o After any event that may affect the strength or stability of the excavation o After any accidental fall of rock, earth or similar material. Every 7 days all excavations must be inspected and a written report produced. All excavations shall be kept free from water ingress by the use of pumps or other means. Consideration to the environment of dewatering shall be taken into account of pollution, contamination to nearby watercourses. Any contaminated ground encountered on site will be covered under the Waste Management Plan which is produced for every site Planned Excavation of Works Example of a planned excavation works 48

49 16. WORKING OVER OR NEAR WATER Dryside Ltd is fully aware that there is a risk of drowning when employees work beside or above water or have to pass near or across it on their way to or from their workplace. The most immediate danger following a fall into water is drowning. Causes or contributory factors include:- Shock of sudden immersion in cold water Weight of waterlogged clothing Incapacity following injury caused by striking an object during the fall or while in the water Fatigue or hypothermia where rescue is not immediate. Preventing the fall into water by the erection of barriers Effective barriers shall be provided at all work places where there are risks of falling into water. Warning Notices Warning notices shall be displayed at all site boundaries near the water and at all approaches to the area. Raising the Alarm When working over or near water there shall be provided means to raise the alarm if anyone has fallen into the water, i.e. whistles, lights or some type of Claxon alarm. Rescue Equipment DTI approved lifebuoys and lifejackets shall be provided and a rescue boat with grab and throw lines aboard will be available as required and specified in the task specific risk assessment. Operatives using this equipment will be suitably trained and competent in its use and the equipment will be regularly inspected. 49

50 Waterborne Traffic Where work impinges upon waterborne traffic, a method statement shall be devised which will enable work to be carried out with a minimum risk to such traffic, and without undue hindrance to the traffic. Full use shall be made of advance warning signs in these circumstances. 17. LIFTING OPERATIONS 17.1 General All lifting operations must be properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner by trained personnel. A Lifting Plan must be produced before any lifting operations are carried out using a crane whether mobile or static, i.e. tower cranes or the use of excavators as cranes. Only a certificated BS 7121 Crane Appointed Person must produce this Lifting Plan and in accordance with BS7121 parts 1, and also part 3 or part 5, whichever is applicable. All lifting equipment which includes cranes, fork lift trucks, hiabs and excavators shall be used in accordance with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 as amended in 2002, along with BS 7121, parts 1, 3 and 5, whichever is applicable to the lifting operation. Any lifting equipment supplied to site will be inspected by a competent person every seven days and all inspections are to be recorded and a copy given to the Site Manager for our records. All lifting equipment should be marked with their safe working loads and shall not be used to lift loads that exceed the stated safe working load. All operators of lifting equipment shall be suitably qualified, trained and competent for the equipment they are to use on site. All lifting operations are to have a banksman to supervise and control the lifts in accordance with LOLER 98 and BS Ensure that the correct equipment arrives on site, as stated in the lifting plan, otherwise this is a contravention of BS 7212 and LOLER 98 and a breach in the eyes of the HSE Lifting Accessories All ropes, chains, slings, hooks, shackles, etc. used for raising and lowering loads shall be marked with their safe working load and means of identification. They shall have been tested and thoroughly examined at the time of manufacture and certificates of tests, etc. shall be kept. All lifting gear shall be visually inspected at each use for signs of damage or wear. All damaged items shall be taken out of use. Lifting gear shall only be used for raising, lowering or suspending loads and shall not be loaded above the certified safe working loads. Hooks used for lifting shall have safety catches fitted; to be of such design that slings cannot accidentally slip off Control of lifting operations 50

51 A person other than the crane driver must be appointed to take the responsibility for the organisation and control of any lifting operation. This person must be adequately trained and have the necessary experience to be deemed competent. The appointed person must assess any proposed lift to provide for planning, selection of equipment, instruction and supervision to enable the work to be carried out safely. He must also ensure that all tests, inspections, examinations and maintenance have been carried out and that there is a procedure for reporting defects and taking corrective actions as necessary. He has the authority to stop the operation if he considers them to be unsafe. Where there is more than one crane used on the same project, a suitably competent crane co-ordinator should be appointed. ALL LIFTS MUST BE PLANNED with suitable lifting plans and schedules being used as appropriate. The Dryside Ltd Permit to operate a crane should be completed before any crane is used on site Slinging All loads shall be slung by a competent slinger/banksman. A banksman shall be used to control all lifting operations on site and communicate with the crane operator by either the nationally accepted hand signals or by radio Hoists Hoists are included under LOLER 98 and include provision for hoists to be fully enclosed. All hoists should carry notices showing the safe working load and should be examined every six months from the date of installation on site. Weekly inspections shall be carried out by the hoist operator and entered into the Inspection Register. If the hoist is tied into the structure then the ties have to be inspected by a certificated Appointed Person Tower Cranes Tower cranes may either be a Luffing jib tower crane or a saddle jib (horizontal) tower crane. All tower cranes erected on construction sites have to notify the HSE before erection on site. Tower cranes always use banksman and signalman when in operation. The signalman / banksman should always wear one or more appropriate distinctive items, i.e. jacket, helmet, vests, etc. that separate them from all the other site operatives. Also, VHF radios should be used as a form of communication where they have a special uninterrupted waveband so that there is always a clear communication between crane operator and signaller / banksman. The erection or dismantling of tower cranes must have a lifting plan, method statement, risk assessment and associated documentation reviewed by the Safety Department or by the Company s Crane Appointed Person, before any works commence on site. Lifting plans for tower crane erected on site must have their lifting plans drawn by the companies crane Appointed Person as specified in BS Associated Form and Information H & S 13 Fork Lift Permit x H & S 13 Permit to Operate a Crane x H & S 13 Lifting Plan x H & S 13 Schedule of Common Lifts 17.8 Policy on lifting Operations It is the policy of this company that if a crane other than a tower crane is to be used on site, a contract lift will be used. All sub-contractors will provide their own lifting appliances for their own activities as required. 51

52 18. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT 18.1 General Where sites involve working on or adjacent to the highway, all employees must be extremely vigilant at all times and be aware of the dangers from passing traffic. Operatives working on the highway should be trained and certificated in compliance with The New Roads and Street Works Act Advance Warning Signs All work areas on or adjacent to the highway shall be properly signed in accordance with Chapter 8 of The Road Traffic Signs Manual Traffic Safety Measures for Road Works. At the approach to every such work area, a ROAD NARROWS AHEAD sign, indicating the appropriate position of the obstruction shall be positioned midway between the road works ahead sign and the working area. Where the road width is reduced by the working area to less than 5.5m, traffic shall be controlled with STOP / GO boards or temporary traffic lights as appropriate. Appropriate advance warning signs shall be provided at the approaches to these controls. In situations where pavements are obstructed by the works, pedestrians shall be diverted to an alternative route by pedestrian direction signs. Working areas in roads and pavements shall be protected by substantial barriers. The working area on roads shall be protected with traffic cones and all plant, material and equipment shall be positioned inside the coned-off area. All barriers and signs shall be supplemented by lamps during the hours of darkness. All operatives on roadworks of any kind should wear distinctive high visibility protective clothing. Consultation with the Traffic Police and Local Highway Authority will take place before traffic flow is restricted by any means. Examples of Traffic Management on Existing Roads 18.3 Traffic Management Plan A suitable Traffic Management Plan will be prepared and enforced on all sites that have vehicular traffic access. This Plan will include details of any traffic routes, one-way systems, turn around points, wash down areas, access for emergency vehicles, etc. It will also show prescribed pedestrian walkways or out of bounds or restricted areas. 52

53 This Plan must be brought to the attention of all on-site operatives or site visitors during site induction training and displayed as appropriate. The Plan must be amended as necessary to reflect any changes in site conditions. Example of a Traffic Management Plan 19. WORKING ON ROOFS 19.1 Introduction 53

54 Any work on a roof shall be considered as High Risk. A high standard of safety is essential irrespective of the duration of the work. The nature of the precautions needed to prevent falls from height will vary from project to project, each project will be risk assessed giving consideration to the following factors: 19.2 Barriers The perimeter of all roofs where work is carried out shall be surrounded with suitable edge protection or be provided with effective working platforms provided by scaffolding. Additional barriers, as required, shall be installed to prevent persons or materials falling Ladder Angles Where ladders are used for access they shall be set an angle of about 75 to the horizontal, i.e. about 1m out for every 4m in height, and must extend to at least 1.05m above the landing place. All access ladders shall be tied either top or bottom to be secure against movement Method statements A detailed written method statement shall be prepared for operations that involve working at height and in all instances consideration should be given not only to the safety of persons working on the roof but also to the prevention of equipment and materials falling off the roof and protection of others affected by the works Safety Equipment If identified as an aid to safe working in a task specific risk assessment, collective measures such as safety nets, installed by a competent person, may be installed to prevent significant falls from height. Where a safe place of work cannot be provided by other means, safety harnesses shall be used as a last resort. 54

55 They shall be secured to a suitable anchorage point so as to restrain a person should they fall. If safety harnesses are used a suitable emergency plan must be established to rescue someone should they fall and be stranded hanging in the harness Waste Materials Waste materials should be lowered in skips or baskets or disposed of through enclosed chutes. No material or rubbish, etc. shall be thrown from roofs or other situations where persons are likely to be struck Fragile Roofs and Materials A system, complete with guardrails, shall be provided to prevent falls. No person shall be allowed to venture onto an unsupported fragile roof. Warning notices shall be provided to give warning of areas where there is a risk of falling through fragile material Roof Work Permit In some instances, following a specific risk assessment, a Roof Work Permit may be used as an additional control measure. 20. WORKING AT HEIGHT 20.1 Working at Height Regulations 2005, as amended In 2007 Any working at height must be compliant with the 2005 Working at Height Regulations with particular attention being paid to the hierarchy of controls. To protect workers at height from serious injury, the Working at Heights Regulations gives the following hierarchy of control: Avoid working at height if possible Use an existing safe place of work Provide work equipment to prevent falls Mitigate distance and consequences of a fall Instruction, training and supervision AVOID WORKING AT HEIGHT Fall Prevention by way of suitable edge protection or working platforms fall restraint by use of nets or harnesses. N.B. Emergency procedures must always be considered before works commence Ladders Many accidents arise from the misuse of ladders. Ladders should be used as access to work areas only if possible. Work from ladders should be avoided, but if used the work must be light and of short duration. Consider other means such as towers, mobile work platforms, etc. if possible. Do not over-reach when working off a ladder. All Dryside Ltd employees should follow the following guidelines when using a ladder for carrying out tasks. Improvised ladders are STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. 55

56 Always check ladders for split stiles and damaged or missing rungs. If defective DO NOT USE. Report defects immediately to Site Management. Do not use aluminium ladders as access to scaffolds. Only one person on a ladder at any one time. Never place run up boards onto the rung of a ladder. Position ladders on firm, level ground with the upper resting point against a solid surface (not against gutters) use ladder stays to hold it off. Secure ladders at the top by both stiles or footed by a second person. Ladders must extend at least 1 m. (5 rungs) above any landing place Always set the ladder at the correct angle of 75º or 1 every 4 rungs high. rung out for Both hands must be free to hold the ladder. Small tools should be carried in a shoulder bag or belt holster. Never carry bulky items up or down a ladder, always pass or haul them up or use hoist (if available) Step Ladders Dryside Ltd employees can use step ladders as long as they are fit for purpose and are in a safe condition up to a maximum height of 2 metres from floor level. All ladders will be marked as Class 1 site use, or 2 medium duty for light trade purposes only. All ladders and step ladders must comply to BS 1129:1990, BS 2037:1994 and BS EN 131. Example of correct usage of step ladders It is the responsibility of all Dryside Ltd employees to check their step ladders daily and report any damage to their supervisor immediately. No employee should be using a damaged step ladder at any time and it is their responsibility, under health and safety legislation, to take damaged equipment out of use Podium Steps Another alternative, to comply with the Working at Height Regulations, is to use podium steps. Podium steps are so much better than step ladders: they offer trouble-free and secure access to ceilings and walls, and reduce the odds of falling from just a metre. The Working at Height Regulations of 2005 recommend working from platforms that allow the person to adopt the correct work position or posture for the work in hand, which is exactly what podium steps offer. Podium steps are better in terms of safety, they make contractors comfortable when working which helps them to complete their task in much less time and, therefore, are likely to do the task better. 56

57 Podium steps have lockable wheels on the base and are narrow enough to fit through a standard door which allows the podium steps to gain easy access to all work places in offices, apartments, factories, etc. People using podium steps should be trained in the safe use, using manufacturer s instructions. Podium steps should be regularly inspected and well maintained and all inspections recorded on a weekly basis. Any work using podium steps should be supervised to ensure that the people using them are working safely and in the correct environment. When using podium steps one must not pull oneself along keeping the wheels free, they must be locked at all times when in use. When moving podium steps the operator must first get off the podium, unlock the wheels and push it to its new position then re-lock the wheels and climb onto the working platform. Dryside Ltd will ensure that all podium steps, provided as working platform equipment, will be safe and well maintained. When the podium steps are handled, stored and transported, it must be done so without the risk of injury or ill health to any employee. Any podium step that is damaged whilst being used, the user must cease work and the damage reported immediately to the Line Supervisor and be replaced immediately. 57

58 21. CONFINED SPACES (CONFINED SPACES REGULATIONS 1997) These Regulations concern any work that is carried on in a place which is substantially (but not always entirely) enclosed, where there is reasonably foreseeable risk of serious injury from conditions and / or hazardous substances in the space or nearby. Where work is carried out in an area with restricted access or egress, or with restricted airflow or constrictive work area, they shall be designated as confined spaces. Typical examples might include: Live sewers Making connections into live sewers x Chambers deeper than 3m Where there is a risk of persons drowning, losing consciousness or suffering asphyxiation from toxic gases. Deep trenches Ducts Large diameter pipes The above list, while being indicative, is not exhaustive. All working situations must be assessed to establish if they are a confined space Indications The following are indications of confined spaces: Access is limited or difficult There is limited mobility within an area Ventilation is inadequate There is inadequate natural light There is a likelihood of lack of oxygen or toxic or explosive atmosphere The presence of any of the above may lead to a working area being designated a confined space Method Statements All work in confined spaces shall be subject to a Permit to Work in Confined Spaces. Minimum requirements for working in a confined space shall be: x All operatives involved shall have had experience of working in confined spaces and be suitably trained and certificated. x Only operatives who are physically fit shall be employed x One operative from the gang (minimum 3 persons in a gang) shall always be on standby / top man outside the confined space x A good system of communication shall be set up commencing from the top man outside to all the workers inside the confined space. x While working in a confined space, a harness, which will allow a person to be lifted vertically, shall be worn at all times. x The atmosphere shall be monitored for at least 15 minutes before any person enters a confined space, to establish levels of oxygen and toxic or explosive gases. The atmosphere shall be continuously monitored during operations. The monitor should be situated 300mm from the face of any worker and one gas monitor should be located at the exit point at all times. x Mechanical means (tripod and winch minimum) shall be provided on standby to enable an injured or unconscious person to be lifted to safety. x At least one 10-minute Breathing Apparatus Saver Set should be provided at the workplace (if appropriate). x Suitable emergency procedures are in place. x One person per gang must be a trained first aider and have the appropriate first aid equipment on standby. 58

59 22. UNDERGROUND AND OVERHEAD SERVICES 22.1 Underground Services Dryside Ltd realises that any damage to underground services can cause fatal or severe injury as well as significant disruption and environmental damage; it can also delay the project and incur considerable liability costs. The main dangers encountered come from electricity cables, gas pipes, water pipes, telecommunication cables and TV cables. Dryside Ltd will adopt the safe system of work consisting of three basic elements as stated in HSG 47: x Planning the work x Detecting, identifying and marking underground services x Safe excavation / safe digging practices Any contractor employed to excavate near or around existing services will provide a safe system of work which has identified all the hazards that might be encountered during the works and has made a suitable and sufficient risk assessment of all these known hazards before commencing work on site. Before any excavations take place, existing underground services shall be located by the following means: Drawings and other information on the location of buried cables, pipes, etc. shall be obtained from the public utilities and other owners of services. The area of the excavation shall be surveyed using a CAT and Genny cable locator or similar device. Services identified shall be marked out on the road or other surfaces using chalk or spray paint to be excavated and the employee who will be excavating will be informed of their presence. If possible and circumstances allow a slit trench or trail hole should be hand dug to try and locate position and depth of known services. Excavations, after breaking through the top road surface, etc. the rest of the work shall be carried out using hand tools only. Underground services, etc. shall be exposed with great care by trained and competent persons. When services or ducts are found we will use the NJUG Guidelines on Positioning and Colour Coding of Underground Utilities Apparatus (December 2007) and BS 1710 as guidelines for identifying services located. All damage to services, etc. shall be reported to the owners before any backfilling is carried out. Where electricity cables and gas services are damaged, work shall cease in the immediate area until such time as they are made safe. All persons likely to be affected shall be warned of the dangers both verbally and by the use of appropriate signs. Utility Companies use a colour coding system for buried services: Black = Electricity Red = Electricity (some 11 kv cables) Blue = Water Yellow = Gas Grey / White = Telecommunications Green = Cable TV EXAMPLE OF ELECTRICTY CABLE LAYOUT DRAWING 59

60 EXAMPLE OF GAS PIPE LAYOUT DRAWING 60

61 COLOURS OF DUCTS, PIPES, CABLES AND MARKER / WARNING TAPES Utility Duct Pipe Cable Colour of Marker / Warning Tape 61

62 Where Used Electricity HV (High Voltage) Electricity LV (Low Voltage Gas Water non-potable and grey water Water Fire fighting Black or red tile N/A Black or red Black or red N/A Black or red Yellow N/A N/A Yellow or yellow with brown stripes that is removable to reveal white or black pipe Black with green stripes Black with red stripes or bands N/A N/A N/A Oil / fuel pipelines N/A Black N/A Sewerage Telecoms Water Water pipes for special purposes (for example contaminated ground) Black Grey White Green Black Purple Blue or grey N/A No distinguishing colour / material (e.g. Ductile Iron may be red; PVC may be brown) N/A Yellow with black legend Yellow with black legend Yellow with black legend N/A N/A Various surface markers Marker tape or tiles above red concrete N/A N/A Black or light grey Various Blue polymer or blue uncoated Iron / GRP. Blue polymer with brown stripe (removable skin revealing white or black pipe) Blue polymer with brown stripes (nonremovable skin) N/A N/A Blue or Blue/black Blue or blue/black Highway Authority Services Street lighting England and Wales (consult the electricity company first) Street lighting Scotland Duct Pipe Cable Black or orange N/A Black Purple N/A Purple Colour of Marker / Warning Tape Where Used Yellow with black legend Yellow with black legend or purple 62

63 Street lighting Northern Ireland Orange N/A Black or orange Various Traffic control Orange N/A Orange Yellow with black legend Street furniture Black N/A Black Yellow with black legend Telecoms Purple / orange N/A Black Various Motorways and Trunk Roads England and Wales Communications Purple N/A Grey Yellow with black legend Communications Yellow with black Purple N/A Black power legend Road lighting Orange N/A Black Yellow with black legend Scotland Communications Black or grey N/A Black Yellow with black legend Road lighting Purple N/A Purple Yellow with black legend INFORMATION POSTER 63

64 REMEMBER In the event of a gas leak, suspected gas leaks or any other emergency relating to gas: Ring Gas Emergency Service Checking for BT anywhere in UK Dial before you Dig Ring

65 22.2 Overhead Electric Cables Where work is carried out close to overhead cables and where there is a probability of a discharge of current of earth through plant or equipment, a safe system of work shall be devised and followed. The safe system of work shall consist of a combination of one or more of the following: Identify all overhead cables crossing the site Contact the local Electricity Company and ascertain, in writing, whether the service will be made dead or not. If it cannot be made dead, the Electricity Company must give reasons why it is unreasonable to have the power cut off (Regulation 14 of Electricity at Work Regulations) Whether or not the cables are made dead, suitable barriers, goalposts and signs shall be erected in accordance with HSE Guidance Note G56. The height of any goalposts must be specified by the Electricity Company. If plant is working in the vicinity of any overhead power lines, the distance between the plant and the overhead lines should be at least: (1) 15 m (plus the length of the jib) if the lines are suspended from steel towers (2) 9 m (plus the length of the jib) if the lines are supported on wooden poles. Where cables remain charged with electricity and the provision of goalposts are not possible because of the nature of the site or where work requires to be done beneath the cable, measures must be taken to limit the reach of excavators, etc. by means of suitable proximity devices (a restrictor). If any plant or machinery does accidentally come into contact with live overhead electric cables, the Safety Department will be immediately notified, who will in turn notify the HSE of the dangerous occurrence. An example of ground level barrier for plant working near overhead power lines 65

66 23. TOOLS AND GENERAL EQUIPMENT INCLUDING ABRASIVE WHEELS 23.1 General Tools and equipment provided at the workplace shall be suitable for their intended use. They shall only be used to carry out tasks for which they have been designed. Equipment shall only be used by trained, competent persons. All plant, small tools and equipment shall be kept in a state of good repair and be serviced and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer s schedules. All dangerous rotating parts, cooling fans and pulley belts, etc. shall be suitably guarded. Portable electrical tools and equipment shall operate off voltages not greater than 110 volts. All operators shall familiarise themselves with the controls of machinery before attempting to operate it. Fuel, oil and water levels shall be checked at the start of every shift and topped up as necessary Abrasive Disc Cutters 66

67 Disc cutters shall only be used to cut through metal pipes, etc. or through concrete or other masonry providing the appropriate blade is fitted. Materials composed of either timber or pitch must not be cut. Abrasive wheels shall not be operated at speeds in excess of the maximum revolutions marked on their labels. No person may mount an abrasive wheel unless: They have been suitably trained. They are competent to do the work. Abrasive wheels shall only be changed and mounted upon disc cutters by persons who have been appointed under the requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations All damaged and defective abrasive wheels shall be discarded and under no circumstances continue to be used. Eye, hand, foot and ear protection and any other PPE prescribed in the task specific risk assessment shall be worn when abrasive cutters are used Reporting Faulty or Defective Equipment Operators and users of equipment must report faulty or defective equipment to their supervisors who will arrange for the necessary repairs or servicing to be carried out. 24. SCAFFOLD AND TOWERS Scaffolds and Tower Scaffolds for use on a project will conform to the requirements of the Working at Height Regulations 2005 as amended in 2007 and EN 12811, TG20:08 revised in January Local Authority approval must be granted prior to all scaffolds being erected on the public highway. All scaffolding operatives working on any Dryside Ltd site must be competent and be registered in the Construction Industry Record Scheme (CIRS) and possess a current card to their competency level. All scaffolders working on any Dryside Ltd site must work within the guidelines of SG4:10 when erecting scaffolding and follow the hierarchy for working at heights as stated in the Working at Heights Regulations 2005 regarding the safe zone area. All operatives must wear a safety harness whilst erecting / dismantling scaffolds. Where reasonably practicable, scaffolders must work within a protective zone benefiting from a minimum single handrail and 600 mm working platform. Whilst working in unprotected areas, scaffolders must attach their harness to a suitable anchorage point. A method statement identifying loading capacities, erection sequence, methods of gaining access to steelwork or remote places and handover arrangements must be produced prior to the erection of scaffolds. The contractor must provide details of all design loadings and proof tests for at least 5% of any drilled anchor ties when handing over scaffolds. Also, the contractor must provide a design for any scaffolding that is above the general use standard as stated in TG20:08/14. A list is provided by the HSE of all types of scaffolding that requires a detailed design by a competent person, i.e. Structural Engineer, etc. All scaffold must be visually inspected before every shift and formally inspected by a competent person at least once every seven days, after inclement weather that may affect its stability and after any significant alterations. Records of these inspections, including any remedial works undertaken, must be kept on site until the end of the project. All working platforms must be subject to a risk assessment and, where necessary, provided with suitable edge protection. Where appropriate all working platforms should be fitted with a double guard rail, the underneath of the top rail being no less than 950mm from the standing area and with a gap of no less than 470 mm between the top and middle rail and a toe board minimum 150 mm. 67

68 25. ELECTRICITY 25.1 Design and Installation Electrical equipment is used virtually on every site and, even though everyone is familiar with it, unlike most other hazards which can be seen, felt or heard, there is no advance warning of danger from electricity, and electricity can kill. All electrical power systems shall be designed and installed by a competent electrical contractor. The contractor shall provide a test certificate upon completion of the installation of the system. Guidance on requirements for low voltage (i.e.400 and / or 230 volt AC systems) can be found in BS All electrical distribution boards on site will conform to legal requirement when sited outside, e.g. IP32 and IP54. All transformer units must comply with BS 4363 and installations with BS Plugs, sockets and couplers must conform to BS EN All supply, distribution and transformer units will be marked with the warning sibn stating the voltage and the word DANGER from BS 5378 Safety Signs and Colours. Site Operating Colour Code voltage Yellow voltage Blue voltage Red 25.2 Inspection, Testing and Maintenance All systems and appliances must be inspected, tested and commissioned before being made available for use and regular and routine maintenance thereafter is essential. No employee is permitted to make any repairs to any electrical equipment unless qualified and competent to do so. Site conditions demand that reduced voltages are used. 110 volt supply shall be used for all portable tools but lower voltages may be required in certain circumstances such as confined spaces, i.e. 25 volt. If volt tools are used, two TCD s must be in place before it reaches the hand of the operative Inspection and Testing Periods All equipment and systems shall be tested and inspected at regular intervals and the HSE issue guidelines for these inspections and tests for all types of usage. As construction is classed as heavy usage, it is recommended that a combined inspection and electrical test (PAT) is carried out on a three monthly interval on projects lasting 68

69 longer than this period. All sites must ensure that equipment is visually inspected before it is used every day to ensure that it is safe from any defects Protection All systems, cables and equipment shall be sufficiently insulated and provided with an adequate earth. All systems shall be provided with means for protecting against excess of current. Tools and equipment should be Double or All Insulated, all metal parts must be properly earthed to minimise danger in the case of a fault developing Treatment of electric shock and burns 26. Hazardous Substances (COSHH) Many substances used in the Construction Industry are potentially hazardous to health. All substances hazardous to health must be properly assessed. 69