SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENT Part 1 CONCRETE SAWING Personal Protective Equipment Foot Hearing High Visibility Head Eye Face Hand Protective Clothing Breathing Normal Requirements: Safety footwear, hearing protection, high visibility shirt or vest, hard hat, eye protection (goggles), face protection, hand protection (gloves), overalls, breathing protection (disposable masks) Ensure all PPE meets relevant Australian Standards. Inspect, and replace PPE as needed. Provide UV sun protection where required, (broad brimmed hat, UV rated clothing, SPF 30+ sunscreen, tinted safety glasses with adequate UV protection). Safety Notes Workers using concrete and masonry cutting and drilling equipment face a wide range of hazards, such as silica dust, toxic exhaust fumes, saw kick-back, blade fracture, falling walls, electrocution, vibration, noise, slips, falls and manual handling. They are more prone to the violent forces unleashed when a saw blade jams inside a cut than fixed saws. These forces, commonly referred to as kick-back, pushback or pull-in, are difficult and sometimes impossible to control, and place the operator at risk of serious and potentially fatal injury from an out-of control circular saw. As a result no person shall operate a concrete saw, unless they are trained by a relevant person. A relevant person is someone who has received appropriate training in operating a concrete saw Doc # GRF HSE 008.03 Revision 2 Date 3 March 2014 Page 1 of 8
NOTE: RB = Risk Rating before controls implemented - RA = Risk Rating after controls are implemented. Task Breakdown Operators requirements Legislation breach. Use of untrained operators. Training: Should include: Safe work procedures. Fitting of personal protective equipment. Manual handling. Review manufacturer s operation manual. Risk Assessment - Site Slips and falls. Struck by. Damage to services. Performed by: Controller of worksite. Site personnel: Hard hats and high visibility clothing required when working on site. Public safety Where required the site should be barricaded off to ensure the public is not placed in harm s way. (Example Working on footpaths) Services: Above and below ground services must be located prior to work commencing. Doc # GRF HSE 008.03 Revision 2 Date 3 March 2014 Page 2 of 8
Preparation Hearing Damage. Electrocution. Struck by debris. Damage to services. Confined Space. Ensure: - All cut/drill areas have been scanned for electric cables. - The exact location of the cut or penetration is clearly marked on the work area. - Appropriate barricading and warning signs are erected and in the position. - The work area is adequately ventilated if the working area is a confined space. - There is adequate lighting (natural or artificial). - Before cutting under ETSA boxes, use electrical stick and check standpipe to make sure not alive. - Do not cur directly over cable as it can be buried in concrete - Dig around outside of cable - Wind concut so it is a shallow cut - Electrical safety gloves are required to be worn at all times when operating the concrete saw Doc # GRF HSE 008.03 Revision 2 Date 3 March 2014 Page 3 of 8
Pre-Start Checks - General Struck by debris. Injury to others Litigation. Use of faulty equipment. Check: - Correct size saw and cutting wheel have been selected for the task. - That the blade speed matches the drive speed, as specified and recommended by the manufacturer. - Blade is in good working condition and is free from cracks and deterioration. - No modifications have been made from its original manufactured form. (Example: Trigger tied in the on position.) - Shaft and flanges are clean and not damaged. - Blade for secure fit over the shaft. - Guards for correct operation - NEVER remove the guards. Ensure: - The shaft nut is securely tightened against the outside flange. - Any drive belts are at the correct tension. - Any person in the work area is not at risk from the cutting operation, in particular the area in the path of the blade. - Signs clearly stating "concrete cutting operations in progress" are in place. Remember to ensure the area behind or below the cut is barricaded when cutting through floors or walls to prevent persons entering that area. Pre Start Checks Electric motor saws Electric shock. 3H - Electrical Safety Gloves are worn at all times - Electrical power is to be sourced from a power outlet that is protected by an earth leakage device (safety switch). - Extension cords are protected from possible damage. - Saw cord is free from damage. Doc # GRF HSE 008.03 Revision 2 Date 3 March 2014 Page 4 of 8
Fuelling Petrol engine saws Burns. Fuel spill fire. NOTE: Petrol is extremely flammable and explosive under certain conditions. 3H Ensure: - Engine is stopped and to cool prior to fuelling. - Saw is placed in a cleared, flat and stable area. - That there are no naked flames in the area. - Correct fuel mixture is used. (2 stroke or 4 stroke.) - Any spilled fuel on the saw is dry before starting. - That the fuel tank is not overfilled. Operation - General - Electrocution. - Sprains and Strains. - Cuts / amputations. - Struck by broken blades. - Hearing Damage. 3H Ensure: - Electrical Safety Gloves are used at all times - Hearing Damage. - Blade guard is always in the lowered position. - Both hands have a firm grip on the saw. - A good balance and footing is maintained at all times. Never cut while standing on a ladder. - No cuts are performed above shoulder height. - Operator does not overreach. - Cuts are performed in a straight line. Twisting the blade while cutting can lead to the blade fracturing. - Saws have come to a complete stop before leaving them unattended. Use work practices that minimize kick backs when using portable hand held saws. Operation Portable hand held saws - Electrocution. - Sprains and Strains. - Cuts / amputations. - Struck by broken blades. - Hearing Damage. Ensure that hand held saws: - Electrical Safety Gloves are worn at all times - Are only used at or below shoulder height. - Are only used with blade rotating in the opposite direction to the cut. - Are not used for inverted sawing. Doc # GRF HSE 008.03 Revision 2 Date 3 March 2014 Page 5 of 8
Additional Safety Notes on cutting - Sprains and Strains. - Cuts / amputations. - Struck by broken blades. - Dust inhalation. Damage to saw. 3H Be especially alert for reactive forces exerted by the saw. Be alert to shifting of the work piece or anything that could cause the cut to close and pinch the wheel. Release the pressure on the concrete saw as you reach the end of the cut. Too much pressure may cause the operator to lose control of the saw when the blade completes the cut. Poor task performance. Use extreme caution when re-entering a cut and do not turn the wheel at an angle or push the wheel into the cut as this may result in a pinching of the wheel. If the machine stalls during cutting operations, raise the blade and check the outside flange and nut for tightness. When resuming, ensure the blade is in alignment with the previous cut. Use coolant/water to suppress dust at the point of generation. Failure to use coolant/water could create high levels of airborne dust that contains crystalline silica in concentrations considered to be a significant health hazard. Before cutting under ETSA boxes, use electrical stick and check standpipe to make sure not alive. Do not cur directly over cable as it can be buried in concrete Dig around outside of cable Wind concut so it is a shallow cut Doc # GRF HSE 008.03 Revision 2 Date 3 March 2014 Page 6 of 8
Operation Core Drilling Machines Caught by. Sprains and strains. Drill moving while in operation. Dust. Ensure that: - The appropriate PPE is provided and used. It must be close fitting to avoid entanglement with the rotating drill. - The drill is securely fastened to the work surface. - That a drill stand is used to do inverted drilling. - That drills used for hand held drilling are fitted with a clutch. - A supply of clean water is always available for the drill and for dust suppression. On completion Damaged equipment. Check the plant for any damage sustained during operation. Repairs should only be carried out by a competent person. Blades are removed and stored in a safe, dry place. Emergency Procedures All types possible. 2m Quickly make the immediate work area safe by turning off any running plant and equipment, if safe to do so. If conditions are unsafe, evacuate to at least 50 metres, DO NOT RE ENTER the emergency zone. Encourage people to remain calm and move off in an orderly manner. If required, call the appropriate Emergency Services (000) Doc # GRF HSE 008.03 Revision 2 Date 3 March 2014 Page 7 of 8
Almost certain Likely Criteria Expected in most circumstances. Will probably occur in most circumstances. RISK MANAGEMENT Risk Assessment Matrix Risk Management Code of Practice 2007, AS/NZS 31000-2009 Risk Management Principles and guidelines Description Level of Effect Example of each level Effect is a common result Effect is known to have occurred at this site or it has happened Possible Might occur at some time Effect could occur at the site or I ve heard of it happening Unlikely Rare Almost certain Could occur at some time May occur only in exceptional circumstances Effect is not likely to occur at the site or I have not heard of it happening Effect is practically impossible. 3 High 3 High 4 Acute 4 Acute 4 Acute Likely 2 Medium 3 High 3 High 4 Acute 4 Acute Possible 1 Low 2 Medium 3 High 4 Acute 4 Acute Unlikely 1 Low 1 Low 2 Medium 3 High 4 Acute Rare 1 Low 1 Low 2 Medium 3 High 3 High Insignificant/Acceptable Minor Moderate Major Catastrophic No effect or so minor that effect is acceptable First aid treatment only; spillage contained at site. Medical treatment; spillage contained but with outside help. Extensive injuries; loss of production Death; toxic release of chemicals Step 3 Determine the risk score Step 4 Record risk score on worksheet (Note Risk scores have no absolute value and should only be used for comparison and to engender discussion.) CONSEQUENCE Score Action LIKELIHOOD Insignificant Minor Moderate Major Catastrophic 4 ACT NOW Urgent - do something about the risks A: Acute immediately. Requires immediate attention. 3 H: High Highest management decision is required urgently. 2 M: Moderate Follow management instructions. 1 L: Low OK for now. Record and review regularly, and if any equipment/ people/ materials/ work processes or procedures change. Doc # GRF HSE 008.03 Revision 2 Date 3 March 2014 Page 8 of 8