The Contractor shall at all times comply with the nine GDF SUEZ Life Saving Rules, namely:
The Contractor shall prepare a Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Plan in accordance with the minimum
requirements set out in the Contract and this [Schedule] within [xx] days of the contract award date. The
HSE Plan shall apply to the entirety of the works and will comply with best industry practices and all the
requirements of the contract. The HSE Plan shall be project specific, utilise the Contractor’s own HSE
management system or manual, and shall set out how the Contractor will comply with and perform
according to the HSE requirements of applicable Law, the Contract and best industry practices.
The Contractor shall apply the HSE Plan at all times throughout the execution of the Contract, and the
Contractor shall continually drive for:
Compliance with all applicable Laws concerning health, safety and the environment;
The effective management, promotion and control of the HSE aspects of the Works;
The Contractor shall include a copy of its corporate organisation’s HSE management system(s) or manual(s)
within the HSE Plan.
The Contractor shall be responsible, as part of the HSE Plan, for the development of the key processes (e.g.
working at height, lifting operations, waste management, etc). These processes will form the basis for how
the works are conducted on site. The HSE Plan shall be in the form of an execution plan specifically tailored
for this Contract and shall describe to the Owner how the Contractor will implement, administer and enforce
its plans for all Contract activities, including all sub-contracted activities.
The HSE Plan shall be subject to Owner’s approval prior to start of any work on site. All changes to the HSE
Plan shall also be submitted to the Owner for approval.
The Contractor’s HSE manager shall be responsible for revising and updating the HSE Plan to reflect changing
site conditions, hazards and risks, and to drive continuous improvement.
The specific requirements and topics to be included in the Contractor’s HSE Plan are as follows:
Introduction
Project Title and Brief Scope of Work
HSE Organisation and Organisation Chart
Site Map and Key Plan
HSE Hazard Identification Plan
GDF SUEZ Life Saving Rules
Basic Rules of Personal Safety and Conduct
Site Working Hours
Safe Workplace
B1 Method Statements, Risk Assessments and Job Safety Analysis
B2 Demolition
B3 Mobile Communications
B4 Warning Notices
B5 Confined Space Work
B6 Management of Temporary Openings
B7 Site Vehicles, Transportation and Traffic Planning
B8 Construction Permit to Work
B9 Scaffolding and Working Platforms
Working Hours
The Contractor shall identify anticipated site working hours. The maximum hours worked and rest periods
shall be in compliance with applicable labour laws and other relevant applicable law. The Contractor’s
Health, Safety and Environment Plan shall address working restrictions and safety precautions when fulfilling
the Contract in conditions of a demanding nature (e.g. excessive heat), break periods during morning and
afternoon shifts and for lunch, rainy conditions, windy conditions and lightning conditions. The Contractor’s
Health, Safety and Environment Plan shall address how hazards associated with working outside normal
hours will be managed, including levels of supervision adjustments, task observation, lighting conditions,
restricted activities, and medical/health and safety supervision cover.
The following health and safety requirements are defined in three sections A to C and the environmental
requirements are in section D:
A1 Site Inductions
The Contractor shall develop and implement health and safety induction training and shall maintain records
of such induction training. The health and safety induction training shall be a mandatory pre-requisite for all
personnel before they are allowed onto the site.
The course(s) shall cater for all workgroups and shall make all workers aware of the importance of good
health and safety performance and the Contractor’s health and safety expectations, prior entering the site.
A typical induction programme would comprise up to three (3) days of training in order that adequate depth
and scope is covered. A comprehension and knowledge test(s) shall form part of the training to ensure the
person understands all aspects of the training delivered.
The Contractor shall deliver the induction training in all languages appropriate to the workforce employed
on site.
Successful completion of the health and safety induction training is a pre-requisite of obtaining a site access
pass. The following rule shall be implemented by the Contractor, with no exceptions: failure to successfully
complete the site induction training means no site access pass will be issued. Also see A10 – Site Security.
The Contractor shall also implement mandatory health and safety induction training for all visitors before
being allowed on site. It is acceptable for this to be a shortened version of the main induction programme,
but it must be delivered in the relevant language and there shall be a comprehension and knowledge test(s).
Visitors that undertake such abbreviated induction training shall not be allowed to perform work on the site.
Successful completion of the visitor health and safety induction training is a pre-requisite of obtaining a
visitor site access pass. All visitors to site should be accompanied by a Contractor’s representative. Also see
A10 – Site Security.
The induction training must emphasise the commitment of the Owner and the Contractor to health and
safety. It should highlight the following as a minimum:
How the site health and safety policy works and the roles people play.
Any legal duties on individuals to contribute to safe working and a safe workplace.
An explanation of the importance of site induction training, as all sites are different and have a wide
range of hazards, which will change as the site develops.
Site specific information should be included that all personnel should be aware of, for example:
The training must cover specific requirements for the production of method statements, risk assessments
and/or Job Safety Analyses and what to do where specific hazards are identified. It shall cover use of
hazardous materials and must also cover areas of work that require specific authorisation to proceed, such
as a Permit to Work/Lock Out Tag Out.
The requirement for site health and safety training shall be identified and addressed by the Contractor, in
conjunction with the Sub-Contractors and their supervisors. All personnel working on the site shall be
competent to carry out the works and activities that they have been employed to perform. Specific
operations, identified by the Contractor in the training plan, will only be carried out by those personnel who
have received the appropriate training.
The Contractor shall establish a means of registering and checking the worker and Sub-Contractor
competence and certification to undertake their duties. This shall cover undertaking specific skilled tasks
and also operating and using tools, plant and equipment which are being used. For the avoidance of doubt,
competence shall require the knowledge, training and experience to be able to undertake the task allocated
and include knowing the limits of competence, such that work that is requested outside the area of a
worker’s competence is refused by the worker.
Managers and supervisors shall ensure individual workers are suitably competent trained to undertake the
work allocated, before work starts. A site register shall identify workers on site who are authorised to
undertake specified tasks. This register shall be kept up to date by the Contractor at all times and shall be
available for inspection by the Owner.
In any case a competent worker is someone with the adequate skills and knowledge where health and safety
training forms part of that skills and knowledge.
The following activities shall only be performed by specifically designated competent persons who are
approved by the Contractor to conduct such activities. The site competence register shall include details of
these designated competent persons.
The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that Contractor’s personnel and the Sub-Contractors receive
a high standard of health and safety training throughout each phase of the Contract and that records of such
training are maintained. In particular, awareness training shall be given to all personnel during mobilisation
and immediately before the start of each significant construction and commissioning activity. Specific
training will be carried out as may be necessary to compliment the work activities.
The Contractor shall also consider the site specific work location and circumstances and the availability of
supervision or specific justification for lone working. High risk works shall not be carried out by lone
Inexperienced workers, or those who are new to the workplace, may require a mentoring programme to be
put in place until they are considered experienced. Until such a time, they shall always be accompanied by a
suitably competent supervisor.
The training arrangements, resources and facilities provided by the Contractor shall take account of the work
to be performed and the likely skills base for the workers to be employed on the site. This means for sites
where a large number of unskilled workers are to be employed, the training arrangements, resources and
facilities will need to be more comprehensive and the time allowances more generous in the Contract
programme, particularly at site mobilisation and during the earlier stages of the programme.
Additionally, the likely turnover of workers must be taken into account, whether this is a factor of workforce
ethnicity or the region/location in which the Contract is executed. On sites where a high turnover of workers
is likely (or typical) the Contractor must provide sufficient training arrangements, resources and facilities to
ensure all workers are properly trained before being deployed on site.
A programme of refresher training shall also be put in place and delivered by the Contractor for all workers
to ensure high standards of health and safety performance are delivered on site at all times.
Site access passes shall also act as a training record of various skills and competencies, such that by looking
at a workers site access pass it shall be clear what training has been received and when. If unsafe practices
are observed, this gives an immediate indication to supervisors and the Owner whether a person has
received training in the relevant working procedures on site. Also see A10 – Site Security.
A3 Management of Sub-Contractors
The effective management of Sub-Contractor health and safety by the Contractor is key to the successful
health and safety performance of the contract overall. It is implicit in the contract that all health and safety
requirements also apply to all Sub-Contractors appointed by the Contractor. The Contractor shall at all times
be responsible for health and safety management of all Sub-Contractors within the contract scope. Taking a
passive, ‘hands-off’ approach to managing Sub-Contractor health and safety management is not acceptable.
Sub-Contractors are expected to comply with the same health and safety requirements and standards in this
contract and this shall be effectively managed and monitored by the Contractor. To this end, the Contractor
is responsible for putting the necessary contractual arrangements in place to ensure this is the case.
All Sub-Contractor health and safety plans shall be integrated into the Contractor Health and Safety Plan to
ensure a seamless, cohesive approach to managing health and safety across the site.
The Contractor shall ensure that all Sub-Contractors selected have the relevant competence to undertake
the agreed works and employ health and safety management procedures which are commensurate with the
Contractor / Sub-Contractor procedures.
The Contractor shall ensure that the individual employees of the Sub-Contractors understand the work to be
carried out and have the necessary competence, information and training for the tasks. The Contractor shall
provide site induction for all employees including those of Sub-Contractors prior to work on site and
evidence shall be obtained that employees have the training and competence claimed by the Sub-
Contractor. Also see A1 – Site Inductions.
The Contractor shall ensure that site procedures are clearly understood by all Sub-Contractors and the
information is transmitted to individual employees. All site procedures shall apply to all workers.
The Contractor shall ensure that hazard identification and risk assessment is undertaken by all Sub-
Contractors prior to commencement of work.
The Contractor shall make clear and agree with Sub-Contractors the site emergency and welfare facilities
and responsibility for provision. This shall include health and safety monitoring of the duties allocated to
Sub-Contractors.
The previous safety performance of Sub-Contractors is taken into account during the Sub-Contractor
selection process. Contracts shall not be awarded to Sub-Contractors or a consortium of Sub-
Contractors where any Sub-Contractor has a demonstrated poor safety record.
Assessment and confirmation of competence of the Sub-Contractor company and individual
employees.
Sub-Contractor works to be undertaken are agreed and responsibilities clearly identified.
Only suitably qualified and competent Sub-Contractors are selected.
Sub-Contractor works are managed, supervised and monitored.
Information, instructions and training is delivered to Sub-Contractor workers.
Identification of hazards and appropriate risk assessment and method statements are completed by
the Sub-Contractors.
Permits to work /Lock out Tag out documents are issued to Sub-Contractors as required.
Sub-Contractor co-operation and co-ordination is implemented.
Regular consultation is undertaken with Sub-Contractor workers, including involvement in the health
and safety committee(s) on site.
Sub-Contractor health and safety performance is monitored regularly.
Sub-Contractor worker disciplinary arrangements are clearly identified to the workers.
A4 Weapons Policy
The Contractor shall consider the default position to be that no weapons (fire arms / ammunition) are
permitted to be taken onto site and work procedures shall ensure that weapons are not required to
complete planned tasks.
Only in exceptional and planned circumstances shall planned works require the provision and use of
weapons. Such circumstances shall be subject to hazard identification and risk assessment and substitution
to mitigate the potential risk shall be employed.
Where work is planned which requires weapons to be used, the Contractor shall ensure that the following
arrangements are implemented:
The specific work tasks shall be identified and limited in scope and duration.
The individual operatives shall be clearly identified and have statutory clearance to use the weapon
for the specific task.
Storage of the weapon, and access to it, shall be controlled and limited to ensure that unauthorised
access is not possible.
If ammunition is necessary, the storage and access shall be similarly controlled and the storage
conditions shall ensure that any likelihood of fire or explosion and subsequent effects are managed.
The unauthorised handling and use of weapons on site shall not be permitted. Site procedures shall prohibit
workers taking weapons on site and include the following measures:
Site induction shall make it clear that weapons are not permitted for personal or non-authorised
work procedures; all authorised use will be clearly identified.
The Contractor and his Sub-Contractors are forbidden to bring any alcoholic drink, drugs or other narcotics
onto site. Prescribed medication and over the counter remedies such as (cold and flu remedies and
antihistamines) are not covered by this ban, but the users should ensure that the Contractor is aware of
these medications if they have the potential to affect the person’s ability to carry out their normal duties.
Access to the site is forbidden to people who are obviously under the influence of alcohol or drugs and they
shall face immediate exclusion from site, which shall be enforced by the Contractor (and/or the Owner).
The misuse of drugs and / or alcohol has the potential to adversely affect the health and judgement of an
individual, impair their ability to carry out duties efficiently, effectively and safely. This may result in their
safety being jeopardised and that of other personnel and visitors on site to such an extent that it may affect:
The Contractor shall have a policy which sets out how they manage substance abuse on the site. The policy,
which shall also apply to all Sub-Contractors, must aim to:
Promote the health and well-being of workers on site and to minimise problems at work arising from
the effects of alcohol or drugs.
Identify workers with possible problems relating to the effects of alcohol or drugs at an early stage.
Offer workers known to have alcohol or drug-related problems affecting their work referral to an
appropriate source for diagnosis and treatment if necessary.
The site policy on substance abuse should include provision for testing where there is reasonable cause to
suspect that an individual is under the influence of alcohol or drugs or following a serious accident or injury
where it is felt substance abuse may have been a contributory factor. Random drug and alcohol testing
should also be considered by the Contractor.
As part of the policy it must be made clear that the effects of alcohol or drugs at work can create serious
health and safety risks and that the following rules shall be adhered to:
The Owner will inform the police, as required by law if it suspects anyone on site is in possession of or is
supplying illegal drugs. The Owner reserves the right to search for illegal substances as considered
necessary.
A6 Smoking Policy
The Contractor shall have a policy which sets out how they manage smoking and the presence of smoking
materials on the site. The policy, which shall also apply to all Sub-Contractors, must aim to:
Promote the health and well-being of workers on site and to minimise problems at work arising from
the effects of smoking and secondary smoke inhalation.
Reduce Fire Risk
Offer workers who do smoke a safe clean and well ventilated outdoor area at least 15 metres from
any occupied building in which they may smoke (if this does not contravene the Owner site rules).
Ensure that this area is well sign posted and not on any thoroughfare or pedestrian route.
Ensures that this area is not in the proximity of any system which stores or transports flammable
substance.
Ensure that this area is regularly checked for the build up of rubbish to help prevent a fire risk.
As part of the policy it must be made clear that the effects of smoking can create serious health risks and
that the following rules shall be adhered to:
In some countries it is law that smoking is not permitted in any buildings or enclosed places on site.
Where the scope of the works is extensive and involves a large number of Contractor’s personnel then by
agreement with Owner additional temporary designated smoking areas may be created.
The Contractor shall have a policy which sets out how they manage bullying and harassment in the
workplace. The policy, which shall also apply to all Sub-Contractors, must aim to:
Workplace bullying is the repeated less favourable treatment of a person by another or others in the
workplace. Bullying is persistent unwelcome behaviour, mostly using unwarranted or invalid criticism, fault
finding, exclusion or isolation.
Instances of workplace bullying have the deliberate intent of causing physical and psychological distress to
others and can include behaviour that intimidates, offends, degrades or humiliates a worker, possibly in
front of co-workers, clients or customers.
Manipulation.
Intimidation.
Belittling remarks.
Unreasonable persistent criticism which is not part of a managing performance process.
Loud and aggressive attacks or more subtle intimidation such as constant criticism of a trivial nature.
Verbal and physical abuse, for example, shouting and throwing objects.
Isolation from colleagues.
Refusing to delegate or the withholding of information employees need to perform their job.
Removing responsibility and/or imposing menial tasks.
Occasional differences of opinion, and non-aggressive conflicts and problems in working relations.
Workplace counselling, managing under performance and other action in accordance with site policy
and procedures.
Behaviour will only be defined as bullying if a “reasonable person” observing the situation would consider it
to be bullying. The reasonable person is defined as an objective third party.
A8 Disciplinary Action
The Contractor shall ensure that site disciplinary procedures are developed and implemented and these shall
cover all Contractor and Sub-Contractor workers. The procedures shall be clearly written and available to all
workers at all times. The disciplinary procedures shall be covered during the site induction process.
The Contractor disciplinary procedures shall ensure that local statutory legislation and worker rights are not
breached.
Prior to commencing disciplinary action, the Contractor must ensure the worker who has violated site health
and safety requirements:
Is competent.
Has been properly trained.
Has been provided with adequate information to avoid the violation.
If this is the case, then the worker has clearly made a personal choice to violate health and safety
requirements and disciplinary proceedings may therefore be justified.
The Contractor shall ensure the first line of disciplinary action is always administered through the first line
supervisor.
It shall be a duty of all managers and supervisors to understand the disciplinary procedures and enforce
appropriate action when violations of the site rules occur. A failure of supervisors and managers to correct
immediately health and safety violation, unsafe acts or unsafe conditions shall be regarded as equivalent to
giving permission to the act.
A formal, sequential and progressive process shall be established. Only specific serious breaches of statutory
or site health and safety standards, which are clearly identified, shall result in immediate cessation of work
and dismissal. The following progressive sequence is suggested when discussion and further training, if
First written warning outlining the offence and required improvement and that further violation will
result in suspension.
Second written warning which results in suspension for an indicated period and warning that further
violation will result in permanent dismissal.
Final written warning and dismissal.
All disciplinary action shall follow agreed procedures and shall be fully documented. The worker shall have
fair representation in any disciplinary discussion. Supervisors shall ensure that their documentation is clear
and accurate and up to date and include correct times, dates, confirmation of others involve by the unsafe
practice and nature of the violation. Documentation shall be properly retained and filed for future reference
if necessary.
The procedure shall be administered fairly and consistently. Workers must be allowed the opportunity to
change their behaviour and conform to the required standards, unless the breach of health and safety
requirements is so serious that the disciplinary procedure defines instant dismissal.
If a serious breach of site health and safety requirements is committed, the worker may be instantly
dismissed and this action shall be properly recorded for future reference. The circumstances for instant
dismissal shall be established and confirmed to all workers at site induction and defined in the disciplinary
procedure. These may include high risk activities as follows:
Carrying weapons.
The use of physical violence, intimidation, bullying or harassment.
Smoking in forbidden areas.
The abuse of alcohol and illegal drugs such that an individual’s performance and judgement has
been found to be affected by alcohol or illegal drugs or individuals have been found in possession of
or involved in the supply of these substances.
Entering a designated confined space without a permit for work / Lock out Tag Out document.
Entering an unsupported excavation or excavation that has not been shored.
Entering an excavation without a permit to work / Lock out Tag out document.
Performing hot work without a permit to work / Lock out Tag out document.
Working at height of more than 2 metres where there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of injury
without a secured approved safety harnesses.
Any reckless behaviour or horseplay likely to cause or lead to injury.
Walking or standing under a suspended load.
Working unsafely with electricity.
Working on a chemical system without the correct PPE being worn.
Defeating trips and interlocks, except where such incidences are a part of a formal test /
commissioning procedure carried out in accordance with a written test procedure.
Driving without wearing a seatbelt.
Driving whilst using a mobile communication device.
Working whilst using a mobile communication device, unless authorised to do so.
Unauthorised use of plant and machinery.
The Contractor’s site management procedures shall take into account the site specific risks associated with
the variety of languages and cultural differences which are foreseen on site. This shall include the provision
of the following facilities:
Provision of warning signs and warning labels in all languages appropriate to the workforce
employed and shall where possible also use internationally recognised pictograms or symbols.
Provision of interpreters when necessary to translate for verbal and written instructions.
The Contractor shall monitor the language and cultural issues arising on site and revise arrangements as
necessary throughout the Contract as workforces change.
In the event that the Contractor is responsible for site security, the Contractor shall manage security of the
site(s) and shall carry out a Security Risk Assessment to determine the specific security measures necessary.
The Contractor shall ensure the security provisions put in place address the following:
Control and record access/egress of all personnel and vehicles to/from site.
Control and record access/egress of all visitors to/from site.
Restrict access of all unauthorised persons and vehicle to the site.
Surveillance of persons and vehicles on site.
Physical protection of the site assets.
Ensure no unauthorised items are bought onto site.
Ensure no unauthorised items are removed from site.
Perform searches of vehicles and individuals as required.
Ensure all persons accessing the site comply with minimum PPE requirements, including the drivers
and delivery vehicles.
Security patrols on site and on external site areas to check for any fire, flooding, environmental
spills, breaches to perimeter fence security and for the security of site offices, buildings, and storage
compounds.
Monitor for irregularities and suspicious behaviour.
Manning of telephones outside normal working hours, including calling in alarms in response to fires
or other emergency.
Directing of emergency vehicles, for example fire engines and/or ambulances responding to
emergency calls.
Assisting to secure any restricted area on site. For example an accident scene.
The Contractor shall define the security measures put in place in a written Site Security Plan which shall be
continually monitored and reviewed, subject to revision as necessary throughout the various phases of the
Contract.
The Contractor must keep an up to date register with identification information for the workforce on site. If
Sub-Contractors are used the register must also include details of the sub-contract workforce. The register
should include the worker name, site pass number, start date on site and the company they work for.
Without prejudice to other contractual provisions, workers from a country outside the country where the
construction work is taking place shall hold a 'work permit' or 'work card' as required by that country, before
starting works and throughout the duration of their work on site.
If such a 'work permit' or 'work card' is not available, the Contractor shall refuse the respective workers
access to the site or expel them from the site until the relevant formalities have been duly completed.
All site access pass passes shall include a unique worker number and a ‘passport style’ photograph of the
worker. A register of all workers who hold personal access passes will be kept by the Contractor.
Authorisation of personnel shall be managed to ensure that access is permitted only to workers with the
necessary competence to undertake their work that have passed through the necessary level security
screening and have undertaken the site induction process. Also see A1 – Site Inductions.
The site access pass shall also act as a training record of various skills and competencies, such that by looking
at a workers site access pass it shall be clear what training has been received. This gives an immediate
indication to supervisors and the client whether a person has received training in various working
procedures on site. Also see A2 – Training and Competence.
Access to site must only be given to persons, vehicles and goods whose presence is required for strictly
work-related reasons, and then only for as long as necessary for carrying out the work.
No person younger than 14 years old shall be permitted on site, not even for a simple visit, unless company
policy and agreements with local authorities or corporate social responsibility foster restricted visits to
students or similar visiting groups.
The access roads to the site must always be kept clear, to permit entrance and exit by personnel, visitors and
the emergency services (such as an ambulance or fire tender).
Photography, filming or the making of videos, including on a mobile phone, PDA or other similar device, is
only authorised on written permission from the Owner.
The site security arrangements provided by the Contractor shall provide protection to the public, visitors and
third parties as well as workers. Security procedures shall include the associated on-site checking and
surveillance to ensure that, in the event of unauthorised or unsupervised access out of working hours, there
are no residual safety hazards.
Remote locations or close proximity to conurbations and the relevant risks of each.
Ease of access and the nature of the risks from persons and the means of entry which can be
employed.
Risks of protesters, terrorism and use of weapons by those seeking to gain access.
The site security plan will take account of the nature and location of the specific site and enable
determination of the demarcation and control measures which are necessary. This shall include:
Site demarcation by suitable perimeter fencing including appropriate warning/advising signs and
anti-climbing measures (fences, barriers, bollards, gates etc.).
Security lighting.
Boundary surveillance by CCTV, intruder detection systems and patrols.
Access and egress control at specific manned points and access control systems which provide
monitoring and recording.
Security provision shall provide particular control and monitoring measures of vehicle access to site and
management of safe access for deliveries and drivers who do not work on the site and are infrequent visitors
who do not undertake the site induction. This shall include security surveillance and checking prior to site
access and supervised operations within the site security cordon.
The security plan shall include incident and visitor logging. All security incidents shall be investigated and
any findings and recommendations must be implemented.
The security plan shall ensure that regular formal supervision is undertaken by a competent person to
ascertain the status of the fencing and any damage or dislocation of the fence shall be remedied promptly.
At the end of each work shift, there must be a management plan that ensures:
The security plan shall detail the communications channels for use in emergency and the need to avoid lone
working particularly outside the site working hours.
Authorised private vehicles shall only park in designated parking areas. Private vehicles will not be
permitted to enter into the construction areas, unless prior approval has been obtained from the Contractor
/ Owner.
All visitors and delivery drivers to the site will book in and out at security and will follow instructions given by
security.
The Contractor shall put systems in place to control the removal of surplus or redundant materials, plant or
equipment. The Contractor security arrangements shall include performing checks on all vehicles and
individuals leaving the site and those removing surplus or redundant materials, plant or equipment must
have the necessary written authorisation before being allowed to leave site.
The Contractor shall perform random searches as a deterrent or targeted on the basis of specific
intelligence.
Contractors must brief their staff and Sub-Contractors on the possibility of being searched and ask for their
cooperation with the security staff. The Contractor should make it clear that failure to cooperate with
security searches may result in individual(s) or the Sub-Contractor being excluded from site.
Security of the Contractor and Sub-Contractor(s) materials, tools, plant and equipment is the responsibility
of the Contractor. The Owner will not accept any liability for damage to or loss of any materials, plant or
property brought on site by the Contractor or Sub-Contractors. All lost materials, tools, plant and equipment
must be immediately reported to the Owner.
The Contractor shall ensure site security is in accordance with local laws, regulations and police guidelines.
Visitors pose a particular risk to safety on site due to their unfamiliarity with the site, the site characteristics
and the site rules. Information should be shared on site about the time and location of all visits, including
the purpose of the visit, who is visiting and who will supervise the visitor(s). This will allow visitor
movements to be tracked and the necessary preparations to take place.
The Contractor shall ensure all visitors to the site are well informed and made aware of any risks to their
health and safety before coming onto site. This can be achieved by preparation before being allowed on
site, through provision of:
The Contractor shall implement mandatory health and safety induction training for all visitors before they
are allowed on site. It is acceptable for this to be a shortened version of the main induction programme, but
it must be delivered in the relevant language and there shall be a comprehension and knowledge test(s).
Visitors that undertake such abbreviated induction training shall not be allowed to perform work on the site.
Successful completion of the visitor health and safety induction training is a pre-requisite of obtaining a
visitor site access pass. Also see A1 – Site Inductions.
Where a visitor is on site for more than three consecutive days, they shall attend the full site induction
training programme.
Visitors on site shall be made easily recognisable, for example by ensuring they wear a different colour hard
hat or high visibility vest. This is to assist with identifying when a visitor is not being supervised properly or is
in an unauthorised or hazardous area.
Visitors who are not fluent in the site working language(s) can become confused, making it difficult for them
to follow safe practices, as they may not fully understand the site rules or procedures. To avoid this, the
Contractor shall ensure international visitors are provided with information in a language they understand.
If the site has regular international visitors the Contractor should consider providing signs in more than one
language and it may be necessary to provide a translator.
The Contractor shall ensure that visitors to site are accompanied at all times.
Prior to the start of any contract, an analysis is made by the Contractor to ensure that construction will be
conducted in a safe manner. The Contractor shall incorporate in site mobilisation planning the extent and
location of the accommodation and welfare facilities for the anticipated workforce at all phases of
construction. The planning shall reflect the numbers of personnel and nature of works being undertaken.
The facilities necessary change throughout the phases of the works, but at all stages the workers shall have
available the necessary accommodation, sanitation and safe services.
The early stages of preliminary and investigation works may be required prior to the establishment of the
full site facilities at mobilisation and the Contractor shall plan and implement the provision of appropriate
for this phase of works.
Site Layout
The site layout must be properly planned and organised to provide adequate walkways and segregation
between workers vehicles and mobile plant and equipment before any work is started. This will assist in
making the job easier and more efficient, thus increasing productivity and safety. Items to be considered
under site layout include but are not limited to the following:
Site Accommodation
Setting up and maintaining facilities for:
Offices
o Where possible, site offices shall be outside the construction site boundary but within the
overall site security boundary.
o A fire risk assessment should be carried out, for all offices having more than a staff of 20, or
more than 10 on any floor other than ground floor.
o All offices should have a means of raising alarm.
o An adequate number of suitable fire extinguishers should be provided. A notice displaying
last date of inspection should be displayed on every fire extinguisher.
o All fire extinguishers should be secured to the wall locations identified in the fire risk
assessment
o Special precautions will have to be taken when employing disabled persons to ensure that all
access/egress to parking/sanitary facilities are both practical and reasonable.
o Suitable and adequate lighting should be provided for all work, use of facilities and to allow
persons to move about safely.
o Passageways and offices should be clear of all extraneous materials, and flooring should be
kept in safe condition e.g. worn linoleum with holes, loose carpeting etc, are a common
tripping hazard and should not be permitted.
o Trailing cables shall not be permitted.
o Offices should be kept clean and tidy at all times.
Welfare Facilities (also see A14 – Welfare and First Aid).
First Aid Facilities (also see A14 – Welfare and First Aid).
Good Housekeeping
o Adequate cleaning regimes.
o Waste disposal.
Project Sign
A project sign shall be erected at the main entrance to the construction site and other sites. The sign
shall be in the English language and the applicable country language (may also be in the language used
by most contractors).
The sign shall list:
o Project Management Organisation.
o Project Title.
o Prime Contractor Name, Address and Telephone Number.
o 24 Hour Emergency Phone Numbers for Company.
o The sign shall be erected within two weeks after the Contractor has started work on site.
o Contractor shall also erect and maintain sufficient signs on or near the site to direct delivery
vehicles and visitors to the work site.
Parking Facilities
Setting up and maintaining facilities provided in clearly defined areas on site for all vehicles likely to use
the site including:
Workers vehicles.
Visitor vehicles.
Heavy plant and equipment.
Emergency vehicles.
Storage Areas
Adequate storage areas must be provided for materials, equipment, tools, plant, etc. These areas
should be graded and level to avoid tripping hazards and to prevent stored items becoming unstable.
These areas should be provided in clearly defined areas on site.
For construction materials these should:
o Be adequate for all material and equipment to be stored.
o Not be within 15 metres (50 feet) of permanent or temporary structures.
o Be clearly marked.
o Have directional signs to facilitate efficient delivery.
Separate and secure storage areas are required for chemicals.
Separate and secure storage areas are required for flammable liquids and gases.
Drainage
The site should have good drainage and be graded in such a way that water does not pool up during
construction.
Site Illumination
The site shall be adequately lit, with particular attention to lighting in areas where night working is to
take place or where walkways and roads are to be used between dusk and dawn. Adequate lighting for
work areas must be a minimum of:
Traffic routes and storage areas 50 lux.
Office work 200 lux.
Limited detail work (kitchens, general construction etc.) 100 lux.
Detailed work (workshops, offices, etc.) 200 lux.
Fine detail work (electrical component work) 500 lux.
Lights shall be arranged in a way that avoids workers being dazzled or blinded by the glare.
Proper distribution of light arrays must be performed in order to achieve a uniform light distribution
and the avoidance of high intensity hot spots.
The Contractor shall identify the dangers and assess the health risks associated with the location of the
site(s) and the work activities being performed. The evaluation of risks must take account of at least the
following:
Risk Factors
Harmful agents:
o Chemical agents and hazardous substances (products which are used by workers or which
are likely to be inhaled, ingested, or come into contact with the skin, etc.).
o Physical agents (noise, vibration, ionising radiation, heat, cold, humidity, etc.).
o Microbiological agents (legionnaires, Leptospirosis etc.).
Factors linked to the place of work:
o Work postures or repetitive movements.
o Handling of objects.
Exposure Conditions: factors having an impact on the level, frequency and duration of exposure, as well
as on the number of people exposed:
o Organisation of work, operating methods, procedures.
o Plant, tools, equipment and products used.
o Skills and abilities of workers.
Specific Potential At-Risk Groups: pregnant women, young workers, older workers with physiological
conditions, temporary/permanent handicaps, emotionally charged employees performing higher risk
operations, etc.
The analysis of risks must take account of the real conditions in which the activities will be carried out, as
well as the deteriorated situations to which they might lead. Risk assessment may require exposure
measurements. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing the expertise and advice necessary to
assess, mitigate and monitor the risks to worker health.
The Contractor shall ensure an occupational health professional, assisted where appropriate by one or more
internal or external experts such as an industrial hygienist, advises on the mitigation measures to be put in
place to manage occupational health risks. Such measures shall be selected based on the health and safety
hierarchy of risk control principles.
The selected measures should be communicated to all Contractor and Sub-Contractor workers. This includes
providing relevant information, training and instruction for workers on the hazards, the potential for harm,
control measures and health surveillance requirements required to minimise risks to health.
The Contractor must ensure control measures, whether engineering or procedural, which are implemented
to reduce the risk of harm to health and remain effective by regular maintenance checking and testing.
First Aid provision is covered in section A14, but it is worth re-iterating here that First Aid requirements
should be assessed against a number of factors, one being the risk of harm to health on the site.
When a worker has been unable to work, for example due to the effects of an accident or ill-health, the
Contractor shall offer appropriate support to the individual to assist their rehabilitation back into work. An
example of this may be a re-assignment to a more suitable work role until full recovery or gradual re-
introduction back into work through part-time or flexible working arrangements.
The Contractor shall put in place a programme for monitoring working conditions (e.g. noise, vibration
levels, working atmosphere, etc.) in order to verify the occupational health risk assessment. The frequency
and nature of the monitoring methods will depend on the type and significance of the risk(s), but in any case
must comply with any relevant statutory requirements. The Contractor shall record the monitoring methods
and results and take appropriate action, as necessary.
The Contractor shall produce a health surveillance plan, outlining arrangements for systematic and regular
checks on workers to identify early signs of ill health and enable action on the results. Health surveillance
shall target:
The assessment of workers prior to employment (to determine prior health problems which may impact
on the allocation of duties to the worker).
The protection of workers who are at increased risk.
Identify work-related ill health at an early stage.
Identify steps to be taken to treat the condition and prevent further damage.
Give early warning that existing protective control measures are no longer effective.
The health surveillance management plan shall consider the appointment of occupational health medical
support on site on a full or part time basis. The plan shall include the need to creating and maintaining
records of the monitoring carried out, surveillance shall be carried out by competent persons, and an
implementation plan shall be implemented, where results require action.
It is recommended that the Contractor adopts health promotion programmes and initiatives to encourage
employees to get healthy and stay healthy. This can be achieved in a number of ways, some examples being:
Communicating health information, through bulletins, leaflets, toolbox talks and presentations.
Offering regular voluntary health screening to all workers.
Making healthy lifestyle choice information available.
Promoting healthy eating.
Encouraging responsible alcohol consumption and highlighting the dangers of substance abuse.
Promoting the importance of exercise, e.g. provision of exercise facilities.
Reinforcing the importance of a suitable work/leisure balance.
The Contractor should consider offering psychological support to workers who are involved in a serious
work-related accident or incident and to their family and colleagues. This should be provided by appropriate
professionals in collaboration with the Contractor.
Contractors must make provision for arrangements regarding welfare and first aid provision during planning
and the construction phase, the Contractor shall carry out a risk assessment of the physical layout of the
workplace to determine the workplace welfare and first aid measures that are necessary to ensure all the
requirements of local labour laws are met. The Contractor shall provide the necessary resources to ensure
that welfare facilities (including toilets and washrooms) are kept in a clean condition and in good working
order.
Welfare:
Work should not start unless the Contractor and Owner are satisfied that there are adequate arrangements
for welfare facilities. These facilities must be maintained throughout the life of the project. The nature and
scale of facilities required will depend on the size, location and type of project. Facilities include but are not
limited to:
First Aid
Work should not start unless the Contractor and the Owner are satisfied that there are adequate first aid
facilities. These facilities must be maintained throughout the life of the project. The nature and scale of
facilities required will depend on the size, location and type of project. Regardless of how it is organised,
Consideration should be given to the following when determining the number of First Aiders / Nurses
required:
Facilities provided by the Contractor shall take account of at least the following:
o Where persons are away from normal First Aid Facilities or there is a special risk of injury
then additional First Aid Kits should be provided. Large or widespread operations may
require standard kits to be located at strategic points around the site or premises taking into
account the degree of risk of injury and layout of the area.
A weekly check must be carried out to ensure that the first aid boxes are correctly stocked.
o The first aid room, its equipment and cleanliness should be the responsibility of an identified
first aider/paramedic/nurse.
A weekly check must be carried out to ensure that the first aid room(s) is correctly stocked, clean
and tidy.
o First Aider: A person who has been trained and holds a current First Aid at Work Certificate
issued by an organisation or employer whose training is approved by the Contractor and
meets the needs of local labour laws.
o Appointed Person: A person who will take responsibility for the First Aid Box where there is
no requirement for a First Aider. Training in basic First Aid should be considered for
appointed persons.
Information
o All new or transferred employees should be informed of the location of first aid equipment,
the first aid room(s) and how to contact first aiders before they start work.
o All workplaces should display at least one mandatory notice (white cross/crescent on a
green background) in a conspicuous position stating:
The Contractor is solely responsible for the health and safety of its operations and its Sub-Contractor’s
operations on the site.
Health and safety is a line responsibility. The Contractor’s management, Sub-Contractor’s management and
all line supervision have a responsibility to achieve and maintain well-informed and motivated personnel
that will effectively contribute to the overall achievement of safety on the project.
The Owner regards health and safety as a special relationship between Owner and Contractor. This shall be
indicated on organisation charts in agreement with Owner.
The Contractor shall describe its health and safety organisation, its functions and training for the
management of construction health and safety for the project. Details shall be provided for coaching in site
safety leadership, supervision and the available health and safety support organisation.
The Contractor shall provide a statement of the individual’s responsibilities for health and safety at all levels
of management, including the project manager, other managers, supervisors and health and safety
professionals and advisors. Site safety supervisors shall be in the approximate ratio of one site safety
supervisor per twenty five (25) workers.
The Contractor shall ensure that site health and safety responsibilities, reporting and communication
structures are clearly defined and communicated to all workers.
Project Manager
Shall be responsible for all health and safety, ensuring that a health and safety management system is
developed, implemented and documented, kept under regular review, frequently audited and updated
to reflect changes as they occur throughout the project, incorporating changes from audit, monitoring,
incident investigation and near miss notification.
Shall ensure that a site safety management committee is set up to include representatives from all
Contractors and Sub-Contractors.
Shall appoint an experienced health and safety professional in the role of health and safety
manager/advisor to provide competent advice on health and safety management.
Ensure adequate resources are available both financial and physical to enable health and safety duties to
be fulfilled.
Have the authority to stop work which is being carried out in contravention to agreed standards, and/or
which puts personnel at significant risk.
The Health and Safety Manager / Advisor duties shall include, but not be limited to:
The co-ordination and identification of health and safety issues, which require external specialist advice
and the co-operation with other specialists.
Liaison with external agencies and Sub-Contractors appointed safety advisors.
The areas for responsibility will include but is not limited to:
Health and safety procedure[s] development and implementation.
Ensuring a structure is in place to promote a positive health and safety culture.
Planning for health and safety, including the setting of objectives and priorities.
Day-to-day implementation and monitoring of project health and safety plans.
Assisting in the establishment of risk control systems.
Reviewing performance and auditing the health and safety management system.
Reporting to the Project Manager as necessary (but at least monthly), on the operation of health and
safety issues of the project, including the collation and return of data as required and preparation of
reports.
Advising the Project Manager on the requirements for, and conducting of health and safety training
including the maintenance of safety training and other safety material.
Ensuring that both success and any deficiencies in health and safety performance, procedures or plans
are fed back to the site safety management committee.
Setting up and maintaining procedures for recording information on health and safety issues including:
Have the authority to stop work which is being carried out in contravention to agreed standards, and/or
which puts personnel at significant risk.
Consult with management on the concerns of all project personnel and assist in promoting a high
standard in the projects health and safety culture.
Be trained to be competent to perform this function, participate and assist in monitoring and reviewing of
the effectiveness of risk controls and the implementation of project health and safety procedures.
Have adequate time allocated to carry out these responsibilities.
One of the significant risks on large, complex projects is late or poorly managed changes to designs,
construction methodologies, materials used, operational parameters or site procedures and standards. The
management of change is a process which formally identifies documents and tracks all changes that occur on
a project. In simple terms a management of change process must:
Ensure that changes with occupational health and safety and/or process safety implications are identified,
evaluated, independently verified (when required), approved and documented.
Ensure that a structured approval process is followed.
Ensure that changes are recorded and communicated.
Changes or deviations from defined designs, processes and procedures, which are inevitable in a design and
construction environment, shall be adequately controlled. The Contractor shall develop and implement a
robust change management procedure throughout the design and construction phases. The key
consideration in managing changes is to ensure that the risks posed by changes remain as low as reasonably
practicable.
The Contractor shall consider the following in the management of change system:
Processes shall be put in place to flag-up proposed changes to original designs, methods or operating
parameters. These processes should then instigate a formal change management process.
Types of changes requiring control shall be clearly defined, including changes to plant design, design of
structures, construction methods or sequence, plant/equipment, temporary works, operating philosophy,
operating parameters, standard operating procedures and personnel.
All design changes or modifications must be subject to rigorous change management procedures that
involve checks and quality assurance measures to ensure design changes and modifications are properly
thought through, adequately designed and engineered and communicated to all involved parties. This
process should be ‘closed-loop’ and should involve independent design verification on critical structures,
components or systems. The use of specialist external consultants may be appropriate to provide advice
or independent verification.
The nature of risk assessment that needs to be carried out for the various proposed changes shall be
defined.
The approval process, including review by parties associated with the works and independent review/
checking of the changes proposed shall be clearly defined.
Where there is a process safety implication, a HAZID and HAZOP shall be performed to assess the
implications of the modification.
Detailed quality plans for all stages of the modification implementation should be produced and
implemented.
Projects by nature often require complex contracting and sub-contracting arrangements, often with many
layers of sub-contracting. It is essential to ensure these arrangements are properly defined and that the
responsibilities of each contractor are clear for design and design verification activities. The Contractor
must ensure there are well defined and unambiguous controls and validation processes to ensure their
involvement in, and control of, design, validation, quality assurance and change management processes.
For temporary changes, the maximum duration and criteria for approval of such changes shall be clearly
defined.
Preliminary works.
Site mobilisation and utilisation of temporary construction supplies.
Ground works, drilling, piling and civil works.
Structural works.
Plant and equipment delivery, fabrication and installation.
Testing and utilisation of permanent supplies.
Commissioning.
The alteration of an approved design or specification after final design freeze and approval of
construction drawings has been given.
Fundamental changes to an agreed project scope, construction technique, construction sequence or
parameters previously approved by a lead designer, specialist designer, lead engineer or specialist
engineer.
Changes impacting on the operating characteristics of plant and equipment after the completion of a
HAZID and/or after a HAZOP study has been completed.
Changes to the number, size or location of structural members of any load bearing structure or building.
Changes of location of any load bearing structure or building.
Changes to the construction sequence of a new load bearing structure such as a bridge, a high voltage
transmission line or building.
Changes to the materials specified by designers.
Changes to plant or equipment that supply another part of a process or operation.
Changes requiring new working, operating instructions or practices that impact on existing plant.
Alterations to the design of foundations.
A reduction or change in safety features or protective devices, for example, a change in the number of
smoke detectors, gas detectors or fire alarms.
An alternative method of construction, for example, a different lifting plan or change of crane type.
Introduction or deletion of a piece of plant or machine after the finalisation of its design, for example,
removal of a vent or valve.
Changes that significantly increase the levels of risk to the health, safety or security of employees,
contractors, or the community.
A change in the way something is built that increases waste or the potential for increased levels of
pollution or environmental impact.
The Contractor shall ensure that site policies and procedures and in particular the hazard identification and
risk assessment process recognise the changes which can occur throughout the phases of construction, both
on site and off site. These changes and any changes to risk control measures should be reviewed and
incorporated into the site health and safety management system on a planned, regular basis to reflect the
ongoing differences between[ demolition,] civil works, engineering works and commissioning disciplines.
The management of change process shall also include the means to incorporate changes and improvements
to safe work procedures on an ad-hoc basis, to reflect any unforeseen circumstances or the findings from
near miss, incident / accident investigations and the results of site audits. The change management
arrangements shall ensure that a safe place of work, safety from site hazards and safety from the dangers
associated with working on operational plant and equipment are maintained.
Additionally, a rigorous documentation control and revision process must be established by the Contractor.
The process shall define the roles and responsibilities of the Contractor, Owner[, Owner’s Engineer] and all
other strategic parties that form a direct, or indirect part of the project organisation, including independent
verifiers. This shall include a clear, unambiguous definition of the scope boundaries for each party involved
The documentation control and revision process must ensure that a lack of response by any party within the
agreed timescales is never taken as agreement to proceed. The process must require an active response
before the process moves to the next stage.
A17 Supervision
The Owner acknowledges the importance of good supervision and the part it plays in health and safety
performance and a positive health and safety culture. The Contractor shall make arrangements for high
standards of supervision and as a minimum ensure it involves the provision of direction, help, guidance,
example and discipline, with the aim of ensuring that risks are fully understood and performance standards,
systems and procedures are consistently applied. Good supervision complements the provision of
information, instruction and training to ensure that health and safety plan and policies are implemented.
Effective supervision involves training and coaching to develop individual competence. The development of
individual or team competence or team building can be used as one of the building blocks used to develop a
positive health and safety culture. Therefore, the Contractor shall ensure all persons with supervisory duties
receive an appropriate level of health and safety training, including training in supervisory skills.
The level of supervision depends on the level of risk and the competence of the persons carrying out the work.
In some cases, legal requirements stipulate the supervision of activities. The level of supervision shall account
for the particular needs of staff carrying out safety critical tasks.
Inexperienced staff and staff new to the workplace increase risk and the Contractor will ensure more
supervision and on-the-job coaching / training is provided.
Circumstances of staff working alone, working flexible hours or shift working, pose different problems and
risks. Each situation requires competent supervisors. The Contractor shall consider the particular risks of lone
working in normal tasks or out of normal working hours. When the risks of the particular task are high,
alternative working arrangements shall be made and the risk control measures shall consider:
Any work team wishing to work out of hours shall have written authority from the Contractor site
management. Authority shall only be granted if the works are actually necessary, that an agreed
appropriate method statement is in place and that appropriate management and supervision is in place.
Supervision can be reactive, for example a response to a request for help and assistance, but most of the
time it be organised as a normal part of the project system of active management control. Supervisors
should be empowered to:
Make judgements.
Make decisions on when to help and assist.
Report hazards.
Decide when to delay or halt work.
A supervisor may carry out the following roles. However, in the absence of a post-holder nominated as a
supervisor, the responsibilities of a supervisor for general safety for the work being carried out will be
assumed by a person in charge of a working party:
There is no necessity for supervisors to inspect every work area before work commences. However,
supervisors need to be aware and have confirmation that general safety exists in work areas.
Supervisors shall ensure that details of any method statements, risk assessments or job safety
analyses are available to staff and that they are fully understood by the persons carrying out the
work process.
Supervisors are to be aware of any requirements set out by the permit to work or lock out tag out
documents.
Supervisors shall deliver toolbox talks to the workforce to increase hazard awareness and continually
improve understanding of, and compliance with the project health and safety management plan
(site safety plan).
Supervisors shall be satisfied that work activities are adequately controlled and any deviations from
planned work methods are appropriately assessed prior to any deviation, e.g., burning off bolts,
which were planned to be unfastened, where the work area is considered to be a confined space.
Supervisors shall be satisfied that the appropriate PPE is provided and used and that changes in work
methods also take into account the need to review and possibly modify the specified PPE
requirements.
Supervisors shall be satisfied that all persons under their supervision have adequate knowledge and
understanding in the effective use and care of specified PPE.
Supervisors shall be satisfied that where it is necessary to specify a route to avoid danger, that the
person in charge of the working party fully understands the route to be followed.
The Owner acknowledges the importance of employee involvement in health and safety matters and the
importance of the positive role played by representatives of employee safety groups. As such the Contractor
shall consider the arrangements for consultation and co-operation with workers whether employed by the
Contractor or Sub-Contractors. As a minimum there shall be arrangements to ensure that health and safety
issues are transmitted to the workers and that there is a clearly identified and understood means for worker
views and comments on the implementation of health and safety issues and concerns to be passed through
supervisors to the site management.
On larger sites a Site Safety Management Committee shall be set up. In some cases this is a local statutory
obligation and the statutory minimum requirements shall be met.
The Site Safety Management Committee shall ensure that worker representatives are appointed to serve on
the committee to enable consultation through them on worker health and safety matters.
The representatives shall be selected by the workers. Depending on the workforce structure locally the
committee shall consider:
The function of the committee shall be to ensure worker concerns are presented to the site management
team and that an action plan is developed, implemented and monitored to address the concerns.
The objectives of the site safety management committee shall include but are not limited to:
The promotion of co-operation between employer and employees in the implementation and
development of the site health and safety policies and plans.
To act as a focal point for the discussion of pertinent issues relating to health and safety.
The examination of accidents and accident trends, together with the recommendations for
corrective actions.
To monitor the introduction of new technologies and measures at the work place that may affect the
health and safety of employees and others.
Monitor changes to legislation, which may have an impact on the site.
Monitor the allocation of resources for health and safety.
Monitor the effectiveness of health safety and training.
The Owner is committed to the safety of personnel working on the project and others who may be affected
by its activities. The promoting of safe behaviors at work is a critical part of the management of health and
safety, and the meeting of health and safety targets that go into promoting a ‘positive safety culture’ and
therefore a safe place of work.
In helping to meet these objectives, the Contractor shall put in place systems that ensure all personnel are
aware that they are responsible for their own safety and the safety of others. In the event personnel
witness any works or working conditions that are unsafe, such personnel shall be empowered by the
Contractor to stop the works or unsafe act and report it to their supervisor, the site manager or other
appropriate personnel. A ‘Stop the Job’ policy (or similar) shall be developed, displayed and signed by
Owner, Contractor and major Sub-Contractors which makes it clear to all the workforce they are empowered
to stop unsafe activities and report unsafe behaviours with no recriminations.
Safety leadership is a vital component of any health and safety process, helping to improve employee's
safety behaviour. Good leaders have the power to exert influence in a number of ways:
Clarity – in terms of letting people know what they need to do and ensuring that they have the
capability and competence to do them.
Consistency – to ensure that throughout the organisation (top to bottom) there is an established
pattern of normal behaviour and a common set of expectations.
Consequences – recognising that ensuring capability does not guarantee that people will act safely.
The incidence of safe behaviour, the development of safe habits, and the creation of a ‘positive
safety culture’ depend on how the consequences of safe and unsafe behaviours are managed.
Good communications, a viable suggestion system and the recognition of good safety performance,
encourages employee participation in health and safety programmes.
The Contractor shall implement an arrangement for offering reward and recognition for individual
contribution to maintaining effective health and safety management on the construction site. The outcome
shall target the increased motivation of workers to contribute to maintaining and continual improvement in
the standards of health and safety being achieved. It shall encourage increased effort in workers who
otherwise do not see the need and benefits of improvement in health and safety management.
The Contractor shall implement such a scheme as a means to motivate and achieve improved health and
safety performance.
The effect on motivation or de-motivation of the arrangements implemented shall be regularly monitored to
ensure the intended outcome is achieved. The Contractor shall consider the display of targets and progress
and a suitable time frame over which the award periods are set. The achievement of awards shall be
communicated to the workers.
The Owner expects the Contractor to perform comprehensive monitoring, reviews and auditing of the
project health and safety performance, including all Sub-Contractors. The Contractor must, therefore,
ensure adequate arrangements and resources are in place for frequent monitoring, auditing and reporting of
the project health and safety performance, during the planning[, demolition] and construction phases. It is
expected on large projects that the Contractor will have dedicated full-time health and safety inspectors and
auditors.
From time to time, the Owner shall require certain health and safety monitoring or auditing to be
conducted, either independently or in conjunction with Contractor. The Contractor should assume active
participation is required and make resource provision accordingly.
The Contractor shall maintain records of monitoring activities, audits and site investigations, the action plans
arising, the close out of their implementation and their effectiveness.
The Contractor shall include measures which encourage worker and supervisor monitoring of their activities
and workplace, including a user-friendly feedback mechanism to the line supervision and/or the project
health and safety team.
Each active or reactive monitoring activity provides opportunities to check performance, to learn from mistakes
and improve the health and safety management systems and risk control measures.
Active monitoring gives feedback on the project health and safety performance before an accident, incident or
ill health. It includes monitoring the achievement of specific plans and objectives, the operation of the health
and safety management system, and compliance with performance standards. This provides a firm basis for
decisions about improvements in risk control and the health and safety management system. There are
additional benefits, however. Active monitoring measures success and reinforces positive achievement by
rewarding good work, rather than penalising failure after the event. Such reinforcement can increase
motivation to achieve continued improvement.
The Contractor shall implement active monitoring through, but not limited to:
The implementation and subsequent review by managers and supervisors of procedures and
documentation to ensure compliance.
Health monitoring based on risk assessments.
The carrying out of regular site health and safety inspections.
o Management site safety tours.
o Joint Contractor and Owner site safety inspections/walks.
o Joint Contractor/Sub-Contractor safety inspections/walks.
o Individual and joint Contractor and Owner housekeeping inspections.
o Sub-Contractor inspections and monitoring.
Communication between the Contractor, workers and Sub-Contractors.
The analysis of health and safety statistics and objectives.
The Contractor shall implement reactive monitoring to cover reporting using reactive systems, which by
definition are triggered after an event and include identifying and reporting:
The findings from active and reactive monitoring activities shall be recorded and the results analysed to identify
trends and areas for improvement. These analyses shall then be used to produce action plans to address the
findings and drive health and safety improvements.
The findings from monitoring activities and, where necessary, the associated action plans shall be
communicated to the Owner.
In certain cases it will be necessary for the Contractor to report these findings to regulatory bodies.
Auditing
A measure of how well the project health and safety management system is working can be assessed by
frequent, regular auditing of the system using competent auditors. The Contractor shall continually measure
how the health and safety management system is working and assess the level of compliance. The
Contractor shall achieve this through frequent, comprehensive and methodical auditing of the Contractor
and Sub-Contractor activities against the health and safety management plan and site procedures.
The Contractor safety audit programmes, supervision and investigation of incidents shall monitor
compliance with the control measures identified in risk assessments, operational procedure compliance and
compliance with site safety rules.
The Owner reserves the right to audit the Contractor and its Sub-Contractor activities with regard to health
and safety and to undertake an audit of the health and safety plan and its implementation. This auditing
right will in no way relieve the Contractor from performing its role in health and safety auditing.
The Contractor shall perform three types of audits on the health and safety management system, namely:
Individual procedure audits carried out by trained competent persons to check compliance against the
site procedure and how it is being applied in practice.
Health and Safety Management Systems Compliance audit(s) which assess the whole of the health and
safety management system for compliance against the project health and safety plan.
Health and Safety Management System Compliance audit(s) which assess the whole of the health and
safety management system for compliance against legislation and international standards. These are
carried out by trained competent auditors (usually with a recognised audit qualification). Where
possible, the audit should be carried out by someone independent of the process. The procedure used
to check health and safety compliance, should examine the following:
Reporting
The Contractor shall produce regular (at least quarterly and preferably monthly), comprehensive reports for
the Owner covering monitoring and auditing results, resulting action plans and action plan implementation
progress.
The Contractor shall report health and safety statistics to the Owner on a calendar month basis. The
required statistics and definitions are given in a document H&S PROC/038-M – Reporting Requirements and
Definitions. Copies will be made available to the Contractor.
The Contractor shall develop and implement a system for reporting and investigating all near misses,
incidents and injuries.
The Owner believes much is learned through experience and a thorough investigation and analysis of an
accident can help to prevent future accidents. To learn by experience, however, means that the Contractor
must set up a system for the retrieval of information. Statistical records shall be kept of injury, death and
property damage. With such a system operational, The Contractor shall collate and analyse data to show
accident patterns, which will highlight those areas in which safety education and training is needed most.
Accident or Incident is an unplanned, unforeseen occurrence, which has led to damage or loss to plant,
property or person.
Near Miss or Near Hit is an incident that does not cause loss, injury or damage to plant, property, or person but
had the potential to.
The Contractor shall ensure that the project health and safety management plan incorporates formal
arrangements and responsibilities for the investigation of accidents and incidents. In addition, these
arrangements shall include the identification and reporting of near misses and seek to implement
preventative actions to minimise the risk of accidents and incidents. The Contractor is responsible for
reporting accidents and high potential near misses to the Owner and, where the law requires it, to the in-
country health and safety regulatory body, as required. As a minimum the investigation shall be carried out
formally by competent persons. The investigation of an accident or high potential near miss should be lead
by line supervision and not the health and safety department. The investigation might require the
development of an investigation team to cover various areas of expertise. The accidents and incidents shall
be investigated and recorded, action plans developed and acted upon and close out records to confirm
actions are completed and implemented.
The Contractor shall ensure that an immediate notification followed by a more detailed report is made to
the Owner in the case of all:
Fatal injuries.
Injuries which result in lost time.
For accidents involving Contractor employee or third party fatalities, serious injury to two or more
Contractor employees, or damage to the Owner’s equipment or property, a preliminary written report shall
be submitted within 24 hours followed by a detailed written report submitted within three days to the
Owner. In addition, the Owner may convene a review or investigation committee. A final written report
shall be prepared and submitted to the Owner, which in the case of serious accidents or high potential near
misses / near hits shall include a detailed account of the circumstances of the accident, witnesses
statements, descriptive photographs / diagrams, a root cause analysis and recommendations to avoid a
recurrence.
Contractor shall maintain, in a format approved by the Owner, a current record showing all:
Work injuries.
Fires.
Incidents of property damage over [enter amount].
Motor vehicle accidents.
Incidents involving damage to the Owner’s equipment and property.
Damage and near misses involving cranes and lifting equipment.
The record shall be available for inspection at all times and shall be submitted to the Owner on request. In
addition to the reports required above, the Contractor must keep a record of all injuries and damages. A
copy of this record shall be sent to the relevant department and to the Contractor's project manager.
Monthly summary reports are required in addition to the individual report. Also see Section A21 - Health
and Safety Monitoring, Auditing and Reporting.
The Investigation
The purpose of an accident investigation is to prevent recurrence of similar accidents and to determine facts,
rather than to find faults. The supervisor responsible for the injured person(s) or the task where an incident
has occurred shall perform the investigation.
Not all events need to be investigated to the same extent or depth. For those incidents where minor personal
injury (small cut or abrasion) but no lost time has occurred, then the completion and analysis of an accident
report form should suffice.
Where personal injury or ill health occurs that involves hospital treatment, lost time, or when property / plant
damage occurs then a more extensive investigation is warranted. This shall be carried out by the line manager
in conjunction with the Health and Safety Manager /Advisor to aid the investigation.
Where serious injury / ill health or substantial loss or failure occurs then a full panel of enquiry may be instigated
by the Owner and the Contractor shall cooperate in this process.
The Contractor shall perform investigations promptly and thoroughly, establishing the root causes, making
recommendations and assigning remedial actions. This shall be done as soon as practicable after the event, as
conditions can change and people’s memories can fade.
The Contractor shall take account of the five components to a good investigation:
Questioning the person in charge and finding out what was planned.
Finding out the injured person's job or the normal configuration and function of the damaged
equipment or plant.
Questioning the injured person as soon as possible.
Questioning the witnesses separately as to what they actually saw, not what they think happened.
Studying the equipment or plant layout and noting any signs of misuse.
Finding the explanation of any irregularities.
From the information obtained, establishing the reason why the "unplanned" events took over from
those that were "planned".
Recommending items of corrective action and methods of implementing them to prevent the
recurrence of the incident.
Making a scale drawing of the accident scene and supplement that with supporting photographs.
Handling Objects
o From lifting.
o From pulling or pushing.
o Handling materials.
o Electric shock.
Struck by Objects
o Foreign bodies in eyes.
o Flying objects.
o Others.
Equipment
o Moving parts.
o Equipment in motion.
o Hot surfaces.
Hand Tools
o Cartridge tools.
o Power tools.
o Non-power tools.
Transportation
o Road (off-site).
o Site.
Lifting Appliances
o Cranes.
o Hoists and winches.
o Pull lifts, pulleys, etc.
o Piling frames.
o A-frames.
o Forklifts.
o Others.
Hazardous Atmospheres
o Hydrogen Sulphide.
o Carbon Monoxide.
o Others.
The nature of the outcome –for example, injuries ill health to persons; damage to property; process
disruptions; emissions to the environment; creation of hazard.
The severity of the harm caused, including injuries ill health and losses.
Whether the event was preventable and if so how.
The immediate management response to the situation and its adequacy:
o Was it dealt with promptly?
o Were continuing risks dealt with promptly and adequately?
o Was the first aid response adequate?
o Were emergency procedures followed?
The Contractor shall ensure that project health and safety management plan incorporates formal
arrangements and responsibilities for the demobilisation of all Contractor and Sub-Contractor staff and
equipment from the Owner’s site once the project has reached completion. Demobilisation shall include all
activities for transportation of personnel, plant, equipment, tools, and supplies, all waste and debris from
the site; including the disassembly, removal and site cleanup of offices, buildings and other facilities on the
site.
The demobilisation plan shall demonstrate how sufficient resources shall be retained to enable the safe and
timely demobilisation of the site to include any final site cleanup.
The Contractor shall put robust procedures in place to ensure no work on site starts prior to the
development and Contractor approval of a risk assessment and method statement (RAMS) which considers
the generic and site specific hazards and risks, including risk mitigation measures and controls. These shall
be submitted to a clearly identified RAMS co-ordinator, appointed by the Contractor in advance of works
commencing.
Through this process the RAMS co-ordinator shall ensure that all risk mitigation measures necessary for safe
implementation provided by the Contractor, the Sub-Contractor or third parties are incorporated in the safe
working arrangements and notified to other parties impacted by the works.
The RAMS procedure shall include the arrangements necessary for urgent, unplanned works and there shall
be a suitably competent RAMS co-ordinator at all times during working hours.
RAMS shall be subject to formal registration, control and circulation to all relevant parties. Each document
shall be uniquely referenced and readily traceable.
Risk Assessment
The identification of hazards and the assessment of risks are fundamental to a safe system of work. The
purpose of a risk assessment is to ensure the Contractor manages the health and safety related hazards, as
well as identifying where any improvements can be made. The risk assessment shall cover tasks,
procedures, plant and equipment.
Hazard - An article, substance, machine, installation or situation with the potential to cause harm or loss, or
both.
Risk - A measure of the probability that the potential for harm or loss posed by a hazard will materialise,
along with the predicted severity.
The Contractor is responsible for managing, controlling and monitoring the health and safety aspects of this
Contract, including the activities of its Sub-Contractors. The Contractor shall carry out risk assessments for
all work activities prior to the commencement of the activity and take all reasonable practicable steps to
eliminate/reduce the foreseeable health and safety risks. The Contractor shall produce a procedure that
requires full documentation and recording of all risk assessments conducted, including any control measures
to be taken and any method statements /safe work procedures.
Method Statements
The method statement must relate to the control measures identified by the risk assessment. It should
provide a suitable level of information across all elements of the work and/or the task planned, in relation to
The measures to control the level of risk should be proportionate to the level of risk itself.
The Contractor shall ensure that the personnel carrying out the work activity are informed of the nature of
the risk involved, the measures to be implemented to control the risk and applicable safe work procedures
through the risk assessment and the method statement (RAMS) procedure. RAMS shall be subject to formal
registration and control and circulation to all relevant parties. Each document shall be uniquely referenced
and readily traceable.
B2 Demolition
Demolition can be an early operation carried out in association with site clearance and is often undertaken
prior to the set up of full site facilities. A systematic approach shall be employed by the Contractor to
mitigate the risks from demolition hazards and a hazard demolition plan (HAZDEM) shall be produced. This
plan shall be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect the hazard and risk changes throughout the various
stages of the demolition process. The plan shall address:
B3 Mobile Communications
The Contractor shall develop and implement arrangements which maximise the benefits of mobile
telephones and other means of communication (radios), whilst recognising the hazards they introduce in
certain situations. The benefits of such devices should be utilised in the health and safety management of
the site. The arrangements and approval for their use shall be considered and reviewed throughout all
phases of project. The use of mobile communications shall be approved for:
Clearly identified security and emergency (medical / first aid) purposes by identified individual
personnel.
Supervisors for business purposes.
All individual workers at previously agreed and approved times and in appropriate identified
locations.
Individual work tasks which require communication between separate locations such as testing and
commissioning or communication across an individual task.
In specific circumstances in which use of a communication system is approved, the hazard identification, risk
assessment and job safety analysis should consider handheld communication devices as a potential hazard
and the associated risks must be properly managed. If the use of mobile communication devices is deemed
as acceptable, the following should be adhered to:
Handheld communication devices must never be used where full concentration and/or undivided
attention of the operative(s) performing the task is critical to the safe execution of the task.
When walking around the site hand held communication devices should only be used whilst
stationary.
Never use a mobile communication device whilst using stairs or ladders.
Never use a mobile communication device whilst driving.
Never use a mobile communication device in a designated area where intrinsically safe equipment is
required.
Never use a mobile communication device whilst re-fuelling vehicles.
The Contractor shall otherwise restrict the use of mobile communications for use on site generally. This shall
ensure that general use for personal activities is prohibited and this policy shall be clearly identified at site
induction and appointment of Sub-Contractors. The Contractor shall consider the prohibition of personal
The Contractor shall implement procedures which monitor the use of mobile communications and if
necessary instigate disciplinary action in line with the criteria set out in A8 – Disciplinary Action.
The above actions shall be supported by site induction and agreement to the policy by individuals in
confirming attendance at site induction. Transgressions shall be followed by team and individual training the
stress again the dangers of the action. Where necessary, the use of the device shall be registered as a near
miss and lead to appropriate incident investigation and follow up action.
B4 Warning Notices
Warning notices and signs (including pictograms) shall be used to enhance site safety and recognise the
nature of the works being undertaken during each phase of construction. They shall be targeted at and
identify the hazards and minimise the risks associated with the hazard.
Adequate signage shall be in place to warn workers about particular hazards and/or risks. The signage shall
be in all languages appropriate to the workforce employed and shall where possible use internationally
recognised pictograms or symbols, subject to local statutory legislation.
A colour coding for safety sign backgrounds shall be followed consistently and meet local statutory
requirements. As a guide:
Green – for showing the safe way, escape routes, first aid facilities, and assembly points.
Blue – Mandatory, ‘you must do’ instructions, e.g. clip on at heights, wear relevant PPE/RPE.
Yellow – advising caution, potential hazards.
Red – Prohibited, warning of danger.
Warning signs and notices shall alert the worker to a hazardous situation and aid appropriate action. All
safety signs will be appropriate, free from defects and comply with current country standards. Appropriate
safety signs will be displayed in prominent locations and only the site management will be permitted to
remove warning/advising signs.
Areas of plant and plant items (valves, pipes, etc.) are identified which require warning or
instructional signs and that signs are provided as appropriate. This also includes temporary works,
such as restricted areas, e.g. for tanker offloading, lifting operations, hot works, confined spaces, etc.
Appropriate risk assessments shall be conducted to determine hazardous areas/zones on site.
All site workers shall be informed, instructed, trained and supervised as appropriate to minimise a
potential for human error when recognising the meaning of warning signs.
The system of housekeeping should ensure that all damaged or missing labels, signs, etc are
replaced swiftly.
The Contractor shall consider the use of non-verbal sounders for warnings, in which case:
The Contractor shall consider the alternative provision of verbal auditory warnings which can be more
effective in an emergency.
Work within a confined space should be avoided as far as is reasonably practicable. Methods of avoiding
entry to a confined space should be adopted where possible, e.g. boroscopes, CCTV, extended valve
spindles, etc.
If it is not reasonably practicable to prevent entry into the confined space, a risk assessment should be
carried out by a competent person examining all hazards that could have an effect on the person(s) entering
the confined space.
No person(s) may enter or carry out work in a confined space without a safe system of work determined
from a risk assessment and job safety analysis.
The minimum requirement for entry into a confined space is:
An atmosphere test is performed and recorded.
A confined space risk assessment is completed.
Workers have continuous atmosphere monitoring whilst working in the confined space.
A rescue plan is produced.
A standby person is on watch throughout the duration of the confined space working.
Suitable competent persons perform the work.
Hazards are:
Flammable substances and oxygen enrichment.
Toxic gas, fume or vapour.
Oxygen deficiency.
Ingress or presence of liquids.
Solid materials, which can flow.
Presence of excessive heat.
Rescue Plan - Sufficient arrangements prepared by a competent person to rescue any person at risk working
in a confined space. Consideration is to be given to:
Before any confined space entry takes place the atmosphere shall be vented and tested. The atmosphere
shall be continually monitored throughout the work for gases, oxygen deficiency or enrichment by an
appropriate calibrated test meter.
A standby man will be positioned outside the entrance to all confined spaces and will be in continuous
contact with the operatives inside the confined space. The standby man shall maintain an access/egress log,
raise the alarm in an event of an emergency and under no circumstances be permitted to enter the confined
space to affect a rescue. The standby man is to stay outside and coordinate the rescue.
Any isolation required inside the confined space shall be carried out under the appropriate permit to work /
lock out tag out system.
Sweetening of the air (oxygen enrichment) in a confined space shall be forbidden as this has the potential to
cause a fire or explosive environment.
All entrants into confined spaces shall, where practicable, wear a rescue harness connected to a life line,
which shall run back to a point outside the confined space.
Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) must be considered and, dependent upon the operation, may be required to
extract any fume build up within the confined space away to a position which will not affect others.
Running combustible plant exhaust fumes shall be drawn away from the confined space.
The elements will be monitored in particular rain and flash flooding for all below ground works including
excavation, sewer and drain entries.
The risk assessment for the confined space works will identify the requirement for PPE/RPE/BA use.
The following should be considered when carrying out risk assessment and job safety analysis for confined
space work:
Entry into the confined space must be justified – assess if the entry is required to carry out the work
or whether alternative work methods that avoid the confined space entry are possible.
All personnel involved with confined space entry shall be medically fit, trained and competent in
confined space work. The training shall be recorded and maintained on file.
Access openings into the confined space must allow rescue of all personnel who enter the confined
space. These access ways (in and out) must be kept clear of any obstructions.
Atmospheric testing - a competent person shall perform and record the results of an atmospheric
test prior to entry.
Prior to entry, the atmosphere of a confined space must meet the following minimum requirements:
o The oxygen level in air (by volume) is between 19.5 percent and 23.5 percent under normal
atmospheric pressure during occupancy.
o The concentration is less than 5% of Lower Exposure Level (LEL).
o Arrangements for continuous atmospheric monitoring must be in place.
The Contractor shall develop and implement specific procedures for the control and management of
temporary openings. The procedures shall apply to the Contractor and all Sub-Contractor workers and shall
include the development and maintenance of a register of all openings, the risk mitigation measures in place
and an inspection regime. The hazard identification and risk assessment shall consider the safety of the
Under no circumstances must any person without permission interfere with a barrier around a floor opening or
excavations. Where an access ladder requires removal to facilitate work, then the top and bottom of such
access ladders must have a warning notices placed to prevent persons using them.
The arrangements put in place by the Contractor require a means of access for operatives involved in
utilisation of the opening which shall be safely managed. When the task is completed and at the end of the
working day, the opening shall be guarded in accordance with the agreed risk control, checked and
recorded.
The guarding arrangement shall be designed, sized and positioned to prevent falls.
When implementing a procedure for the control of floor openings the following shall be considered:
Successful management of construction vehicle activities is based on the provision and maintenance of safe
workplaces, safe vehicles, safe drivers and safe work practices. The Contractor shall carry out risk
assessments relating to site vehicles, transport and traffic management for the project, including its own
vehicles and those of Sub-Contractors and all third parties on site, as an essential part of effective health and
safety management. From this risk assessment the Contractor shall develop and implement a vehicle /
transport safety plan for all site and construction related vehicles and worker transportation. All transport
shall be fit for purpose, roadworthy and legal for use in the country in which it is to be used. Vehicles shall
only be used for the designed purpose and load rating. Riding on vehicles designed for non-personnel loads
and not fitted with appropriate personal safety devices is prohibited. Vehicles for transporting personnel
shall be fitted with appropriate safety systems and only loaded within the intended design rating.
The majority of construction transport accidents result from the inadequate segregation of pedestrians and
vehicles. This can usually be avoided by careful planning, particularly at the design stage, and by controlling
vehicle operations during construction work. Inadequate planning and control is the root cause of many
construction vehicle accidents which often involve:
Pedestrian-only areas from which vehicles are completely excluded shall be established and these
must be wide enough to safely accommodate the number of people likely to use them.
These areas must be kept free from obstructions and tripping hazards and clearly signed pedestrian
routes. These areas must be a safe distance away from the edge of vehicle routes.
Ensure pedestrian safety where they cross main vehicle routes and provide pedestrians with a clear
view of traffic movements at crossings and where gates used by pedestrians lead onto traffic routes;
have clearly marked, separate access for pedestrian use at site gates used regularly by construction
vehicles.
Where segregation cannot be achieved during infrequent short-duration, low-risk unloading operations for
physical segregation between pedestrians and vehicles, safe systems of work should be used to control
vehicle and pedestrian movements such as use of signallers (banksmen), where:
Vehicle routes:
Shall be segregated from pedestrian routes.
Driver training and competencies - vehicles shall only be driven by competent and authorised personnel
and the Contractor shall maintain a register of authorised drivers and arrangements to control and issue
start up keys or safety devices. Driver records shall be established and maintained to confirm eligibility
to drive the group of the allocated vehicles. Drivers shall be subject to regular health and medical
checks to ensure fitness to drive is maintained.
Driver responsibilities – driving under the influence of prescribed medication, alcohol or a non-
prescribed drug is strictly prohibited. Drivers shall be checked regularly to ensure that driving is not
undertaken under the influence of prescribed medication, alcohol or non-prescribed drugs. Anyone
found breaching these rules shall be subject to disciplinary action.
Driver and passenger safety.
Motor vehicle regulations.
Reversing alarms/audible / visual warning systems shall be used on all commercial vehicles and mobile
plant together with use of flashing warning lights on all large commercial vehicles and mobile plant.
Vehicle condition checks - all vehicles shall be checked and maintained regularly in accordance
manufacturer recommendations and routinely prior to use. Records of these checks shall be kept.
Driver working hours – drivers shall not be expected to work long hours or shifts without appropriate
breaks.
Compulsory use of seatbelts – all vehicle drivers shall wear seatbelts. All occupants of cars, vans, pick-
ups, etc shall also wear seatbelts. These requirements must be strictly enforced and anyone found
breaching these rules shall be subject to disciplinary action.
Enforcement of safe driving practices - driving while wearing ear buds, headphones or any similar
devices is prohibited.
Action taken after a motor vehicle accident or emergency.
Vehicle admittance to site.
Preventing misuse of construction vehicles, including provisions for:
Register of authorised drivers.
Control of keys.
Disabling vehicles when not attended, to prevent unauthorised use through effective vehicle
immobilisation systems and key custody procedures.
The construction phase of a project can give rise to health and safety risks over and above those normally
encountered in the workplace. A documented ‘permit to work’ system must be used to control and
coordinate work, manage interference risk and ensure risks are mitigated before work is allowed to start.
The construction ‘permit to work’ system must be operated by the Contractor for his workforce and that of
Hot work: Work outside of the controlled workshop environment which could reasonably be
foreseen as posing a hazard to others or plant and equipment.
Work on machinery: Where dangerous parts of plant or machinery could reasonably be foreseen as
a hazard, e.g. during maintenance.
Confined spaces: Entry into any area where by reason of its enclosed nature there arises a
foreseeable risk from the following hazards:
o Injury to any person from fire or explosion.
o Loss of consciousness arising from raising the body temperature.
o Loss of consciousness or asphyxiation of any person arising from gas, fume, vapour or the
lack of oxygen.
o Drowning caused by an increase in the level or a free flowing solid or the inability to reach a
breathable environment due to entrapment by conditions above.
Electrical work: All work on installations which pose a hazard from electrocution, fire and explosion.
Excavation work: Any excavation work, to ensure no underground services pose a risk to those
working and to preserve the structural integrity of nearby structures.
Lifting operations: With cranes.
Equipment disjointing: Used to control the disconnection of any equipment which contained a liquid
or gas, i.e. pipe work containing heated bitumen, large diesel tanks or powder, etc.
Work at height / roof access: including access to fragile structures or where there is no safety edge
protection.
For some invasive work processes, a part of the work permitting process may require the physical
isolation of devices / fitting of blanks, blinds, making of disconnections etc, to provide a positive
demarcation from live systems. This is particularly important as the project moves from construction
to the commissioning phase. This type of work would normally be carried out under the PTW / LOTO
system.
The documented ‘permit-to-work’ system should identify the following:
A description of the work to be carried out including:
o Plant and equipment required.
o Sequence of events.
o Identification of any foreseeable hazards and risk and the control measures.
o Expected duration of work.
o Personnel protective equipment needed.
The Contractor must also ensure that those who are conducting the task know that the safe system must be
followed in full. Those conducting the task must know that no other methods or sequences of work are
allowed and if the safe system cannot be followed then work must stop, all persons withdrawn and the safe
system reviewed by the PTW coordinator.
The Contractor shall provide all temporary access scaffolding and working platforms.
Temporary access scaffolding and platforms shall be constructed of sound materials that are in good
condition, using best practice for design, erection and dismantling. The scaffolds shall be of adequate
strength, free from defects and suitable for the purpose intended. Most importantly, they will provide safe
working access for personnel.
Use of a single scaffolding company, serving all Contractors and Sub-Contractors scaffolding and working
platform requirements across the whole construction site is preferred.
Safety in scaffolding relies on good preparation and planning. Before the erection and use of any scaffolding
the following points shall be considered:
Design:
Scaffolding and working platforms shall be designed by suitably trained and competent personnel.
All scaffolds shall include adequate bracing to ensure stability and prevent collapse. The bracing shall remain
in position at all times. Sufficient bracing shall be provided to take into account additional loadings on the
scaffold, e.g. if it is used as a loading platform for materials or equipment; or if hoists, lifting appliances or
rubbish chutes are attached to it.
The platform design of a general purpose scaffold should be at least adequate for two people to pass each
other safely. All scaffolds including ‘independent’ scaffolds, should be securely tied, or otherwise supported.
The scaffold should also have suitable, adequate and safe method of access to all working platforms.
The following scaffolds must be specifically designed by a competent scaffolding engineer and erected in line
with the design drawings:
The engineering design calculations and design drawings for such scaffolds must be available on site for
inspection by the Owner.
System Scaffolds:
Scaffold systems, for example ‘cup lock’ scaffolding must be fit for purpose and used within the
manufacturer’s recommendations. System scaffolding must also be erected in line with regulations for pole
and fitting scaffolding structures. Scaffolding types shall never be mixed, for example, the use of ‘cup-lock’
scaffolding systems in conjunction with tube and fitting type scaffolding is forbidden.
Materials:
Scaffolding shall be constructed of sound materials in good condition and free of defects. Defective, worn,
corroded or damaged materials or components shall not be used. Scaffolding materials and components
must be properly stored in designated areas on site when not in use.
Tubes shall have the ends cut clean and square, free from bends, distortion, corrosion or surface flaws. All
fittings shall be free from defects such as worn threads, damaged bolts, corrosion and excess oil which may
reduce friction grip. Scaffold boards shall not be warped, twisted, badly worn or painted to conceal defects.
Scaffold boards shall be free of large splits and knots and shall be banded at both ends and not cut in any
way.
Ladders:
Scaffold access ladders shall be secured, stable and angled at 25 degrees from vertical to minimise the risk of
slipping and should extend approximately 1 metre above the working platform, providing a suitable
handhold for people getting on and off. Security of the scaffold structure and ladders should also be
considered to stop unauthorised access.
Foundations:
Foundations shall be of adequate strength to support and disperse the load. On hard surfaces, such as steel
and concrete of sufficient strength and thickness, standards may be placed on the surface with the inclusion
of a metal base plate. On all other surfaces, the load should be spread by using base plates and sole plates.
The soil or ground beneath the sole plates should be level and properly compacted. A sole plate used on
hard ground, beneath any one standard, should be of adequate size to provide necessary support. At all
times a metal base plate shall be used between sole plate and standard. On sloping ground, steps should be
cut into the slope to accommodate sole plates and base plates. If the slope exceeds 1 in 10, an engineer
should check that the ground has sufficient stability.
Working Platforms:
All scaffold platforms shall be closely boarded. No board shall overhang its last support by more than 4
times its thickness, but shall have a minimum overhang of 50mm. Any group of boards across the width of a
scaffold shall be of the same length and thickness. Scaffold boards shall normally have at least three
supports. Scaffold boards shall be laid so that there is no trip hazard created.
Where any possibility of displacement exists from high winds, boards shall be fastened down. Where
platforms become slippery due to frost, snow etc. the boards shall either be cleared of turned over.
Every scaffold platform from which a person can fall more than 1.8 metres shall be fitted with guardrails and
toe boards. Guardrails and toe boards shall be fitted at the outsides and ends of working platforms, and on
the insides, if gaps exceeding 300mm have been left for working at the face of a building or structure.
When work has to be done at the end of a wall or other structure, then the working platform shall extend at
least 600mm beyond this point. The working platform shall be placed as close to the face of the structure as
possible. If persons are required to sit on the edge of the platform, then a space of up to 300mm is
permissible. If the gap is greater than 300mm then the edge of the platform shall be treated as an open
edge and guarded accordingly.
Scaffolding must be erected safely and should not pose any additional risk to staff operating in its vicinity
(for example requiring staff to deviate from secure pathways, blocking emergency exits, etc).
Safe systems of work shall be adopted during the erection, altering and dismantling of scaffolds. This will
always include the use of collective or individual fall arrest equipment.
Scaffolds should be tied or braced correctly taking into consideration the type of work being carried out, for
example, jet washing or grit blasting, etc.
Guard rail and mid rail openings for access/egress points should be fitted with self-closing gates.
Ladder access/egress points should be arranged inside the scaffolding base perimeter and not on the
exterior.
Standards shall be placed vertically to within +/- 20mm in any 2 metre length, to a maximum total deviation
of 50mm.
Scaffolding shall not be left partially erected or dismantled, unless adequate signs are displayed and access
removed or blocked.
Metal scaffolding shall not be erected in close proximity to live overhead power lines or exposed live
busbars.
Scaffolding may only be used for the purpose for which it has been constructed. Scaffolding users are not
permitted to make any structural modifications to the scaffolding. Users are, and remain responsible for
maintaining the initial condition of the scaffolding erected.
Users shall not alter the scaffold or take up boards, move handrails or remove ties in order to gain access for
work. Any changes shall only be made by a competent scaffolder.
Personnel must never work from platforms that are not fully boarded.
For sandblasting or cleaning works, open-worked floors must be used and waste on the boards must be
cleaned away as works progress.
Loadings on Scaffolds:
Scaffolds shall not be overloaded. Where materials have to be stacked higher than toe board height, mesh
guarding panels or similar substantial protection should be fitted to the scaffold. Materials should not be
stored on a platform unless it is needed for work within a reasonable time. When scaffolds are loaded up,
materials should be deposited with a minimum of shock loading. Materials stored on scaffolds should be
arranged so the load is spread evenly.
Scaffold Inspection:
Scaffolds must be inspected by a competent person. A ‘scaff-tag’ system shall be used on site to indicate
whether a scaffold is safe to use. ‘Scaff-tags’ shall be located so they visible without having to access the
scaffold. Before any scaffold is first used it shall be inspected by a competent person and added to a
scaffolding register. Once deemed fit for use, the associated scaff-tag shall be signed and dated accordingly.
The re-inspection period shall not exceed seven days. Scaffolds shall also be inspected after any substantial
alteration or after any event likely to have affected their stability, for example, following strong winds or
impact damage from plant and equipment. All inspections should be recorded in the scaffolding register.
If no valid ‘scaff-tag’ test certification is attached to the scaffolding, access to the scaffolding is NOT
permitted.
On sites where a single scaffolding Contractor is not utilised, systems must exist to ensure all scaffolds
erected are added to the scaffolding register and are in compliance with all scaffolding requirements defined
in this section.
Scaffold Towers:
These shall be erected in accordance with scaffolding requirements above and the manufacturer’s
recommendations. Use of outriggers shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Due to its light weight a scaffold tower may be unstable and should therefore be tied to prevent moving or
overturning.
Access and egress should only be by ladders of the correct length. Personnel should not climb up the
structure. Ladders shall be installed on the inside of the tower scaffold.
Components shall be stored so that damage does not occur and shall be maintained and checked on a
regular basis.
The Contractor shall develop, maintain and implement emergency arrangements and procedures that
address the site specific risks from fire and other emergencies. This procedure shall identify the person[s]
The emergency procedure[s] should contain actions to be taken in the event of an emergency. Emergencies
may include but are not limited to:
Fires.
Chemical or fuel spills.
Gas escapes.
Intruders.
Terrorist threats.
Accidents.
Natural disasters.
In the event of any emergency or major incident, the safety of life shall override all other considerations,
such as saving plant and apparatus or extinguishing a fire.
The Contractor shall prepare, implement and regularly update an emergency response plan. As a minimum,
Contractor shall detail fire safety, emergency and rescue equipment and actions to be followed. The
Contractor shall ensure that that all procedures, precautionary measures, safety and environment standards
stipulated in the emergency response plan are communicated, implemented and complied with by all
personnel on site. The Contractor shall develop and implement reporting procedures for all site incidents,
informing the Owner immediately. The Contractor shall review and ensure the adequacy of the emergency
response plan as the work progresses and conduct regular inspections of all fire fighting equipment, alarms
and detection devices and escape and access routes identified in the plan. Regular drills shall be performed
to test and improve the plan.
A record of all inspections, evacuation drills and alarm tests will be maintained and any lessons learned will
be disseminated to the workforce and used to improve the existing procedure. These records will be made
available to the Owner.
Fire Prevention
The Contractor shall reduce the fire hazards and eliminate risk from fire through development and
implementation of fire hazard identification and risk assessment. This shall consider in its widest sense the
generic and site specific controls of the three elements necessary for fire:
The site fire prevention plan shall consider the control and restriction of any or all of the necessary elements
for fire to start and shall require the implementation of the site risk assessments and method statements
(RAMS) and job safety analysis procedures, which shall specifically include the consideration of fire risk for all
activities. Through these processes particular attention shall be paid to control of fire risk.
Prevention shall always be considered proactive and better than reactive management following a fire, but it
is essential that the site procedures include particular measures to react to fire and implement emergency
measures to ensure safety of personnel, prevent spread, and ensure urgent notification of appropriate
emergency services, site services and third parties.
The site specific emergency response procedure shall include instructions, assembly areas, fire points and
escape routes and all of these shall be clearly defined and signed. Once the site specific emergency response
procedures have been agreed:
Smoking shall only be permitted in controlled designated areas, where appropriate receptacles for
extinguishing smoking materials will be available.
Appropriate warning/advising signs on the site rules and instructions on the emergency evacuation
procedure and a map highlighting fire fighting appliances shall be disseminated to the workforce and
prominently displayed around the site.
A number of personnel shall be selected and trained in the correct selection and safe use of fire
extinguishers and shall become appointed fire marshals, the ratio will be dependent on the risk but shall not
be any less than 1:25 workers on the site.
All fire fighting appliances will be inspected and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer
recommendations.
Evacuation drills and alarm tests shall be carried out and a record of all inspections, evacuation drills and
alarm tests shall be maintained. Any lessons learned from fire drills and alarm tests shall be disseminated to
the workforce and used to improve the existing procedure.
Actions to be taken in the event of fire shall be clearly identified and responsibilities allocated. There shall
be responsible persons on site at all times. The actions shall identify the authorities and personnel to be
notified. The emergency response contact arrangements shall be reviewed regularly, notified to responsible
personnel and made available to all workers around the site.
All flammable materials and substances shall be stored and handled in accordance with the
manufacturer recommendations.
All flammable substances, fuels and thinners shall be stored in appropriate containers out of direct
sunlight and away from sources of ignition.
Quantities and storage/use locations of flammable materials and substances shall be clearly marked
up on the site plan located within the emergency response plan with their associated MSDS to aid
the emergency services in an event of a fire.
All flammable materials and substances will be returned back to their secured storage areas when
work is complete or at the end of the working day.
All oily rags and similar shall be disposed of in a marked up steel bin with a lid as soon as they are
not required, the bin contents shall be disposed of as contaminated waste.
The quantities of stored flammable materials and substances shall be kept to a minimum.
All paints shall be stored within an appropriate paint store, which shall have upper and lower
ventilation which shall allow the build of fumes to dissipate into the atmosphere.
All LPG, pressurised gas cylinders and flammable gases storage areas shall be secured and positioned
at least 6m away from any site accommodation. They shall be appropriately signed with
warning/advising information and shall have adequate upper and lower ventilation afforded to these
storage facilities to enable any escaped gases to dissipate into the atmosphere.
Quantities of stored LPG, pressurised gases and flammable gases shall be kept to where practicable
the minimum requirement.
All gas cylinders shall be clearly labelled or colour coded to show their contents.
Full and empty gas cylinders shall be labelled and physically segregated.
All empty gas cylinders shall be treated and handled as if full.
All empty gas cylinders shall be removed from site promptly to the appropriate storage area to wait
for immediate backload to the suppliers.
All gas cylinder end caps shall be put back onto the cylinders when they are not in use.
All gas cylinders shall be secured in the upright position.
Grease and oxidising substances shall be kept away from gas cylinders.
Gas cylinders shall be transported around site in an appropriate cylinder bank, bottle trolleys or a
purpose built transit cage, secured and upright.
Gas cylinders shall not be stored inside containers or the welfare facilities, unless designed for the
specific purpose.
Quantities and storage/use locations of LPG, pressurised gases and flammable materials shall be
clearly marked up on the site plan located within the emergency response plan with their associated
materials data to aid the emergency services in an event of a fire.
All naked flames, sources of ignition and smoking shall be forbidden within the vicinity of all LPG,
pressurised gas and flammable materials.
The development of individual or team competence or team building can be used as one of the building blocks
used to develop a positive health and safety culture. One of the many ways to foster a ‘positive health and
safety culture’ and to engage worker participation is to carry out team briefs and toolbox talks. The Contractor
shall ensure that all management and supervisory staff are trained in the skills necessary to deliver effective
team briefs and toolbox talks.
The Contractor shall ensure formal training is followed up and supplemented through team and toolbox talk
training which shall include:
Structured toolbox training at regular intervals, based on health and safety performance issues
during the previous period, key issues arising from training and a review of the forthcoming period.
The toolbox talks shall be structured and cover key hazards and risks on site and include, but not be limited
to:
Written records will be kept of all toolbox talks. The records of toolbox talks will be available for inspection
if required.
The talks may target whole teams or specific worker groups engaged on a specific work task. The Contractor
shall consider the requirements for team talks across several Sub-Contractor or worker groups who are to be
engaged in a common work area or on a common process, in which their actions directly impact the working
of others.
The Contractor shall prepare comprehensive drawings and calculations for all temporary works and
structures, obtain certification by an independent competent professional engineer and then submit to the
Owner for approval. The Contractor shall ensure the adequacy and sufficiency of the safety provisions
associated with all temporary works and structures.
Temporary works and structures are required to support or protect an existing structure or permanent
works during construction, support a piece of plant or equipment or provide access and egress. Generally
they are provided and required from an early stage in construction. Temporary works and structures shall
be subject to formal design procedures and shall be considered to be a construction site activity which shall
be undertaken only by competent workers and subject to risk assessment and a management plan, taking
into account:
The hazards associated with the temporary works and structures are usually those of collapse and/or
failure of the equipment in place. These failures occur mainly as a result of:
o Poor Design
In particular the causes of failure fall into a number of well defined areas:
o Incorrect estimation of loads to be supported.
o Design error, or loading programme changed after design completed.
o Inadequate maintenance.
o Inadequate detailing and/or execution of points of load transference.
o Inadequate horizontal and/or diagonal bracing to resist lateral loads.
o Inadequate foundations.
The risks associated with the temporary works and structures are usually those of:
o Risk to persons from collapsing structures (fall onto).
o Risk to persons falling from collapsing structures (fall from).
o Risk to persons being hit by falling materials.
o Risk of excavation collapse.
o Risk of persons falling into poorly guarded excavations.
o Risk of plant/equipment damage arising from any of the above.
o Risk to persons handling equipment (manual handling injuries).
o Risk from failure of control measures.
o Risk from poor traffic management.
A systematic approach shall be employed to mitigate the risks form the above hazards which shall be
developed in the form of a plan and implemented. This plan shall be reviewed and updated regularly to
reflect the hazard and risk changes throughout the various stages of the temporary works and structures
process. The plan shall address:
Adequate communication between parties providing and making use of the temporary works or
structures.
Appointment of a single overall co-ordinator for the whole temporary works and structures process.
A temporary works and structures register shall be developed and maintained by the Contractor to monitor
and record the management process of the temporary works and structures.
Each item of the temporary works and structures shall be assessed and classified to fix the level of design,
checking, quality assurance and control measures put in place, relative to the risks faced.
Cofferdams.
Bridge false work and erection schemes.
De-watering and ground water control other than sump pumping.
The Owner requires that the Contractor identifies and assesses the risks to health and safety present in the
workplace. One of the control measures identified may be the provision and use of PPE. PPE always ‘fails to
danger’ and is an individual protective measure, therefore it should be recognised that the use of PPE is as a
last resort in the hierarchy of controls and that engineering controls, collective protection measures and safe
systems of work should be considered first. If the provision and use of PPE is identified by the risk
assessment then the Contractor should undertake to:
The Contractor shall develop and implement site procedures for the selection, provision and use of PPE. This
procedure should include that all persons shall be equipped with or have access to personal protective
equipment free of charge whilst on site. All PPE shall be to a recognised national standard, in good condition
and “in date”. The type of equipment will suit the activities being undertaken (e.g. special gloves and eye
protection for cutting or welding). All PPE must be compatible with other PPE and work clothing. PPE
should be issued on an individual basis for all ‘next to skin’ items to reduce the likelihood of infection.
Shared equipment, when allowed, should be inspected before and after use, hygienically cleaned and stored
as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Where expiry dates apply (e.g. respirator filters, hard hats etc) these should be recorded and monitored.
Other PPE items for specific activities shall be provided in compliance with local legislation and risk
assessment recommendations.
The Contractor shall have a process for replacement of PPE and the initial provision and replacement of
damaged or life expired equipment should be free to the employee. Before the issue of PPE the user must
be shown how to wear, store and clean the PPE being issued and must be informed of the risks that will and
will not be controlled by the PPE, and the consequences to health and safety of not wearing the PPE or not
using it in the manner for which it is intended. A written record of this should be maintained by the
Contractor and made available to the Owner, as required.
The Contractor shall ensure that appropriate PPE is worn by all persons within the working areas of the
project by continuous monitoring during working periods. Compliance with the respect to the wearing of
PPE shall be included in the results of any monitoring activities and shall be analysed by the Contractor to
highlight areas that require increased effort to ensure compliance. These results will be made available to
the Owner and reviewed at the regular health and safety review meeting.
Any worker found not to be wearing prescribed PPE, wearing inappropriate PPE or PPE in bad condition shall
be removed from the working area immediately and shall be subject to disciplinary procedure as laid out in
Section A8 – Disciplinary Action.
Training including:
o The use and care of PPE.
o Risk controlled by PPE.
o Risk not controlled by PPE.
o Issue of PPE.
o Replacement of PPE.
Promotion of PPE use.
Monitoring.
Disciplinary action.
The Contractor will set a minimum standard for the wearing of PPE on site, based on the risk assessment
carried out. In any case it is expected following minimum PPE items will be worn at all times within the
working areas of the project unless specifically excluded in the risk assessment for particular activities:
Safety helmet.
Eye protection.
Gloves.
Safety footwear.
Overalls.
Harnesses and lanyards clipped on (when working at height).
Almost all construction work involves some form of excavation, in particular for foundations and drainage.
In carrying out excavations the ground conditions can vary widely often over very short distances. No soil,
whatever its condition can be relied upon to support its own weight. In addition loads imposed upon the
edges of excavation by plant, buildings, personnel and materials increase the danger of collapse. A relatively
small fall of earth could involve a cubic metre of soil, which in terms of mass could be material weighing over
a tonne. The presence of groundwater and the effect on the excavation sides from surface water running
into the excavation also increases the risk of collapse of excavation sides.
Excavations in non-cohesive loose sand and gravel, soft clays and silts, shall be close sheeted to prevent
ground movement. Excavations in cohesive soils and in weak rock shall not be left unsupported as there is
The following are a summary of the likely risks which may be encountered:
Any safe system of work shall make provision for, but not be limited to:
Surcharging – This is the term used to describe any load applied to the ground by plant, stored
materials, spoil or structures. Surcharging adjacent to an excavation will increase the horizontal load
on the excavation sides. These horizontal loads should be assessed by a competent person.
o The extra loadings from spoil, vehicles, etc can make the sides of excavations more likely to
collapse. Plant and vehicles or stored excavated spoil and other materials shall not be
stored close to the sides of excavations. For excavations over 1.2 metres deep, a minimum
distance of 1.5 metres from the sides of the excavations shall be observed.
o Loose materials may fall from spoil heaps into the excavation.
o Edge protection shall include toe boards or other means, such as projecting trench sheets or
box sides to protect against falling materials.
o Persons shall not be permitted to work beyond the protected area of an excavation, or in
close proximity to the bucket of any excavator.
o Head protection shall be worn.
o Plant, where possible, shall be positioned remote from the edge of the excavation and
positioned so that it cannot fall or roll into the excavation.
o If any machine is required to tip material into the excavation, stop blocks or anchorage shall
be provided. If restraining ropes are used for such stop blocks or anchorage, they shall be
secured at least four times the depth of the excavation from the edge.
o Persons shall not remain in excavation or in the vicinity of tipping operations.
Excavation support systems: The systems of support that are installed shall be designed to resist
horizontal loading on the excavation sides to avoid collapse. Adequate support of excavations
depends upon the type and depth and nature of the ground and ground water conditions. A variety
of materials and methods may be used, including:
o Timber.
o Steel Trench Sheeting.
o Steel Sheet Piling:
H-Piling.
Soldier Piling.
o Proprietary Systems:
Hydraulic Frames, walling and Shores.
Excavation ground and surface water ingress: Permeability of the ground defines if water will flow
into any excavation below the natural groundwater level. The supports to the side of the excavation
shall be designed to control the entry of groundwater and the design of support works shall take any
additional hydrostatic loading into account. Particular attention shall be given to areas close to
rivers, lakes and sea.
Water entering the excavation should be channelled to sumps from where it can be pumped out.
However, the effect of pumping from sumps on the stability of the excavation shall be considered.
Continuous pumping creates continual flow from the surrounding ground that may cause ground
settlement, which could adversely affect adjacent buildings or services. The Contractor shall
consider these issues with reference to controlling the flow of groundwater.
Undermining nearby structures: The Contractor shall ensure excavations do not undermine or
disturb scaffold footings, buried services or the foundations of nearby buildings, walls or structures.
Many boundary walls have very shallow foundations which are easily undermined by even small
trenches, causing the wall to collapse onto those working in the trench. Before digging starts, the
Contractor shall decide if extra support for the structure is needed. Surveys of the foundations and
the advice of a structural engineer shall be sought where required.
Inspections and reports: Excavations that need to be supported or battered back to prevent danger
shall be inspected. The person in control of the excavation must arrange for a competent person to
carry out these inspections:
o At the start of the shift before work begins.
o After any event likely to have affected its stability.
o After heavy rainfall.
o After any accidental fall of rock, earth or other material.
o After any damage to support work.
o If the competent person is not satisfied that work can be carried out safely:
They should advise the person in control that the inspection was carried out.
The excavation should not be used until the defects have been put right.
Any excavation work carried out shall be controlled by the construction permit to work system operated by
the Contractor (see B8 – Permit to Work).
The Contractor shall ensure that they have in place procedures that identify and control the risks associated
with the use of lifting or lowering equipment and the control of lifting or lowering operations. The
procedure shall define the measures to control those risks including:
A method of selecting lifting equipment to ensure that it has adequate strength and stability for the
loads it is intended to lift or lower.
A method of storing to ensure it is not damaged or used by an unauthorised person.
Arrangements for the inspection of the equipment by a competent person.
A system of markings to show the equipment has been inspected.
The frequency of the inspection regime.
The competencies required to use the lifting equipment.
A register of equipment users.
A method for dealing with reported defects in the equipment.
A record system for storing data concerning the lifting equipment.
The organisation of lifting operations.
Lifting Equipment
This covers a wide range of equipment including:
Cranes.
Fork-lift trucks.
Lifts.
Hoists.
Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWP).
Lifting accessories such as chains, slings, eyebolts, etc.
Lifting Equipment for Lifting Persons (also see Section C4 – Working at Heights/Roof Work)
The Contractor shall ensure that measures are taken to prevent a person being crushed, trapped, stuck or
falling from a carrier and has devices to prevent a carrier falling. Measures may include safety rails, safety-
locking mechanisms, outriggers, etc. Where measures cannot be taken for the prevention of a carrier falling
then other measures are required, these are that the carrier suspension rope or chain have an enhanced
safety factor and the rope/chain is inspected by a competent person before use. There is also a requirement
that should any person become trapped in a carrier then they can be safely released. Equipment used for
lifting people shall be marked accordingly.
Modification
All modifications to lifting equipment shall be designed and fabricated in accordance with national standards
and the modified design approved by the design engineer. After modification lifting equipment is required
to be tested by application of a proof load, and specified by an approved person, and then thoroughly
examined. A test certificate stating the safe working load and the proof load should be obtained. The test
certificate and a record of the modification should be placed in the registration file, and the marking of the
equipment suitable amended.
Repair
Repairs to lifting equipment, other than the replacement of parts, shall be carried out by the original
manufacturer, the manufacturer’s agent or a fabricator approved by the Contractor. Replacement parts
shall be identical to the original. Appropriate certification shall be obtained. Welding, unless approved by
the design engineer shall not be used to repair standard or proprietary items of lifting gear (e.g. rail clamps).
If lifting appliances, which have been given a final heat treatment, after manufacture, are repaired, the same
heat treatment is required to be applied after repair. A materials specialist is required to be consulted for all
repairs requiring the application of heat. All repairs to lifting equipment are required to be carried out under
the direction of a suitably qualified and experienced person.
Lifting Operations
The Contractor shall ensure that all lifting operations are planned, supervised and carried out in a safe
manner by trained, competent persons. In planning for the lift the Contractor shall appoint a lifting
The operators are trained in the use of the specific equipment and only for the purposes for which it
was designed.
The due date for examination has not been exceeded.
The operator has ascertained:
o By visual inspection that the equipment is in a satisfactory condition.
o The condition and design rating of lifting points on loads are suitable for the intended duty.
o Appropriate guarding is in place.
o The safe working load will not be exceeded.
A general description is produced of the activity (which equipment shall be moved, from where to
where size and weight, which crane will be used, which type of lifting device will be employed, assembly
steps and sequences).
Checks of the load capacity of building structures, bridges, roofs, roof hiders, basement, ducting or
roads are performed. The strength and rigidity of walls, beams, roof structures and columns which will
be used to support and constrain the machinery components, being handled shall be checked with
reference to the construction drawings. If there is any doubt, as to the strength of a particular item,
additional reinforcing supports shall be used.
A lifting plan is produced, considering main equipment dimensions such as weight and size, centre of
gravity, lifting operation radius and height, crane capacity and load safety margin, marked crane load
chart. In a to-scale sketch the location of lifting device and equipment as well as all distances, angles
and heights shall also be in place.
The crane is placed on levelled and flat ground with suitable load bearing capacities and positioned to
prevent the risk of injury, e.g. from the equipment or the load falling or striking workers.
Proper outrigger pads (cribbing) are placed under the crane outriggers. These must be solid plates
made of steel or wood, or of another suitable load bearing composite material and in good condition.
No loose boards are permitted.
The crane outriggers are fully extended.
The area in which the lift takes place has been barricaded off.
Standing or working beneath a suspended load is strictly prohibited.
In case the lift has to be done in a common working area, any other person in this area has been
informed in advance and must be kept away from the area during the lift.
In case the lift has to be done over traffic areas, the road affected has been barricaded off and sufficient
watchmen have been placed to ensure that traffic stops at the barricades.
Taglines are used for all lifts so as to maintain a safe distance for personnel throughout the lift.
Sufficient signalmen (banksmen) are in direct contact with the crane operator at all times.
Restrictions
Under conditions of unstable weather, e.g. imminent thunderstorms or wind velocity above 40km/h the
lift must not be executed. In all cases where the lift is in progress and the wind speed velocities exceed
safe velocities the lift must be stopped immediately.
Wind velocities shall be checked by the lifting supervisor prior to lifts. An anemometer shall be
available. In addition, prior to all lifts the Contractor must take account of the crane manufacturers’
safety recommendations for wind velocities. The recommended operational wind velocities may vary
depending on the set-up and configuration of the crane.
Lifting, rigging, moving of loads and transports shall only be performed by experienced, qualified and
competent personnel.
The Contractor shall ensure that work at height is properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried
out in a manner that is safe. Height safety issues shall be managed where the potential exists for a person to
fall in excess of 1.8 metres. However, a fall from any height can result in injury. Therefore a risk assessment
shall be done to ensure adequate safety controls are in place wherever there is a risk of a person falling and
being injured.
When deciding if working at height is necessary then the persons planning the work and carrying out the
work should be trained and competent to do so, this training should cover the responsibilities in how to
recognise and control the risks that may arise from working at heights and from the area in which the work
is to be carried out. A risk assessment must be carried out to decide if the working at heights can be avoided
and if it cannot how the risks may be reduced to an acceptable level. Working at height should also include
work whilst adjacent to or in close proximity to open excavations, trenches including working platforms and
areas adjacent to holes and voids in floors.
When planning work at height, supervisors must apply the following safe working at height hierarchy:
AVOID the risk by not working at height – where it is reasonably practicable to carry out the work
safely other than at a height do so, e.g. consider assembly at ground level to allow lifting of
completed components or modules.
PREVENT falls - where it is not reasonably practicable to avoid work at height, the risks must be
assessed and measures taken to allow the work to be done whilst preventing so far as is reasonably
practicable people or objects falling. This includes ensuring the work is carried out safely from an
existing place of work; or choosing the right work equipment to prevent falls, e.g. consider the
provision of scaffolding, temporary work decks complete with handrails and toe boards, elevated
work platforms, use of personnel cages. Also consider the installation of temporary perimeter
guardrails, light mesh fastened over open steelwork, etc.
MITIGATE the consequences of a fall – where the risk of people or objects falling still remains steps
must be taken to minimise the distance and consequences of the fall. This also involves the
The safe work at height hierarchy must be followed – Avoid, Prevent, Mitigate at all stages of the planning
process. Collective protection measures, (e.g. guardrails, nets, airbags, etc.) should be given precedence
over personal protection measures (e.g. safety harnesses).
Yes No
Yes No
Risk Assessment
The Owner recognises the importance of risk assessment in identifying risks when working at height and the
Contractor shall ensure that:
All equipment for performing work at height should be checked prior to use. This will identify any fault,
which could lead to a significant failure. A record must be kept of pre-use checks.
Equipment used for working at height must be subject to regular examination/to identify whether it is fit for
purpose. Where defects present a risk, the equipment must be withdrawn until the defect is corrected.
All such equipment should be stored in such a manner that is only accessible by authorised persons and in a
way in which defective equipment can be removed from service.
Scaffolds
See Section B9 – Scaffolding and Working Platforms.
Working Platforms
Work at height should always be carried out from a platform with suitable edge protection, on partially
completed structures edge protection, a guard rail and an intermediate rail shall also be employed when
there is a risk of falling. Any surface from which work at height is carried out must be strong and stable
enough, so that any foreseeable loads placed on it will not lead to its collapse. Scaffold boards placed
across, for example steelwork, cable trays or pipe work is unacceptable. Also see Section B9 – Scaffolding
and Working Platforms.
All harness or restraints must be anchored to a suitably tested strong anchor point, they shall have a
unique identifier, been inspected by a suitably qualified person on a regular basis and checked daily
before use by the user.
Where a harness and lanyard are required for working at height, it is mandatory for the person to clip
on. The Owner expects the Contractor to take a firm line on disciplinary action in this respect (also see
Section A8 – Disciplinary Action).
The following shall be taken into account when using inertia reel fall arrestors:
An inertia reel should be connected directly to the harness connection point and not via the use
of a lanyard.
Always consider the potential of the “pendulum effect” when using a fall arrester system in a
non-vertical position. Methods to prevent this include careful selection of the anchor point, use
two arresters from different angles, fixing temporary cross pieces across large gaps (at right
angles to arrester cable), fixing horizontal pieces in a way which will catch the cable and
minimise the pendulum effect, etc.
The following shall be taken into account when using static lines:
If using a cable, it shall be galvanised or stainless steel to prevent corrosion, with an adequate
breaking force.
The cables shall be installed so as to prevent kinking or damage on sharp edges of beams.
The cable shall be tensioned to reduce sag, however, care must be taken to ensure the cable is
not over tensioned.
An in line shock absorber shall be fitted to one end of the line.
The cable shall be installed at a height of 2 metres (where appropriate) above the workforce
which will ensure that the distance of any potential free fall is minimised and in no case exceeds
2 metres.
Cables and clamps shall be checked by the user prior to each period of use. The check should
include an examination of all clamps and the physical conditions of the cable.
Using Personal Fall Protection Systems:
Training shall be given in the use of fall protection systems, particularly where safety harnesses
are used. A harness that is not worn correctly or is worn too loose by the user can be as
dangerous as no harness at all. It is important harness users are aware of how to correctly wear
and check their own harness.
Personnel must attach one end of the lanyard or the inertia reel to the top “D” loop at the back
of the harness and the other to a secure anchorage point (it must not be hooked back on itself).
Harnesses are only designed to arrest falls of up to 2 metres, therefore lanyards and inertia reels
must only be connected in a manner that denies free fall in excess of 2 metres.
Fixed Ladders
These must be identified and inspected regularly as required to ensure no deterioration of fixing points,
deformation or other damage. Fixed ladders must have a rigid movable barrier at the top of the ladder to
prevent falls into the open ladder well, e.g. a sprung gate or similar.
The selection process shall take into account the hierarchy of controls:
Suitable Activities - this refers to the type of work and its duration. As a guide, a ladder or stepladder shall
only be used:
Ladder Inspection
The Contractor shall establish the ladder or stepladder is in a safe condition before use. As a guide, ladders
or stepladders shall only be used that:
Have no visible defects. They should have a pre-use check each working day.
Have a current detailed visual inspection. These should be done in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
Are suitable for work use. Domestic ladders are not normally suitable for use at work.
Have been maintained and stored in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Have a unique identification number.
Ladder Feet
Ladder feet are essential for preventing the base of the ladder slipping. Missing stepladder feet will cause it
to become unstable. The feet should be in good repair (not loose, missing, splitting, excessively worn,
secure, etc) and should also be clean. The ladder feet shall be checked when moving from soft/dirty ground
(e.g. dug soil, loose sand/stone, a dirty workshop) to a smooth, solid surface (e.g. paving slabs), to ensure the
foot material and not the dirt (e.g. soil, embedded stones or swarf) is making contact with the ground.
Checks should ensure each foot is on a clean, level, firm footing with no oil, grease or loose material,
including plastic packaging and sheeting under the feet. Use of boxes or bricks, etc to gain extra height is
prohibited.
Ladder/Stepladder Use
When working on stepladders the Contractor shall ensure work is avoided that imposes a side loading, such
as side-on drilling through solid materials (e.g. bricks or concrete), by having the steps facing the work
activity). Where side-on loadings cannot be avoided the Contractor shall ensure measures are put in place
to prevent the steps from tipping over, for example by tying the steps to a suitable point. Otherwise a more
suitable type of access equipment should be used.
Workers shall not hold or carry items when climbing (for example by using tool belts or a rope and pulley).
Where it can be knocked by plant or machinery. If this is impractical, a person standing guard at the
bottom of the ladder, or informing workers not to manoeuvre plant or vehicles until they are told to
do so shall be provided.
Within 6 m of an overhead power line (unless the lines have been temporarily disconnected or
insulated).
Where it can be struck by vehicles.
Where it can be pushed over by other hazards such as doors or windows. Precautions to secure
doors (not fire exits) and windows should be taken where possible. If this is impractical a person
standing guard at a doorway or informing workers not to open windows until they are told to do so
is acceptable.
Where pedestrians can walk under them or near them. Use of barriers, cones or, as a last resort, a
person standing guard at the base is acceptable.
Where it is not possible to put up the ladder at the correct angle of 75 degrees. The angle can often
be judged using the angle indicator marked on the stiles of some ladders or using the 1 in 4 rule (1
unit out for every 4 units up).
Where the restraint devices on stepladders are not fully opened or where locking devices are not
engaged.
Where possible ladders shall be tied off to a suitable point, making sure both stiles are tied. If this is not
possible, then the ladder shall be securely wedged, e.g. against a wall. If this is not possible, the ladder must
be footed. However, footing is the last resort and should be avoided, where reasonably practicable, by the
use of other access equipment.
Where people are being lifted the equipment shall be thoroughly examined at no greater than six monthly
intervals. In addition, pre-use checks and inspections shall be carried out and include manufacturer
recommendations.
The use of cranes and man lifting devices shall only be employed as a last resort if alternative means for man
access is not reasonably practicable and cannot be established safely. If such arrangements are necessary,
the crane and the man lifting apparatus shall be registered, checked and monitored in all cases prior to and
during use. The procedure for use shall identify safe means of access and egress at the point of
disembarkation. The hazards presented by malfunction shall be identified and a safe means of rescue or
emergency egress shall be provided at all times during the man lift. Man lift operations shall not involve
lone or inexperienced workers.
Roof Work
Any work on a roof or work performed from a roof is potentially dangerous, therefore high safety standards
shall be enforced, whatever the duration of the work. The Contractor shall ensure that a comprehensive risk
assessment is carried out for all roof work. The hazards and associated risks shall be identified before the
work starts and all necessary controls, equipment, precautions and systems of work provided and
implemented. The nature of the precautions needed may vary from one task to another, but failing to
provide any safeguards is unacceptable.
The Contractor shall assess the risks of working on or near water and put into place the safe systems of work
to mitigate the risks. When assessing the risk the following shall be considered:
Falling.
Drowning.
Infection from biological agents such as:
o Legionella.
o Naeglaria Fowleri.
o Leptospirosis (Weils disease).
If there is a risk of falling into a body of water and drowning, it is essential to use the hierarchy of risk
controls in the planning stages. Emergency planning is a pre requisite for any task on, in, over or near water
and the rescue arrangements shall be implemented by properly trained personnel or by external rescue
agencies. If highlighted by hazard identification, the Contractor shall provide sufficient buoyancy equipment
to keep the person safely afloat, if drowning can occur.
Definitions
Body of Water - any pond, dam, tank, lagoon, waterway, sump of water which can be either flowing,
still or subject to wave action, current, rip or tidal movements irrespective of the depth. This
includes, but is not limited to:
o Fresh water.
o Process water.
o Storm and waste water runoff.
o Sea water.
o Any environment likely to be encountered in the workplace where it is reasonably foreseeable
that a person may be drowned or harmed as a consequence of that water.
The term “body of water” also applies equally to a body of another liquid substance such as diesel,
waste oil or sewerage.
Working on water: This includes working on pontoons or similar type structures where a fall could
result in entering a body of water.
Working in water: Working in water of any depth including walking/wading through a body of
water. This does not include diving activities where a more rigorous risk assessment must be
undertaken.
Working directly over water: where a fall would result in a drop in excess of 1.8 metres into water
or a fall will result in entering water more than 500mm deep.
Working near water: Working within 1 metre of any body of water, or working on any unguarded
slope adjacent to a body of water or jetty or riverbank.
Drowning
Accidental drowning can usually be linked to one or more of the following factors:
Additional Risks
Being swept away.
Falls from an unprotected edge.
Flooding of the work area by sudden tidal surges or flood conditions.
Infection from polluted water sources, e.g. Leptospirosis (Weils Disease) and other hygiene related
hazards.
Infection from breathing in contaminated water in aerosol form, e.g. Legionnaires’ disease.
Hypothermia.
If work places and access ways are adjacent to or over water from which a person can slip or fall, with a risk
of drowning or being swept away, the following shall be provided:
Platforms of the correct width and equipped with guardrails and toe boards, or guardrails and well
secured mesh. If not practicable, then safety nets positioned in such a way as to ensure persons
cannot fall more than 1.8m or into water where there is a risk of drowning.
Platforms and gangways erected above water, whether tidal or not, shall have all decking boards
secured to prevent displacement.
Lifebuoys shall be provided at the water’s edge, at intervals not exceeding 50m and these shall be of
the following standard:
o Cork interior with canvas cover or polythene.
o Regular size – usually 765mm outside diameter.
o Fitted with buoyant rope at least 30m in length and knotted at 3m intervals, the rope length
should be increased to allow for tidal conditions where necessary.
Warning signs and barricades shall be placed near the water edge.
Employees shall not be allowed to work alone near water.
If the employees have contact with water or are in the proximity of water in aerosol form, it is
advisable to send water samples to a laboratory for testing in order to confirm that the water is free
from contamination. Respiratory protection shall be considered.
Grab lines attached to the working place or at other places downstream shall be provided. These
shall be long enough to allow for the rise and fall in tides and of a buoyant type with a marker float
at the free end.
At the start of each shift, the work area shall be checked to ensure that:
o All rescue equipment is in position and in sound condition.
o There are no trip hazards and all unnecessary materials have been removed.
o There is a clear passageway of not less than 640mm.
o There is not an accumulation of seaweed, bird droppings, etc.
All persons shall inoculated against Tetanus and Poliomyelitis during the preceding 5 years.
Good welfare and hygiene facilities, in which persons can wash hands, face and forearms after every
work period.
All persons shall wear a correctly fitted life jacket.
During work periods in hours of darkness or poor visibility, life jackets should be fitted with clip on
self-igniting lights.
Persons shall always, where possible, work in pairs so there is someone to raise the alarm.
Helmets shall be worn if danger or injury to the head exists.
Retro-reflective jackets or vests shall be worn if cranes or vehicles are in use.
Protective footwear with non-slip soles shall be worn – rubber wellingtons and thigh boots once
filled with water act as deadweight and therefore shall not be worn.
There shall be adequate first aid facilities with a trained first aider available at all times.
The Contractor shall ensure that work on electrical apparatus and equipment is never performed with the
apparatus and equipment in a live condition unless all of the following conditions are satisfied:
If the work is required to be performed with the apparatus live, then the Contractor’s site manager must ensure
that:
Whenever live working is required on electrically energised equipment, the work must be meticulously
planned and the workers must proceed with the utmost caution. Before any work on live equipment starts,
there must be a thorough knowledge of the work involved, personal protective equipment must be
available, and all necessary PTW/ LOTO documents must be obtained. Workers must never work alone on
live equipment. In addition to the worker performing the live working, there must be another electrician
standing by. A foreman or supervisor shall also be in attendance while the work is being carried out and
they must know how to isolate the equipment. Before starting a job, the exact voltages shall be known. This
is important as it determines the type of personal protection required for the work and the procedures
established in the PTW / LOTO documents. If there is any doubt about voltages, checks must be made
before the work is started. Work platforms and equipment used near electrically energised equipment shall
be properly grounded.
All temporary electrical supplies shall be supplied and connected by trained and competent electricians.
Temporary electrical supplies shall be protected by an appropriately rated RCD/RCB/GFI device fitted to the
system. All temporary electrical supplies RCD/RCB/GFIs shall be regularly inspected, maintained and tested
by a trained and competent electrician. Testing shall be at no more than monthly intervals.
All temporary electrical supply boxes shall be enclosed to protect from the elements, physically fenced off,
appropriately signed and secured to prevent unauthorised access. All cable entries into supply boxes will be
Risk assessment of tasks shall be carried out and work to be carried out on or near live equipment and
supplies shall be minimised. Work on live, or near live electrical equipment and systems shall be carried out
only in exceptional circumstances and subject to procedures agreed with the Owner before the work starts.
All electrical works will be carried out under the Contractor’s permit to work / lock out tag out system.
Working with the equipment dead, with total isolation and locked points of isolation shall be the normal
method of working on electrical systems.
Pressure systems containing stored energy at either ambient or at elevated temperatures shall be subject to
sound engineering practice and be compliant to either UK, European, National or International Codes and
Regulations as appropriate to the project location. Pressure systems shall also be compliant with all
appropriate health and safety requirements that are applicable and safe working practices shall be adhered
to. These working practices shall be applied throughout the manufacturing processes, site construction,
commissioning and handover.
Work carried out on pressure systems will need to be assessed against the requirements for any PTW / LOTO
documents that may be required to allow the work to take place.
For clarity, the pressure system definitions listed below, define the component parts that form or may be
part of the overall pressure system, therefore each component part shall be considered and classified as
required in relation to inspection criteria and safety requirements defined within the appropriate codes and
regulations that may be applicable.
Equipment Definitions:
Pressure Equipment – vessels, piping, safety accessories and pressure accessories. Where applicable, this
may include elements attached to pressurised parts such as flanges, nozzles, couplings, supports, lifting lugs,
etc.
Vessel - a housing designed and built to contain fluids or gases under pressure. It includes direct
attachments up to the coupling point connecting it to other equipment. A vessel may be composed of more
than one chamber.
Piping - piping components intended for the transport of fluids or gases when connected together for
integration into a pressure system. Includes a pipe or system of pipes, tubing, fittings, expansion joints,
hoses, or other pressure-bearing components as appropriate. Heat exchangers consisting of pipes for the
purpose of cooling or heating air are considered as piping.
Safety Accessories - devices designed to protect pressure equipment against the allowable limits being
exceeded. Such devices include devices for direct pressure limitation, such as safety valves and bursting
discs, etc and limiting devices which either activate the means for correction or provide for shutdown or
shutdown and lock out, such as pressure switches or temperature switches, etc.
Pressure Accessories - devices with an operational function and having pressure-bearing housings.
Non-Destructive Examination – Site Construction Process (see Section C22 – Ionising Radiation)
Personnel carrying out site based non-destructive examinations on pressurised system closure welds shall be
qualified to the same standards specified for factory based individuals. Radiographic inspections are
particularly hazardous to both the individuals carrying out the work and to others that may be in the vicinity.
The Contractor shall organise radiography after the normal working hours when the majority of day shift
workers have left site. A qualified radiation protection supervisor (RPS) shall submit both a method
statement and risk assessment of the work being undertaken, together with the technique being utilised and
the radioactive strength of the isotope being used. A full and detailed assessment of the safe distances
required shall be submitted, together with methods of shielding that will reduce both the required safe
distances for personnel and the reduction of scattered radiation.
Approved barriers, signs and flashing beacons shall be used to mark the permitted and agreed safe distances
for the radiographic technique being undertaken, restricting access to all non-authorised personnel from
entering the area where the activity is being undertaken. Additionally, at least one member of the
radiographic team shall monitor the barriered area whilst the isotope is energised.
Where required, the local authority shall be advised in advance that radiography is being carried out and
sufficient notice should be agreed and documented prior to commencement of the work.
Where other non-destructive techniques on other pressure system components are utilised, such as
ultrasonic, magnetic particle or dye penetrant inspections, site safety and access conditions must be
assessed and agreed to ensure safe working at all times.
Pressure Testing
Where pressure testing is required for any given component part or individual system, the Contractor shall
ensure safe practices are observed during testing since this can be an extremely hazardous procedure.
Stresses can be high in the item being tested and there is the danger of trapped air pockets, with the
subsequent risk of fracture or possible explosion at elevated test pressures.
Where these elevated pressures are used for pressure testing, the Contractor shall ensure that a risk
assessment is carried out to ensure a safe system of work is in place. This shall include isolation and
protection of attached systems, to avoid damage to the component under test and to ensure the safety of
personnel carrying out the test. The risk assessment and method statement shall also consider the use of
exclusion zones where high test pressures are required or tests are carried out utilising pneumatic test
methods.
The person in charge of testing must have read and be conversant with the test procedure and instructions.
All persons who will work on the test will be informed of the hazards and the necessary precautions. Site
personnel shall also be informed when and where pressure testing is being carried out and shall be made
aware of the possible dangers associated with the test.
Personnel, other than the test engineers shall not be allowed near equipment under test when the pressure
is near the yield strength or when test pressures of over 35 kg/cm² are being applied. The rate of pressure
increase must not exceed 7 kg/cm² per minute and shall be applied and held at regular safe intervals to
enable visual checks on the system being pressurised.
When draining the test fluid, the vessel(s) shall be vented to avoid excessive vacuum within the system.
Disposal of the test fluid after the completion of the pressure test shall also be considered to avoid possible
contamination of existing drainage systems. Contaminated fluids may require specialised disposal.
Oxygen lines will be flushed of all traces of hydrocarbons before introducing oxygen.
The Contractor shall be responsible for managing the risks to persons who work with cement or cement
based products. Cement is widely used in construction (or anything containing cement, such as mortar,
plaster and concrete) and should be aware that it presents a hazard to health. Cement can cause ill health
mainly by:
• Skin contact.
• Inhalation of dust.
• Manual handling.
Skin contact - Contact with wet cement can cause both dermatitis and burns.
Dermatitis - Skin affected by dermatitis feels itchy and sore, and looks red, scaly and cracked. Cement is
capable of causing dermatitis by two mechanisms - irritancy and allergy.
Irritant dermatitis is caused by the physical properties of cement that irritate the skin mechanically. The fine
particles of cement, often mixed with sand or other aggregates to make mortar or concrete, can abrade the
skin and cause irritation resulting in dermatitis.
Allergic dermatitis is caused by sensitisation to the hexavalent chromium (chromate) present in cement. The
way this works is quite distinct from that of irritancy. Sensitisers penetrate the barrier layer of the skin and
cause an allergic reaction.
Cement burns - wet cement can cause burns. The principal cause is thought to be the alkalinity of the wet
cement. If wet cement becomes trapped against the skin, for example by kneeling in it or if cement falls into
a boot or glove, a serious burn or ulcer can rapidly develop. These often take months to heal, and in
extreme cases will need skin grafts or can even lead to amputation. Serious chemical burns to the eyes can
also be caused following a splash of cement.
Inhalation of dust - High levels of dust can be produced when cement is handled, for example when
emptying or disposing of bags. In the short term, exposure to high levels of cement dust irritates the nose
and throat. Scabbling or concrete cutting can also produce high levels of dust which may contain silica.
Manual handling - Working with cement also poses risks such as sprains and strains, particularly to the back,
arms and shoulders from lifting and carrying cement bags, mixing mortar, etc. More serious damage to the
back can be caused in the long term if workers are continually lifting heavy weights.
The Contractor shall manage the risks associated with all works involving the use of cement including
mortar, plaster and concrete to mitigate the risks arising from the hazards arising from skin contact,
inhalation of dust and manual handling to workers involved in the process. In addition, the risk assessment
shall encompass the wider aspects of risk associated with the activities. All works with cement shall be risk
assessed and the following risk controls incorporated:
Welfare facilities shall be established to include hot/warm running water, soaps and barrier creams.
All form/false work, shuttering and rebar will be inspected prior to the pour for stability.
In addition to the general site PPE requirements, specific measures shall be implemented for concrete works
and all operatives shall wear, as a minimum, long sleeved overalls, impervious gloves, impervious safety
footwear, appropriate eye protection, dust masks and safety helmets throughout concrete operations.
Additionally, hearing protection shall be worn at the delivery and vibration poker stage.
High levels of hygiene shall be implemented to minimise the risks of inhalation and ingestion of cement
based products. Emergency water and an eye wash shall be available.
C9 Noise
Noise at work can cause hearing loss which can be temporary or permanent. People often experience
temporary deafness after leaving a noisy place. Although hearing recovers within a few hours, this should
not be ignored. It is a sign that if they continue to be exposed to the noise their hearing could be
permanently damaged. Permanent hearing damage can be caused immediately by sudden, extremely loud,
explosive noises, e.g. from guns or cartridge-operated machines. Hearing loss is usually gradual because of
prolonged exposure to noise. Hearing loss is not the only problem. People may develop tinnitus (ringing,
whistling, buzzing or humming in the ears), a distressing condition which can lead to disturbed sleep,
difficulty hearing and depression. Noise is also a source of annoyance and disruption and may directly or
indirectly increase the risk of accidents.
Workers are exposed to noise from a wide variety of sources including air tools, grinders, dumpers,
pneumatic breakers, compressors, piling hammers and electrical powered tools, etc. The Contractor shall
ensure that where staff are likely to be exposed to noise that a risk assessment has been carried out and
control measures put in place to mitigate the risks.
The risk assessment should be carried out by a trained, competent person to identify all workers likely to be
exposed. The items listed below are common causes for high noise levels in the workplace:
Control measures to reduce the danger from noise should consider the following points:
Training
All employees shall be provided with information, instruction and training to include:
The likely noise exposures anticipated in the workplace and the risk such exposures create.
Control measures to eliminate or minimise the risk.
How to maintain any control measures which have been implemented.
Work place inspection regimes shall include regular monitoring and reviews of the exposure of personnel to
noise. Therefore the Contractor must be in possession of calibrated sound level metering equipment to
collate factual data.
C10 Dust
The Contractor shall ensure that all site operations which create dust are subject to risk assessment and
control measures to reduce human exposure on the following basis:
Prevention.
Suppression.
Containment.
The following routine construction site activities give rise to dust burdens which cause a hazard to operatives
and the wider workforce:
Drilling.
Breaking.
Chasing.
Cutting.
Brushing and sweeping.
Crushing.
Blowing.
Hot, dry and windy weather conditions, together with vehicle movements around site can also lead to the
production of considerable amounts of dusts becoming airborne. The dust can be blown around site and off
site, putting the public at risk as well as site personnel.
The Contractor shall implement control measures to reduce dust burdens to a minimum level using:
Alternative processes.
Water or similar suppression.
Dust extraction.
Wetting.
C11 Vibration
Repeated exposure to high levels of vibration is potentially harmful and some workers may risk developing
vibration white finger (VWF) or cause damage to arteries, nerves, bones and muscles leading to a painful
condition known as hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).
The Contractor shall ensure that all work with vibratory tools is risk assessed and monitored, including
consideration of alternative processes which could reduce the volume of hand working required. All
vibratory tools shall be inspected and maintained in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations.
All vibratory tools shall be selected to be intrinsically safe with vibration reduction devices fitted. All
operatives of vibratory tools will be monitored and checks carried out of their hands, back and joints for de-
fatting, swelling, pins and needles and joint pain. The operation of the vibratory tool shall be rotated around
the workforce to enable a sufficient recovery break for individuals from the effects of vibration.
The operator of the vibratory tool will wear suitable PPE for the task in addition to general site requirements
and include gloves, hearing protection, dust mask and industrial class goggles/visor.
Regular work with the following tools and equipment, which generate high levels of vibration, need
particular attention:
Any job that causes tingling and numbness in a worker’s fingers after 5 – 10 minutes, or where the worker
develops attacks of finger blanching, shall be regarded as suspect.
Control Measures
The Contractor shall reduce vibration exposure by choosing work methods and machines, which have low
vibration output. Vibration levels shall be established before deciding which tool or machine to select. The
Contractor shall consider if the job be done without using high level vibration tools. Tools designed to
minimise vibration should be selected.
Tools and equipment must be maintained in a good condition (anti-vibration pads/mounts checked
regularly, worn parts replaced). The Contractor shall consider whether the job can be altered to reduce the
grip and pressure that the worker needs to apply. Frequent work breaks should be taken to avoid long
periods of continuous vibration exposure. It is important workers keep warm during cold weather and the
Contractor shall provide heating and suitable clothing such as gloves. The Contractor must provide workers
with information and training on risks of vibration and ways of minimising the risk through good working
practices and keeping good blood circulation with exercises. It is important to inform workers how they can
report the first signs of injury and who to.
The Contractor shall ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the risks to health from the use of
hazardous, carcinogenic, mutagenic or repro-toxic substances, chemicals, preparations and biological agents
on site are managed. The Contractor shall:
The Contractor shall carry out risk assessment of the hazards presented on site from all forms of dangerous
substances present or likely to be used on site. The site specific risk assessment shall also identify who or
what will be affected, whether there is a requirement for Local Ventilation /General Ventilation, extraction,
first aid requirements, PPE/RPE requirements and emergency procedures.
Dangerous substances shall be registered and there shall be access to materials data sheets providing
information for all workers. Supervisors shall ensure that operatives using the substances are appropriately
trained and informed and that the risk mitigation measures for operatives and other workers are put in place
prior to commencing a task. The use of dangerous substances will generally require the supply and use of
specific PPE which shall be identified and provided by the Contractor.
The preferred approach is for the Contractor to use substitutes, i.e. avoiding use of a hazardous chemical
agent, replacing it with a chemical process or agent which, under the conditions in which it is used, is not
hazardous or is less hazardous for the health and safety of his workers.
Use of carcinogenic, mutagenic or repro-toxic products (as defined by the World Health Organisation WHO)
is not permitted. Nevertheless, it is recognised that for some materials there is no practical alternative. If it
is really not possible to avoid these materials, they shall only be brought onto the site subject to the prior
written consent of the Owner, based on a reasoned justified request by the Contractor.
The following should be considered when conducting a risk assessment for dangerous substances:
All substances delivered to site shall be accompanied with a data sheet to be used to aid in the
compiling of the risk assessment.
All substances damaging to and life shall be stored in a protective containment area.
All hazardous chemical/substance storage areas shall be contained, protected and appropriately
signed.
Oxidising, flammable, corrosive and explosive substances shall be physically segregated.
A risk register shall be compiled listing all hazardous chemicals/substances, their location and
quantities.
Data sheets shall be attached to the rear of the register.
A copy of data sheets shall be located at the storage area.
A copy of data sheets shall be attached to the emergency response plan.
A master copy of data sheets shall be retained within the site health and safety files.
The register will be continually reviewed and updated, and include:
o Product name (Trade Name).
o United Nations Number.
o Dangerous Goods Class and any secondary class.
o Hazchem code.
o Storage location.
o Maximum storage quantities.
o Person[s] likely to be exposed.
All substances will be stored, handled and disposed of in accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendations. Appropriate welfare facilities with hot/warm running water, soaps and barrier creams
and first aid facilities will be established. A high standard of personal hygiene will be implemented to
prevent risk from contact, inhalation and ingestion.
It is important that effective training is carried out to ensure workers are provided with information and
instruction as to the control measures and health checks that may be required for working with dangerous
substances. The Contractor shall ensure that:
Induction training includes details of chemical / hazardous substances and control practices.
Employees are actively involved in the development of control measures, e.g. development of
method statements.
Supervisors receive training in chemical / hazardous substances awareness.
Records of training provided to employees shall be maintained and made available to the Owner on request.
The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that there is a safe system of work for all works involving
the use of any form of asbestos, asbestos based products and synthetic mineral fibres to manage the risks
arising from the particular hazards arising from skin contact, inhalation of dust and manual handling to
workers involved in the process. In addition, the risk assessment shall encompass the wider aspects of risks
associated with the activities on the wider workforce.
Asbestos
Asbestos is the generic name given to a number of naturally occurring inorganic fibrous silicate minerals.
Asbestos materials have been widely used in the construction industry and may be present in a number of
manufactured products such as cement sheeting, moulded insulation, gaskets, thrust bearing pads, ropes,
blocks, fire resistant boards, etc.
Health Risks
Over a period of time, breathing asbestos dust can cause asbestosis (scarring of the lung), which may go
undetected for years after exposure. All forms of asbestos are capable of causing asbestosis. The most
important factors in the development of the disease are the amount of dust to which the individual is
exposed, duration of exposure, and the personal susceptibility of the individual to the asbestos fibre. In
addition, asbestos fibres can penetrate the skin, causing small tumours, warts, or corns. These asbestos
tumours are usually found on the palms or fingers. They may not be cured unless every minute fibre is
removed.
The maximum allowable concentration of airborne asbestos dust shall not exceed 0.2 asbestos fibres longer
than five microns in length per cc of air on a time-weighted average (TWA) exposure for an eight-hour work
day.
Works with asbestos might be necessary on brownfield sites, on which asbestos has been used previously or
has been deposited and buried. In specific circumstances, greenfield sites might be on or adjacent to
naturally occurring asbestos. This shall be identified in ground and soil condition survey and shall be risk
assessed. If asbestos is found to be present, the following risk controls shall be incorporated:
Specific control measures shall be implemented for working with asbestos as follows:
All operatives involved in the operation shall wear appropriate personal protective equipment,
including respiratory protective equipment to prevent contact and inhalation of asbestos fibres.
The operations shall minimise disturbance, cutting, drilling and sweeping of asbestos dust.
Where these operations are necessary the asbestos shall be suitably contained, ventilation and
emission control and monitoring shall be implemented.
If the asbestos is to be moved or worked, the product shall be wetted to minimise dust creation.
High levels of hygiene shall be implemented to minimise the risks of inhalation and ingestion of
asbestos based products. Emergency water and an eye wash facilities shall be available.
The Contractor shall provide showering/washing facilities for all employees engaged in asbestos
work.
The Contractor must ensure that employees use these facilities before leaving the job site at the end
of each shift.
If extensive works are necessary on or adjacent to asbestos products, the health and safety plan shall
consider the provision of direct supervision by a competent person to limit risk of exposure of operatives
directly involved in the process.
Installation Process
The person responsible for installation, along with the Contractor health and safety manager shall inspect
the area of installation prior to work starting and decide the optimum time for the work to be carried out
and ensure pre-work controls, e.g. barricading and signage is adequate. Others working in the vicinity of the
installation work shall be given at least three days notice of installation work beginning.
Personal protective clothing and equipment provided to employees involved with the SMF materials
installation work shall be detailed in the method statement.
Housekeeping
Work areas shall be cleaned regularly to prevent the build up of fibres and/or dust using an industrial
vacuum cleaner. Visible waste material shall be removed promptly from the work areas and be placed in
plastic bags or other containers, which prevent fibre and dust emission. This waste will be disposed of in
accordance with the site work method.
Safety Inspection
The person responsible for the installation and the Contractor health and safety manager shall carry out
regular formal inspections of the installation, storage and disposal areas to evaluate compliance with the
approved method statement. Any deficiency identified during an inspection shall be immediately addressed.
Blanket/batt.
Bulk fibre (some bulk fibres are supplied with a dust suppressing lubricant).
Modules (some modules are supplied using unbounded blanket).
Over braided lagging.
In the installation of unbounded materials the following handling and installation procedures are
recommended. All installation practices shall be designed to minimise the liberation of any airborne
fibre/dust. In large installations of several days/weeks duration, the installation area shall be clearly defined,
barriers erected and signs posted to prevent casual access.
The ceramic fibre material shall be stored in sealed plastic bags or similar containers until it is required for
installation. These containers shall only be opened within the designated work area when work is to start.
Where possible, materials shall be delivered in sizes such that a minimum of handling and machining is
required. However, when cutting or drilling is required, they shall be done with hand tools or power tools
fitted with local exhaust extraction. The exhaust from such extraction equipment shall be filtered and
positioned away from other work areas.
Wet Spray - This technique generally involves the use of a spray consisting of a ceramic fibre and cement
mix. This spray is used as an abrasion resistant lining for furnaces and to a lesser extent for fire protection in
buildings. Very few airborne fibres are generated because the fibre content is bound in cement. In this
application the following handling procedures are recommended:
All the material used in this type of application shall be stored in sealed bags.
These products shall be delivered to their point of use in sealed bags.
The bags shall be placed into a hopper and then slit open.
Excess shaking of the bags shall be avoided.
A suitable local exhaust system shall be in place and operating when emptying the bags.
Upon completion of the job, all excess materials shall be sealed in bags before removal from the
designated work area.
A cleaning and maintenance programme for the relevant work areas must be implemented.
No spraying shall commence until the nozzle is aimed at the target area.
No material shall be left in the machine unless the machine is adequately covered.
Cleaning and maintenance of the machine and adjacent areas shall be carried out the completion of
the job.
Modules (some modules are supplied with a latex or similar binding system).
Cast-able (supplied dry with a cement binder system).
Paper.
Felt.
Boards.
Performed shapes.
Rope braid and cloth.
In the installation of bonded materials the following handling and installation procedure are recommended:
All installation practices shall be designed to minimise the liberation of any airborne fibre/dust.
In large installations of several days/weeks duration, the installation area shall be clearly defined,
barriers erected and signs posted to prevent casual access.
The ceramic fibre material shall be stored in sealed plastic bags or similar containers until it is
required for installation. These containers shall only be opened within the designated work area
when work is to start.
Where possible, materials shall be delivered in sizes such that a minimum of handling and machining
is required. However, when cutting or drilling is required, they shall be done with hand tools or
power tools fitted with local exhaust extraction. The exhaust from such extraction equipment shall
be filtered and positioned away from other work areas.
Empty bags shall be folded and stored in a waste container along with any other waste material.
On completion of the job, all excess material shall be sealed in bags prior to the removal from the
designated work area. The work area shall then be vacuumed using an industrial vacuum cleaner.
Wet mopping and wiping down can be utilised if an industrial vacuum cleaner is not available.
Disposable coveralls or long sleeve loose fitting clothing and gloves (launder-able clothing shall be
washed separately from other clothing).
Where overhead work is involved, goggles and head coverings shall be worn.
A half face mask (Class L or M) respirator shall be worn during work in enclosed or poorly ventilated
spaces.
Manual Handling is the transporting or supporting of a load by hand or by bodily force including:
The most common injuries from manual handling are sprains or strains, often to the back. Sprains and
strains arise from incorrect application of bodily force; poor posture and excessive repetition of movement
can be important factors in their onset. Many manual handling injuries are cumulative rather than being
attributable to any single handling incident. A full recovery is not always made and the result can be physical
impairment or even permanent disability. Hands, arms and feet are also vulnerable and poor handling can
also put excessive stress on the knees.
If there is a risk of injury from manual handling and the operation cannot be avoided or mechanised then a
manual handling risk assessment shall be carried out. Types of risk situations may include:
Control Measures
The Contractor shall utilise the following control measures to reduce the risk of injuries from manual
handling.
Those performing manual handling shall adopt the following good handling techniques:
o Size up the load (how heavy it is).
o One man lift or team lift (is it too heavy or awkward for one person to lift).
o Stop and think (where is the load to be placed) and prepare the path to be taken, e.g. open
doors, remove obstructions, etc.
o Face direction of travel (avoid twisting or turning whilst carrying a load.
With ever-increasing use and variety of mechanical plant on construction sites, there is an increased risk of
accidents occurring, the results of which are usually very serious if not fatal. With the speed, size and
complexity of plant and machinery, hazard identification and the evaluation of the risks associated with the
project shall be established. The Contractor shall consider the hazard potential as high due to the
seriousness of injuries sustained when plant is involved and the risk assessment and safe systems of work
shall reflect this.
Earthmoving plant.
Road making plant and equipment.
Crushing plant and equipment.
Miscellaneous plant and equipment.
For any particular task there is often more than one item of plant or type of vehicle that could undertake it.
Selecting the right plant or vehicle can make the job significantly safer. If it is too small there can be a
temptation to overload the machine and it may not have sufficient stability.
Many construction vehicles have significant blind spots (areas that the driver cannot see) in various locations
around the vehicle; this can create risks to both nearby workers, pedestrians, other vehicles and to the
vehicle itself, when the vehicle is moving.
Construction plant and equipment operates in harsh environments and therefore requires regular and
effective inspections and maintenance.
The Contractor shall ensure that plant and equipment used takes account of the following:
Operational Use
Persons shall not remain on, or in a vehicle that is being loaded with loose material unless there is
adequate protection for the associated risks.
No vehicle shall be overloaded. Checks shall ensure the load is secure and evenly distributed.
Ensure starting handle shafts, belts, worm drives, and flywheels are guarded.
Floors of cabs are to be kept clean, tidy, and free from oil and trip hazards.
No passengers to be carried, unless there is a suitable fixed position (seat as per design) and
authorised to do so.
Persons must not mount or dismount from a moving machine and shall use the proper hand/foot
holds. Three points of contact shall be maintained at all times.
Where adjustments are required to be made by the driver/operator, these shall not be made with
the engine running, unless unavoidable. i.e. tick-over adjustment.
Unattended vehicles shall be left on firm level ground, in neutral or park mode, hand brake or
emergency brake engaged and with the engine switched off.
Vehicles and mobile plant shall be fitted with audible reversing alarms and flashing orange beacons.
The alarms shall be automatic upon selecting a reverse gear. The volume must be suitable for the
environment it is operating in, so it can be heard clearly. Reversing alarms must not be considered
as the sole control measure to manage plant at site, but simply an additional risk control and shall be
supplemented by other effective control measures to reversing safely at all times. Before reversing,
a check must be made to make sure that the rear of the vehicle is clear. If the rear view is
obstructed, a banks man / spotter shall be provided.
Driving up/down gradients shall be at right angles and not “across”. Low gears shall be selected for
downhill travel.
Speed limits must be adhered to. Excessive speed shall not be tolerated and repeated failure to
comply with limits will result in disciplinary action.
Smoking is prohibited within the cab and during re-fuelling (site smoking rules will apply).
The use of handheld mobile communication devices whilst operating plant and machinery shall be
prohibited.
The use of ear buds, headphones and portable MP3 players whilst operating plant and machinery
shall be prohibited.
All mechanical plant must be in good condition and working order and maintained accordingly this may
include but is not limited to:
Dumpers, tractors and trailers.
Vehicles with tipping bodies.
Forklift trucks.
Earthmoving machinery.
Crawler, tractor (dozers).
Scrapers.
Excavators.
Trenchers.
Loading shovels.
Graders.
General machinery.
Scrapers
Motorised scrapers are essentially high-speed movers of soil, requiring well-maintained haul roads for
efficiency and safety. The haul roads shall be sufficiently wide to accommodate the traffic using it. If haul
roads cross, and the amount of traffic warrant it, such crossings shall be manned or controlled by traffic
control lights. A lateral distance of 25m minimum shall be maintained between working scrapers. When
working on gradients:
Machines shall be kept in gear when travelling downhill. When travelling, the bowl shall be high enough to
avoid collision with the ground or any objects.
360° Excavators
All excavators require a thorough examination to be carried out at least every twelve months, the certificate
being available for inspection in the cab. The machine must be examined by a competent person before use
on site and thereafter every seven days. Written records shall be kept and made available to the Owner on
When the front shovel is being used, the backhoe attachment shall be in the travel position, with
safety locking device in place.
When the front shovel is being used, the backhoe attachment shall be in the travel position, with
safety locking device in place.
When operating the backhoe in poor ground conditions, the outriggers tend to sink, and therefore,
frequent checks shall be made of the stability of the machine.
The loading shovel shall always be lowered to the ground to stabilise the machine, when the
backhoe is being used.
Trenchers
It is essential to determine, before digging commences, the specific precautions that must be taken to
ensure safe working with machines of this type. Trenching machines shall be fitted with a safety “slip clutch”
on the digging mechanism, which stops the drive when an obstruction is encountered. The operator must
manually disengage the digging mechanism, before attempting to remove the obstruction. Turning of the
machine, whilst digging, shall be done cautiously.
Loading Shovels
All loading shovels must be fitted with an audible reversing alarm, which shall be maintained in working
order. The tyres of wheeled machines must be in good condition, and correctly inflated. The buckets shall
be carried low when travelling. When travelling up gradients, the load and bucket shall lead. Harsh braking
shall be avoided particularly when the bucket is loaded.
Graders
Although designed for use on slopes, such work can be hazardous in wet conditions. Many graders are
provided with front wheel lean, articulated steering or wheel offset steering, the facilities shall be used with
caution on sloping ground and near excavations. When working on a road used by other traffic, the blade
shall be angled towards the outer edge. When scarifying across a slope, the blade slope, the blade shall be
positioned across the machine to provide protection against tipping.
Machinery
All dangerous parts of machinery, including non-powered machinery, must be securely guarded or fenced,
unless they are so placed out of absolute physical reach rendering it as safe as if they were so guarded.
Where a fixed or interlocked guard is not possible, another acceptable method is provision of an automatic
safety device, which prevents the operator from coming into contact with the dangerous part of the
machine. All guards must be substantially constructed, properly maintained, and kept in position whilst the
Reporting of Defects
Operators shall be encouraged to report defects or problems. Reported problems shall logged and resolved
quickly. If they are safety critical, the machines shall be quarantined until they are repaired.
The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that is a safe system of work for all works involving the use
of any portable electric power tools or equipment and working on temporary electrical installations. The
safe system of work should take into account:
All construction portable and power tools where practicable shall be 110 Vac or less and centre tapped to
earth for 110 V electrical powered tools. Use of battery powered tools shall be subject to prior agreement
by the Contractor. All electrical tools, transformers, splitter boxes, cables and accessories shall be inspected
daily before first use and maintained in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations. All faults
shall be reported immediately and that piece of equipment will be removed from the working area and
quarantined until repaired or replaced. All portable appliances and cables shall be appropriately tagged to
show inspection dates, equipment number and owner details.
Only competent and certificated electricians shall carry out tests and repairs on damaged electrical items.
All tools, plant and equipment will be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations by
competent workers. Where applicable all rotating electrical powered tools shall have a dead man
switch/release fitted to ensure that the tool automatically stops once the trigger is released. It is not
expected that anything larger than 16-ampere size will be needed for general application, apart from those
instances where distribution cables may be connected to sub-distribution boards via heavy-duty plugs and
socket outlets.
On heavy equipment running off 380 volts or greater, the supply should be provided with some form of
monitored-earth protection plugs / sockets of a specialised, non-interchangeable pattern shall be used.
These shall be of adequate size and strength for the voltages and current involved. Plugs and socket outlets
in all offices, stores, etc., may be up to 250Vac with fused plugs.
Extension Cables
All extension cables shall have a current inspection tag affixed and shall be checked for damage prior to use.
Extension cables in once office shall not be used to supply power to another office, building or adjacent
offices. Cables may not run through doors, windows or ceilings unless for the purposes of temporary
construction which requires the cable to be physically protected from damage. Extension cables shall not be
overloaded and care should be taken to ensure that the cable have sufficient capacity to carry the electrical
load. Extension cables that are frayed, or have insulation tears, cracks, abrasions, bent, broken or “spread”
prongs shall not be used.
Overhead Cables
Overhead supplies from a supply point or metering point to distribution boards on site shall be of a robust
pattern and preferably pliable, wire armoured and with a further outer sheath of insulating material.
Braided screened cable may be used, but the more usual types will be PVC insulated, wire armoured and
PVC sheathed cable. All these cables must be properly terminated and have suitable and efficient protective
devices such as H.R.C. fuses or moulded circuit breakers. The cables shall be sited so as to present the
minimum obstruction on the site.
Underground Cables
The cables must be suitable for the duty and loading expected, e.g. armoured PVC cables. The cables shall
be buried at a safe depth and their routes clearly marked both on the site and on the site plans. The cables
shall be properly terminated and be provided with efficient circuit protection. Cable routes shall be so
arranged that the minimum of obstructions are caused.
Distribution Cabling
These cables will normally be multi-strand multi-core armoured PVC cables but, in certain cases, may take
the form of mineral insulated copper clad (m.i.c.c.) cables. The latter type shall be sheathed with PVC. The
installation must be so arranged as to prevent the need for long trailing cables. Socket outlets shall be
located as near the working point as possible. Power and lighting circuits shall be kept separate. Adequate
records shall be made of all parts of the installation and shall be kept up to date when alteration or
extensions are made.
Special care must be taken when a distribution cable is damaged. Repairs must be performed in such a way
that the repaired section offers at least the same electrical and mechanical strength as the original cable
prior to such damage.
Distribution Boards
These shall be accommodated in weatherproof positions or cabinets. They shall be proofed against
interference or unauthorised operation and they shall be large enough to accommodate all the necessary
Grounding system regular checks must be put in place in order to assess grounding continuity and to ensure
all equipment connected to it is properly connected.
Electrical Shock Protection Devices (Residual Current Device (RCD), Electric Leakage Circuit breaker (ELCB),
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI))
An RCD or ELCB or GFCI rated at 0.03A / 30mA (milliamps) is to be installed to all distribution boards and all
individual electrical supply circuits. These devices shall be tested before use on each shift. The trip rating on
these devices shall be non-adjustable. Installation must be carried out by suitable qualified electricians and
arranged to protect persons who may be exposed to harmful electrical current. Records of testing must be
located at the boards and once each sheet becomes full, be filed on site for reference.
Earth Leads
Earth leads must be coloured green and yellow, shall be of stranded copper or copper alloy with a cross
section of at least 6 sq.mm. The maximum size need not exceed 70 sq.mm. Every earth connection and
joint must be properly made by means of efficient clamps or couplings. Non-ferrous materials shall be used.
Lighting
General site temporary lighting must conform to the following points:
Lamps and fittings shall be of weatherproofed construction.
All cable runs shall be secured.
Cables shall be of the armoured or screened pattern, including an earthing core to which the metal
work of the lamps and supporting structures shall be bonded.
Lamp holders fitted with pin-contacts intended to be pressed through the cable sheath underneath
shall not be used.
Lamps shall be of sufficient output to provide even and adequate illumination with no ‘black spots’
in between pools of light.
o Hazard or obstruction lighting - it is a requirement that all obstructions, excavations and any
other impedance to pedestrians or vehicle traffic shall be highlighted with warning lamps.
The warning lamps can be run at either 110 volts or 24 volts. The supply must be properly
earthed at the transformer. If metal barriers are used these must be bonded together and
earthed.
Tagging
After the pre-use or routine monthly equipment inspection, the competent electrician shall attach a tag to
show test pass or fail and the date of the next due inspection. Tags shall be robust such that they do not
become detached from the equipment or become illegible.
Register
All temporary power supplies and electrical tools being brought on or used at the project shall be recorded
on a register. The electrical equipment register shall be developed and maintained and include a description
of the equipment, serial number, date purchased, company number (put onto the item to uniquely identify
it), details/findings from a weekly inspection and the dates the equipment was last inspected. This
requirement also applies to Sub-Contractors.
Training
A “qualified electrician” or “competent electrician” will require appropriate training and experience to be
deemed “competent” to perform electrical work over 50 volts. Extra high voltage work requires additional
specific training carried out by a competent person or training provider.
Unqualified electrical employees who may be permitted to work below 50 volts will require specific training
to be able to carry out this work in a competent manner. In addition, those persons must work under the
guidance and general supervision of a suitably qualified electrician. Unqualified employees who may assist
the general duties of a qualified electrician will require in-house training in general electrical safety
procedures to enable recognition of electrical hazards and controls.
First aid training is mandatory for those working with electricity under some local regulations and where this
is not a legal requirement it is strongly recommended that workers who carry out electrical work have CPR
training as a minimum. This is required to be refreshed every 2 years.
The Contractor shall ensure that construction and commissioning activities which present a risk to the
employees in respect to hot work are eliminated or reduced to as low as reasonably practicable. Hot work is
defined as “operations requiring the use of open flames or the local application of heat or friction”. There
are many procedures that involve or have the potential to generate sufficient heat, sparks or flame to cause
a fire. This includes:
Welding.
Flame cutting.
Soldering.
Brazing.
Grinding.
The use of other equipment incorporating a flame, e.g. tar boilers, etc.
Work being undertaken in areas with limited fire stopping (e.g. roof voids).
Sparks and slag falling through cracks and other floor openings, starting fires in hidden locations.
Work being undertaken by persons with little knowledge and awareness of fire risks and
precautions.
Work being undertaken in higher risk environments (e.g. confined spaces).
Pipes or other metal with conductive heat igniting combustible walls, partitions, ceilings, roofs or
other combustibles.
Containers and piping containing flammable vapours or fumes with the possibility of explosions and
fire.
The Contractor shall ensure also ensure:
Co-ordination of the work activities with other persons or other work processes.
Provides time limits when it is safe to work.
Provision of specialised PPE or methods of communication.
Ensures that the works are properly supervised.
Hot Work must be suspended at least 30 minutes before the end of shift / working day. The area of any hot
work must be thoroughly examined every 15 minutes for one hour after the work has finished as part of the
fire watch precautions. This may extend to cavities, voids, rooms, cupboards, ducts or other spaces where
despite precautions, flame, hot sparks or conducted heat may have penetrated.
The Contractor shall ensure that all activities which involve compressed air systems are assessed and a safe
system of work is put in place. Portable pneumatic equipment hand held tools are usually connected to a
compressed air system (portable compressor) by lengths of flexible hose which during the course of its life
will be subject to mechanical damage and considerable flexing. This damage and/or flexing particularly at
connection points can cause the hose to rupture. This can lead to sudden discharges of compressed air and
may cause unsupported lengths of hose to ‘whip’ and ‘snake’ dangerously causing impact injuries.
Breakaway and anti-whip lash straps shall be used on all air hoses. The use of flow-sensitive shut-off devices
on compressor outlets should also be considered.
Other potential injuries related to compressed air use in the workplace include:
Air line pressures can cause swarf or other particles to move at high velocity creating a serious
hazard to the eyes of the operator or anyone nearby.
Entering body orifices such as the mouth, ears and anus, causing severe and sometimes fatal
injuries.
At high pressure it can penetrate the skin.
Particles or oil carried in an air jet can damage the eyes.
Oil-coke deposits in a system can spontaneously ignite and cause an explosion.
Vessels containing compressed air, even at low pressure, can explode violently once their integrity is
lost.
Dirty or ‘wet’ air can lead to corrosion and blocked valves which may make the system unsafe.
Air blow guns frequently produce high noise levels.
Many medium and large compressors are supplied as packaged units and would typically comprise:
A compressor.
Air intake.
Filter.
Motor or combustion engine.
Air cooler.
A common bed frame with factory-connected piping and factory-installed electrical controls and
wiring.
Enclosed in a sheet metal housing treated with soundproofing material to reduce noise levels.
Dirty or ‘wet’ air can cause a system to fail e.g. by causing fine particles of debris to agglomerate, blocking
safety related valves. Wet air can corrode pipe work, reducing the safe maximum pressure. Both the air
entering the compressor and the delivered air shall be as dry, clean and cool as possible.
Precautions
The Contractor shall ensure the following precautions are taken:
All ‘V’ belts, pulleys and other dangerous parts shall be guarded to prevent access and injuries. A
permit to work shall be employed during maintenance.
Medium or large multi-stage positive displacement compressors shall have a safety valve fitted
between each stage and, where appropriate in the intercooler or after cooler circuit.
On small fixed and small and medium transportable compressor units, where the outlet of the
compressor is directly connected without shut-off or non-return valves to an air receiver to which no
other source of pressure is attached, one safety valve on the air receiver is sufficient.
A calibrated air pressure gauge with a readily visible appropriate scale-reading shall be provided
after each stage of compression.
On medium and large reciprocating compressors with forced lubrication systems a gauge shall be
provided to indicate oil pressure.
If the compressor is water cooled, a thermostat shall be provided to the cooling water return to the
radiator header tank to shut down the compressor when the water temperature exceeds the
manufacturer’s recommended maximum. The water supply may require protection against freezing
in low temperatures.
Compressors create one of the most common noise problems associated with the workplace and the
noise can be potentially damaging. The Contractor shall ensure the hierarchy of risk control is
observed:
o Siting the compressor away from work areas.
o Providing the compressor with an acoustic enclosure (the need for access and removal for
maintenance will need to be addressed).
o Providing anti-vibration mountings.
o The fitting of, or improving the performance of silencers.
o Access to compressor enclosures shall only be permitted when workers are wearing suitable
and effective hearing protection.
o Where air is discharged to the atmosphere during the normal course of operation of the
machine, and this causes workers to be exposed to high levels of noise, some method of
reducing the worker’s exposure shall be considered.
o Components shall be re-located, or shielded.
o Operators shall not be subjected to air blasts from exhaust ports.
o Use of PPE, e.g. hearing protection.
A portable tool is usually connected by use of a quick-acting connector. These connectors shall be
designed so that when disconnected, the air supply is automatically sealed on the upstream side and
air pressure on the downstream side is slowly vented.
Pressure regulators shall be used to reduce the air pressure to the optimum value for the safe and
efficient use of the equipment being used.
Maintenance
Contractors must provide and maintain safe systems of work for workers using compressed air plant, tools
and equipment. The Contractor shall operate the systems, tools and equipment in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions and follow a written schedule of maintenance. The efficient and safe running of
a compressed air system relies on:
Cleanliness.
Filtration.
Cooling.
Lubrication.
A daily routine check shall be carried out on compressors. The check shall, where applicable, include the
following:
Cooling water shall be visually checked to make sure that it is circulating properly by observing the
flow outlet or flow indicator.
Oil level in the crank chamber shall be checked using a dipstick, level gauge or other device. Any
excessive usage of lubricating oil shall be investigated.
The oil pressure shall be checked.
The oil feed to the cylinders shall be checked to make sure that it is adequate but not excessive. Oil
consumption shall be recorded, as excessive consumption can often lead to explosions downstream
of the compressor.
The outlet air pressure and temperature shall be checked.
The compressor performance shall be checked, e.g. by listening for any unusual noises during
running.
Any defects found shall be rectified and a record kept.
At the end of each day any accumulation of oil and water shall be drained from the air receiver, the
intercooler, the after cooler and main supply pipes.
The Contractor shall ensure that all tools used on site are of the best quality with proper safeguards and are
suitable for the use intended. All tools shall be free from defects and maintained in good condition. Work
tool selection shall take into account the particular conditions and risks associated with the environment in
which the work is carried out (such as exposure to water, physical shocks, heat, cold, dust, explosive
atmosphere, etc.). Work equipment must be suited to the users, correctly maintained and in good operating
condition.
All the Contractor and Sub-Contractor work equipment must be protected against improper use. Any loose
items must be removed from the worksite, or must be solidly attached. All work equipment must be used in
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions so as not to endanger the workers. The Contractor shall
ensure that workers who use the work equipment have understood and taken note of instructions and are
trained and competent in the work equipment.
Hand Tools
Where possible, cordless tools or tools which operate from a 110V supply system, centre-tapped to earth (so
that the maximum voltage to earth shall not exceed 55V) are preferred. If higher voltages have to be used
then earth leakage circuit breakers (ELCB), residual current devices (RCD) or ground fault current
interrupters (GFCI) with a rated tripping current no greater than 30 mA (with no time delay) shall be used.
These devices shall be kept free of moisture, dirt and protected against vibration and mechanical damage
and shall be checked daily by operating the test button.
If work is to be done in areas where there is a risk of flammable vapours, intrinsically safe electrical
equipment shall be used to prevent it acting as a source of ignition.
The Contractor shall assess and identify measures to eliminate or reduce risks from exposure to hand-arm
vibration when selecting work equipment. Where required, ensure that control measures to reduce
vibration are properly applied; and provide information, training and health surveillance.
All cartridge operated tools shall be registered at site so that they can be uniquely identified and kept with
their maintenance record. The maintenance must be recorded and the date on which the tool is due its next
maintenance must be indicated on a secure tag attached to the tool
The Contractor shall ensure that the operation of cartridge operated tools is undertaken in a safe place of
work and under a safe system of work. This shall incorporate risk assessment in the local operating
environment and that appropriate supervision is provided. This shall include risks to other workers and the
potential risks associated with unexpected noise.
The Contractor shall ensure that secure storage is available for the tools and cartridges and that this is
subject to regular surveillance. Any loss or unauthorised access to such devices shall be subject to
notification to the Owner.
The following types of risks may be present and control measures shall be implemented to remove or reduce
these risks:
Untrained operators.
Vibration white finger.
When providing pneumatic tools for use at work, the following control measures, as appropriate shall be
used:
Operators shall be trained and competent in the correct use of the tool.
All joints to airlines shall be made with double couplers or other approved matched couplings.
Under no circumstances shall improvisation be permitted.
All hose to coupler connections shall be made with approved fittings. Jubilee type clips shall not be
used.
A control tap shall always be fitted to any tool or jet.
Before any tool is used, the airlines shall be thoroughly checked to ensure they are free from splits
or holes.
Air supply lines shall be protected from damage by vehicles and materials.
The operator shall ensure that all tools and accessories are maintained in a satisfactory condition,
any defects shall be reported to the supervisor.
Any dangerous moving parts shall be completely guarded.
Air jets shall never be directed at any person and shall never be used for cleaning clothing. If
necessary, the use of demarcation tape or physical barriers shall be used.
A system of visual inspection prior to daily use shall be in place.
When an airline is being used for blowing out, then all persons in the immediate vicinity shall be
warned and instructed to wear appropriate eye protection, this will also include the operator.
Piling
The Contractor shall ensure that all piling activities are subject to risk assessment and a management plan,
taking into account:
The work is very dirty and operatives require clean and dirty clothing management facilities.
Provision of transport and suitable lay down areas.
Rigs are heavy, large and difficult to manoeuvre and require access and movement round site.
Stability of ground conditions to suit the location and nature of the operation.
The need for many daily deliveries and handling associated with the operations including receipt and
placement of concrete.
All pile driving equipment is to be inspected weekly by a trained and competent person.
Before commencing the piling operation, the ground shall be checked by a trained and competent
person to confirm its suitability to provide a stable platform. Extreme care shall be taken to ensure the
tracks of the piling machine are level and remain level during piling.
Movement of piling equipment or the piling operation itself may cause sinkholes to appear. A visual
check of the surrounding strata is to be undertaken to confirm a firm foundation.
Driven Piles
Piles shall be stacked properly and wedged in position while stored on site.
Only trained riggers shall be involved with the handling and pitching of piles.
When handling and pitching piles, the wire sling or other lifting device shall be positioned at the correct
lifting point and secure. A tag line(s) shall be attached to the pile.
After the pile is pitched and the hammer is in position, piling shall not commence until the piling
operator has confirmed that all other personnel are clear of the pile and pile leaders.
Hearing protection must be worn by all personnel in the vicinity of the piling operation.
The piling operator must not be distracted while the piling operation is in progress.
When weld splicing piles, the welder must wait for the hammer to be removed and given the all clear
before preparing the splice plate. The second pile must be securely in position and the all clear signal
given by the piling operator before commencing the welded splice.
The welded splice must be inspected by a trained and competent person prior to piling recommencing.
If pre-stressed spun piles are used, the top pile shall be securely covered up until the void is plugged.
When the pile driver is not in use, the hammer must be blocked in the leads or lowered to the ground.
The method of piling chosen shall be commensurate with the site specific requirements. The preferred
method of piling, wherever practicable, shall be vibratory or flyte auger, over impact driven, to attenuate
noise levels. Before piles are lifted they shall be clear of all loose debris, the lifting point shall be checked
and the quick release shackle shall be checked for operability. The toggle rope for the quick release shackle
shall be of an appropriate length to prevent climbing up or reaching out by the piling operatives. Guide lines
shall be fitted where appropriate to suspended piles.
An exclusion zone shall be set up to prevent unauthorised access and where appropriate, delineation of the
noise zone. Appropriate warning and advising signs shall be displayed. All piling rigs shall have a SLI fitted
for the lifting operation that shall be disengaged for the piling operation.
The route that the piling rig will take shall be checked for overhead and underground hazards. The piling
operation and pile lifting operations shall be carried out under the direction of an appointed banks man. The
piling operation/programme shall follow the designer’s and civil engineer’s recommendations. On
interlocking piles, the grooves shall be free from obstruction to enable free running of the pile.
Only trained and competent operatives shall operate the plant and machinery and must be medically fit to
do so.
Drilling
Drilling operations typically consist of trial pitting, window sampling, dynamic probing, boring, piling, rotary
coring, shell and auger or open hole drilling.
A full risk assessment must be carried out and a method statement produced and communicated in advance
of any drilling works.
Borehole locations must be well ventilated if they are sited within buildings or enclosed areas.
Be aware of any possible vibration hazards in or near lose ground. Where necessary, appropriate fall
protection must be installed near cliff faces or rocky inclines to prevent rock falls within the work area.
Ensure fluid run-off is managed to avoid fluid pooling around drilling area.
The rig must be level and stable. Chocks must be robust. Care should be taken to avoid cross-sloping
ground. On soft ground the rig must be set on timber to spread the load and prevent collapse. Only
manufacturer recommended securing pins are to be used, makeshift pins are not permitted.
Equipment Maintenance
All equipment and structures forming part of the drilling operation shall be subjected to appropriate
inspection, lubrication and maintenance as recommended by the equipment manufacturers. A maintenance
register shall be kept, detailing the maintenance required and the maintenance performed.
Thoroughly check rigs before deployment to avoid having to carry out maintenance when erected.
During drilling, all components shall be checked daily for damage, leaks of hydraulic fluid and any other
aspect which could adversely affect the control of the rig.
Note that cable percussion rig frames are not considered a safe means of access to the pulley. Suitable
guarding should be in place to stop the cable from jumping off the pulley.
Manual Handling
Where possible, use mechanical means - winches, lifting tables, cranes, etc. rather than manual handling.
The size of core boxes and casings should be limited to reduce manual handling risks. Where manual
handling is unavoidable, ensure there are enough operatives to carry out any associated manual handling
tasks. Place chocks under casings to restrict any accidental movement. Ensure arms or hands are not placed
under suspended loads, to avoid trapping should the load move unexpectedly.
Drilling Operations
All necessary emergency equipment is to be installed or sited prior to the start of drilling works.
Drilling sites located in areas where other construction activities are being performed, or close to vehicle
movements should have adequate fencing and signage to prevent and discourage the entry of unauthorised
personnel.
An adequate water supply must be installed near to the drilling location for use in dust control and drilling
activities.
All moving parts are to be fully guarded, wherever practicable when in operation, to prevent entanglement.
This can be by either a physical barrier or protective device. A combination of guard and protective device is
also permissible. For vertical drilling, fixed guards are only practicable where rods or augers are stored in a
cassette or similar mechanical handling device. Interlocked guards are acceptable for most drilling
operations if casing, rods or augers, etc. have to be changed. Trip wires do not represent a protective
device. Trip wires act once entrapment has taken place and seek to minimise extent of injuries, whereas
guards prevent injuries. Trip wires should not be used as a guard.
Contaminated Ground
If working on contaminated ground, prior to carrying out any site drilling operations, a desktop study or
survey should be performed, in order to assess the risks to drilling operatives from various contaminants, in
order to decide the level of precautions are required.
On sites where there may be flammable gases, for example, abandoned mine workings or landfill sites, a
portable gas detector must be used to check for flammable gases.
Appropriate protective clothing must be worn at all times on the contaminated site. Contaminated clothing
should be placed in double-skin plastic bags and sealed before disposal or laundering. In the latter case, the
laundry should be advised on the contaminant involved.
Boots, vehicle wheels, tracks and equipment should be thoroughly washed before leaving the site. No soils
or wastes must be removed from the site.
After working in contact with toxic soils, it is important operatives wash hands and forearms thoroughly with
soap, water and disinfectant. Washing should take place after removing contaminated clothing and boots.
Cuts, scratches or abrasions of the skin should be washed as soon as possible and antiseptic applied, with
sterile gauze or a plaster. Operatives should avoid rubbing their nose and mouth with their hands during
work. Any illness should be reported immediately and medical attention sought. Health surveillance should
be put in place where necessary.
Drilling operations normally require operatives to wear hearing protection and sometimes respiratory
protective equipment. Where required, this should be strictly enforced.
C21 Diving
In specific circumstances the construction works will require extensive diving activity. This shall be
monitored throughout the changing phases of construction to re-assess the works for changes in the nature
of the hazards and risk assessment necessary. The planning shall ensure that the water is tested and safe for
the operations, that there are no hazards from disease or animal attack and that users of the water, e.g.
shipping, are notified of the operations work scope, programme and on completion.
Accidents involving divers and their equipment are generally serious, because diving operations are
undertaken in an element unnatural to man. What would be considered to be a minor incident on land,
could cause crippling injury or even death in a diving operation. Due to the extreme hazards of this
occupation, divers must rely on their training, experience and initiative to avoid accidents. For this reason,
the strictest compliance with regulations, standards and instructions must be observed at all times in order
that everything possible is done to minimise the possibility of an accident.
The Contractor shall develop and implement safe systems of work for diving activities that include, but not
be limited to:
Only diving specialists who are competent to undertake the works shall be used.
o Divers must be qualified and experienced in all aspects of underwater inspection,
construction, repairs, and salvage works, including oxy-arc cutting, thermal lancing and the
use of pneumatic and hydraulic tools.
o Divers shall be fully conversant with the use and operation of decompression tables,
recompression chambers and therapeutic decompression procedures.
o Divers shall be familiar with the use of SCUBA, Hookah, and surface supplied helmets
(Swindel, Aquadyne, Kirby-Morgan, etc.) and knowledge of their maintenance and repair is
required.
o Divers will be required to show evidence of their training and experience by providing
certificates from a competent authority.
o All divers must be fluent in both reading and writing the English language and be able to
depict the results of an underwater inspection by the use of sketches.
All diving equipment used in connection with diving and submarine operations shall be produced by
a reputable manufacturer. Equipment shall be of good quality and constructed of sound material, in
accordance with appropriate and recognised accepted standards. Equipment shall be able to
operate efficiently in the prevailing temperatures of the dive area.
Compressors for supplying breathing air must be fitted with adequate filtration and purification
devices. They must be able to provide the air at a rated pressure and capacity to cover the
maximum depth required during the operation.
o The air intake of compressors shall be remotely located with reference to any exhaust
system in the area to prevent contaminants from entering the compressor intake.
o All the safety devices and relief valves on high pressure compressors must be operating
properly.
o Detergent lubricating oils or oils with viscosity less than SAE 30 shall not be used. Care must
be taken not to overfill.
o Compressed air supplied for breathing shall be certified Compressed Gas Association grade D
or better.
A reserve supply of air must be provided, maintained and immediately available in the event of a
primary air supply failure, whether in the form of a standby compressor or high pressure cylinders
Commercial Divers -The diving supervisor will immediately arrange recompression according to the
appropriate table and report the incident to the coordinator manning the diving emergencies numbers.
Diving Coordinator, Diving – The coordinator, on receiving a call on the designated emergency number will
receive the information on diving medical emergencies. The coordinator may elect to proceed with
treatment without notifying the diving medical team in cases of minor decompression sickness. In all Type II
bends and possible gas embolism cases, the duty diving medical consultant shall be notified immediately.
They shall send a monthly report of all incidents involving therapeutic decompression to the project
occupational health specialist.
Diving Medical Team - It shall be comprised of a group of physicians with an interest and training in
hyperbaric medicine who shall rotate as duty diving medical consultants. Nurses with special training will
also be integrated in this group, which shall constantly keep abreast with current practices.
Non-ionising NDT techniques such as ultrasonic are advised. In case ionising radiation equipment is used,
the Contractor shall develop and implement a plan for the management and control of processes on site
which present risks from ionising radiation. The plan shall take account of ionising radiation which occurs as
either electromagnetic rays (such as X-rays and gamma rays) or particles (such as alpha and beta particles).
Radiation also occurs naturally (e.g. from the radioactive decay of natural radioactive substances such as
radon gas and its decay products) and the site specific risk assessment shall establish whether there is risk
from natural sources. Workers can be exposed:
The Contractor shall plan and manage all activities associated with exposure to radiation arising from the use
of radioactive materials and radiation generators in work activities and in particular non-destructive testing
which is a routine activity on construction sites. Planning and timing of works shall be arranged to minimise
risks to all workers involved and not involved in the specific work processes. The planning process shall also
take into account the following control measures that may be required:
The Contractor shall ensure radioactive substances are not purchased, hired or used unless written consent
has been given by the local regulator or authority in the country of operation. The Contractor shall check the
country legislation requirements.
Where practicable, exposure shall be restricted by shielding and containment of radioactive substances, e.g.
carrying out radiography in a suitable enclosure and using suitable collimators. Exposure shall be restricted
by provision of a safe system of work, including controlled and supervised areas marked by barriers and
notices. All NDT works shall be carried out in full compliance with local statutory requirements under a
permit to work and shall be planned wherever practicable to be carried out during off peak hours.
All persons employed on radiography work likely to receive specified minimum doses shall be designated
classified persons and wear suitable film badges or dosimeters and be medically examined. A radiation
protection officer and supervisor shall be appointed. Information, instruction and training shall be provided
for persons working with ionising radiation and others concerned with the work. All NDT operatives will be
medically fit and licensed for radiography works.
Where practicable, radioactive substances shall be in the form of sealed sources, and shall be leak tested
regularly. Records of quantities and locations of radioactive substances shall be kept. Radioactive
substances not in use shall be kept in suitable receptacles, which shall be marked if transported. Monitoring
instruments shall be provided. Any significant losses or spillage shall be reported to the relevant authorities
in the country of operation and to the Owner. Other relevant legislation and regulations shall be referred to
and compiled with where appropriate. Emergency procedures must be revised to accommodate the risk of
losing harmful radioactive sources or being unable to reel isotopes back into their protective containment.
Once the commissioning process has started then the use of IR should be controlled using the PTW / LOTO
system.
C23 Explosives
The default position shall be that explosives are not permitted or to be used on site. Only in specific cases,
where there is no alternative to the use of explosives, shall explosives be used. When used, the Contractor
shall provide written justification, and develop and implement a plan which takes into account local
statutory legislation requirements. The Owners must be informed before explosives are brought on site.
Explosives use and storage shall be considered and risk assessment shall cover all potential consequences of
their storage and use on site and off site locations. Control measures shall ensure that all workers and third
parties are forewarned of the use and timing of any explosion which is likely to cause risks from sudden and
loud noise and vibration or danger from flying debris or objects. Use of explosives shall require a permit for
work.
Operatives authorised to receive and use explosives shall be licensed as necessary in accordance with local
statutory requirements. The Contractor shall ensure that authorised operatives use appropriate PPE and
erect safety barriers, equipment and warning devices to ensure safety of others.
C24 Commissioning
The commissioning process usually comes at a late stage in the project and creates particular hazards
associated with:
Bringing together separate functional systems which previously have only been installed and tested
individually.
Putting systems under pressure and the storing of energy in various forms for the first time.
Utilising permanent supplies, whilst construction supplies remain in use.
Commencing whilst construction in other disciplines and areas continues.
The Contractor shall ensure that the commissioning process is managed by an appointed trained, competent
and experienced commissioning manager who shall compile the philosophy and the control/preventative
measures for all the commissioning activities. These documents shall be prepared and agreed in advance of
commissioning activity with the Owner. All commissioning works shall be carried out under a robust permit
to work system / lock out tag out system and shall become controlled by commissioning rules. All non-
essential personnel shall be excluded from commissioning areas; these areas will be notified in writing to the
site management, who shall advise the workforce and Sub-Contractors. Copies of these instructions shall be
displayed on the site notice boards and these areas and items of plant will be recognisable by commissioning
warning advisory signs, lockouts and chains.
The commissioning manager shall hold daily coordination meetings to discuss activities for the next 24 hours
and any permit to work applications from other departments and Sub-Contractors. The commissioning
manager shall plan and manage any interfaces with other undertakings that may be affected or involved.
The commissioning plan shall ensure that there is clear delineation of electrical supplies between separate
temporary construction supplies and permanent operational or commissioning specific sources.
During and after commissioning, the Contractor shall ensure clear identification of the commissioning status
of plant and equipment, in order to identify which is commissioned and requires appropriate authorisation
for access or work.
The commissioning manager shall ensure that, if required, the Owners operational site permit to work
system, lock out tag out system (safety rules) are used and that competent persons are trained in these site
safety rules.
Where there is no requirement to follow the Owner’s safety rules, then the commissioning manger must
ensure that a safe system of work, such as a permit to work / lock out tag out system is in place, which
clearly sets out how safety is to be achieved during commissioning activities. As a minimum this will include:
The Contractor shall ensure the competency of persons applying the safe system of work during
commissioning. The safe system of work used shall include:
Approach to HV conductors.
Work on or near plant and HV apparatus.
Work on or near LV apparatus.
Plant release.
Isolation.
Venting.
Purging.
Draining.
Stored energy.
Locking and tagging.
Earthing.
The commissioning plan shall ensure that risk assessment and mitigation has been performed taking into
account all disciplines involved in such process. Special attention need to be put in those particular situations
that will only be present during commissioning phase.
The Contractor shall make arrangements to ensure a comprehensive site housekeeping regime is
implemented and monitored. There are three main objectives to maintaining good housekeeping on site:
The Contractor shall maintain all work areas in a clean, tidy and safe condition and shall arrange stored
materials in an orderly manner. The Contractor shall ensure all workers and Sub-Contractors recognise their
responsibilities for good housekeeping where they work and on the site as a whole.
The Contractor shall take any necessary measures to ensure any dust, debris, welding sparks, etc. created by
the works do not impact on others outside the immediate work area. The Contractor shall ensure that the
requirements of Section A12 - Site Planning and Layout and Section A14 - Welfare and First Aid are
continually monitored to ensure a clean site which will lead to improved work conditions and improved
morale. This has been proven to be an important factor in developing and maintaining a positive safety
culture and a safe place of work.
Measures shall be put in place to ensure that regular inspections take place ( including inspections by
supervisors, senior management and joint inspections with the Owner) to check that the project site is
meeting the requirements laid down in Section A12 - Site Planning and Layout and Section A14 - Welfare and
First Aid.
Cleanliness - In every workplace and working area, Contractors are required to keep furniture,
furnishings, fittings and all surfaces in a sufficiently clean state. This requires that floors, walls and
ceiling surfaces shall also be kept suitably clean. Cleaning intervals will depend on the use of the
o Control Measures - The Contractor must make arrangements either for directly employed
cleaning staff or a cleaning contractor to carry out a regular cleaning schedule. Staff shall
accept their contribution towards good housekeeping in their working areas and be aware
that poor discipline regarding housekeeping can cause hygiene and fire problems to occur.
Stairways shall at all times be kept clear of all material and must be properly lit. Handrails must be
provided.
Lighting - Inadequately lit work areas are often the cause of accumulations of rubbish, scrap, etc. All
workplaces, passageways and stairways shall be adequately lit and free from shadows. All light
fittings, windows and roof lights shall be regularly cleaned and defective light bulbs replaced (first
ensuring the current is switched off). Adequate lighting at site boundaries and approaches is also
important.
Access ways and passageways must be kept clear at all times and arranged as the easiest means of
going through a site or workplace, thereby reducing the temptation for workers to take shortcuts
and walk through operating areas and near other equipment. Stacked materials shall not project
into access ways or passageways.
Overhead walkways and ramps - Nothing shall be thrown down from one level to another. Tools,
etc. shall not be placed on overhead locations, such as scaffolding, window ledges, or shelves, where
they can fall and strike people working below. In such locations, suitable protection must be
installed to prevent tools, materials, etc. falling.
Floors, passageways, walkways, etc. must be kept clear of small articles, tools, scrap metal or any
other working material when any of these are no longer in use. Oils, grease or other material, which
can be the cause of slipping or falling, must be removed.
Floors shall be cleared frequently and kept in good condition, firm and level. Worn spots and other
defects shall be reported for repair immediately.
Material Storage - Improper stacking and storage of materials is a major safety hazard and shall not
be tolerated. Stacking must be done in specially designated places and located in such a manner as
to minimise the hazard of a stack falling. The stacked materials must not present a tripping hazard.
Proper clearance shall be allowed between the ceilings and the tops of stacks.
Tools- small tools and implements shall not be permitted to be left lying around where they may
present a slipping, tripping or falling hazard.
o Special racks for tools shall be provided.
o Tool bins shall be provided for picks, shovels and similar tools.
Loose Timber - when shuttering and formwork is stripped, all loose timber must be carefully stacked
and removed. Loose timber with protruding nails is a major source of accidents, therefore all nails
shall be removed or bent over to prevent penetration wounds, etc.
Where an explosive atmosphere could occur the Contractor shall ensure that an “Explosion Protection
Document” (EPD) is drawn up and kept up to date. The EPD shall demonstrate in particular:
Although some local legislation does not explicitly require the preparation of an EPD, it is considered good
practice to record the significant findings of the risk assessment and measures taken to comply with the risks
of explosions.
The Contractor shall develop and implement a plan for the management and control of processes on site
which present risks from the use of abrasive wheels used on high speed power tools.
When an abrasive wheel shatters, the results are often serious and sometimes fatal. Many of these
incidents happen because the wheel is being operated at too high a speed, or the wrong wheel for the task
has been chosen. It is essential therefore that all persons who fit or mount abrasive wheels are suitably
The Contractor shall utilise all necessary control measures to minimise the risks associated with abrasive
wheels. Once a trained person has been deemed “competent” their name will be entered into the site
training register and listed as an appointed person. Where the appointed person is found to have fitted a
wheel incorrectly, the appointment can be revoked from the register and the person retrained before being
permitted to use that equipment again.
The tool operator must ensure that only the correct wheel is used for the machine and material to be
worked on. The RPM shall be marked on the wheel and the machine, the maximum RPM of the machine
shall not exceed that of the wheel. The operator shall be trained in how to make these checks prior to use.
The machine spindle and flanges shall be in good condition and the flanges of equal diameter, and not less
than one third that of the wheel. The flanges shall be recessed on the side next to the wheel and the drive
flange keyed to stop any slipping. Only the correct tool shall be used for changing wheels and care shall be
taken not to over tighten flanges. The tool shall be disconnected from the power source whilst the wheel is
being changed. Guards shall be of good condition, properly adjusted and secured in position.
On bench mounted grinders the machine shall be securely fixed, with all guards and rests properly adjusted
and set at a suitable distance from wheel. Loose clothing, which could become entangled with the
machine/wheel, shall not be worn.
Care shall be taken when operating portable machines in enclosed areas, to ensure adequate ventilation is
provided. If dust is being generated, then suitable respiratory protection shall be worn. Suitable protective
footwear shall always be worn when using this type of machinery.
Persons using high speed tools with abrasive wheels attached shall be trained and assessed as competent
prior to the person physically operating the tool on site.
The Contractor shall plan all steel erection activities and take into account the nature of work on incomplete
and unstable structures during erection. All steel shall be erected in a safe, logical, sequential manner and in
accordance with the issued design drawings.
The Contractor shall develop and implement a plan for the management and control of processes on site
which present risks from the use of high pressure water or steam washing systems. These machines make
both the work areas and the operatives wet and because of this, there is a risk of electric shock from a faulty
machine, or from faulty equipment in the vicinity. Most shocks occur when electrical faults make the metal
lance at the end of the flexible hose, or the machine’s casing live. However, some shocks occur when people
spray into equipment that is still connected to an electrical supply.
Where possible, the Contractor shall arrange for cleaners to be fixed in one place with permanent wiring to
the supply. This is because the parts of cleaners that most often fail are the flexible mains cable and the
connections to the plug and to the cleaner. To prevent failures of flexible cables, the Contractor shall
ensure that the cables are routed away from the work area and not across access ways where they might
get caught and pulled, or run over and damaged. This includes any extension cable, because it too will be
most likely to fail at the connections at the plug or the socket. Waterproof connectors shall be used.
The Contractor shall ensure there is a residual current device (RCD), or an earth monitoring device in the
electrical supply to the cleaner with the trip set at no more than 30mA (no time delay). These devices will
detect most dangerous failures and cut off the supply. The Contractor shall set up a regime of regular
checks for any signs of damage. These checks shall be carried out before the cleaner is used for the first
time each day, or once a shift if it is in constant use. These checks shall include:
Damage to plugs.
Damage to cables.
Damage to electrical covers.
Worn hoses.
Broken handles.
The Contractor shall ensure that regular maintenance is carried out on this type of equipment in line with
the checks set out in Section C15 – Mobile Plant and Equipment.
High pressure jets can force the fluid through the skin and this can be dangerous. No persons shall stand in
front of the cleaning jet. Also, the spray from the cleaner can drift into other work areas, or over other
people and mitigating measures should be put in place to avoid this. The correct PPE shall always be worn
and this must include eye protection.
Forestry work is a high-risk activity. The management issues involved in cutting timber, getting it to the
roadside and transporting it are complex. When planning and performing forestry type operations the
Contractor shall consider the health and safety aspects at all stages, including:
When planning for forestry work on land under control of the project, the Contractor shall organise the
work taking account of the following factors:
Other activities being performed in the forest at the time the forestry work is scheduled.
The effect timing will have on the ground conditions.
The effect that falling tree may have over other surrounding trees or any facility.
Moving plant and/or timber on and off the site and impacts on other vehicle movements around
site.
The health and safety of other personnel not involved in forestry operations.
Liaison with third parties, e.g. individuals or communities affected by timber transport.
Routes or areas of public access.
Overhead power lines.
Underground utilities.
Areas of steep or particularly hazardous terrain (mine workings, cliff edges, etc).
Areas of windblown or diseased trees.
The Contractor shall assess the access roads including the condition, gradients and carrying capacity of those
roads, bridges and culverts over which any forestry vehicles may pass. The appropriate vehicle
configuration, the location of suitable turning points and a one-way system (if appropriate) shall then be
established. This information and the risk assessment process shall be used to establish:
The equipment and materials suitable for the terrain and the work.
The level of training and competences needed to perform the work safely.
The physical control measures and safe working practices to protect the health and safety of those
working on the site or those who may be affected by work on the site.
The arrangements for the movement of timber from the site, e.g. matching the type of vehicle to the
road configuration and the effect of slopes on timber loading.
Wherever possible the Contractor shall select equipment and systems of work that avoid risks from the
outset, e.g. mechanical handling of timber to eliminate the risk of back injuries. When considering the
merits of different systems, the Contractor shall assess whether one system is inherently safer than another,
e.g. using a bulldozer, or tree harvester instead of chainsaw operators to clear trees.
The Contractor shall ensure the following factors are taken into account when performing forestry work:
Features required on machines and vehicles to access site and to work safely.
The machines and equipment shall be fitted with well-maintained rollover protective structures
(ROPS), falling object protective structures (FOPS) and operator protective structures (OPS) to guard
against penetrating objects.
Tools and personal protective equipment required.
Maintenance of the machines, equipment and tools (e.g. guards, brakes, tyres, steering, etc).
Chainsaw operators:
Sprayer operators:
Forestry environment:
Haulage:
D1 Air Quality
The Contractor will put in place appropriate provisions to manage dust arising from construction operations
in order to prevent nuisance and hazards to health. This will include consideration of dust arising from soil
movements, general aggregate handling, engine exhaust fumes and construction traffic.
The following mitigation measures should be considered and their effects monitored:
Inspections to include:
o Monitoring of exit points and the immediate area outside the site entrance.
o Inspections against approved construction contractor method statements.
D2 Noise
The Contractor will put in place appropriate provisions to manage noise arising from construction operations
to ensure plant machinery does not impact significantly on local background noise levels, to control traffic
related noise and vibration, and to minimise disturbance or nuisance to local Residents.
Construction noise typically arises from vehicle movement onto and within the site, excavation and earth
moving activities, piling, erection of scaffolding, steelwork, road upgrades, transport of materials to the site,
and plant assembly.
The following mitigation measures should be considered and their effects monitored:
Co-ordinate all activities in accordance with statutory requirements and government restrictions.
Restrict deliveries and noisy construction activities to a defined time window (e.g. between 07:00 - 19:00
on normal working days and 08:00 - 17:00 hours at weekends/public holidays) unless in case of an
emergency or where it does not cause ambient noise levels to be exceeded.
Contractor to use best practicable means regarding the selection of plant, working practices and working
hours. Detailed method statements pertaining to key activities will be approved by the developer prior
to commencement of works, to ensure that due consideration has been given to all issues, including
noise.
Ensure the use of effective sound reduction equipment where possible, with a particular focus on noisy
equipment such as earth moving plant, piling plant, compressors, generators, breaking equipment, drills
and cement plant.
The following mitigation measures should be considered and their effects monitored:
Give due care to the storage of waste materials. Ensure best practice waste disposal methods are
adopted, with recycling favoured where possible.
Maintain records of wastes removed from the site; such records should include the type and quantity of
waste, as well as the identity of the waste carrier and disposal site.
Provide adequate waste storage facilities and ensure safe handling of waste, including tracking of the
waste and classification of waste as non-hazardous or hazardous.
Reuse excavated material within the site boundary where practicable, and aim to reduce the volume of
excavated material going off site to landfill.
Ensure the correct treatment and disposal of sewage. Install portable treatment works or septic tanks
for containment, treatment and disposal of such waste on site.
Implement a Pollution Incident Control Procedure and provide appropriate equipment to manage
foreseeable incidents. This will include measures to reduce the occurrence of spillages and also provide
procedures for containing and cleaning up any spillages as well as preventative measures.
Store all fuels, oils and chemicals on an impermeable slab in a bunded area.
Fuels for mobile construction plant should be stored in bunded tanks. The bunds should be sealed and
be at least 110% of the tank volume. Filling points and drain valves should be within the bund and
positioned so that in the event of a valve failure, spills would be retained in the bund. Any drains should
be located away from the point where fuels are delivered, or should be capable of being sealed during
fuel delivery to prevent any spills entering the drainage system.
Make provisions for removal and disposal of liquid effluents offsite.
Provide toolbox talks during the site induction to inform the construction workforce of the correct way
to handle and dispose of materials, and the potential causes of spills and other releases of harmful
substances.
Maintain the plant regularly and locate drip trays below mobile plant where appropriate.
Surplus construction materials, packaging materials and domestic wastes should be sorted (where
practicable) for recycling and temporarily stored for onward transportation to appropriate recycling or
disposal facilities. Where possible equipment and material suppliers should be requested to take back
the packaging waste accompanying their products.
Contaminated excavated material should be segregated from “clean” excavated material and subjected
to treatment/remediation prior to on site reuse or removal to disposal sites.
Monitor by regular visual inspection of materials handling and waste management areas, and checking
records of waste removed from the site.
D4 Transport
Develop detailed procedures (as part of a Site Vehicles, Transportation and Traffic Plan) to ensure that
routing of vehicles causes minimal disruption. This should include designating routes for any unusual
loads and providing any necessary advance warnings.
Sheet all vehicles carrying bulk materials into and out of the site to prevent dust dispersal during transit.
Monitor by regular visual inspection of the site roads and immediate external roads.
D5 Ecology
The Contractor will put in place appropriate provisions for the preservation of terrestrial and marine habitats
which may be affected by factors such as the clearing of vegetation, noise, dust, vehicle movements,
blasting, dredging, waste water discharges and turbidity.
The following mitigation measures should be considered and their effects monitored:
Development of a habitat management plan to include identification of potential impacts, and provision
of detailed mitigation and management measure to minimise these impacts.
Ensure provisions are in place for reacting to adverse impacts on ecology as part of the
Pollution Incident Control Procedure.
Minimise and clearly demarcate the land area required for the construction activity, so that vegetation is
only cleared from designated areas.
Prevent uncontrolled waste storage and dumping on, or outside, the construction site.
Ensure that good housekeeping practices are adopted at the site.
Ensure vehicle movements are restricted to authorised routes, with no off-road driving.
Take due consideration of the locations of any significant local ecology/habitats such as bird breeding
sites, mangroves etc., and ensure staff are made aware of their importance.
Ensure construction workers are aware of the potential presence of poisonous snakes, insects that bite
or sting and/or other dangerous animals or plants on site, and receive first aid training appropriate to
these risks in the event of an incident.
Take measures to prevent the unauthorised hunting/killing of animals.
Monitor ecology by a nominated person to ensure that good practice is being employed at all
times and to visually identify any problem areas. Inspections to include visual checks, sampling and
monitoring of key parameters as appropriate:
The use of wastewater for washing systems and dust control should be considered, and monitoring of water
consumption should be included as a part of the regular inspections of the environmental management of
the construction site.
The following mitigation measures should be considered and their effects monitored:
Implement ground investigations at the project site before onset of construction activities to establish
the presence and groundwater and its potential vulnerability to spills.
Install screening (hoardings, trees etc.) to minimise views of construction site and plant, and to minimise
light pollution.
Minimise the size of the temporary lay down area.
Reinstate land not occupied by the completed plant to its original condition (or better) if possible.
In areas where agricultural land will be temporarily used by the construction project, monitor any soil
stripping activity to ensure that the correct depth of topsoil is removed and that it is stored in a manner
that prevents mixing with subsoil material.
Monitor by visual inspections to ensure that good practice is employed and that encroachment into un-
prepared areas is not evident. Inspect the relevant site areas at the end of construction period.
D9 Lighting
The Contractor will put in place appropriate provisions to avoid nuisance from site lighting.
The following mitigation measures should be considered and their effects monitored:
The following mitigation measures should be considered and their effects monitored:
Implement a watching brief. In the event that finds of potential archaeological significance are
discovered, activities should cease and the relevant Government authority should be contacted. Works
must not restart until the site has been inspected and applicable finds have been removed if necessary.
Restrict excavation works, heavy works and associated activities to within the existing site, the
temporary construction area, and existing roads.
Clearly demarcate any newly discovered areas of archaeological importance and put measures in place
to protect archaeologically significant areas, e.g. fencing, education of construction workers, etc.
Require construction staff to report any finds that may have cultural or archaeological significance.
Monitor by means of periodic checks of any demarcated areas.
D11 Housekeeping
Provision for regular cleaning will be provided to maintain a clean and tidy working environment.
Waste will be regularly disposed of to a designated waste storage area and removed from site by a
licensed waste management contractor.
There will be no uncontrolled storage on-site, including the storage of redundant equipment or
machinery, which will be removed by appropriate means.
Procedures will be put in place to ensure that all equipment on site will be periodically inspected and
maintained (including sumps, dust sheeting etc).
Monitor by a nominated person to ensure that good practice is being employed at all times and to
identify any problem areas
The Contractor shall report environmental monitoring statistics pertinent to the site to the Owner on a
calendar monthly basis and copies will be made available to the Contractor.
Data relating to any environmental court rulings or significant environmental incidents will also be reported
on a monthly basis to the Regional Environmental Manager and BEI HSE Manager. These are defined as
follows:
Environmental Court Rulings - Number of court rulings relating to environmental incidents that were
pronounced during the year and without appeal.
Significant Environmental Incidents - Uncontrolled spills, leaks, emissions or discharges that result in a
breach of permit conditions or local environmental regulations, or justifiable community complaints that
require reporting and active engagement with the environmental or other relevant regulatory
authorities.
________________________