Toolbox Talks Programme

8/22/2019 Toolbox Talks Programme

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/toolbox-talks-programme 1/56

Estates and Facilities Department of the University of Bradford

Toolbox Talks Programme

Issue Date Comments

Issued September 2009Distributed to all E & F staff to implement

Document Review Date February 2012



Toolbox Talks Introduction

Continual training is essential for the reduction of accident/incident rates and the occurrence of ill health inour workplace. The Toolbox Talk Programme, if implemented correctly will play a major part in our continuingeffort to create an increased awareness of hazards present in our workplace, and the precautions whichmust be taken to eliminate or control them.

The Toolbox Talk Programme has been written as a series of numbered discussion topics on Safety, Healthand Environmental issues.



HOW TO CONDUCT A TOOLBOX TALK

Frequency

One every 2 weeks

Topic for discussion

Choose a topic that is relevant to your audience; one that will create a discussion; a two-way communication;use either your own topic e.g. discuss an incident that happened the week before, discuss new work hazards,or one generated from the Toolbox Talk Programme. Choose the relevant subject from the list and makeyourself familiar with the topic.

Location

Does not have to be an office; a mess-room or workshop area will suffice.

Audience

Between 4 and 10 in number will be the most effective.

Time

Limit the duration to 10-15 minutes - try not to become side-tracked on other issues.

Approach

Use a questioning approach, get the message across and listen to responses. Toolbox talks are not

lectures and are designed to get people to think and talk about Health, Safety and Environmental issues.

For example:

Typical prompts / questions may be:

What do you as a group think the benefits are from this type of discussion? What are the hazards from the incident described and what are the learning points.

Style

The following are encouraged:-

Watch how other people present Toolbox talks and decide upon the style that best suits you. Try to generate interest in the topic with the questions you ask - Highlight some key words to remind

you of the points to bring up. Avoid just reading the topic - take the topic and try to build up the discussion point by point. Try to be a good listener. Do not allow the group to get side tracked, if it is important and relevant allow a short discussion then

bring them back to the main issue

Signatures

Complete Toolbox Talk Record by obtaining signatures from delegates to confirm attendance and give toMick Parker.



HOW TO CONDUCT A TOOLBOX TALK Continued



Index of Talks

Toolbox Talk Talk Number

Personal Responsibilities 1

Improvement & Prohibition Notices 2

Safety Signs 3

Accident/Incident Reporting 4

Near Miss Reporting 5

Protective Clothing 6

Head Protection 7

Foot Protection 8

Hand Protection 9

Eye Protection 10

Hearing Protection 11

Excavation Accidents 12

Scaffolding 13

Ladders 14

Scaffold Towers 15

Working on Roofs 16

Mobile Elevated Work Platforms 17

Working Near Underground Cables 18

Working Near Overhead Lines 19Working Near Gas Mains 20

Working Near Water Mains 21

Working Near Sewers 22

Permits to Work 23

Working in Confined Spaces 24

Gases Commonly Found in Confined Spaces 25

Respiratory Protection 26

Reversing Vehicles 27

Inspecting Plant and Equipment 28

COSHH 29

Working with Chemicals 30

Welding 31

Working with Cement 32

Vibration 33

Health Risk from Working in the Sun 34

Hand Tools 35

Power Tools 36

Working with Abrasive Wheels 37



Fire Prevention 38

Storage of Flammable Materials 39

Housekeeping 40

Slips, Trips and Falls 41

Storage of Materials 42

Access to Workplace 43

Manual Handling 44

Toolbox Talk Record is situated at the back of this programme

The toolbox talks included in this document are not exhaustive and supervisors are encouraged to devisetheir own additional talks and to share them with their colleagues.

Suggestions for these talks are:-

Talking through risk assessments

Talking through a job in hand, or lessons learned from previous job

Discuss previous problems and the solutions

If these types of additional toolbox talks are created please record the attendance on the Toolbox TalkRecord. In addition the contents of these talks also needs recording, a copy of this should be given to the

Estates & Facilities Health & Safety Officer.

The Estates & Facilities Health & Safety Officer can give extra toolbox talks on:-

RIDDOR – The Estates & Facilities Incident Reporting Procedure

Additional subjects on request



1 PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

Relevant sections on personal responsibility contained in the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) areshown below, but what they are basically saying is that individuals must work in a manner which does notput themselves or anyone else in danger. They must comply with all safety requirements advised by their employer and they must not misuse or abuse any article supplied for safety purposes, for example protectiveclothing or fire extinguishers.

HSWA Section 7 - General Duties of Employees at Work

It is your duty whilst at work:

To take reasonable care for your health and safety and that of any persons who may be affected byyour acts or omissions at work,

You must also co-operate with your employer in health and safety matters.

Example: An employer has a responsibility to provide training to his employees; this is now being

carried out with this and other programmes. It is therefore your duty to co-operate with your employer and attend these sessions.

HSWA Section 8 - Duty not to Interfere with or Misuse Anything Provided

You must not intentionally or recklessly interfere with, or misuse, anything provided in the interests of

health, safety or welfare.

Example: The fooling with and misuse of a fire extinguisher; or using a helmet to carry substances in.

Helmets are for head protection only.

Complete the Toolbox Talk Record



2 IMPROVEMENT AND PROHIBITION NOTICES

If an Inspector from the Health and Safety Executive is of the opinion that there has been, or is likely to be, abreach of a statutory provision, e.g. The Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992, they mayserve an IMPROVEMENT NOTICE on your employer or you. The notice must state which statutoryprovision(s) have been contravened and the reasons why the Inspector considers an offence has beencommitted. The notice should also specify the period of time in which the matter should be rectified.

If the Inspector is of the opinion that the activities being carried out involve the immediate risk of seriouspersonal injury occurring, they may serve a PROHIBITION NOTICE on your employer or you; this requiresthe activity to cease immediately. This type of notice may be served whether or not there is a breach of astatutory provision. The notice must state what, in the Inspector's opinion, the cause of the risk that couldresult in personal injury is.

Appeals can be made against notices to an Industrial Tribunal. In the event of an appeal, an ImprovementNotice is suspended until the appeal is either withdrawn or disposed. However, a Prohibition Notice remainsin effect unless directed otherwise by the Industrial Tribunal.

Ignoring a Notice can result in criminal proceedings being taken against your employer or you. The cost of this could be a £20,000 fine at a Magistrates Court or imprisonment for up to 12 months or an unlimited fineand/or imprisonment for up to two years at a Crown Court.




3 SAFETY SIGNS

There are five types of safety sign:

Prohibition Signs

Ban certain actions. They have a white background with a red circular band and crossbar,

Mandatory Signs

Give instructions. They have a blue background, with the symbol or text in white.



Warning Signs

Have a black triangle on a yellow background, with the symbol or text in black,

Safety Condition & First Aid Signs

Are square or rectangular in shape, with a green background and the symbol or text is in white.

Fire Signs

Are square or rectangular in shape, with red background and the symbol or text is in white.

GET TO KNOW THESE SIGNS AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY MEAN!




4 ACCIDENT / INCIDENT REPORTING

If you are injured at work, you must report the accident to your supervisor as soon as you can. Thesupervisor will follow the INCIDENT ACTION PROCEDURE. Occurrence of certain diseases or dangerous

occurrences must also be recorded.

The prompt reporting of an accident or incident may well result in saving a life.

Your co-operation is therefore very important. If there is an accident / incident at your work place, help by:-

Making sure that, where necessary, first aid assistance is called immediately.

Seeing that it is reported without delay to your supervisor, even when no person has been injured or plant damaged.

Ensuring, in the case of serious personal injury, that the accident site is left undisturbed untilclearance is given by Estates & Facilities Health & Safety Officer or Management.

Ensuring that any items which may assist in the accident investigation (e.g. damaged equipment,broken abrasive wheels) are retained and passed to your supervisor.

Minor accidents can lead to death, as one case of treading on a nail did. This occurred because the personsuffered from diabetes and did not report it. By the time he went to hospital the problem was so serious that they had to amputate his leg. Whilst undergoing the operation he died.

Accident investigations will be held to review near misses, accidents, major injuries and dangerousoccurrences with the intention of helping to prevent similar occurrences.

You can find further information on the INCIDENT ACTION PROCEDURE on H:\Estates\GENERAL\Health& Safety System\Incident Reporting




5 NEAR MISS REPORTING

What Is A Near Miss?

A Near Miss is an unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness or damage - but had the potential to doso. The difference between a near miss and a full blown incident is often a fraction of a second or a fractionof an inch that may not be there the next time. Near misses are warnings of accidents in the making. Byaccepting these warnings and looking for their causes, we can prevent these situations recurring.

Why Should They Be Reported?

The prevention and elimination of accidents can only be progressed by reporting the near misses as theyoccur. If the near misses are not reported, then no incident investigations will be carried out and none of theproblems and warnings will be spotted. As a result, any learning points found cannot be communicated to

others, who will therefore still be "at risk". A near miss can be considered as an indication that something iswrong, maybe with the system of work and it is important that everyone is "warned" by each near miss thatoccurs so that standards can be improved.

Ignoring the near misses and the conditions that lead to them is an open invitation for an accident to occur.Do not shrug off the near misses because nothing happened, let's find out why they happened and proposeimprovements to ensure that they do not happen again. This can only be done with your help, by youreporting them to your supervisor as they occur.

The accident pyramid below shows how near misses relate to serious accidents.

Source: Tye/Pearson 1974/75

LET US REGARD NEAR MISSES THE SAME WAY AS BAD ACCIDENTS. LET US WEED OUT THEPROBLEMS WHILST WE STILL HAVE THE CHANCE




6 PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

Many accidents occur because people do not pay sufficient attention to their own health and safety. You cando a great deal to protect yourself simply by knowing what is available, wearing the correct clothing andusing the protective equipment appropriate to your job.

Your employer is obliged by law to provide to you, without charge, any items which have been identified asnecessary to protect your health and safety. The following list of personal protection are examples of suchitems but it is not exhaustive.

Suitable protective clothing for persons working out of doors in rain, snow, sleet or hail and lowtemperatures

Suitable protective clothing for persons working with materials such as asbestos or asbestos-basedmaterials, lead, cement or concrete. Check your COSHH assessments.

Eye protectors or shields where work activities / processes being carried out are likely to cause eyeinjuries.

Respirators or breathing apparatus as protection against dust or fumes or lack of oxygen. Have yougot a copy of the COSHH assessment for the substances you use?

Ear protectors where it is not practicable to reduce noise below an exposure level of 80 decibels (80dB).

Safety Helmets.

Suitable footwear for persons identified.

You are required by law to co-operate and wear such clothing and equipment where the circumstances

demand it, store it in an appropriate place and report any defects.




7 HEAD PROTECTION

The head is particularly vulnerable to injury and accidents to the head are often fatal, or involve very seriousinjuries, such as brain damage or fractured skull.

Over the years it has been proved beyond doubt that many deaths and head injuries could have beenprevented, or their severity reduced, by wearing safety helmets.

When wearing a hard hat always check the following points:-

Adjust the headband to suit your head size.

Check that the outer shell and harness is in good condition, without indentation or cracks.

Never paint the shell as some paints weaken the plastics used.

Use a chin-strap where necessary to avoid the possibility of the safety helmet falling off. Thisapplies to use of the NiftyLift and Vertical Lift Platforms.

Do not punch holes into the shell for attaching unauthorised equipment or for ventilation. Attachments for ear defenders or eye protection are available and should only be used inaccordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Replace any helmet if it sustains a heavy impact, as the shell may be weakened.

Helmets must be in good condition and replaced according to the manufacturer's guidelines. This isusually every two years.

Head protection MUST be worn in Hard Hat Areas and as identified by risk assessment.




8 FOOT PROTECTION

Two main causes of foot injuries are:-

Treading on sharp objects, such as nails, which pierce the soles of the foot.

Objects dropping causing crush injuries.

Both types of injury can be minimised by the use of proper safety footwear.

Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, your employer must provide you withprotective footwear, where you are exposed to the risk of foot injury.

Safety boots, shoes and trainers are available which have steel toe caps. Some also have spring steel plates

in their soles. Safety footwear of this type, made of leather or rubber, should be worn.

Totally unsuitable footwear, such as trainers, or sandals, which offer no protection are not permitted.Dependent on risk assessment carried out for the tasks undertaken.




9 HAND PROTECTION

Hands and fingers are injured more often than other parts of the body. This is because of two reasons:-

Hands and fingers are required for most work activities.

Hands and fingers are vulnerable to crush and cut type injuries as well as exposure to harmfulmaterials used at work and exposure to vibration and repetitive strain injuries.

Injuries to hands and fingers can be caused by one or more of the following:-

Severed fingers or hands due to rotating machines such as saws, cutting wheels.

Advice: Ensure guards are in place and operating. Use push sticks on saw benches.

Crush injuries due to incorrect use of tools such as hammers. Contact with in-running nip points onmachinery.

Advice: Tools and equipment must be maintained. Defective equipment such as coldchisels with mushroom shaped ends must be replaced / repaired. In-running nippoints such as chain and sprocket transmission must be guarded.

Skin allergies such as dermatitis due to handling harmful materials such as oil.

Advice: Avoid skin contact. Wear suitable gloves if necessary. Wash and dry hands to

remove any substance from the skin.

Exposure to vibration.

Advice: Avoid manual process if possible, organise work to include breaks reduce exposuretime, share work load. Complete vibrations trigger time cards and return tosupervisor.

Exposure to repetitive work.

Advice: Avoid manual process if possible, organise work station to minimise strain, allow for

breaks, plan workload, share work activities.

REMEMBER: YOUR HANDS ARE NOT REPLACEABLE - TAKE CARE OF THEM.




10 EYE PROTECTION

Eye protection must be worn by you where there is a risk of injury to the eyes.

Examples of work activities requiring eye protection are as follows:-

Cutting bricks or block with anything i.e. when using bolster hammer and cold chisel or cutting-off wheel.

The use of a cartridge fixing tool.

The use of an abrasive wheel.

Striking of masonry nails.

The use of compressed air to blow swarf, dust or dirt from an area.

Drilling, cutting or breaking metal or concrete.

Welding or cutting steelwork.

Handling, spraying or brushing any substance which, if splashed into the eyes, will cause injuries.

As identified via risk assessment

In your own interest, make sure you wear protective goggles or glasses when instructed to do so.

The eye protection that is provided must be suitable for you and must be replaced immediately if lost or damaged. You must take care of the eye protectors given to you.

REMEMBER YOU ARE ON YOUR LAST PAIR OF EYES!




11 HEARING PROTECTION

Excessive noise emitted from plant, processes and tools can cause, over a period of time, progressive andirreversible loss of hearing. It can cause a ringing or rushing noise in the ears which will not disappear.

Hearing loss can also make communication difficult which, in turn, may lead to accidents through instructionseither not being heard or being misheard.

Remember, deafness caused by excessive noise at work develops very gradually, but cannot be cured oncethe damage has been done. So-called "getting used to noise" can mean that there is already some hearingloss. Take proper precautions to protect your hearing. Before working with noisy plant or in a noisyenvironment, remember the following:-

If it is necessary to shout to be heard by someone about one metre away, it is likely that there is a

noise problem requiring action.

Where noise levels are shown to be excessive, personal ear protection must be worn at all times.Whether ear-plugs or ear protectors are used, they must fit perfectly and be treated carefully.

Ear protectors should be regularly inspected to make sure they are undamaged. Ear plugs must befitted correctly and inserted in the ear with clean hands.

Hearing protection must be worn in all areas where hearing protection warning signs are displayed.

REMEMBER YOU DON'T GET USED TO NOISE, YOU JUST GO DEAF.




12 EXCAVATION ACCIDENTS

It is commonly thought that deaths associated with excavation collapses are due to the workers beingsuffocated because they are completely buried, but this is not entirely true. Many of the deaths and amajority of the injuries involve workers being partially buried. The injuries sustained are usually crushing

injuries caused by the sheer weight of the collapsing material.

The accidents associated with excavations happen for many reasons, some of which are:-

Shoring was not installed where required.

Shoring failed because it was not frequently inspected or maintained.

Employees worked beyond the shoring protection.

Excavation walls and shoring were not inspected frequently for signs of movement or deterioration.

Workers re-entered excavations without inspecting the walls or shoring after rain storms.

There are other contributory reasons for excavation accidents beside soil and shoring failures, such as:-

Dirt, sheet piles and heavy materials being stored too close to the edge of the excavations.

Equipment operating too close to the edge of the excavation.

Improper access, damaged or missing ladder or no ramps.

Workers trying to jump over excavations.

REMEMBER A CUBIC METRE OF EARTH WEIGHS OVER 1.5 TONNE.




13 SCAFFOLDING

There are many different types of scaffolding in use today.

All scaffolds have the same basic rules:-

Check that the platform is fully boarded out.

Check that all necessary guard-rails are fitted.

Check that all toe boards are fitted and in position.

Check that all brick guards are in place.

Check that the ladder provides suitable access and is tied to the scaffold.

Check the scaffold has been erected on a sound base and that base plates and sole boards havebeen used.

Never use a scaffold if you think it is unsafe. Check with your supervisor.

If you find that a scaffold is unsafe report the faults to your supervisor so he can have them put right.

Do not overload platforms with materials and keep platforms clear of debris.

Alterations to scaffolds must only be carried out by persons who are competent to do so.

At the end of the day remove access ladders or board them out to prevent children from playing on

them. (this is in addition to site fencing)

Scaffolding MUST be inspector by a competent person every 7 days, if altered or adverse weather could have damaged the scaffolding.

REMEMBER - SCAFFOLDS PROVIDE YOU WITH A SAFE WORKING PLATFORM. DO NOT ABUSETHEM




14 LADDERS

Work may only be carried out from a ladder when the job is of short duration and can be done safely.

Never overreach at the working position.

Before using a ladder, inspect it to see that it is not damaged. Check for splits or cracks in the stiles andrungs. See that none of the rungs are missing or loose. It should not be painted as paint can hide damagedparts. Only industry standard ladders must be used. Check to ensure it has been placed the correct way up.

Never attempt to repair damaged ladders.

Ladders should be set on a firm base, resting at an angle which is not too steep and not too flat. Rule of thumb 1 out for 4 up.

If the ladder cannot be tied at the top, it must be fixed half way or supported at the bottom with stabilitydevices.

When ladders are finished with, either board them up or remove them to stop children playing on them.

Don't use ladders for run ups.

Don't drop ladders.

Ensure your footwear is free from excessive mud or grease before you climb the ladder.

REMEMBER - THE VAST MAJORITY OF LADDER ACCIDENTS OCCUR BECAUSE THE LADDER ISNOT TIED AT THE TOP.




15 SCAFFOLD TOWERS

Scaffold towers must be constructed to the same standard as any other scaffolding. Inspect the tower before use.

If you are erecting a tower, you must be trained to do so, PASMA or equivalent qualification.

Working platforms must be fully boarded out. The towers must be braced.

Mobile towers must not be used unless the wheels are provided with brakes. These must be applied beforethe tower is used. The wheels must be firmly fixed to the towers.

Mobile towers should be erected so that the height of the platform above the ground is no more than three

times the smaller base dimension. If the tower is used indoors, the platform may be 3.5 times the smaller base dimension above the ground.

The access to the tower must be suitable, e.g. internal ladders must be used.

A mobile scaffold tower must not be moved whilst persons or materials are still on the tower.

Towers should be erected and dismantled in a careful and orderly manner in order to prevent damage to thecomponent parts, e.g. do not use lump hammers to hammer braces into position.

If a tower appears to be unsafe, do not use it but report it to your supervisor.

REMEMBER:

EXTERNAL USE MOBILE Ratio = Least Base x 3 = Height Ext.

INTERNAL USE MOBILE Ratio = Least Base x 3.5 = Height Int.

NEVER USE LADDERS / STEPS / MILK CRATES TO GAIN EXTRA HEIGHT.




16 WORKING ON ROOFS

Working on roofs carries a high risk of accidents unless proper procedures are followed and precautionstaken. Before working on any type of roof you should know the rules set out below and follow them:-

A supervisor will issue a roof permit.

For work on a roof, risk assessments must be done to determine guardrail and toe boardrequirements.

There may be circumstances where the use of a safety harness is the only safe way of working.Such a decision will be made by management, and you must use the safety harness in theconditions specified.

All openings in roofs must be securely covered or suitably guarded by guardrails and toe boards. Any cover provided should either be securely fixed in position or clearly marked to indicate its

purpose, for example: "Do not remove cover - hole below". Every year accidents occur whensomeone lifts a board and then walks down the hole it was covering.

Access provided to the roof must be checked before use to see that it is safe and sufficient.

Beware of fragile roofs. If in doubt see your supervisor.




17 MOBILE ELEVATING WORK PLATFORMS

The term Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) covers pedestrian controlled self propelled and power operated mobile elevating work and access platforms. Our Nifty Lift and Genie Lift are MEWPs.

The MEWP is designed to provide a temporary working platform which can be easily moved from onelocation to another. It is particularly suitable for short duration work where the use of a ladder would beunsafe and the erection of scaffolding would be time consuming and impracticable.

The main hazards associated with the use of mobile elevating work platforms include:

collision with another vehicle

parts of the machine encroaching onto a traffic lane

proximity of overhead cables

falls of persons or materials

persons being caught or trapped in moving parts or "nip" points

overturning

incorrect use

When using an MEWP it is important that you adopt the following precautions:-

Ensure that you have seen the manufacturer's records regarding inspection, maintenance andservicing and that it is carried out.

Check that all the relevant test certificates and duty charts are provided with the machine.

Ensure that before you operate the machine you are trained; IPAF or equivalent and ensure thatyou are familiar with the manufacturer's operating manual.

Ensure the safe working load (SWL), the safe wind speed and safe gradient are displayed on themachine, and adhered to.

Ensure the ground is level, firm and the machine is not over any drain, basement, etc. Where roughterrain equipment is used, the manufacturer's requirements on ground conditions must be followed.

Ensure you fully deploy the outriggers / stabilisers.

Never travel with the platform occupied or boom extended, unless specified by the manufacturers.

Ensure when you are working adjacent to roadways or other operations / obstructions that you erectbarriers, cones, lights, etc.

Ensure if working adjacent to overhead power lines that you follow the permit to work provided.

Continued



Ensure that you wear a safety harness and it is attached to the platforms anchor points. This isrequired because most incidents involve people being tipped out.

Ensure you wear other protective clothing i.e. safety helmets, safety shoes, etc.

Check that all moving parts are properly guarded.

Only use the platform and boom for the work for which it was intended.

When not in use, machines should be at ground level and immobilised.

IPAF TRAINED OPERATIVES

All IPAF trained operatives MUST complete their PAL Card Log Book after using our MEWPs.

Safety legislation demands that you are properly trained in the operation of mobile elevating work platformsbefore you use them in your work.

The PAL card is proof of this and endorses both your skills and experience. Always carry if with you, as your supervisor or Estates & Facilities Health & Safety Officer is likely to want to see it at regular intervals. Youmay also need to show it to the Health and Safety Inspector (HSE).

Accurate record keeping is now an unavoidable part of working life. Comprehensive documentation hasbecome essential in proving that there has been no negligence on the part of the operator, the University or supervisor/manager.

So it is in everyone’s interest to keep proper records. The PAL card Log Book has been designed by IPAFto make recording of your use of mobile elevating work platform as straightforward and simple as possible.

In addition to demonstrating compliance with safety legislation, it forms a valuable record of your experienceof the use of this type of machinery and which may be useful to the operator.




18 WORKING NEAR UNDERGROUND CABLES

Damage to underground electric cables is a frequent occurrence which can result in fatal or serious injuries.In addition, the interruption to supplies may have both damaging and expensive consequences.

Before commencing any excavation, check with your supervisor that enquiries have been made to see if anycables are in the area (electric, telephone, IT, etc.). If so, remember that the location shown on a plan maynot necessarily be accurate. You should, for your own safety, always follow the rules given below:-

Ask for a cable locating device, in good working order, to be available to locate all undergroundcables in the working area, you must be trained to use the device.

Assume all cables are `live', unless told by your Supervisor that they are dead.

Hand dig trial holes carefully wherever possible along any indicated line and look for marker tapes or

tiles above the cable. Continue to use the cable locator. Finally, establish exact location.

Once exposed, protect cables from damage, supporting effectively where necessary.

In the event of accidental damage - even if only apparently superficial - all persons should be keptclear until the Electricity Company has made an examination.

When backfilling, make sure you have been instructed as to the company’s requirements. Replacemarker tapes or tiles in their original positions.

If you have to use hand-held power tools to break up concrete areas or other paved surfaces, avoidover-penetration. This is a common source of accident when cables are buried underneath.

LOOK AT PLANS, CONTACT AUTHORITY, LOCATE, HAND DIG, EXPOSE, SUPPORT, MARKER TAPE.




19 WORKING NEAR OVERHEAD LINES

Accidental contact with live overhead power lines causes many serious injuries and fatalities. Theseaccidents are particularly related to cranes and excavators, but tipping wagons, scaffold tubes and metal

ladders have all been in contact with overhead cables, with fatal results.

While your employer must provide a safe place of work - by having power lines re-routed, switched off or protected by `goal posts' and barriers - you have a part to play as well.

If you have to work near overhead power lines, observe the following rules:-

Treat all overhead lines as `live' unless you have been specifically instructed otherwise. Do notassume they are only telephone wires.

Get to know any maximum clearance requirements specified by the Electricity Company.

Do not try to bypass `goal posts' or barriers or other warnings.

If you are a banksman, always keep the overhead lines in view when giving directions. Only directplant under power lines where `goal posts' are provided.

If scaffolding is being erected adjacent to power lines, make sure that poles are handled a safedistance away.

Never stack materials or tip under overhead lines. This could reduce the safe clearance and, in wetweather, result in a `flash over' to earth. Equally, a tipper body may come dangerously near to thewires - or accidentally touch them - with disastrous results.

If work has to be carried out under overhead wires, special precautions will be laid down by theElectricity Company or your supervisor. Make sure you have been instructed as to what they are.




20 WORKING NEAR GAS MAINS

Care needs to be taken when working near gas mains for obvious reasons.

Your supervisor should have checked with the gas supplier where the services should approximately run onthe site.

The following points should be followed when excavating near a gas main:-

Remember that Gas Mains have a flammable and explosive content.

Before digging, check the Gas Supplier’s plans.

Dig carefully by hand.

Establish the location of the pipes.

Work with care and do not create a situation where joints may be strained.

If the pipe has to be supported, ask to be briefed on the Gas supplier's requirements before startingwork.

Check the risk assessment to establish whether the excavation is classed as a confined space andwork accordingly

At the slightest hint of gas escape, leave the excavation and prevent anyone going near it. No lightsmust be allowed. Have the Gas Supplier's Emergency Service called at once.

Never use a gas main as a hand or foot hold.

Do not drop tools or other weights onto mains, as many old mains are of cast iron and may crack if they are in poor condition.

Modern, smaller diameter house mains are often plastic - do not confuse them with electric cables.

Gas supplier's have precise specifications in relation to back-filling round mains. Make sure youhave been properly instructed in this respect.




21 WORKING NEAR WATER MAINS

People do not associate dangers with water, like they do with gas and electricity services.

Remember water at high pressure can cause a fatality and, if working in an excavation, a burst could fill theexcavation quickly.

If the line of a main has been properly established by trial holes, stopcock locations, etc. and you have tocarry out excavations in the vicinity, you should:-

Have been made aware of any supporting of the main which is necessary and briefed on how tocarry it out.

Work adjacent to and around the pipe with care, using hand tools.

Not leave a length of pipe unsupported which is more than the supported span specified, eventemporarily.

Not confuse smaller plastic pipes with plastic sheathed electric cables.

Follow the Water company's backfilling specification with care.

If the main is accidentally damaged in any way, however superficially, have the Water companycalled at once and explain what has happened.

Ladder access should be provided in the excavation.

REMEMBER - WATER CAN CAUSE FATALITIES.




22 WORKING NEAR SEWERS

All sewers should be located by tracing manhole covers and confirming that the sewer does, in fact, runbetween any two of them.

The main risk to health will be if you are working in a trench and you break into a foul sewer.You should leave the trench immediately to avoid the possibility of asphyxiation. Do not return untiladequate ventilation has been provided and the area declared safe for work.

Follow any method statements produced as a result of risk assessments.

Always wear protective clothing if there is a risk of contamination from sewage, and wash your hands beforeeating, drinking or smoking. Cover wounds with water proof dressings.

Report any damage to your Supervisor immediately.

If you break a storm water sewer and rain is falling, vacate the excavation as it may flood from the sewer atany time.

WEILS DISEASE

This disease is fairly uncommon but the following are worth noting.

A danger involved in working in or around sewers is Leptospirosis (Weils Disease). The disease comes fromrats' urine. You will be given a card about Weils Disease by your Supervisor, please read what it has to say.

If you feel unwell, with flu like symptoms, you should take the card with you to your doctor and tell him youmay have been infected with raw sewage.

Supervisors this card can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg84.pdf or ordered from HSEBooks.




23 PERMITS TO WORK

A Permit-to-Work system is an extension of a safe system of work or method statement and requires writtenpermission before a particular job can commence. A written Permit-to-Work system is essentially a

document which identifies the plant to be worked on or area to be worked in and details the precautions tobe taken before work can commence. It highlights the safe procedure and is a clear record of the hazardsthat have been anticipated and the precautions to be taken to avoid them.

An essential part of a Permit-to-Work system is the formal recording by those in charge that the precautionshave been taken and it is safe for the work to proceed. Frequent checks should be made to ensure that therequired safety measures are being closely adhered to.

Permits-to-Work will be used in a considerable range of circumstances: entry into confined spaces, entry intotanks and vessels, use of highly flammable materials and dealing with any live electrical circuits.

If you are ever involved in a Permit-to-Work system, make sure the requirements of the Permit are clear andstrictly followed; copies of Permit-to-Work systems are available from your supervisor.




24 WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES

Every year there are a number of fatal and serious accidents caused by persons being allowed to enter livesewers, manholes, bored piles, trenches, tanks and so on without the necessary tests being carried out or

the correct safety rescue equipment being provided.

Many of these accidents would have been avoided if supervising staff and operatives had been properlytrained and the work carried out on a Permit-to-Work system. People engaged on such operations must bephysically and mentally suitable and properly trained for the job.

The following checklist is a reminder:-

A per-task risk assessment to be undertaken and job WILL NOT proceed unless this is carried out.

A confined spaces permit to be issued by your supervisor and followed. Refer to Toolbox Talk 23Permits to Work for further details.

Dangerous atmospheres can arise when there is a lack of oxygen or when toxic or flammable gasesare present.

In no circumstances should you enter a confined space (trench, manhole, tank, bored pile, foulsewer) without instructions from the supervisor.

Equipment for testing the atmosphere before you enter and at regular intervals must be provided andused by a competent person. You must not enter the confined space until he is satisfied that entry issafe. Testing must continue while you are working inside, and you must leave immediately if told todo so.

Adequate fresh air ventilation must be provided in appropriate circumstances.

All necessary safety and rescue equipment must be available on site at the actual location.

Make sure that you have been trained in the use of the safety and rescue equipment by a competentperson.

Wear the protective clothing provided.

Do not eat, drink or smoke.

Wash your hands at the end of each shift.

If you are entering a sewer make sure you are given a Weil’s disease card – please refer to toolboxtalk 22 Working Near Sewers for more details.




25 GASES COMMONLY ENCOUNTERED IN CONFINED SPACES

You should always be aware of the potential hazards of fumes and gases in confined spaces. Listed beloware gases commonly encountered in confined spaces:-

GAS CHARACTERISTICS

Acetylene Colourless, Garlic like odour, highly flammable, easily ignited by sparks,simple asphyxiant.

Butane Colourless, faint disagreeable odour. Flammable and explosive. Simpleasphyxiant.

Carbon Dioxide Colourless, odourless, denser than air. A common hazard. Asphyxiant withsome toxic properties.

Carbon Monoxide Colourless, Odourless. Very toxic. Lethal at high levels. Low doses causeheadache, nausea, dizziness.

Chlorine Greenish yellow gas, pungent irritating odour. Highly toxic, causespulmonary irritations and burning of eyes, nose and throat.

Hydrogen Colourless and odourless. Highly flammable and explosive. Simpleasphyxiant.

Hydrogen Sulphide Rotten egg smell. Highly toxic, flammable. Irritates eyes, nose, throat inlow doses. Rapidly fatal in high concentrations. Remember the gasdestroys your sense of smell first.

Methane Colourless, odourless, half the density of air, highly flammable andexplosive. Simple asphyxiant.

Nitrogen Dioxide Colourless, highly toxic welding hazard. Fire hazard reacts violently withorganic materials. Causes irritation of throat and chest. Long termexposure can cause pulmonary impairment.

Oxygen Colourless, odourless. Asphyxiant risks below normal concentration in air (21%) increased flammability risks at higher concentrations.




26 RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

It is sometimes necessary to work in atmospheres in which hazardous dust or fumes are present. Ideally,

the contaminant should be controlled at source to minimise the hazard, but this is not always possible sosafety equipment will be provided by your employer for your protection.

Respiratory protective equipment (respirators or breathing apparatus) should be selected to prevent thewearer from breathing dangerous levels of dust, gas or vapour or to provide oxygen. A respirator suitable for use in one set of circumstances may be useless in another, so proper selection is essential if wearers are toreceive adequate protection. A respirator which gives perfect protection against a dangerous fume will beuseless if there is a lack of oxygen.

All equipment, with the exception of disposable types, requires cleaning, disinfecting and inspection after useand before wearing by another person. Cartridges and filters have a limited life, which can vary dependingupon the environment in which they are used. Manufacturers' recommendations should be closely followed.Equipment must be properly stored when not in use.

Training in the use and application of respiratory protective equipment is essential for all types of equipment,and it should only be worn by persons who are thoroughly familiar with it and know the procedure to adopt incase of emergency.




27 REVERSING VEHICLES

H.S.E. reports shows that 25% of vehicle related accidents involved reversing vehicles, so clearly this is oneof the greatest risks that you are exposed to on or near site.

Pedestrians, where possible, should be kept separate from moving vehicles and plant.

You must stay alert at all times, using all your senses. Keep a lookout and listen for vehicles that are moving.Reversing commercial vehicles should be fitted with both audible and visible warning alarms.

Never cross at the rear of a reversing vehicle as the driver may not have seen you and will not be expectingyou to be there.

Systems must be in place to reduce the amount of reversing vehicles, such as one way traffic, drivers giveninstructions as they arrive on site and told where to deliver and who is the "Banksman".

If you are not a Banksman do not give signals to a driver, unless in an emergency. The emergency stopsignal is done by raising both hands with the palms facing forward (like a policeman would).

Always wear the high visibility clothing provided.




28 INSPECTION OF PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Before you use any plant or equipment it is vital that it is inspected and any faults found reported to your supervisor. Operators of plant should have access to the machine's Manual / Handbook for information on

how to maintain the vehicle.

Inspections must cover the following:-

Complete any pre-use checklists as identified by risk assessment. i.e. Tractor Pre-Use Checklist

The condition of the vehicle must be satisfactory, doors, guards, windows, mirrors, etc.

The wheels must be inspected to ensure that they are secured to the machine and the tyres areinflated to the correct pressure and are not damaged i.e. bad cuts or nailed.

The electrical equipment that has been fitted should all work, i.e. lights, indicators, wipers, horns,reversing warning bleeper, etc. (A flashing amber light must be fitted to any vehicle that is to travelon a dual carriageway if its speed is less than 28 mph).

The brakes must be in good working order. The hand brake must work and can be tested by trying topull away or on an incline. Should brakes fail in any way the machine must be taken out of serviceuntil repairs have been carried out.

Hydraulics must be tested to ensure that they are working correctly, first check for oil leaks byinspection of the system and pipes. (NB: no steel braid should show on any pipe). If check valvesare fitted to the machine they must be tested regularly. This must be carried out in a safe area. Themachine should be extended to the maximum and the engine cut off, the machine must not thenmove. Should there be any movement, the valves are not operating correctly and the machine must

be taken out of service.




29 Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994

The basic principle of these regulations is to safeguard the health of all of us who have to work withsubstances that can be hazardous to health. A substance can be a liquid, solid or gas and include microorganisms and dust. These regulations apply to all places of work.

The main requirements of the regulations are for your employer to:-

Assess the risk to health arising from the work and what precautions are needed.

Introduce appropriate measures to prevent or control the risk - use alternative safer substances if possible.

Ensure by good supervision that control measures are used and that equipment is properlymaintained and procedures observed.

Where necessary, monitor the exposure of the workers and carry out an appropriate form of surveillance of their health.

Inform, instruct and train employees about the risks and the precautions to be taken. Make sure youare given a COSHH assessment for your work activities.

You must co-operate with your employer and wear protective equipment, when instructed to do so.

The equipment you are given must be in good condition and your employer cannot charge you for the cost of personal protective equipment, provided to comply with the requirements of any Risk Assessment.




30 WORKING WITH CHEMICALS AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

Many hazardous substances are used in the University. Chemicals are contained in adhesives, admixtures,brick and stone cleaners, decorative / protective treatments for timber and metals, floor treatments / finishes,

formwork and mould treatments, fumigants, cements and grouts, insulants, sealants, solvents andweedkillers.

Accidents can be prevented if you know what the chemicals are, the hazards they pose, and the precautionsto be taken in handling them. If there are any doubts, seek information and instruction from your supervisor.

Avoid hazards by following the guidelines listed below:-

Your employer has a legal duty to assess the risk involved in working with a hazardous substance,decide what precautions should be taken to deal with the risk and instruct you on how to deal withthe matter. Make sure you have this instruction before you work with any hazardous substance, getthe COSHH assessment.

Always read the label on the container and make sure you understand the information. If there is nolabel, do not use the contents.

Do not assume that because two containers look the same, they contain the same material.

Chemicals may be: explosive, flammable, poisonous, irritant or corrosive. A chemical may havemore than one of these hazards. Check for danger symbols on the label before opening thecontainer.

When opening containers, hold a rag over the cap as some volatile liquids tend to spurt up when thecap is released.

Always check that you are wearing the correct protection before handling chemicals. Gloves, eyeprotection, protective clothing, rubber boots or respirators may be required. All these must be kept ingood order. Check the COSHH assessment.

Explosive chemicals must be treated with great care. Some chemicals become unstable when old,and explosions can result if these are mishandled. Check the condition of all chemical containers for indications of leakage or age.

All flammable liquids give off vapours which travel unseen into the air, and are easily ignited byflames, sparks or just heat alone. Never smoke if there are flammable chemicals in the area andknow what action to take in the case of fire.

All chemicals should be regarded as toxic. Poisoning can occur by accidentally swallowing the

chemical when eating, drinking or smoking with contaminated hands. Always wash hands carefullyafter handling chemicals, and do not eat, drink or smoke in the same area as the chemicals.

Some chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and cause a wide range of diseases. Always usethe right protective equipment and clothing and apply barrier creams if solvents are being handled.

Continued



Some chemicals are poisonous if inhaled. Provide good ventilation, or work in the open air. Leavethe area immediately if you feel dizzy or unwell. Report to your Supervisor.

Corrosive chemicals, like acids and alkalis, destroy the skin. The eyes are particularly vulnerable,even to fumes. Always wear eye protection, gloves and protective clothing when handling these

chemicals.

Use the smallest quantity of chemicals that are necessary for the particular job.

Eye protection should be worn when chemicals are being moved or transferred on site.

Don't mix or decant chemicals.

If the skin is splashed with a chemical, it should be washed off immediately with clean running water.Eye injuries should be flushed copiously with water and receive immediate medical attention. -ALWAYS FOLLOW THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES ON THE HAZARD DATA SHEET

If you are burned by a chemical, or feel unwell after using a chemical, tell your Supervisor and seek

medical attention without delay.

If there is a spillage of chemicals on the ground or floor, report the matter at once to your Supervisor so that the right action can be taken.




31 WELDING

Welding is the fusion of two pieces of metal by heat. The two most commonly used in industry are:-

Gas Welding.

Electric Arc Welding.

Gas Welding:

Main hazards associated with gas welding are:-

Fires and explosions.

Burns to eyes and skin due to hot surfaces and molten lead.

Exposure to fumes - respiratory disorders e.g. cutting metalwork covered with lead paint.

Electric Arc Welding:

Main hazards associated with electric arc welding are:-

Electric shock.

Fire.

Burns to eyes and skin due to molten metal and ultra violet light.

Exposure to fumes - respiratory disorders e.g. metal fume fever welding galvanised steel or steel

containing zinc.

Precautions

Cylinders must be stored securely in upright position.

Fit flash back arrestors to oxygen and acetylene cylinders.

Clear combustible materials from area. Keep fire extinguisher close to the working area.

Wear appropriate protective equipment –

▪ Eye protection▪ Gloves▪ Overalls▪ Boots / spats

Respiratory if working in poorly ventilated area

Screen areas of electric arc welding to prevent exposure of UV light to others

Do not leave trailing hoses or cables on the floor creating tripping hazards.




32 WORKING WITH CEMENT

INTRODUCTION

Cement is one of the most widely used construction materials. Anyone who uses cement (or mixturescontaining it e.g. mortar and concrete) should be aware that it is hazardous to health and that safe workingpractices must be used to minimise the risk.

The most commonly used cements, i.e. Portland cements contain mainly calcium silicate with aluminium andiron compounds together with a small amount of gypsum. High-alumina cement contains calcium aluminates.

A variety of additives are used to produce special-purpose cements.

HEALTH EFFECTS

Cement can cause ill-health mainly by:-

skin contact: contact with wet cement can cause both burns and dermatitis:

cement burns: if freshly mixed concrete or mortar gets trapped against the skin, e.g. by falling insideyour boots or gloves, very serious skin burns or ulcers can result which can take several months toheal and may need skin grafting.

dermatitis: skin affected with dermatitis feels itchy and sore and looks red, scaly and cracked. Twosorts of dermatitis can occur.

irritant dermatitis results from direct damage to the skin caused by the combination of wetness,

chemical corrosiveness and abrasiveness of cement in concrete and mortar;

allergic dermatitis results when you become sensitised to chromium salts present in the raw materials usedto make cement. Sensitisation to additives such as pigments, epoxy resins and hardeners can also occur.

eye contact: contact with cement powder or wet cement can cause irritation and inflammation.

inhalation of dust: high levels of dust can be produced when cement is handled, for example when

emptying bags of cement or during their disposal. In the short term, exposure to high levels of cement dustirritates the nose and throat and causes difficulty with breathing. There is uncertainty about the long termeffects of breathing in cement dust; chronic chest trouble is possible.

Abrading hardened concrete e.g. in scabbling or concrete cutting, can give rise to large amounts of inhalabledust which could contain high levels of silica, depending on the aggregate that has been used. By breathingin silica dust you are at an increased risk of developing chest complaints.

Continued



Controlling Exposure

Work in a way which minimises the amount of dust produced. So, open bags of cement with care, mixcarefully etc. Handle dry material in a well-ventilated area.

Personal Protection

You must wear clothing to protect your skin from cement and cement mixtures, e.g.:

gloves

overalls with long sleeves and full-length trousers

waterproof boots

Clothing should be worn so as to avoid "traps" for fresh mortar or concrete to fall in i.e. with sleeves over thegloves and trouser legs over the boots - not tucked inside. If "trapping" does happen, steps should be takenimmediately to clean the contaminated skin and protective clothing.

suitable respiratory protective equipment should be worn if dusty conditions cannot be avoided.

Eye protection must be worn when conditions give rise to a risk of eye injury (e.g. opening cement sacks,during mixing where splashing might occur).

Hygiene

Personal hygiene is important. You should wash your hands and face at the end of a job and before eating,drinking or smoking, and wash your hands before using the toilet.

First Aid

Contaminated skin should be washed with cold running water as soon as possible. Particular attentionshould be paid to any wound which should be covered with a suitable dressing. Eye contamination should

be washed with cold tap water for at least 10 minutes before you should be taken to hospital.




33 VIBRATION

Vibration White Finger (V.W.F.) can result from the transmission of vibration from a vibrating implement (i.e.circular saw, chain-saws, machinery, etc.) to the hands, occurring as a result of several years of regular

exposure.

Primarily, it results in damage to the blood vessels and nerves of the hand resulting in skin blanching (whitefinger) on exposure to cold, together with pain, pins and needles, numbness and loss of manual dexterity. If you are affected you will suffer symptoms on exposure to cold conditions with the time taken for recoveryincreasing as the condition develops. The condition may become permanent if early symptoms are notidentified and action taken. It is important to recognise that these symptoms do not necessarily occur duringor immediately after exposure to vibration but usually occur early in the morning when the weather is cold.Therefore, cold is the primary trigger for the symptoms.

If you smoke you are at increased risk since smoking reduces the supply of oxygenated blood to your hands

and fingers.

The main way to prevent V.W.F. is to reduce levels of vibration by careful selection of equipment, the use of alternative work procedures if possible, and to minimise the time working with vibrating machinery by jobrotation.

You should also follow these simple precautions:-

Wear adequate clothing to keep dry and maintain hand and body temperature at an acceptable level,wear suitable gloves to keep your hands warm.

Let the machine do the work and grip the handle as lightly as possible, providing that this isconsistent with safe working practice.

Do not use blunt tools. Keep steels sharp and use the appropriate tool for the job.

If you smoke and use vibratory equipment you are at increased risk of vibration related disease,since nicotine reduces the blood supply to the hands and fingers.

Should attacks of white or blue finger or long periods of tingling and/or numbness occur, report thisto your Supervisor.

Inform your Supervisor if abnormal vibration occurs when using your machine.




34 HEALTH RISKS FROM WORKING IN THE SUN

A sunny day makes most of us feel good, but too much strong sunlight can be damaging to the skin. Theproblem is caused by the ultraviolet - UV - rays in strong sunlight. People whose job keeps them outdoors

for a long time, such as gardeners, may get more sun on their skin than is healthy for them, and should notethe following:

Dangers:

In the short term... we all know that sunburn can blister your skin and make it peel. In summer,even on cloudy days, enough UV can filter through to cause burning.

In the long term… the most serious effect is an increased chance of skin cancer later in life. It is almostalways easy to cure but it should be caught early. Too much sun will also speed upthe ageing of your skin, making it leathery, mottled and wrinkled. In England andWales around 35,000 new cases of skin cancer are registered every year. There

are 1,600 deaths.

Some medicines, and contact with some chemicals used at work (such as dyes, wood preservatives, coal-tar and pitch products), can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Who is at risk of skin cancer?

People with white skin are at most risk. Take particular care if you have:

fair or freckled skin that doesn't tan, or burns before it tans;

red or fair hair and light coloured eyes;

a large number of moles - over 100 in young people, or over 50 in older people.

Should I protect myself?

Yes. You should be particularly careful while you are working out of doors in the summer in the three or four hours around the middle of the day. The sun is most intense at these times.

Don't get burned

Get to know how your skin reacts to sunlight. This will help you decide what precautions to take. Gettingburned now may increase your chances of skin cancer many years later. Try to avoid the reddening that isthe first sign of burning.

The best protection is to shade your skin from the direct sunlight.

Continued



Clothing

Ordinary clothing made from close-woven fabric, such as a long-sleeved work shirt and jeans, will stop mostof the UV.

A hat will shade your face and head, the areas which suffer most from sunlight. A hanging flap can protectthe back of your neck if you work leaning forward.

Keep your shirt on, don't be tempted to leave off your shirt - skin that hasn't seen the sun for months burnseasily.

Sunscreens

Hats and other clothing are the best form of protection, but sunscreen creams and lotions can add usefulprotection for parts of your body that are not easy to shade from the sun. Look for a sun protection factor (SPF) rating of 15 or more.

Read the supplier's instructions on how it should be applied. Don't forget the backs of your hands.

Check your skin

The first warning sign is often a small scabby spot which does not clear after a few weeks. Look for changedor newly formed moles or any skin discoloration. It is normal for moles to grow until you are about 18 years

old, but as an adult you should show your doctor any moles which grow or change.

If you notice any of these signs consult your own doctor. Explain that you have an outdoor job.

Fortunately most of these signs will be harmless, but medical checks may be needed to be sure. Even if aspot is cancerous, simple modern treatments can usually cure it and most don't spread to other parts of thebody. The smaller the spot the easier it is to cure. So don't put off going to the doctor when you know youshould.

If you have any kind of medical check-up tell the doctor that you have an outdoor job and ask if there are any

suspicious signs on your skin.




35 HAND TOOLS

Many accidents occur when hand tools fall from heights, are tripped over, or placed in such a position thatthe cutting edges cause injury.

Many of these accidents would be prevented if every person who uses hand tools would remember andfollow just four simple rules:

Select the proper tools for the job.

Make sure they are in good condition.

Use them correctly.

Return tools to the tool box or stores at the end of each shift.

Once you have selected the proper tool for the job, check it over. Is it in good shape? Is the handle secureand free of splinters? Is the cold chisel burred? Is the hand saw sharp?

Keep your own tools in good shape, and also keep the tools provided by your employer in good condition.Hand in defective tools and ask for replacements.

When not in use, make sure that any hand tools are stored in a manner unlikely to be hazardous to others.Use boxes or other suitable containers. Where appropriate, hang tools from racks.

Make sure all cutting edges, teeth, etc. are adequately sheathed or otherwise protected.

Do not lay tools down so that they can fall, roll or be knocked over.

Do not leave tools lying in walkways or any place where they could be tripped over.

For longer term storage, use the lockup or lockup boxes provided.




36 POWER TOOLS

The continuing efficiency of all portable powered tools, like all other mechanical equipment, depends onregular care and maintenance. Tools should be regularly checked on issue from, and return to, the stores.

All tools which have exposed cutters should be switched off and held until they have stopped moving beforebeing set down.

Operators should not wear any items of loose clothing which could become caught in moving parts of power tools.

Only 110 volt electrical powered tools should be used and these must be visually checked before use by theoperator and, every three months, a thorough examination should be carried out by a competent electrician.

The efficient and safe use of all powered tools can come only through proper training, proper maintenanceand from adequate supervision on site. Too many accidents have occurred through the use of these tools byuntrained, unskilled labour. No-one should use a power tool unless he has been given instruction on it.

Compressed air is delivered at high pressure; therefore if it enters the body, it can rupture internal organsand cause death. It is important that air lines are used only for their proper purpose and not played with.

The air lines to air driven tools can be lethal if they break free and whip. All connections in air lines must bemade with the proper crimp type connectors - never with jubilee clips which have been involved in manyserious accidents. Check all lines before use.

If machines are designed to be used with guards, never start the machines unless the guards are firmly inplace.




37 WORKING WITH ABRASIVE WHEELS

No-one may change the abrasive wheel on any type of grinding machine unless they have beentrained.

Wheels over 55 mm (2 ins.) in diameter must be marked with the maximum permissible speed inr.p.m.

Abrasive wheels must not be operated at speeds in excess of the marked r.p.m.

Machinery on which abrasive wheels are mounted must have the maximum speed of the spindleclearly marked in r.p.m.

When the wheel is in motion, the guard must be in position and must enclose the wheel, except for the part that must be exposed for the purpose of carrying out the work.

When using abrasive wheels, eye protection that complies with BS 2092, Grade I must be worn by theoperative using the wheel and by any persons who must remain in the vicinity where the work is beingcarried out. If, during the use of the abrasive wheel, dust is generated, then suitable COSHH controlmeasures must be applied to reduce dust levels and respiratory protective equipment must be worn if necessary.




38 FIRE PREVENTION

Good housekeeping and fire prevention go hand-in-hand, not only at work but in the home and the office aswell. Fires can start anywhere at any time from:-

Accumulated debris.

The misuse of compressed gases and highly flammable liquids.

The ignition of waste material, wood shavings and cellular plastic materials.

The failure to recognise highly flammable materials and keep heat away from them.

Every individual should be aware of the fire risk, and know the precautions to prevent a fire and the action tobe taken if fire does break out. Check the instructions on the notice board and find where the "evacuation

points" are.

Always know where fire extinguishers are kept. Have you inspected your fire extinguishers lately? Are theyfully charged, accessible and ready for use?

The fact that fire extinguishers are our first line of defence in the event of a fire should warrant a periodic andthorough inspection. They should be kept clean to attract attention and must be easily accessible whenneeded.

You should know the correct type of extinguisher for specific types of fire - refer to the poster on the notice

boards.

Rubbish provides a good starting point for fire. Keep your work area clean and tidy and do not allow rubbishof any description to accumulate.




39 STORAGE OF FLAMMABLE MATERIALS

Many of the materials, liquids and substances which we use on sites are highly flammable, e.g. solvents,petrol, paints and thinners, etc. These types of materials must be kept in secure containers. Containers

used for petrol should be clearly marked "PETROLEUM SPIRIT - HIGHLY FLAMMABLE".

Any empty containers should be marked "EMPTY" and stored apart from the full containers.

Small containers carrying highly flammable liquids should be stored in fire resistant cabinets or bins.

Gas cylinders should be stored in the open air, out of direct sunlight and away from any sources of ignition.The cylinders should be stored in the upright position at all times. Signs marked "HIGHLY FLAMMABLE -LPG" should be displayed. Any empty cylinders should be marked "EMPTY" and stored apart from the fullcylinders. A sufficient number of dry powder extinguishers should be placed around the storage area.

Where the cylinder cannot be stored in the open air, they should be kept in a storeroom which is constructedof non-combustible materials and is adequately ventilated. This storeroom should not be used for any other purpose than for the storage of LPG Gas or acetylene cylinders.

Smoking is NOT permitted in storage areas where flammable liquids and materials are kept.

Flammable or explosive liquids must not be discharged into drains.




40 HOUSEKEEPING

Tidiness is one of the foundation stones of safety and good environmental practice. Many accidents arecaused through people tripping, slipping and falling over materials and equipment which should not havebeen left lying around. A great deal of environmental problems could be avoided if materials were disposed

of properly instead of being allowed to escape into the surrounding area.

This is an area where everyone can make a significant contribution to safety and the environment, merely byapplying common sense.

Do not leave rubbish lying about - clean up as you go.

Ensure all waste is disposed of in the correct skip / bin.

Do not obstruct gangways, aisles or stairways with tools or materials.

Make sure that spilled oil, grease or liquids are cleaned up from floors and the contaminated cleanup material is disposed of in the correct skip / bin.

Gather up all off-cuts of timber, reinforcing bars, and any other material, and dispose of in the correctskip / bin.

When clearing up, make sure the refuse disposal point is in a safe position and all waste containersare clearly marked for their contents.

Position all cables and hoses out of the way. Where possible do not lay them across a pedestrianwalkway

Look out for sparks and hot slag falling from welding, cutting and other hot work.

Dispose of oil rags in metal containers.

An accumulation of waste material provides a good starting point for fire. Do not let it happen.

Ensure the waste disposal area is kept tidy and containers are removed in adequate time to preventspillage.

Throughout this talk we have seen that proper waste disposal is an integral part of good housekeeping. Notonly does this improve tidiness but it also improves safety and reduces the likelihood of pollution occurringand of individuals being fined.

A tidy site is safe and efficient.




41 SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS

INTRODUCTION

All slips, trips and falls have the potential to become Lost Time Injuries. In fact, a third of all major injuriesare caused by this category of incident and on average accounted for nearly 600 major injuries in industry.In addition to the obvious incidents that can occur, incidents can also occur in other areas.

HAZARDS

Unsafe ladders, steps and scaffolds.

Slippery surfaces and improper footwear for the working environment.

Obstructions in and on floors and walkways.

Poor lighting.

Access to / from vehicles.

LEARNING POINTS

Inspect ladders and steps prior to working and ensure that the ladder is set on firm, level ground atthe correct incline (1 in 4). Use two hands whilst climbing, do not over reach when working from aladder. When a harness or fall arrestors are being worn, remember to check the condition of the

equipment before use and check that people know how to use them.

Inspect scaffolds prior to working and ensure that the scaffold is complete, the working platforms areclear from tripping hazards and, in the case of mobile scaffolds, and the castors are locked toprevent movement.

Avoid slips by keeping watch for hazardous working conditions - wet floors, icy areas, oil and greasefor example. Promptly clean up the spillage; do not leave it for someone else.

Avoid trips by maintaining a good standard of housekeeping and ensure that materials are storedand access-ways are kept clear.

Avoid falls by using fully guarded work platforms. Where this is impracticable, fall arrestors and

harnesses must be clipped onto a solid structure at all times whilst working at height.




42 STORAGE OF MATERIALS

Materials such as bricks, blocks, steels, timber, that require stacking must be stacked on a good firm levelbase to prevent any unwanted movement of the materials.

Bricks and blocks must not be stored more than two packs high; this will reduce the risk of packs accidentallytipping. Only good sound pallets that are the correct size for the packs must be used. Space must beallowed for machines to move between the packs to prevent the machine displacing any part of the loads or packs.

Timbers must be de-nailed and stacked in a manner so that they cannot be easily displaced. Packing shouldbe used underneath the stack so that forks or slings can be used to reposition them at a later date.

Steel / reinforcement bars must be stacked in an area adjacent to the works to reduce the amount of

handling and carrying. Timber packing must be used underneath steel; this will allow for forks and slings tobe positioned for the next movement and help to prevent accidental slips of the materials




43 ACCESS AND WORKING PLACES

The places at which you work, and the access to these places, should always be free from unnecessaryequipment, materials and substances which are liable to cause people to trip or slip. Waste materials and

substances should be cleared away regularly and tools kept together in a box or bag when not in use.

Holes or openings in floors must be filled in, or fitted with protective covers securely fixed in place andlabelled "CAUTION OPENING BELOW", or protected by guard rails and toe boards. Every year someone

lifts an unmarked, loose cover and then walks down the hole being "protected".

Edges of floors, roofs and other working places from which people can fall, or from which people can fall intowater and drown, must be protected by suitable guard rails and toe boards as indicated by the riskassessment. If work is to be undertaken adjacent to water, suitable rescue equipment must be available.

If you work at a height, take care of the people working below. Let them know you are there and take stepsto prevent things from falling. Precautions might include cover for floor openings, toe boards, brick guards,barriers or safety nets and the use of tool belts.




44 MANUAL HANDLING

Almost a quarter of all injuries at work are caused by accidents during manual handling. Most of the injuriesare to hands, feet, legs and back. Some of the back injuries result in permanent disability.

Although the Manual Handling Operations Regulations do not specify what weight a person can lift, it is nowrecognised that one person should not lift any load exceeding 20kg (44 lb) without a risk assessment beingundertaken.

Take care of yourself by following the guidance notes given below:-

If mechanical handling equipment is available and you are authorised and trained to use it, do so.

Wear the right protective equipment for the job.

Know your physical capabilities and only tackle jobs you can reasonably handle.

Think the job through:-

▪ Can you handle the load by yourself?

▪ Is there a clear, properly lit, walkway to the work or stacking area?

▪ Is there a safe stacking area?

▪ Will timber packing be required between the articles when stacked?

▪ Seek advice on height restrictions for stacks. Remember, it is often more dangerous de-stacking than stacking.

Always check that the weight of the load is known before lifting.

Know the correct way of lifting before attempting a lift:-

▪ Attend manual handling training course for lifting techniques.

▪ Place hands where they will not slip, and grip firmly.

▪ Breathe in before lifting - inflating the lungs helps support the spine.

▪ Hold the load firmly and close to the body.

▪ Ensure your view is not impeded by the load whilst working with it.

▪ Lift slowly and smoothly. Avoid jerking motions.

When two or more persons lift a load, one of the team must be nominated to giveinstruction to ensure that each person lifts an equal share and the team work together.

For more information on Manual Handling risk assessments and lifting techniques go tohttp://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg383.pdf or obtain a copy from HSE Books.




Toolbox Talk RecordPlease record who is in attendance and any comments

What is the toolbox talk about?

Date

Time

Who is in attendance?

Print Name Signature

Comments

Documents

Toolbox Talks Programme