APPROVALS Position Name Date President Donna Stobbart DISCLAIMER: City Transfer nor any person acting on its behalf, makes any warranty, express or implicit, with respect to the use of information, data, procedures, practices or recommendations contained within this procedure; or assumes any liabilities related to the use of, or for damages resulting from the use of any such information, data, procedures or recommendations. RECORD OF CHANGE Rev. Description of Change Changed By Date Check for latest revision at: Health & Safety/Procedures/Working near, on or above water Page 1 of 9
Table of Contents 1.0 PURPOSE... 3 2.0 SCOPE... 3 3.0 DEFINITIONS... 3 4.0 RESPONSIBILITIES... 4 5.0 PROCEDURE... 4 5.1 Job Initial Hazard Assessment... 4 5.2 Prohibited work near, on or above water... 5 5.3 Hazards... 5 5.4 Personal Protective Equipment... 5 5.4.1 Personal Protective Equipment... 5 5.5 Causes for falling into the water... 6 5.6 Factors that can lead to drowning... 6 5.7 Precautions... 6 5.7.1 When working outside of guardrails,... 6 5.7.2 Work from Mobile Elevating Work Platforms... 7 5.7.3 Workplace Tidiness... 7 5.7.4 Weather Conditions... 7 5.8 Protective Clothing & Equipment... 7 5.8.1 Life Jacket (PFD) Personal Floatation Device... 7 5.8.2 Rescue Equipment... 7 5.8.3 Work Boats and Vessels... 8 5.9 Rescue Procedures... 8 5.9.1 The elements of a rescue procedure consists of:... 8 5.10 Conclusion... 8 6.0 RELATED DOCUMENTATION... 8 7.0 RECORDS... 9 Check for latest revision at: Health & Safety/Procedures/Working near, on or above water Page 2 of 9
1.0 PURPOSE SAFE WORK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that all City Transfer employees, contractors and sub-contractors understand how to identify and eliminate the hazards while working near on or above water. 2.0 SCOPE The procedure applies to all City Transfer employees, contractors and subcontractors that are required to work near, on or above water where a fall into the water and/or a drowning hazard exists. This Code of Guidance provides information in respect of health and safety during work activities near, on or above inland and inshore waters. It covers the hazards likely to be met, the legal requirements and the precautions that need to be taken to ensure workers are protected and applicable Health and Safety Standards are met. 3.0 DEFINITIONS CTOP CCG Responsible Supervisor PFD PPE Workers Working near on or above water City Transfer Operations within British Columbia consists of: Powell River Gibsons Transfer Station Hillside Barge Facility Richmond Barge Facility Canadian Coast Guard The City Transfer representatives (Operation Leads, Owner s Representatives, Operation Supervisors) are responsible for the near, on or above water work activities being conducted. Personal Floatation Device - Canadian Coast Guard approved Personal Protective Equipment Means all persons (employees, operators, contractors) required to conducting work for City Transfer, near, on or above water. Is considered any temporary operation that requires workers to be near, on or above a still or moving body of water, that, should a slip or fall occur, is deep or fast moving enough to drown or carry away the worker(s). Check for latest revision at: Health & Safety/Procedures/Working near, on or above water Page 3 of 9
4.0 RESPONSIBILITIES SAFE WORK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM The City Transfer President or his / her delegate is responsible for implementing and maintaining this procedure. City Transfer Responsible Supervisor is ensuring that all workers working near, on or above water are trained and knowledgeable regarding this procedure. They must ensure all protective measures are in place and this procedure is followed. All City Transfer employees, operators, contractors, and sub-contractors are responsible for: 1. Identify the hazards related to working near, on or above water and complete a written Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment 2. Performing work near, on or above water according to this procedure 3. Workers are not allowed to work near, on or above water while alone unless special permission to do so is granted by the City Transfer President or his/her delegate 4. Use equipment needed to protect themselves from drowning or being swept away by the movement of the water 5. Inspect, prior and after each use, the buoyant work vests, life preserver or Personal Floatation Device (PFD) and ensure they are Canadian Coast Guard certified and PFD weight restrictions are followed. Defective units shall not be used 6. Ring buoys with at least 90 feet of line shall be provided and readily available for emergency rescue operations. Distance between ring buoys shall not exceed 200 feet 7. At least one lifesaving skiff or lifting device shall be immediately available at locations where employees are working near, on or above water 8. Workers shall meet the City Transfer at the work location for a pre-work inspection and tailgate meeting 9. Must contact the Responsible Supervisor when the job is complete 5.0 PROCEDURE 5.1 Job Initial Hazard Assessment Before initiating work near, on or above water, the City Transfer Responsible Supervisor and worker(s) must assess whether the job can be completed without exposing the worker(s) to a fall into the water. This can be accomplished by completing a Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment. Eliminating the hazard is the first choice! Check for latest revision at: Health & Safety/Procedures/Working near, on or above water Page 4 of 9
5.2 Prohibited work near, on or above water City Transfer employees, Contractors, Sub-contractors are prohibited to work near, on or above moving water that poses the hazard of drowning or being swept away, until the hazard of drowning or being swept away is eliminated or controlled. All work near, on or above water is prohibited unless: 5.3 Hazards Written Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment has been done A Job Safety Analysis has been completed All reasonable safety measures are in place PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) has been identified and checked Workers are aware of the hazards and are trained in the use of their PPE A rescue system is in place Any workplace near, on or above water presents a danger that persons might slip or fall into the water, be swept off their feet by wave action, tide action, strong currents or swell from passing water traffic. Adverse weather is also a factor that can increase the danger, and work conditions can change quickly. Whether or not there is a risk of injury by falling into the water, there is an immediate risk of drowning and/or being carried away by water currents. Before initiating any work activities near, on or above water, the City Transfer Supervisor and workers must eliminate or control all hazards that may be present during the work activity. All hazards and controls must be documented on the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment form 5.4 Personal Protective Equipment All City Transfer employees, contractors, and sub-contractors working near, on or above water must wear appropriate PPE (safety barrier) that will protect the worker from injuries that may occur during their work activities. All City Transfer Employees, contractors, and sub-contractors must follow and wear the PPE required laid out by WorkSafe BC and City Transfer 5.4.1 Personal Protective Equipment City Transfer employees, contractors, and sub-contractors conducting work activities near, on or above water must wear the following PPE: Canadian Coast Guard approved PFD (Personal Floatation Device) Whistle attached to PFD Safety Glasses Hard Hat (if applicable) Fall Protection Gear (if applicable) Check for latest revision at: Health & Safety/Procedures/Working near, on or above water Page 5 of 9
5.5 Causes for falling into the water Falls from height Slips, trips or falls from low level Persons being knocked over by moving objects (i.e. crane loads vehicles, other workers, etc.) Loss of balance (i.e. due to high winds, slippery ground or boat movements) Failure or absence of edge barriers Failure or absence of Fall Protection Equipment Floating platform or vessel sinking Tide action, waves or swell from passing waterborne traffic 5.6 Factors that can lead to drowning Shock from sudden immersion in cold water Hypothermia Weight of waterlogged clothing Failure to wear an approved PFD Failure of the PFD Incapacity following injury caused by striking an object during the fall or while in the water Fatigue or hypothermia where rescue is not immediate Post Rescue Collapse 5.7 Precautions Standby safety or other worker trained in rescue / rescue boat (if applicable) Whenever reasonably practicable, Guardrails (fixed edge protection on platforms, edges, gangways etc.) must be provided to prevent people from falling into water. Where edge barriers are not reasonably practicable at exposed edges, e.g. quay edges, appropriate warning signs and/or edge markings should be displayed to highlight the danger. 5.7.1 When working outside of guardrails, 100% tie-off or other Fall Protection is required. Use of a full body harness attached by lanyard to a suitable anchorage point or proprietary fall prevention anchorage system. Such equipment needs to be carefully selected by a competent person to ensure it is suitable for the task. All Fall Protection equipment is to be appropriately used and maintained and the users instructed and trained in its use. Emergency rescue arrangements must be in place before commencement of work. Check for latest revision at: Health & Safety/Procedures/Working near, on or above water Page 6 of 9
5.7.2 Work from Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (Safety Boat Required.) When working near, on or above water, a Fall Protection harness and lanyard should not be worn due to the risk of drowning if the work platform falls into the water. Canadian Coast Guard approved PFD s are mandatory! 5.7.3 Workplace Tidiness This is of special importance when working near, on or above water. Tools, equipment, ropes and other materials not in use should be stored away. Waste should be cleared up promptly, and materials stacked or positioned with care. Slippery surfaces increase the risk of people falling into water and must be properly treated to ensure good grip. Appropriate footwear is required. Weed, slime, bird droppings etc. should be removed from work areas if possible to minimize slipping hazards. Oily or greasy surfaces should have absorbent granules or grit spread on them, and icy or frosty surfaces should be treated with salt or sand. 5.7.4 Weather Conditions The prevailing conditions and local weather forecast should be taken into account at the beginning of each shift. Rain, rising winds, fog, mist, etc. can all create potential dangers. 5.8 Protective Clothing & Equipment Where the work presents a risk of people being struck on the head then safety helmets must be worn. Such an injury prior to falling into water is a significant risk. Footwear with good, non-slip soles should be worn when working near, on or above water. Rubber boots should not be worn as, if filled with water, act as a weight and could drag the wearer under water or impede the workers ability to swim to shore. 5.8.1 Life Jacket (PFD) Personal Floatation Device This is a Personal Floatation Device which, when fully inflated (if inflatable), must provide sufficient buoyancy to turn and support an unconscious person face upwards. These must be worn at all times while working on boats and where there is a foreseeable risk of drowning should a fall into the water occur. People using PFD s need to be trained and instructed in their proper use and storage. All PFD s must be regularly inspected and appropriately maintained. All PFD s must carry the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) Certification. 5.8.2 Rescue Equipment Standby rescue boat including CCG required safety equipment. Approved lifebuoys or rescue lines should be positioned at intervals along the work Check for latest revision at: Health & Safety/Procedures/Working near, on or above water Page 7 of 9
area. Daily checks must be made to ensure that lifebuoys and lines are in their proper place. 5.8.3 Work Boats and Vessels These must meet CCG requirements in terms of their construction, use, equipment, (including safety, communication and rescue equipment). Boat operators must be trained according to CCG standards. In most circumstances it will be necessary to provide a rescue boat standing by during work activities near, on or above water. Practice exercises in respect of rescuing people from the water will need to be carried out. 5.9 Rescue Procedures It is important that working alone is avoided to ensure there is always someone to raise the alarm should a person fall into the water. Each person on the crew must be trained in what to do in the event of an emergency. An emergency rescue plan must be in place for the work activity near, on or above water. 5.9.1 The elements of a rescue procedure consists of: 5.10 Conclusion A routine for raising the alarm. Appropriate training for any worker that could be required to rescue a person from the water, i.e. o o o o Basic First Aid training for co-workers A routine for getting the rescued person(s) appropriate medical assistance. Rescue boat skippers to hold ticket to operate the boat. Rescue procedures need to be practiced at regular intervals involving all persons who would be required to participate in a rescue. The above guidelines conclude that a company or organization acting responsibly will implement safety strategies such as rescue boats, safety rails, harnesses etc... to fulfill their health and safety obligations with regards to their workers safety whilst working on, near or above water. 6.0 RELATED DOCUMENTATION 1. Workers Compensation Act of BC 2. Worksafe BC Regulations 3. Canadian Coast Guard Safe Boating Guide 4. Transport Canada Marine Safety http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/menu.htm Check for latest revision at: Health & Safety/Procedures/Working near, on or above water Page 8 of 9
7.0 RECORDS All SWMS- forms will be stored in the Safe Work Management System server. 1. SWMS-Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment. 2. SWMS-Personal Protective Equipment Check for latest revision at: Health & Safety/Procedures/Working near, on or above water Page 9 of 9