HEALTH & SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY 6.01 SAMPLE RISK & COSHH ASSESSMENTS 6.02 ARRANGEMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY 6.03 GENERAL REPONSIBILITES FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY MATTERS 6.04 REPORTING OF ACCIDENTS AND DANGEROUS OCCURRENCES 6.05 HEALTH AND WELFARE FACILITES 6.06 WORK UNDERTAKEN IN CLIENTS OCCUPIED PREMISES 6.07 PROTECTIVE CLOTHING 6.08 TIDINESS ON SITE 6.09 MATERIALS, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 6.10 HAND AND POWER OPERATED TOOLS 6.11 WORKING AT HEIGHTS 6.12 PERSONNEL SAFETY 6.13 SAFETY HEALTH AND WELFARE (HEALTH AND SAFETY WORK ACTS) 6.14 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
PROJECT: A SAMPLE SUBJECT: METHOD STATEMENT SCOPE: SAFETY (RISK ASSESSMENT) REF NO: DATE OF ISSUE: ORIGINATOR: APPROVED BY: Contracts Engineer Safety 1. The safety will be governed by Company Health and Safety Policy (copy attached) and as amplified below. 2. Lifting equipment, ladders and steps are inspected at 6 monthly intervals. It is not anticipated that ladders in excess of 3m will be used. 3. Staging will not be used. 4. Scaffolding (including mobile towers ) will be erected and used in accordance with manufacturers instructions available to each operative. Toe boards will be installed and used in accordance with suppliers instruction. 5. The only electrically operated tools allowed on the site will be those powered by battery or 110VAC, except that welding equipment may be powered by portable generators providing 440V 3 ph supply. 6. Circular saws, abrasive wheels and similar portable tools will be issued with guards in place and will be used in that condition. Protective clothing and eye protection will be worn when using such equipment. 7. Safety helmets will be issued to all personnel at site and will be worn at all times whilst on site. 8. Eye protection will be issued to all personnel at site and will be worn at the appropriate times. 9. Safety harness will be available at site for use when working at heights in excess of 5m above the floor. 10.Ear protection will be available in the site office for use when required. 11.Extreme care is to be taken to ensure that all covers and protective devices are in place and operable before energising circuits. To ensure no confliction with other site work, no circuits will be energised without written approval from the Main Contractor. Safety Notices stated that the circuit is Live will be displayed at the relevant sub-distribution board. Prior to the first circuit being energised, notices will be displayed around the site, warning that circuits are being energised and that all electrical wiring should be treated as live.
PROJECT: A SAMPLE SUBJECT: METHOD STATEMENT SCOPE: SAFETY (RISK ASSESSMENT) REF NO: DATE OF ISSUE: ORIGINATOR: APPROVED BY: Contracts Engineer - 2-12.Electric arc welding will, generally, only take in a designated area surrounded by welding screens. However, where welding in situ is required, portable welding screens will be rigged wherever practicable. 13.Oxyacetylene welding equipment will have flash back arresters fitted. 14.Dry powder fire extinguishers will be provided at the welding bench. 15.Spare acetylene and oxygen bottles will be stored in a separate area within the stores compound.
6.02 ARRANGEMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY Responsibility for safety is delegated to line management in accordance with the following chain of command: Site Operatives are responsible to the Senior Operative appointed to the site on which they are engaged. The senior operative is answerable to the Labour/Safety Manager and also to the Contract Engineer responsible for the overall administration of the project are both in turn answerable to the Managing Director. All employees are expected to familiarise themselves with the Safety Policy and to involve themselves in safety matters. In the event that an employee wishes to consult with the company on health and safety matters either the Labour / Safety Manager or the Contract Engineer. If he is not of the opinion that his query has been answered he then has immediate recourse to the company s grievance procedure (copies available on request). The Senior Operative on each site will be responsible for the safe conduct of work on the site and will be provided with a copy of the Safety Policy which will be kept available for inspection by all other operatives at all times. He will be responsible for instructing operatives on how to recognise and guard against foreseeable hazards and for advising them how to meet the responsibilities placed upon them. When difficulties arise in the maintenance of safe working practices, reference must be made by the Senior Operatives to the Labour/Safety Manager or the Contract Engineer who will then have the responsibility for ensuring that sufficient authority is given to enable safe practices to be maintained or for referring the matter to the Managing Director who has overall responsibility and/or for seeking further advice from independent expert sources.
Belvoir Building Services are in constant touch and receive continual updates on health and safety matters applicable to the industry. When any information is received by the Company s representatives on these bodies, copies of the details will be circulated to all contract Engineers within the group who in turn will advise all Senior Operatives where appropriate. The Labour/Safety Manager along with the Contract Engineer has the authority to order work to stop, if he considers that continuation will seriously endanger health and safety and they are responsible for disseminating all new safety regulations and other information as it becomes available. The authority to order work to stop is also shared by all Senior Management.
6.03 GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY MATTERS Every member of the company regardless of position has a legal obligation placed upon them including a duty of care to all other people. This liability cannot be abrocated. There is a responsibility to observe Company regulations and Codes of Practice, in addition to the relevant statutes applicable to the Construction Industry. Failure to comply with specific instructions given with regard to health and safety matters will result in further action in accordance with the Company s disciplinary procedure.
6.04 REPORTING OF ACCIDENTS AND DANGEROUS OCCURRENCES All operatives upon commencement of work on any site shall make themselves aware of the location of the Accident Book, Form B1510, which shall be kept on site, but where this is not reasonably practicable it shall be kept at the usual place of business of the Employer. All injuries received must be recorded in the Accident Book and reported to the Contract Engineer who shall be the responsible person. All dangerous occurrences whether or not they result in injury shall also be reported to the Contract Engineer who shall investigate the circumstances and ensure that suitable action is taken where necessary. It shall be the responsibility of the Labour/Safety Manager to forthwith notify the enforcing authority of any notifiable accidents or notifiable dangerous occurrences, in accordance with the Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1986. In such circumstances a fully detailed report will be required from all witnesses.
6.05 HEALTH AND WELFARE FACILITIES On every site there shall be provided suitable and adequate Health and Welfare facilities in accordance with the Construction (Health and Welfare) Regulations 1966. Where effective arrangements are made with another Contractor for him to provide these facilities, then there shall be obtained from that Contractor a copy of a certificate of shared welfare arrangements being part A of Form F2202 which shall be available for inspection by any person affected by the arrangements. This form shall be obtained at the commencement of the works.
6.06 WORK UNDERTAKEN IN CLIENTS OCCUPIED PREMISES Where work in undertaken on Clients occupied premises, the Client s health and safety procedures must be fully discussed and joint procedures agreed. These procedures will include observance of any restricted access requirements and permit to work systems. All operatives must also acquaint themselves with any fire warning system in operation in the premises and with the Client s action procedures in the event of a fire. This familiarisation will be carried out in conjunction with the Contract Engineer who will be responsible for all liaison with the Client
6.07 PROTECTIVE CLOTHING 1. All operatives are expected to provide themselves with suitable clothing having due regard to the working environment. 2 Where there is a statutory obligation upon the Employer to provide protective clothing or safety equipment, it will be provided free of charge. Operatives are required to take care of protective clothing and safety equipment provided for their use and to report any loss or suspected defect or damage in them without delay. 3 Safety Helmets will be provided and must be worn in all circumstances where there is foreseeable risk of head injury, these circumstances will include: all building sites, demolition sites, excavation work, areas where work is proceeding overhead, work within the proximity of lifting appliances, and wherever piling work is being undertaken. 4 Eye protectors will be provided and will include goggles, visors, spectacles and face screens as required. They must be worn at all times where there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of injury or while employed in specific processes which will include welding and drilling with power hammers. 5. It is important that protective clothing (mentioned in 1 above) is the correct size and comfortable to wear. The operative will be responsible for ensuring that this is so when accepting any protective clothing supplied by the company.
6.08 TIDINESS ON SITE Untidiness on building sites can by itself create many hazards. It is the responsibility of all operatives to maintain tidy working areas and clear gangways. All redundant and surplus materials must be removed and placed in central collection points as frequently as is practicable.
6.09 MATERIALS, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT All materials, plant and equipment provided will be examined and tested as necessary before despatch to site to ensure it is free from defects or damage and is suitable for the purposes for which it is intended. When on site it will be periodically tested by the Senior Operative and any loss, defect or damage must be immediately reported to the Contract Engineer. Any damaged or defective items must not be used until such time as they are fully inspected and tested and pronounced safe, repaired or replaced.
6.10 HAND AND POWER OPERATED TOOLS All operatives must ensure that their personal hand tools are in good condition and are the correct tools for the job. They must be used correctly and care must be used to ensure that others are not put at risk. It is essential that all power tools are used only for those jobs for which they were designed. All tools must be fitted with the correct plug for connection purposes and must be properly fused. Trailing cables must be kept to a minimum and placed in such a way as to avoid them being damaged. It is company policy that on all new construction sites and on all other contracts as far as is reasonable, all portable power tools be 110 volt supplied by a centre tapped to earth transformer.
6.11 WORKING AT HEIGHTS The Company will provide safe places of work and safe access to the working place. This will include the provision of ladders, trestle scaffolds and working platforms, if not otherwise supplied. Ladders must always be properly secured and shall only be used for short term work which can be carried out with one hand, or as a means of access from one level to another when no alternative permanent stairway is available. Trestle scaffolds are intended for light work of comparatively short duration; they are simply platforms supported on A frames of similar type, folding supports such as painters trestles or pairs of steps. Trestle scaffolds shall not be used where a person would be liable to fall from its working platform for a distance of more than 15 feet. Working platforms will be inspected regularly and will only be erected by a competent person. Every platform shall be of a suitable size in relation to working area and height from ground level and shall be complete with guard rails and toe boards. Mobile scaffolds must never be moved when someone is still on them, and must only be used on firm and level ground. Where there is in force a Certificate of Exemption then the above provisions will not be applicable but only insofar as the Certificate of Exemption allows
6.12 PERSONNEL SAFETY The following are a number of general points which should be observed for personnel safety:- When working alone in remote areas, always inform somebody of your exact locations, and the time you estimate to be there, before you start. If you do not, and something happens, you might not be missed for a week or more (which says something about how indispensable you are). Careful attention must be given to securing the safety of personnel and equipment whilst maintenance or repair work is in progress. A code of safety rules based on a system of "permits to work", similar to that which is detailed in British Standard Code of Practice CP1008 (1958) Section 12, is recommended. Where maintenance work is in progress, a 'DANGER' notice must always be attached to any apparatus calling attention to the danger of approach. A 'CAUTION' notice must always be attached to plant or its associated control equipment warning of possible damage to equipment which may be occasioned by interference or use. Before any work is commenced on any item of equipment, the supply and ancillary circuits must be made 'dead' and locked off. Only fully-insulated handlamps with non metallic guards should be used. Danger and Caution notices in the vicinity of 'live' conductors should be non metallic. Any automatic fire-extinguishing equipment should be rendered temporarily inoperative. It is important that maintenance personnel should be fully familiar with the operation of the various devices that they are called upon to handle.
Precautions should be taken to ensure that control circuits to automatic equipment are disconnected from the supply before work is commenced on such equipment. It should not be assumed that the isolation of the main supply to the equipment isolates auxiliary circuits. For example, thermostats may feed into control panels from other sources. In isolating auxiliary circuits to automatic equipment, care should be taken that the supplies to other units are not affected. Never attempt a two man job single-handedly, (or vice-versa) for not only will you probably damage yourself, but you will damage the equipment, and that is expensive. Whenever removing fuses, resetting overloads, throwing switches, etc., always observe the 'one hand' rule. Keep you spare hand in your pocket, tucked in your belt, or wherever you want to, proving it is on your person and not touching any equipment. If you don't, an electrifying experience could result from that beautiful circuit to earth you have made. Always wear protective clothing or safety equipment (overalls, helmets, goggles, etc.) when required. That smart tie or long hair won't look so pretty when wrapped around a pump shaft and neither will you. Always replace guards, access panels, and other safety devices immediately the work in hand is completed. Some of the above points have been made in a slightly frivolous manner in the hope that they will not only be read, but will be remembered, for each one is important, and if ignored can represent a danger to life and limb. Your attention is drawn to the requirements of the latest Health and Safety at Work Act and all associated regulatory bodies.
6.13 SAFETY HEALTH AND WELFARE (HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ACTS) There are provisions in connection with Safety, Health and Welfare which are legal requirements; in addition, there are many official recommendations. For full details of these, reference should be made to the appropriate official publications. The following paragraphs refer briefly to the more common requirements. 1. It is the duty of every employer: To ensure, so far as reasonably practical, the health, safety and welfare at work not only of all this employees but of other people who use his premises or are affected by his undertaking. To provide the information necessary for the above. 2. The equipment and materials referred to in these instructions are safe and without risk to health when used and maintained in accordance with the instructions given in this manual and the manufacturer's instructions contained within this manual. 3. It is the duty of every employee while at work: To take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other people who may be affected by his acts or omissions at work. To co-operate with his employer or any other person so far as is necessary for the provisions of the various relevant Acts to be complied with. 4. Anyone in control of industrial or commercial premises must prevent or render inoffensive any potentially harmful emissions into the atmosphere. 5. All places of work must be kept as clean as possible consistent with their use. Dirt and refuse must not be allowed to accumulate.
6. Work must never be carried out under conditions where there is any element of danger if it is reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk. 7. Safe working conditions must be provided, to give adequate protection and also safe access and egress where necessary. Access doors and panels to All areas containing mechanical or electrical plant (e.g. plant or switchrooms, electric panels, fan chambers) must carry appropriate warning notices. Proper scaffolds, guard rails, toe boards etc. and ladders must be provided and used. Refer to the Regulations. 8. Where appropriate to the work, protective equipment (e.g. goggles, screens, respirators, protective clothing, safety belts) must be used. 9. Never work on moving parts of machinery. Exercise care if working on the stationary parts of machinery which is operating. Before doing so, ensure that the moving parts are adequately protected by suitable guards. 10. Never lift, move or carry loads which are liable to cause personal injury. Suitable lifting or other tackle must always be used. 11. Adequate ventilation must be provided. Special precautions must be taken in atmosphere where there is steam, smoke, asbestos or other unhealthy or dangerous contaminants, or in confined spaces. 12. Adequate lighting, permanent or temporary, must be provided. 13. Before working on electrical equipment, a 'permit to work' signed by a responsible person must be obtained. The equipment must be disconnected from the supply by operating a switch or starter, also the isolator (if fitted). As a further precaution, withdraw the fuses. Any work requiring technical knowledge or experience must be undertaken only by competent persons. 14. Hand or other small power tools should be suitable for, and operated from, a 110 volt electric supply.
15. Care must be taken and adequate protection provided to prevent fire when welding or carrying out operations involving the application of heat.. Arc welding demands protective screens. Precautions against explosion are laid down for working on tanks or containers which have held explosive of flammable substance. 16. Fire precautions must be observed. 'No Smoking' notices must be displayed where necessary, and rigidly obeyed. 17. The means of escape from the building (as specified on the certificate issued by the Fire Authority) must be maintained and at all times kept free of obstruction. 18. Fire fighting equipment must be provided, maintained and kept readily available. 19. Fire alarm systems must be regularly checked, and kept in working order. 20. First Aid boxes or cupboards of the prescribed standard, and containing only First Aid requisites, must be provided in accessible positions, and kept clean and in good repair. /the minimum quantity and quality of dressings etc., has been laid down, according to the number of persons employed. Where this is required by the Regulations, a responsible and readily available person trained in First Aid treatment must be named, and placed in charge of the equipment during working hours.
6.14 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY Belvoir Building Services Ltd, recognises that its activities impact upon the environment both through its routine internal operations, its infrastructure development, and through its influence and effects on the wider community. It acknowledges a responsibility for, and a commitment to, protection of the environment at all levels. The company will comply fully with environmental legislation and is in addition committed to continued efforts to: 1) Promote environmental management policies and practices at every level and in every department of the company; 2) Increase awareness of environmental responsibilities among staff and operatives; 3) Minimise waste and pollution and develop and operate environmentally sound waste management procedures; 4) Continue to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and to incorporate long term strategies for energy efficiency into planning and development; 5) Continue to encourage and facilitate modes of transport by staff and operatives which minimise environmental impact, and to apply environmentally friendly principles to the operation of company owned vehicles; 6) Reduce water consumption; 7) Promote a purchasing policy which will give preference, as far as practicable, to those products and services which cause the least harm to the environment; 8) Avoid wherever practical the use of environmentally damaging substances, materials and processes; 9) Maintain the grounds and buildings of the Company in an environmentally sensitive way, having regard to protection of local natural habitats and preservation of biological diversity; 10) Work with other local, national and other agencies as appropriate to promote environmental policies; Progress in implementing this policy will be reviewed annually by the Directors