HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY. Mitigation Policy: Training, including safety awareness training for employees required to work at height.

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Richard McLaughlin
5 years ago
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1 HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY ACEC INVESTMENTS LIMITED The construction industry accident fatality rate stands at more than double that of all sector average more minor accidents are almost incalculably more. Put simply, construction sites are a health and safety nightmare almost every conceivable hazard exists within this constantly changing working environment. But the hazards associated with construction sites are well known most responsible employers are aware of their duty of care to employees, visitors, and those that may be affected by their activities, and will manage the site effectively, implementing appropriate accident prevention measures. Risk assessments are carried out by management to identify hazards and risks posed. Listed below are the main hazards that are encountered on a typical construction site and our mitigation plans on each: Working at Height The construction of buildings or indeed, demolition works frequently requires tradesmen to work at height. Fatalities and injuries involving height relating factors account for many accidents each year. The risks associated with working at a height are often increased by added access and mobility restrictions. Mitigation Policy: Training, including safety awareness training for employees required to work at height. Moving Objects A construction site is an ever changing environment; hazards are inherent to this industry and only increase as a construction project progress, as things rise and expand. Construction sites can get quite hectic what with the shear volume of constantly moving vehicles and trades people overhead lifting, equipment shifting heavy loads, supply vehicles, dumper trucks everywhere, maneuvering around a usually uneven terrain. Mitigation Policy: Display of appropriate signage for each area, engagement of experienced/skilled workmen alongside training and constant training.

Slips, Trips, & Falls When you consider the diverse range of activities going on at a construction site at any one time it seems hardly surprising slips, trips, and falls happen on an almost daily

2 Slips, Trips, & Falls When you consider the diverse range of activities going on at a construction site at any one time it seems hardly surprising slips, trips, and falls happen on an almost daily basis. Construction sites are a mish mash of holes in the ground, buildings at various stages of completion, scaffolding, stored materials and equipment: you really do need eyes in the back of your head at times. Mitigation Policy: Appropriate display of signage and barricades where necessary alongside training. Noise Noise is a major hazard within the construction industry. Repetitive, excessive noise causes long term hearing problems and can be a dangerous distraction, the cause of accidents. Mitigation Policy: Using simple ear plugs against hearing damage. We carry out and document a comprehensive noise risk assessment and issue appropriate PPE. Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome Hand arm vibration syndrome, or blue finger as it is commonly referred to, is a painful and debilitating industrial disease of the blood vessels, nerves and joints, triggered by prolonged use of vibratory power tools and ground working equipment. Mitigation Policy: Avoiding the situation whereby a single person continually operate such equipment by switching workmen, provide adequate protection gears, using appropriate and well maintained equipment.

Material & Manual Handling Materials and equipment is being constantly lifted and moved around on a construction site, whether manually or by the use of lifting equipment.

3 Material & Manual Handling Materials and equipment is being constantly lifted and moved around on a construction site, whether manually or by the use of lifting equipment. Different trades will involve greater demands, but all may involve some degree of risk. Mitigation Policy: Where employee s duties involve manual handling, then adequate training must be carried out. Where lifting equipment is used, then adequate training must also be carried out, but may involve some form of test, to confirm competency. Records of training must be maintained for verification. Collapse Not exactly a hazard, more a risk an accident in waiting. Every year excavations and trenches collapse, bury and seriously injure people working in them precautions need to be planned before the work starts. The risk of an unintended collapse is generally more associated with demolition works or when a partially completed building or scaffolding collapses, but still accounts for a percentage of fatalities each year. Mitigation Policy: Proper planning prior to work commencement which would include soil test, environmental impact assessment. Added to this is using experienced personnel and training. Asbestos Today there is a new generation of construction workers, including; joiners, electricians and plumbers for whom asbestos is seen as a historical problem, something from the past that s now long gone but that is a mistake. There are buildings that contain harmful asbestos materials: often hidden away, forgotten, and by and large, harmless in its undisturbed state. Mitigation Policy: Workers need to know where it is and what to do if they come across suspicious materials that might contain asbestos.

4 HEALTH SURVEILLANCE PROCESS ACEC INVESTMENTS LIMITED Physical Noise Chemical Solvents What are the hazards to health in STEP 1 Regularly Biological HepB my workplace? review Literature, MSD s What are the risks with each? STEP 2 Sickness data etc Do I Have suitable/sufficient STEP 3 risk assessment? Regularly review Do I need to consider HEALTH SURVEILLANCE? (Is there a health risk problem?) STEP 4 YES NO Is hazard covered by specific (STEP 6) Regulation eg Lead, Asbestos? Do I need Occupational Health Service for anything else? (STEP 5) NO YES NURSE DOCTOR Can I eliminate risk? Is exposure significant? -Pre-placement checks Problems (STEP 7) -Emergency treatment -Sickness absence -Sickness absence YES NO -Health promotion -Early retirement YES -Health promotion Do it Control it Appoint Dr/EMAS Do I still need Health Surveillance? (STEP 8) YES NO

5 QUALITY ASSURANCE POLICY ACEC Investments Limited undertakes building and construction works with the aim to ensure that our client s expectations are met during both the construction phase and whilst the building is being used for its intended purpose as well as procurement and commodities brokerage services with the aim that client s requirements are not only met but surpassed at reasonable cost. We aim to achieve this by: 1. Developing an affable, mature and professional relationship with clients project team such that there is open communication to assist in the achievement of our mutual goals. 2. Implementing and maintaining a Quality Assurance Management System, which details how we will plan, lead and control project delivery. 3. Complying with all contractual and, where applicable, Statutory obligations. 4. Taking appropriate action where performance does not meet expectations. 5. Continually developing skills and competencies of all our employees to improve our service to Client and project delivery methods. 6. Encouraging ethical behaviour both within the Company and those with whom we work. 7. Ensuring that all employees understand our Quality Assurance Policy and develop tools to apply QA on our projects to Clients expectations as a minimum.

6 COSHH essentials: Harm via skin or eye contact SELECTING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) Health and Safety Executive Control approach Supplementary advice This information will help employers comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health This sheet covers protective clothing except gloves. It is important to follow all the points, or use equally effective measures. Selection of protective clothing and other PPE 8. You may need expert advice from your PPE supplier or manufacturer, or from a health and safety professional. No materials offer protection against all chemicals. Any chemical will break through protective materials over a period of time. The build up of contamination on PPE makes skin contact more likely. Incorrect selection or misuse can lead to skin disease including dermatitis, burns or serious ill health, and waste your money. Planning and preparation The PPE chosen must be compatible with all other PPE that is needed, such as respiratory protective equipment (RPE), hard hat or ear muffs. Continued effectiveness depends on proper training in use, cleaning and maintenance, and having good working practices. Ensure that PPE is CE marked as 'complex' and is selected, used and maintained. Ask your PPE supplier/manufacturer or a health and safety professional how often the PPE needs to be changed. Make sure that the equipment is changed when necessary. Caution: PPE may reduce mobility, limit communication and increase heat stress. What needs protecting - what skin is likely to be exposed? The four most common forms of protective clothing are: hands and forearms - chemical protective gloves; head and body - hooded coveralls or overalls, aprons; face and eyes - face visors, goggles; and feet, lower legs - protective footwear.

7 Coveralls Tell workers to wear clothing under coveralls. Two layers of clothing reduce the amount that gets through to the skin. Air impermeable coveralls can give high levels of chemical protection, but can draw dusts and mists inside the clothing at neck, arm and ankle. Use, clean and maintain coveralls in accordance with the manufacturer s Instruction. Throw away disposable coveralls, as hazardous waste, at the end of the shift or particular job. Use a contract laundry or a suitable equivalent to wash protective clothing. Eye and face protection Eye and face protection may be needed for protection against impact, dusts, mist, gases and vapours as well as chemical splashes. Seek expert advice from your PPE supplier or manufacturer, or a health and safety professional. If workers wear a full-face respirator that also provides eye and face protection, ensure that this is included in the manufacturing standard. Protective footwear You may need to provide protective footwear against safety hazards, eg static, crushing, heat, and spike-penetration. There are at present no standards for chemical protective footwear. Some chemicals penetrate leather very easily. Tell your supplier what chemicals you are using. Wear wellington boots if chemicals or products could come into contact with the lower leg or drop into shoes. Training and supervision Train workers how to keep exposures low, how to use the PPE, and what to do if something goes wrong. Provide facilities to keep clean clothing and dirty work clothing apart. Check that workers use, clean and store their PPE properly. Employee checklist Check the equipment for damage both before and after use. Clean reusable PPE after every use in accordance with manufacturer s instructions. Never wash chemically contaminated PPE at home. Use disposable PPE once only. Throw it away after use. Change reusable overalls regularly at least once a week. Store PPE in a clean cupboard or locker. Avoid contaminating the skin when taking off protective clothing and footwear. Try not to spread chemical contamination around. Never use compressed air to remove dust from PPE.

75 Years of Health and Safety Guidance

75 Years of Health and Safety Guidance H&S Guide: 60 Working Risks Personal Protective Equipment Personal Protective Equipment (also known as PPE) Employers have duties concerning the provision and use of personal protective equipment at work.