November Letter 2013.docx

7/27/2019 November Letter 2013.docx

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RC CPS SAFETY

BULLETIN

November, 2012

The Royal Commission was successfully completed month of November without any injuries Accidents, thus assuring our continued commitment to protecting the environment. The outcomfrom HSE Inspections identified weaknesses in some areas that required improvements t

ensure that our HSE Management System is robust. This has given areas to focus towardcontinuous improvements.

Incidents were avoidable, certain measures have started to mitigate the root causes of thesrecurring incidents and we are confident that, with your support we can begin to see the stechange required.

:This is a landmark projects that aims to deliver a

fundamental change to the levels ofunderstanding and attitudes towards theenvironment, health and safety on constructionsites. However, our aim goes beyondenforcement. By educating the sector, we hope toinfluence behaviors and develop a positive EHSculture that values both human life and theEnvironment.

Engr. Shougi F.TarzanManager- Construction Projects Support

Objectives of Royal Commission Construction EHS Group:

1. To Provide HSE knowledge, techniques and tools to the contractors

2. To work with contractors and help bring up the consciousness and knowledge level

3. To create the awareness among workforce on issues related to HSE aspects


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Our EHS Engineers provide the information, instruction, and onsite training programmes (Toolbox and

Tailgate meetings) for contractors to carry out their duties safely and effectively and in an

environmentally responsible manner.

TOPIC OF THE MONTH:

Excavation is recognized as one of the most hazardous construction operations. OSHA reviseSubpart P, Excavations, of 29 CFR 1926.650,29 CFR 1926.651, and 29 CFR 1926.652tmake the standard easier to understand, permit the use of performance criteria where possibleand provide construction employers with options when classifying soil and selecting employeprotection methods.

Trenching and excavation hazards are addressed in specific standards for the general industryand marine terminals.

Hazards associated with Excavation and Trenching:

The excavation is dug in unstable soil, or in soil that has been dug in before

There is excessive vibration from construction equipment or vehicle traffic around the excavation Too much weight near the sides of an excavation, most frequently

From equipment or the excavated material (spoil pile) too near to the edge

Water has collected in the excavation

Changes in weather conditions (freezing, melting, sudden heavy rain etc.)
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10774http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10774http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10775http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10775http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10775http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10776http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10776http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10776http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10775http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10774


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Trenching and Excavation Safety

Excavation and trenching are among the most hazardous construction operations. OSHA defines an excavationas any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in the earths surface formed by earth removal. A trench isdefined as a narrow underground excavation that is deeper than it is wide, and is no wider than 15 feet (4.5meters).

Dangers of Trenching and ExcavationCave-ins pose the greatest risk and are much more likely than other excavation related accidents to result inworker fatalities. Other potential hazards include falls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and incidentsinvolving mobile equipment. Trench collapses cause dozens of fatalities and hundreds of injuries each year.

Protect Yourself

Do not enter an unprotected trench! Trenches 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater require a protective systemunless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. Trenches 20 feet (6.1 meters) deep or greater require thatthe protective system be de-signed by a registered professional engineer or be based on tabulated data prepareand/ or approved by a registered professional engineer.

Protective SystemsThere are different types of protective systems. Sloping involves cutting back the trench wall at an angle inclinedaway from the excavation. Shoring requires installing aluminum hydraulic or other types of supports to preventsoil movement and cave-ins. Shielding protects workers by using trench boxes or other types of supports toprevent soil cave-ins. Designing a protective system can be complex because you must consider many factors:soil classification, depth of cut, water content of soil, changes due to weather or climate, surcharge loads (eg.,spoil, other materials to be used in the trench) and other operations in the vicinity.

Competent Person

OSHA standards require that trenches be inspected daily and as conditions change by a competent person priorto worker entry to ensure elimination of excavation hazards. A competent person is an individual who is capableof identifying existing and predictable hazards or working conditions that are hazardous, unsanitary, or dangerouto employees and who are authorized to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate or control these hazardsand conditions.

Access and EgressOSHA requires safe access and egress to all excavations, including ladders, steps, ramps, or other safe means oexit for employees working in trench excavations 4 feet (1.22 meters) or deeper. These devices must be locatedwithin 25 feet (7.6 meters) of all workers.

General Trenching and Excavation Rules

Keep heavy equipment away from trench edges. Keep surcharge loads at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) from trench edges. Know where underground utilities are located. Test for low oxygen, hazardous fumes and toxic gases. Inspect trenches at the start of each shift. Inspect trenches following a rainstorm.

Do not work under raised loads.


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Prior to Excavation following Precautionary measure should take:


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Do You Know?HARD HAT EXPIRY DATE

ANSI statute Z89.1-2009 requires particular information to be permanently printed inside eachard hat, including the date of manufacture. The longest hat should be in service is 3 years fromthe date of manufacture, according to the manufacture guidelines. If the hat is not visibdamaged, you can calculate the expiration date by checking the date of manufacture

Additionally workers should use a permanent marker to record the date they begin to use thehead protection. This date will vary from the date of manufacture but may be needed fo

documentation in case of injury or accident. The manufacture must also include the followininformation on the inside the of the hat: Manufacturer name, ANSI standard designation, and thappropriate ANSI class designation (Class A, B, or C).

A three years replacement date has been adopted as an OSHA Standard.

Each Helmet, when manufactured, has a year and month of manufacture stamped into thinside of the shell near the peak for easy reading. The arrow in the stamp points to the montand the year overlays the arrow. For example below, the arrow points to 9 and the number is 0means that helmet was manufactured in September 2004.

If the helmet has been used regularly it should be replaced after three years from the date oissue. The date of issue should be marked on additional sticker on the inside the helmet at thback of the shell. The date of issue is not necessarily same as the date of manufacturer.

The harness/headband has a life of 2 years and should be replaced at an earlier date.Problems arise when:

1. The date of issue is not marked on the additional sticker.

2. The sticker has lifted off the helmet.


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If a sticky monogram or sticker is used rather than painted (embossed) logo placed on thhelmet at the time of production by the manufacturer, beware, as some of the glues used for thsticky label react with the helmet shell and the hardness of the hat may be compromised.

Where there may be confusion it is best to use the date of manifacturure as the benchmarbecause it is permanently stamped on the inside of the helmet leaving little for error.

In essence, If a helmet has been issued before march 2003 it is out of date and should breplaced.

In Offices, safety helmets are often issued as part of an Emeregency Evacuation Plan. Theshelmets are also governed by the use by date and should be inspected regularily.

If a helmet has been stored in direct sunlight or sitting on a shelf exposed to heat (inside locked car for example), the quality of the helmet will have deteriorated. These are instances ohelmets shattering when used after being stored in direct sunlight for extended periods of time.

Just for Laughs!


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Thank you for your Leadership,

Guidance and Support!The RC Construction Safety Group of Construction Projects Support wishes tothank the following gentlemen for their leadership, guidance and continuous

support:Engr.Tawfeeq Y. Rashid

General Manager-Technical Affairs

Engr. Abdulsalam A. SaroujiDirector- Construction Department

Engr. Shougi F. TarzanManager- Construction Projects Support Section

China Railway Specialised Contracting Co. Moinuddin Parkar RCE-Architectr

Documents

November Letter 2013.docx