RISK ASSESSMENT 2011 WALLINGTON LIFT MAINTENANCE CO LTD Installation of electrically operated service lifts (non passenger type) 1 1 L a k e s i d e, W a l l i n g t o n, S u r r e y, S M 6 7 J Y T e l : 0 2 0 8 6 4 7 7 0 4 5
2 DESCRIPTION This risk assessment and arrangements covers the installation of service lifts for transporting goods only within public houses that may be occupied and open for business or closed during the works. This risk assessment also covers the risks associated with maintenance and testing of lift equipment, working in confined spaces, manual handling and working at heights. HAZARDS The significant hazards faced by operatives working on lift equipment are: Moving/rotating machinery Lift shafts working at heights Confined spaces Electrical equipment Manual handling (lifting/moving heavy equipment) Lift wires and cables Erection of access platforms/towers/scaffolding Working adjacent to live services Working around existing processes/plant rooms/structures Likelihood of head injury Slips, trips and falls Open lift shaft falling into shaft Damage to existing plant Existing plant room environment/noise levels/temperature/escape of steam/escape of other hazardous emissions Working adjacent to other contractors/workers/personnel Access to site Working with electrical power tools HAZARDS OBSERVED Restricted spaces Existing plant and equipment Other contractors/personnel at work Staff in close proximity to the work area
3 Public house open for business POTENTIAL/PROBABLE RISKS Injuries to operatives and others during installation Injuries from being in contact with existing structure/machinery Back strain Foot damage Slips, trips and falls Falls from heights during installation Unauthorised entry to working area Contact with live services PERSONS AT RISK Lift engineer/installation operative Client personnel/work staff Other contractors working in area INCIDENT HISTORY Not applicable at this stage POTENTIAL/PROBABLE RISKS RISK ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION The following actions should eliminate or reduce the risk of the above hazards to an acceptable level. The analysis of the likelihood and severity of the significant hazards causing harm, taking into consideration existing and planned preventative and protective measures is shown in the broad risk assessment schedule. Those hazards marked with an asterisk confined spaces, manual handling, electrical equipment, are covered in more detail in a separate risk assessment. Specific risk assessments will also be carried out to cover elements of the work that are not covered by this assessment and will normally be specific to certain contracts. For example; renewal of parts of the lift, lift cables, main control cabinets, commissioning, installing new electricity supply cables, and any requirements for live working CURRENT CONTROLS (adequate controls) All engineers/operatives have attended Bass Safety Seminars All engineers are trained and competent to carry out the installation of lifts A safe zone is established around the lift area to prevent hazards All engineers/ operatives attend safety induction on site before starting work regarding hazards of the working environment
4 Existing live services identified/signed on site Personal protective equipment and clothing to be worn to prevent slips/injuries safety footwear, overalls, ear defenders, safety spectacles, hard hats, gloves Safety harnesses used where appropriate Names of all engineers/operatives to be provided and recorded All plant and equipment to be installed has operation and maintenance instructions Danger/warning signs to be displayed during installation All engineers/operatives have confined space awareness training Disconnection of services Emergency procedures in place INADEQUATE CONTROLS Public house staff in close proximity to working area when public house is open for business Working around existing plant equipment/structure Other contractors in working area Existing live services Damage to existing plant and equipment Trips and falls RESIDUAL RISK AND RISK ASSESSMENT RATING Residual risk assessed as being between LOW and MEDIUM RISK LOW RISK activities where minor injury or reversible minor health affects may occur MEDIUM RISK activities where serious injury or health effects may occur MANAGEMENT ACTION The following actions have been identified as being required in order to control the works to achieve a risk rating of MEDIUM risk Although the probable hazards that may be encountered during construction of the scaffolding are not considered to be outside of the norm for this type of work, the location of the works, together with the proximity of passing office workers, contractors etc, creates additional risks that raise the risk rating above MEDIUM towards HIGH. Each management action has been allocated a priority rating to enable management to identify essential requirements and in which order they are to be addressed. Priority ratings are as follows:
5 PRIORITY 1 Contravention of statutory requirements which could lead to fatal or serious injury, irreversible health effects, issuing a Prohibition Notice or legal proceedings by the Enforcing Authority. These matters require immediate attention. PRIORITY 2 Contravention of statutory requirements which could lead to injury or ill health effect, the issuing an improving notice, legal proceedings being instituted or a letter being received from the Enforcing Authority indicating an area of non-compliance. These matters require a planned programme of action to eliminate the hazard identified. PRIORITY 3 Matters not in line with best practice and/or established company procedures. Enforcement action is not likely, although accident or property damage possible. The recommendations made are desired improvements, precautions or techniques consistent with good health and safety control practice. 1. Contracts manager to check with public house management, before starting works on site, to confirm location/movements of staff/personnel (2) 2. Carry out health and safety induction/hazard awareness/recognition with all engineers/operatives before starting works on site (2) 3. Carry out further tool-box talks during works to update engineers/operatives (2) 4. Liaison with public house management throughout works re: adjacent workers/staff entering works area (3) 5. Ensure all engineers/operatives are aware of the likely hazards with existing structures (2) 6. Ensure all engineers/operatives are aware of the location of live services (2) 7. Ensure all engineers/operatives are aware of the danger of damaging existing plant and equipment (2) 8. Ensure all engineers/operatives are aware of the existing processes in/adjacent to the working area (2) 9. Ensure all Personnel Protective Equipment/clothing is available and used (2) ARRANGEMENTS Planning and Organising The Contracts Manager will ensure that any lift in use on the premises is of a type approved for use in that situation, is tested and maintained to a safe standard and meets the requirements of current legislation, codes of practice, HSE guidance, and British and European Standards. The Contracts Manager will also ensure that the requirements for safe use and maintenance of lift equipment are fully addressed; Testing of all lift systems to meet legislative standards Compliance with frequency of testing and/or examination specified in standards laid down by legislation and the organisations insurers The use of at least two people to work on the lift mechanism, electrical controls, lift wires or in the lift shaft(s) The use of safety harnesses for all work in the lift shafts where required The use of Personal Protective Equipment for all personnel required to work on lift equipment, such as electrical safe gloves, head protection and electrical safety matting
6 The use of safety barriers and notices to give adequate warning to employers/other personnel that the lift equipment is not available for normal use Training and Instruction The Contracts Manager will ensure that all persons required to work on lift equipment have been trained in the maintenance and testing procedures of the lift equipment provided where trained persons are not available in-house, suitable contract staff with the required qualifications will be hired to complete the work. Records of training shall be maintained on site listing the competence levels of all lift engineers. Management Control The contracts manager will ensure that all persons involved in the installation, maintenance and testing of any part or system of the lift equipment have received training to ensure they are competent to carry out the working accordance with the clients and legislative requirements this applies to other contractors carrying out work on behalf of the company. The Contracts Manager will ensure that all equipment used is safe and is maintained and tested thoroughly and regularly. PPE and safety equipment will be used when required and will be stored safely when not in use. Any defect discovered in the lift system or item of lift equipment should be reported immediately to the Contracts Manager, who will ensure it is taken out of service until it has been repaired and re-tested. Serious and Imminent Danger where work to be carried out on lift equipment involves the following tasks, a permit to work control will be required: Work inside the lift shaft Work on the lift wires Work above or below the lift cab/cage Work involving the interruption of safety or lift control interlocks for the purposes of testing the lift mechanisms Permits to work are detailed in the company s safety procedures manual, and can only be issued by those persons authorised in the manual to do so. Monitoring and Review The Contracts Manager and the Safety Advisor will carry out sample checks on lift work and access areas whenever any work is in progress on lift equipment, and at intervals not exceeding 3 months, to ensure that safety arrangements are being complied with. Any accidents or incidents involving persons working on lift equipment or failure of lift equipment will be fully investigated by the Contracts Manager and the Safety Advisor. These investigations will be fully documented and, where relevant, a report will be sent to the enforcing authority. This risk assessment and arrangements will be reviewed at intervals not exceeding 2 years, or when there is a reported accident or incident or where there is a change in equipment or control arrangements.