CONTRACTOR WHS HAZARD STANDARD CONFINED SPACE EXTERNAL USE ONLY

Transcription

1 CONTRACTOR WHS HAZARD STANDARD CONFINED SPACE EXTERNAL USE ONLY

2 Principles in the Optus Contractor WHS management process CONTRACTOR MANAGEMENT STAGES PRINCIPLES THIS STANDARD REQUISITION Requisition WHS hazard areas are a key consideration in the selection of the appropriate procurement channel. PROCUREMENT CHANNEL SELECTION SPECIFICATION EVALUATION APPROVAL AND RELEASE Specification Hazard areas and Optus expectations in relation to these are communicated to potential providers in relevant project / task requirements (e.g. tenders, statement of works, purchase orders). Appropriate WHS specifications are included in the tender / statement of work conditions / purchase order (if required) and are reflective of Optus role (e.g. principal contractor). Evaluation The contractor submission suggests they are competent to manage the task and WHS risks of their workplace. ENGAGEMENT Engagement All parties have a consistent understanding of their mutual accountabilities as they relate to WHS risk management. Appropriate WHS specifications and obligations are included in the relevant contracts negotiated and signed by Optus. MONITORING Monitoring Relevant WHS controls are implemented and monitored at the workplace to manage the specific conditions and WHS risks of that workplace. SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE? HANDOVER CLOSE AND REVIEW Handover Customers (internal and external) are made aware of potential risk areas and legislative expectations at handover. Close and review Contractor WHS performance is assessed and considered when using the contractor in future. Project feedback is captured and used to enhance the contractor WHS management process.

3 IMPORTANT NOTE THIS CONTRACTOR WORKPLACE HEALTH SAFETY (WHS) STANDARD HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO ASSIST OPTUS CONTRACTORS IN THE EXECUTION OF OPTUS CONTRACTED WORKS. THE STANDARD MUST BE ENACTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER APPLICABLE OPTUS CONTRACT CONDITIONS REGARDING WHS AND THE GOVERNING LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. WHILE THIS STANDARD HAS BEEN DEVELOPED IN CONSIDERATION OF THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS IT IS NOTED THAT WHERE ANY LEGAL REQUIREMENT EXCEEDS THIS STANDARD THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT SHALL TAKE PRECEDENCE. Purpose and scope This Contractor WHS Standard (Standard) Confined Space aims to ensure the WHS requirements are met by Optus Contractors when working in a confined space. In addition, this Standard supports the Commonwealth WHS Act 2011 (Act) where a duty is imposed (under the Act) on a person to ensure health and safety, it requires the person to eliminate so far as is reasonably practicable, and if it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate risks to health and safety, to minimise those risks so far as is reasonably practicable to workers. Confined space, as prescribed by the Commonwealth WHS Regulations 2011, means an enclosed or partially enclosed space that (a) is not designed or intended primarily to be occupied by a person; and (b) is, or is designed or intended to be, at normal atmospheric pressure while any person is in the space; and (c) is or is likely to be a risk to health and safety from; (i) an atmosphere that does not have a safe oxygen level; or (ii) contaminants, including airborne gases, vapours and dusts, that may cause injury from fire or explosion; or (iii) harmful concentrations of any airborne contaminants; or (iv) engulfment. This definition is reinforced by the Commonwealth Code of Practice for Confined Spaces This Standard applies to entities contracted by Optus where confined space work is a part of their scope of works. Roles and responsibilities Optus Contractors are, so far as is reasonably practicable, responsible for: Complying with all contractual obligations for WHS including Optus and legislative requirements. Reviewing Optus risk management processes such as Risk Register(s) and this Standard and to factor this information into their safe systems of work. Establishing accountability and authorities for the safe management of Verification of necessary certification, licencing, training and competencies. Conducting a risk assessment and documenting the outcome as a Safe Work Method Statement or similar, and in accordance with applicable legislative requirements. Ensuring persons have the required certification, licencing, training and competencies. Providing communication and consultation to workers and their representatives as related to Conducting inspections of their works to ensure compliance with safe systems of work (e.g. Dial Before You Dig, High Risk SWMS etc.) and making such reviews/records available to Optus where and as requested. Keeping and maintaining a SWMS after the completion of work or where a notifiable incident occurs, a copy of the SWMS for a period of 2 years. Ensuring confined space risk management planning and processes are reviewed and records kept.

4 Establish emergency preparedness and response, including plans and procedures, communications and hardware. Investigating and reporting events such as incidents, accidents, dangerous occurrences, serious illness, within the required contractual period to Optus and where required, to the applicable Regulator. In addition to the above, Optus Contractors, so far as is reasonably practicable, are specifically responsible for: Ensuring the provision of safe access and egress to the work areas including areas for plant setup and the preparation of security of the confined space. Assessing the nature and category of the confined space against the legal definitions for Developing, issuing, reviewing and cancelling a Confined Space Entry Permit as and when required. Ensuring safety line systems such as anchorage points used in confined space work, are, where required, certified by a structural engineer. Appointing a competent responsible person / stand-by person for the management of the confined space. Ensuring training of a person(s) to a level 2 First Aid Certificate (or its equivalent) and this person is accessible and available to persons working in the confined space. Work planning Work planning includes, but is not limited to: Identifying a risk management process in order to manage the hazards and risks associated with Ensuring the risk management process is carried out by a competent person(s). Identifying the required licences, certification, training and/or competencies for persons undertaking confined space work including the stand-by person. Identifying all Commonwealth, State, Territory and local statutory requirements for confined space work. Identifying a safe means of entry and exit, fixed ladders, platforms and walkways. Identifying a means of securing a confined space. Assessing the nature and category of the confined space against the legal definitions for Identifying the need for an appropriate permit system such as a Confined Space Entry Permit. Identifying if the confined space requires purging. Identifying the energy sources that need isolation and the type of isolation required. Procuring all necessary hardware to help secure the confined space (e.g. barriers, locks, signage etc.) as to prevent un-authorised access. Procuring all ventilation facilities to avoid the build-up of contaminants or combustible atmospheres. Identifying the monitoring requirements for the confined space. Procuring all sufficient illumination to facilitate safe entry and the conducting of work. Procuring all personal protective equipment (e.g. breathing apparatus, dust mask, protective clothing/overalls) required to safely undertake the works.

5 Identifying the testing and certification requirements for equipment (e.g. breathing apparatus safety harnesses, gas detectors, tripods, davits, ropes, anchor points and pulleys). Procuring all emergency preparedness and response hardware (e.g. first aid, rescue harnesses, tripods, stretcher, ropes and pulleys). Planning for all potential emergency preparedness and response procedures appropriate for the particular circumstance. Document control Uncontrolled when Printed. Control Source: Optus Document System: Document CWHSS_H_St05_OM37928_V2F 25 th June Authorised / Owner: Optus WHS Team. Implement work planning In order to establish a safe workplace, the implementation of the above Work Planning, may include, but not be limited to the following: No SAMPLE - WORK PLANNING CHECKLIST YES NO NA 1. Develop, approve, communicate, adjust and implement the Safe Work Method Statement. 2. A competent person authorises, issues, reviews and cancels the permit systems such as a Confined Space Entry Permit with the SWMS. 3. Source the weather conditions and factor into the pre-start conditions of the day. 4. Purge of the confined space, prior to entry as required and monitor. 5. Ventilate the confined space, prior to entry as required and conduct ongoing monitoring. 6. Illuminate the confined space to permit safe entry, conduct of work and exit as required. 7. Isolate all energy sources (e.g. electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic), prior to entry as required. 8. Test the atmosphere, prior to entry as required by the risk assessment/swms and ongoing monitoring while the confined space is occupied. 9. Establish an adequate, convenient and safe means of entry and exit. 10. Establish fixed ladders, platforms and walkways as required. 11. Establish signage at each entry to the confined space. 12. Verify workers training, licences and competencies prior to entry into the confined space. 13. Appoint a stand-by person located to the entry of the confined space when and as when required. 14. Conduct on-going monitoring of the confined space. 15. Establish communication methods for workers, supervisors and the stand-by person for confined space work. 16. Provide protective equipment (e.g. safety harnesses, dusk masks, air respirators, eye protection, helmets, non-slip safety boots and high visibility reflective clothing/overalls,) to persons while ensuring its proper use and maintenance. 17. Test and verify certification / test dates of all equipment (breathing apparatus safety harnesses, gas detectors, tripods, davits, ropes, anchor points and pulleys). 18. Ensure the risk assessments/swms are verified / audited at specified intervals and records kept. 19. Ensure emergency preparedness and response provisions such as plans, procedures and

6 hardware are in place prior to the commencement of works involving confined space and they are scheduled for testing at regular intervals.