network - visual standards - health & safety...

Network Visual Standards

VS02

23/02/2015

Creating better results together 2

Our Health Safety & Wellbeing Management System has been developed to

ensure highest standards of Safety, Health and Wellbeing on site.

This is one of a series of Visual Standards created to help everyone understand

what ‘’good looks like’’ contributing to setting a positive safety, health and

wellbeing culture across the programme.

The easy to follow pictures will allow project teams to quickly determine whether

their site provisions meet our SH&W expectations.


How This manual will be available both in version controlled electronic and hard copy. The hard copy will be printed in weather proof format for use on site.

Who All personnel listed below should have access to, read and understand this manual. • Construction Manager/Project Manager • Site Supervisors • Site Forman • Contractors • SHW Advisors • Network Site Teams

When The existence and usage of this Visual Standard should be discussed as part of the Safety, Health and Wellbeing introduction at pre-start meetings. This manual will be reviewed and updated when new safety, health and wellbeing risks are identified as a result of new activities on site.

Contents


1. Competency & Induction requirements

2. Plant Operators competency

3. Means of communication

4. Permits

5. Customer excellence

6. PPE

7. RPE

8. Signing, Lighting & Guarding

9. Parking on site

10. Towing of Plant

11. Unhitching trailer from towing vehicle

12. Coil Trailers

13. Van Housekeeping

14. Essential Safety Equipment

15. Utility Avoidance

16. Vibration Management

17. Noise Management

18. Manual Handling

19. Lifting operations

20. Lifting ancillaries

21. Working at height

22. Delivery of materials

23. Personal hygiene

24. Cross contamination & Public Health

25. Leptospirosis (Weil’s disease)

26. Asbestos

27. Hand held Plant Operations

28. Tools & Equipment

29. Cut off Saw use

30. Vacuum Excavator/Air Lance

31. Excavation Safety

32. Excavation Support

33. Temporary Works

34. Moling operations

35. Drilling walls/panels

36. Service laying minimum standards

37. Tools for Cutting Pipework

38. COSHH

39. Environmental

40. Use of mobile phones

41. Housekeeping on site

42. Working with tipper raised

43. Road roller & other towed plant

44. Rammer

Quality & Pride in Workmanship

45. Edge Preparation

46. Edge proximity to other apparatus

47/48/49/50. Compaction

51. Over – banding

52. Pavement Slabs

53/54. Don’t leave hazards behind

55. Completion of reinstatement work

56. Dealing with unhappy customer

eight2O Visual Standards

1. Competency and induction requirements


• Every person will receive eight2o health, safety and wellbeing induction.

• Everyone must hold and maintain the relevant core qualification/competency:

eight2O orientation/induction

Front Line Supervisors will receive a separate role assessment & induction

Thames Water’s Safety Passport

Plant Operators – CPCS/NPORs

NRSWA Operatives/Supervisors (1 NRSWA Operative per team, 1 NRSWA Supervisor appointed to oversee

the work)

National Water Hygiene (EUSR)/DOMS (As specified in Our Safety, Health & Wellbeing Approach)

Thames Water Pink Card

• ID cards and competency cards must be carried at all times.

• Never carry out work or operate plant and equipment that you are not authorised, certified or qualified to do.


2.Plant Operator Competency


Never operate any plant/machinery unless you have been properly trained, authorised/ have provided Fit for

Work Medical certificate and hold the appropriate class of driving licence or training certificate e.g.

• Mechanical excavator

• Dumper truck

• Fork lift truck

• Grab/hiab lorry

• Mechanical winch

• Trencher/top cutter

• Road saw

• Horizontal directional drilling (HDD)

• Mobile elevated work platforms (MEWP)

• Lifting with Excavators/Excavators used as cranes (operator to hold an equipment competency card)

• Other training required to operate specialist equipment

• Traffic Marshal/Banksman

Operators of any plant must carry out daily visual checks and maintain training log books of their vehicles using the

appropriate inspection sheet and record and report any defects immediately. To prevent unauthorised use, all plant

must be immobilised when not in use, remove the keys.


3. Means of communication


• Readiness Review completed and communicated before the start of project.

• CPP advised suitable

• F10 within date and displayed on site

• Site inductions carried out

• Utility plans available and in good condition

• Daily plant checks completed and available for inspection

• Project risk assessments and method statement completed

• Safe Start Pre-Task briefing completed

• Site specific permits complete


4. Permits


A permit to work system is a formal written system used to control certain types of work that are potentially

hazardous.

• At the planning stage check if permit to work is required from the Local Authority/ Environmental Agency etc.

• Thames Water Permits to Work are required for the following operations:

Confined Spaces

Low and High voltage electricity

Hot Work

General or Mechanical Permits

Sludge Digester

Permit to break surface (any break of surface)

Deep Excavation Permit

Works on contaminated land

Lifting operations

Use of HDD (horizontal drilling), mains bursting

moling, top cutters/ trenchers etc.

Works on or near a demolition site

Works on plant containing toxic material

Permit to load/remove supports

Licence to operate – working on clean water main


5.Customer excellence


Everyone in the alliance can impact upon customer experience, so has a responsibility to deliver this to an exceptional

standard. You might be the only contact a customer has with Thames Water, so make it memorable!

How to start a conversation

• Introduce yourself with a smile, a handshake and ID

• Provide safety information including where excavations

will be

• Offer immediate assistance or information

• Explain why you are there and what will happen next

• Agree driveway and other access requirements

Noisy equipment

• Follow official council/contract guidelines for time

to use this on-site

• Set a realistic expectation of start and end times/dates,

and noise levels

Behaviour during works

• Have a complete, clean and correctly branded PPE kit

• Do not swear or use inappropriate language on site

• If you need to turn your customer’s water off, give them

adequate notice, explain why this is necessary and set

time expectations

• Manage customer expectations for work completion dates,

especially when they change

• Provide customers with a site contact if requested

• Treat your customers as you would like to be treated

• In your vehicle: do not swear, smoke or use your mobile

phone, and consider where you park and how this will

affect others

• Customer satisfaction survey cards must be left at all

affected properties post-works

Ideal site conditions

• Leave/provide an alternative, safe and adequate walkway

for the public

• Have a clean, safe and tidy site with no rubbish

• Provide clear, good-quality and branded signage, for

drivers and pedestrians

• Securely link barriers up, sectioning off equipment and

excavations from the public

• Have all equipment neatly placed or put away

• Backfill all trenches and holes when works are complete

• Private reinstatement holes must be filled in as soon as

dug and must be reinstated within 5 working days of

service test completion


5. Customer excellence


Be customer positive::

P romise Keep the promises I make.

O wnership My customer, my responsibility

S mile Make a lasting first impression.

I nnovation Reduce the need for customers to contact us

T hink Put yourself in the customer’s shoes

I nformed Proactively communicate with customers

V oice Involve customers in feedback opportunities

E asy Make it simple; resolve contact quickly


6. Mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE) on site


• Please refer to Our Safety, Health & Wellbeing Approach for PPE

specification.

• Mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE) on site –

Management, Supervisors and Teams

Hard hat BSEN397

Blue – Front Line Supervisor (FLS)

Red – Fire Marshall/Vehicle Marshall

Green – First Aider (or sticker, if required to wear other colour of hat)

Orange – Slinger/Signaller

White – General Operative

Black – Visitor

Yellow – Managers/Engineers

• Appropriate safety glasses to EN166

• High visibility jacket – long sleeves to EN471 (flame retardant & arc

resistant - orange)

• Overalls (flame retardant and arc resistant - orange) for all breaking

ground activities.

• Steel toe capped boots to EN345

• Appropriate gloves to EN 388-4131

• RPE as identified in Risk Assessment.

• Ear defenders as identified in Risk Assessment.


7. RPE


• Face Fit Test to be carried out before commencing any work activity

• Face Fit Test must be repeated if the user has had a change to the shape of his face or where there is a change to the

model of BA face mask issued or factual hair growth.

• Those wearing Breathing Apparatus must be clean shaven.

• Ensure mask is in good conditions and filters are changed where required.

http://www.marineinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/enclosed-space-2.jpg


8. Signing, lighting and guarding


• Consult Thames Water Essential Standard No 16 – Short duration

street works and NRWSA

• Consult Thames Water Essential Standard No 15 -Protecting the

public during temporary work activities

Ensure the safety of the public and your team

• Consider vulnerable member of the public as they are especially at

risk.

• Ensure all advance warning signs are in place (W.I.D.E).

• Take into account weather conditions (rain, fog, night)

• 100% guarding of excavations at all times and kerb ramps must be in

place.

• Safety zone with cones & pedestrian walkways in place.

• Feet in place on every barrier.

• Signage displayed and secured to prevent trips.

• Courtesy and permit signs displayed.

• Spoil barriered off.

• Minimum of 1 lamp on every excavation.

• Daily Inspection of works.

• Minimum walkway width required (1m).

• Statutory Undertakers Board.

Will a member of the public know what is

expected of them as they approach of the

works?


9. Parking on site


• Do not block driveways, disabled parking or any other restricted parking area

• Reverse parking and always use a Vehicle Marshall when manoeuvring vehicle/plant.

• Do not park illegally, if parking in a Pay & Display – Buy a ticket

• Allow enough space to access the rear of the vehicle

• The side door is to be accessed from the pavement

• Working zone for tools, equipment and materials to be created using barriers and cones

Is this your van?

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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10. Towing of plant


• You must never tow more than your licence permits you to do.

• Always check that you have the correct driving licence competency to tow any plant.

• Drivers who passed a car test on or after 1st January 1997 are required to pass an additional test in order to gain

entitlement to category B+E. Category B includes vehicles up to 3.5 tonne, which is coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs,

combined weight 4.25 tonne.

• Check to ensure the trailer is roadworthy and within the correct weight limit for your vehicle.

• Always ensure the load/plant is secure and properly strapped down before setting off.

• You must ensure the trailer is properly attached to the towing vehicle, ensure the snatch cable is connected and the lights

are working.

• Trailers must also show the same registration number as the towing vehicle and registration.

• Number plates must not be obscured.

• Only load and unload trailer when on level surface.

• Always use a traffic marshal when reversing.

• Inspection of trailer.

• No other material to be transported on a trailer then designated.

• When trailer unhitched ensure it is prevented from moving.

http://www.thameswater.co.uk/536.htm


11. Unhitching trailers from towing vehicles


• When directing any vehicle always stand where the driver can see you at all times and out of the way of the trailer. Never

stand between a reversing vehicle and the trailer.

• When parking a trailer, always assess the best position for the trailer (e.g. angled into the can kerb act as additional

protection).

• When hitching up, do not release the trailer handbrake or remove the wheel chocks until the trailer is connected to the

towing vehicle.

• Before moving always check the load to ensure it is secure.

• Check to ensure the trailer lights are functioning correctly and the overrun cable is connected and free to move.

ALL OPERATIONS SHOULD REQUIRE HAND PRESSURE ONLY. DO NOT USE EXCESSIVE FORCE, YOUR FOOT OR

ANY IMPLEMENT TO STRIKE THE LOCK LEVER HANDLE.

Always consider safety of your colleagues and members of the public.

Remember it is the drivers responsibility to ensure trailers are connected and disconnected safely and all loads are

secured.

Keep wheel chocks in place

until the trailer is

connected to the towing

vehicle.


12. Coil Trailers


• Coil must be securely restrained for transportation.

• Pipe end clamps secured to the opposite centre hub shall be used when dispensing the pipe.

• Coil trailers shall be secured on site with hand brake on and support legs utilised.

• Care should be taken when rotating the coil within the trailer and to secure the pipe when cutting.

• Part used coils shall be secured before transporting back to depots.

• 180mm pipes may be higher than some bridges - plan your route.

• Traffic marshal when reversing.

• Load and unload on a level ground.

When trailer unhitched ensure it

is prevented from moving


13. Van Housekeeping


• Vehicle cab to be clean and tidy.

• Dashboard to be clear of paperwork.

• First aid kit and eye wash kit to be available.

• Hand washing facilities to be available

• Tools and equipment to be secured and stored safely.

• Heavy equipment to be secured and stored near door to aid manual handling.

• Chemical substances to be stored according to COSHH assessment.

• When possible use a marshal when reversing a vehicle.

• Access and egress maintained in back of van.

• Spill kit to be easily accessible.

* All vehicles to be marked with Thames Water logo and comply with Thames Water Driving Standards.

Poor housekeeping leads to incidents Good housekeeping keeps you safe and

makes your work easier

http://www.thameswater.co.uk/536.htm


14. Essential Safety Equipment


• Before breaking of surface obtain permit and use CAT & Generator with data logging capacity.

• Only use equipment that has been approved for issue by the company and ensure you are trained and authorised to use

it.

• Before you use any of these items you must check for and report any defects or damage.

• If it not safe to use do not start work until a replacement tool has been obtained.

• Check that the equipment has a current inspection/calibration validity date (ex. PA Test in date)

• Report any equipment when damaged or not working correctly.


15. Utility avoidance


• Operators trained and provided with data logging CAT &

Generator

• Air Lance provided to every Network Team

• Obtain and understand up-to-date plant and drawings. Ensure they

are available on site at all times.

• Check data logging CAT & Generator in good working order and

within calibration date and undertake a function check prior to

sweeping the area to be excavated.

• Prior to excavation within the vicinity of any critical 3rd party assets

and clients (oil/ gas/ petroleum/ fuel pipes) obtain specific

information. Arrange for an on site meeting with the pipeline owner

and agreed method of work (written & approved).

• Check for other visible signs of existing underground apparatus

such as street furniture, overhead lines and surface scarring.

• Minimum distance to be maintained when using mechanical plant:

– 500mm

• Hand dig to establish line and route of all plant

• Ensure that your mark up is visible outside of the planned

excavation area at all times for the duration of the work.

• Do not use power tools directly over a marked buried conductor.

• Use the air lance where possible.

• Ensure compliance with HSG47

• Mark up all plant routes next to the excavation area inside and

outside of the planned excavation.

• Ensure you use plant detection equipment as the excavation

progresses. Minimum every 300mm.

• Mark plant exclusion zones.


16. Utility avoidance



17. Vibration management


• Eliminate/reduce exposure to HAV as much as possible by selecting suitable work method/plant.

• Risk Assessment/ Method Statement in place/signed and understood?

• Have you chosen the lowest vibration tool that is suitable and can do the job efficiently?

• Limit the time that each worker uses high vibration tools (concrete breakers, angle grinders or hammer drills).

• Know the vibration levels produced by the equipment you use

• Provide information and training to operatives so they know what the risks are from (HAV) and what they need to do to

avoid those risks.

• Vibrating tools to be properly maintained this includes keeping bits and drills sharp.

• Vibrating tools to be inspected daily with a weekly report produced.

• Arranged health surveillance for people exposed to high levels of HAV, especially when exposed for long periods.

• HAV meter to be used by all operatives using vibrating tools.

HAVS is preventable, but once the damage is done it is Permanent

Prevention is the only cure for HAVS

Vibration not monitored !


18. Noise Management


• Eliminate/ reduce exposure to noise. Can you use quieter equipment or a quieter process?

• Read & understand Risk Assessment prior to work and know what control measures you need to put in place.

• Do you know the risks from noise? Do you know noise levels produced by the equipment you use?

• Refer to eight2O Noise CRIBB Card

• Maintain plant and equipment .

• Ensure you wear hearing protection as identified by in Risk Assessment and Method Statement. Type of hearing

protection will depend on noise exposure levels generated. Have you been trained on the use of PPE?

• Be considerate of contractors and members of the public working in close proximity. Where appropriate advise them to

wear hearing protection. Alternatively consider acoustic insulation in the area.

• Provide Health Surveillance

Don’t lose your hearing!

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19. Manual Handling


Manual handling when lifting of manhole covers and valve operation:

• Manhole covers come in all shapes, sizes and weights.

• Valves may be stiff

• Carry out Risk Assessment of the operation to be undertaken

• Ensure the weather conditions, lighting and location of the valve adequate to carry out the activity safely.

• Can you carry out the procedure without putting yourself or members of the public at risk?

• Use mechanical manhole lifting equipment in preference to manhole keys if appropriate

• Use undamaged valve keys of the correct size

• use of lubricants to free the valve and whether consider asking for assistance

• Warm up before attempting the task

Use of manhole key not

allowing good lifting

posture!

Better lifting

posture & greater

distance between

the person lifting

& the cover


20. Lifting operations


Key points • Crane Authorisation obtained from Thames Water?

• Is Lifting Plan in place – this includes lifting using Excavators & HIAB?

• When excavator is used as lifting equipment ensure that only appropriately trained operators carry out the lift

• Follow the lifting minimum standards for basic lifts

• Check the ground conditions – will it support the plant being used?

• Make sure the works are properly guarded

• Close the footpath when lifting over the footpath

• Provide clear signs for pedestrians

• Beware of overhead cables

• Always use a Reversing Vehicle Marshall when manoeuvring plant/vehicle in a restricted area.

• Always use a Slinger/Signaller for grab bucket movements.

• Hard hats must be worn (Orange for Slinger Signaller)

• If necessary hand barrow material (rather than lift over pedestrians or parking your vehicle unsafely).

• NO OBJECT HANDLING CAPACITY NO LIFTING

Hitch tilted backwards with master link

subject to twisting/ bending !

Chain and master link can hang freely without obstruction


21. Lifting ancillaries


Key points • Refer to the Lifting Operations Procedure for Guidance on Basic Lifts.

• Straps, chains and shackles must be thoroughly examined every 6 months.

• Make sure you have the certificates for your lifting equipment with your vehicle.

• Return damaged lifting equipment to stores and mark the equipment as damaged.

• Check the SWL and ensure this is sufficient for the load.

• Only use approved plates which are clearly marked with their weight.

• Ensure the load is lifted at a correct angle.

• Inspection of lifting equipment report to be provided weekly

Inspected lifting accessories,

stored in a suitable place

Incorrectly stored

lifting equipment,

prone to damage!


22. Working at height


Always avoid working at height if possible. Can it be done from the ground?

• If you have to work at height carry out a Risk Assessment & Method Statement, make sure you know the control

measures.

• Refer to the working at height minimum standards guidance.

• Assess what the safest way to complete the work is – scaffold/alloy tower/podium/ladder.

• Consider the factors of Level ground/access/accessibility/duration of work/how much work is needed.

• Only use ladders/step ladders for short duration, low risk work.

• Site your ladder at an angle of 1 in 4 or 75°.

• Keep 3 points of contact at all times and never work on the top 5 rungs of a ladder.

• Secure the ladder to prevent slipping.

• Inspection and tags in place.

• Consult Thames Water Essential Standard No. 2 Working on Roofs if such work is required.

Poor material

movement and

handling disciplines

producing serious

falls from height

issues!


23. Delivery of Materials


Poor material movement and handling disciplines

producing serious falls from height issues in both

cases!

Fall prevention in place

for loading/unloading of

flat bed trucks. Where fall

prevention is not available

fall arrest systems is

used.

Key Points • Plan for safe unloading or loading of

materials.

• Select appropriate handling equipment

to avoid access onto vehicles.

• Provide equipment to prevent falls.

• Provide equipment to minimize the harm

from a fall.

• FORS minimum of bronze for logistics

vehicles


24. Personal Hygiene


Key points

• EUSR Card obtained? • Exposure to sewage can lead to: cramping stomach

pain/ diarrhoea/vomiting/Weil’s disease/Hepatitis/asthma/skin & eyes infection etc.

• How does this happen? Hand to mouth contact (eating/drinking/smoking or

when wiping your face with contaminated hands/gloves).

Skin contact (Cuts/scratches/surface of skin) Breathing ( dust/aerosol/mist) • Wash your hands with antibacterial soap before

eating/drinking/smoking /touching your face • Wash your hands after using the toilet • Check food that you eat is correctly stored, prepared

and properly cooked. • Remove and correctly dispose of consumable PPE • Arrange for cleaning of dirty workwear & PPE • Remove dirty workwear & PPE in the drying and

wash your hands before heading to eat your meal/ entering offices and other welfare facilities

• Challenge persons who are not maintaining

acceptable levels of good personal hygiene.


25. Cross contamination & Public Health


You must not work on potable water if you do not hold EUSR card or if any of your household suffer from stomach pain/prolonged

fever/food poisoning/ infective hepatitis and jaundice.

• EUSR Card obtained?

It is essential to follow simple steps and

procedures to safeguard the quality of water

reaching our customers.

When pipe fittings are stored on site they should

be adequately protected from contamination.

All tools & equipment used near fittings when

being installed must be kept clean & disinfected.

Pipes should remain capped or wrapped as long

as possible. They also should be kept on pallets

to keep them clear of the ground and any

flooding.

It is extremely important we cap all open ended

pipe work to prevent contamination.

Where competing priorities exist between

minimising the risk of contamination and restoring

the supply as soon as possible or completing a job

by a target date, the over-riding consideration must

be to ensure that public health is not

compromised.


26. Leptospirosis (Weil’s disease)


Report ALL incidents and near misses and hazards promptly

Key points

• Route of Entry - through contaminated fluids, tissues, or waters. The

infection enters through any breaks in the skin (e.g. abrasions, cuts).

• Cause - through contact with animal urine (exposure to infected animal

tissue, land, water, any surface or product that could have been exposed

to direct contact.

In order to limit the risk of contracting the disease the following must be

adhered to at all times:

1. Wash your hand regularly and dry on disposable towels not down cloths

as cloths maybe contaminated and use alcohol wipe which are provided.

2. Do not handle rats, dead or alive, without adequate PPE.

3. Avoid all hand to mouth contact.

4. Eat, drink and smoke only in designated areas, after washing your hands

correctly.

5. All staff should be informed of dangers of Weil’s disease.

6. Wear PPE.


27. Asbestos


Asbestos fibres can cause lung cancer and lung diseases.

Asbestos could be present in buildings built or refurbished before the year 2000 !

Disturbance of asbestos cement containing materials

through cutting, drilling, and other activities may result in

elevated levels of airborne asbestos fibres.

• Before you start work ask 'Has the site been checked for

asbestos?

• If you come across any hidden or dusty materials which you

suspect may contain asbestos, stop work and get advice.

Identification of asbestos containing materials is not easy and you

can only be sure they are asbestos if they have been tested by a

specialist laboratory.

• Under no circumstances shall the cutting of asbestos

cement pipes be carried out on site without a full

assessment of the need to do so agreed.

• Asbestos pipes can be abandoned and left in the ground as intact

pipes provided that the presence of the asbestos is recorded on

corporate records and that information is passed to other utility

companies or others in response to pipe location requests


28. Hand held plant operation


• Is there an alternative method? Carry out Risk Assessment.

• Do not operate vibratory plant if you have been diagnosed with HAVS. Seek advice from your manager

• All plant and equipment must be approved, tested and in date.

Always consider Members of the Public

PPE to be worn when operating or working next to a Pneumatic Breaker/Whacker/Core Drill/Road, Saw/Disc Cutter:

hard hat

safety glasses

high visibility clothing (flame retardant)

overalls (flame retardant)

Gloves

steel toe capped boots

ear defenders

dust mask (as required).

• Daily plant checks must be undertaken

and weekly report provided

• All oil, fuel and other chemical containers

must be labelled and kept within drip

trays when not in use

• Take care when refuelling/filling plant

and handling chemicals

• Carry a spill kit

• Weekly plant inspection reports to be provided


29. Tools and equipment


Only use approved tools and equipment

issued or hired by the company. Before

selecting the tools or equipment you must

ensure the following:

• It is suitable for the job/task in hand

• You are authorised and trained to use it

• It is appropriate for the work location e.g.

flammable atmospheres, adverse weather

conditions (wet conditions) and the proximity

of the public and other workers.

Before you use any equipment you must:

• Check for and report any defects or damage

(If it is not safe to use do not start work until a

replacement tool has been obtained.

• Check equipment is in date,

maintained/calibrated as required and make

sure you are familiar with the control.

When using any tools or equipment you must

ensure that:

• All necessary guards are in place and properly

adjusted and all appropriate PPE is worn.

• Report any defects to Supervisors/Stop work

when damage of equipment occurs.


30. Cut Off saw use


Always consider Member of the Public

PPE that must be worn during cutting operations:

Hard hat

Safety goggles

High visibility clothing (flame retardant)

Overalls (flame retardant)

Gloves

Steel toe capped boots

Ear defenders

Dust Mask – P3 filter

• Is there an alternative method of cutting?

• Risk Assessment/ Method Statement & Permit to Break Surface in place/signed and understood?

• Abrasive wheels training to be provided to operators changing the blade

• Ensure the correct blade is used

• Dust suppression to be used

• Under no circumstance shall guarding be removed or altered

• Equipment shall not be drop started

• Equipment shall not be moved until the blade has stopped

• Tie back loose clothing/long hair

• In the event of a fuel or oil leak switch the machine off immediately and use a spill kit

• Do not refuel whilst engine is hot


31. Vacuum excavator / air lance


• PPE that must be worn during Vacuum Excavator Operations.

Hard hat.

Safety glasses.

High visibility clothing (flame retardant).

Overalls (flame retardant).

Gloves.

Steel toe capped boots.

Ear defenders.

• Always maintain safe working distances between over head lines and the vacuum excavator.

• Operative must be 3m from the container before tipping commences.

• If needing to access the top of the vehicle always try to work from a suitable platform if possible or ensure that fall

restraint systems are used.

• When operating an Air Lance in conjunction with the vacuum excavator or compressor, a ‘Forestry Guard’ must also be

worn.

• Access to the work zone should be prohibited at all times

when the Soil Pick is in use.

• Ensure whip checks are used.

• Vacuum Excavator must be FORS compliant.


32. Excavation safety


Refer to Thames Water Essential Standard 1 – Excavation !HIGH RISK ACTIVITY

There is NO safe minimum depth of excavation

Always consider safety of members of the public - Fence off all excavations & work places to prevent pedestrians and vehicles

from entering the work area or being struck. Consider vulnerable people and children.

• Consult Site Survey/ Service Location Drawings

• Competent person to supervise the work/all operatives receive clear instruction on working safely in excavation.

• Risk Assessment/Method Statement/permit to break surface/PPE/Emergency Plan in place before any works are undertaken

• Avoid underground services – use data logging CAT & Generator

• Use safe digging practices, i.e. locate and dig trial holes by hand – no machines/ hand held power tools within 500mm of a service

• All works must be inspected daily and where excavations are left open overnight or for long periods precautions must be undertaken

(backfilling or securely covering excavations) to prevent collapse or unauthorised access. Written weekly report available.

• Excavations must be well lit/ securely fenced/covered or backfilled overnight and at weekends.

• Traffic management in compliance with NRSWA.

• Access - provide a proprietary or ladder access . Where provided, ladders must be regularly inspected, in good order and secured. All

exposed services are supported and never to be used for access and egress to the excavation.

• Exhaust fumes – petrol/diesel powered equipment not to be sited in, or near the edge of an excavation unless fumes can be ducted

away or the area can be ventilated.

• Influx of water controlled by the use of pumps after the water has been channelled into sumps.

• Never work underneath an excavator (no operative in excavation when excavator in use).

• Never enter an unsupported trench where there is a risk of collapse & never work outside the protection of trench boxes or trench

supports.

• Ensure excavations do not affect the footings of scaffolds/ foundations of nearby structures – does the structure need support before

excavation starts? (Site Survey)

• Do not store spoil or other materials close to the sides of excavations.

• Make sure the edges of the excavation are protected against falling materials/people - toe boards/ guard rails where necessary.

• Ensure that plant does not work too close to the edge of an excavation. Use brightly painted baulks or barriers to mark.

• Where vehicles have to tip materials into excavations, use stop blocks to prevent them from over-running. Remember that the sides of the

excavation may need extra support.


33. Excavation support


• Temporary support – Before digging any trench pit, tunnel, or other excavations, decide what temporary support will be

required and plan the precautions to be taken.

• Battering the excavation sides – Battering the excavation sides to a safe angle of repose may also make the excavation

safer. In granular soils, the angle of slope should be less than the natural angle of repose of the material being excavated.

In wet ground a considerably flatter slope will be required.

• Any excavations over 1.2m deep or adjacent to live a carriageway will require a ‘Stop and Assess’ approach be

undertaken where appropriate support to prevent collapse must then be considered which must have appropriate

temporary works sign off from a competent person.

• Risk assess excavations less than 1.2 m prior to entry as even work in shallow trenches can be dangerous. You may need

to provide appropriate support if the work involves bending or kneeling in a shallow trench.

• Never work ahead of the support.

Stop blocks used to prevent vehicle from over-running


34. Temporary Works


Consult Thames Water Essential Standard No 20 - Management of Temporary Works

Class 1 TW have the highest risk and must be designed by a trained and competent person. To ensure that the design has been carried

out correctly an independent competent designer, familiar with high risk temporary works, must be appointed as the TW design checker for

these works.

Class 2 TW are lower than class 1 TW but still represent a significant risk which needs to be properly addressed and managed.

* A typical list of class 1 & 2 TW is available in Essential Standard No 20 - Management of Temporary Works

Key appointments (in writing):

• TW Designer - any person who prepares or modifies the design of any temporary works.

• TW Supervisor - a competent person who is responsible for supervising the construction/alteration and inspection of TW prior to their

first use or following any alteration.

• TW Coordinator - a competent person with responsibility for the co-ordination of all activities related to TW. Responsible for maintain a

register of designs and maintaining and making available all relevant information for each design.

1. Design Brief & Design to be prepared

2. All designs for high/medium risk TW must be checked by a competent person (someone other than the designer who was not

involved in the original design) prior to construction and prior to any alteration.

3. Any TW that falls under class 1 must have been signed off by a competent person other that the TW Supervisor assigned to the activity.

4. TW Supervisor must:

ensure construction of TW is in accordance with the agreed design

confirm to TW Coordinator that the temporary works meet the design criteria

Inspect TW immediately before use (and after any significant change) for defects

Issue the permit to load/use as appropriate

Supervise its use to ensure it is used safely

Supervise the dismantling of the temporary works

The TW Coordinator & TW Supervisor must always have the authority to cancel the permit to use/ oad and immediately prevent

the further use of the temporary works if deemed unsafe.


35. Moling operations


• PPE required:

Hard hat.

Safety glasses.

Ear defenders.

Dust mask – P3 filter.

Flame retardant clothing.

High visibility jacket (flame retardant).

20 kVA Di electric gloves (formal inspection 6 monthly)

Over gloves.

20 kVA Di electric boots.

• Team to be trained to use a mole

• Risk Assessment to be undertaken/Permit to Break Surface

• Before conducting any moling operations ensure the pre-start permit is completed and authorised by a supervisor

• Check utility drawings/Visually check the area for indication of buried services

• Trace the moling area using data logging CAT & Generator

• Expose all buried services (electric, gas, street lighting, cable TV, BT, water etc.)

• Check if ground condition are suitable for moling

• Identify suitable moling route leaving at least 300mm clearance from parallel electric cables and 250mm clearance from

other parallel services

• Identify direction of mole (towards the lowest risk area)

• Mark the distance to be mole on the mole house

• Inspect your PPE


36. Drilling walls/panels


• Risk Assessment & Permit to Break Surface signed and understood?

• ALWAYS check for the presence of cables with an approved cable location device.

• Prior to drilling or cutting any surface use the approved:

Bosch GMS120 Locator

Bosch D-Tect 150 Locator.

• Risk Assessment is required whenever working within 500mm of any services or apparatus.

• All electrical power tools used on site will need to be approved and PA Tested.


37. Service laying minimum standards


• Relay services to original position where possible.

• Lay pipe in a way that minimises risk of damage by a third party.

• Ensure distances between top tees and joints are in accordance with procedures.

• Service must be laid at right angles to the main and in a straight line.

• Only Use sticks/straight pipes for open cut road crossing (not coiled pipe).

• Marker tape to be used.

• Ensure adequate clearance over/under other services.

• Reference service from a permanent feature.


38. Tools for cutting Pipework – Part 1.





* Asbestos should only be cut with non‐powered tools. Damping/wetting of surfaces should still be

utilised to ensure no airborne fibres are released.

Where powered mechanical cutting is identified as the only option this must be referred to HS&W Team

as this will potentially be ‘licenced’ work requiring a specialist contractor.




* Not to be used to cut

pipework

Cut Off Saw


39. COSHH Products


Everyday at work you may come into contact with substances that can

be hazardous to your health or the environment. These products include

common substances in everyday use such as paint, bleach, solvent or

fillers.

• Regulations require these substances to be clearly labelled.

• The labels advise the user of the harmful affects the substance may

cause.

• Since 2009, new international symbols have been gradually replacing the

European symbols. Some of them are similar to the European symbols,

that you are already familiar with, but there is no single word describing

the hazard. Read the hazard statement on the packaging and the safety

data sheet from the supplier.

• Remember – know your substances and if in doubt ask.

• Refer to the COSHH assessments.

• Right level of PPE for the hazard including RPE.

• Spill kits to be in place.

• All vehicles to carry signed COSHH assessments and MSDS for all

materials carried.


40. Environmental


• Wet cutting technology

• Manage mud/do not leave slip hazards

• Remove waste from site setup and keep tarmac segregated

• Clean your tools as you go – don’t use diesel

• Oil, fuel and other chemical containers must be labelled and kept stored in

drip trays

• Carry a spill kit and ensure it is ready to be used

• Sweep up site after work – use RPE when sweeping.

• Use funnel when re-fuelling plant

• Noise under control and as per consent issued


41. Use of Mobile Phones


Key points

• Avoid incidents by using mobile phone

ONLY is designated Mobile Phone Safety

Zones!

Mobile Phone Safety Zone

Operative distracted/

High risk of injury!


42. Housekeeping on site


Ensure the safety of the public and your team

• All trimmings and waste must be removed from site

• Stored materials and plant must be guarded

• Plant and equipment must be kept within barriers whilst working

• All oil, fuel other chemical containers must be labelled and kept

within drip trays when not in use

• Spill kit must be available


43. Working with Tipper Raised


• Do not enter under tipper when raised

• Guard the tipper when raised

• Do not climb onto the flatbed when raised

• Drop the flatbed as soon as possible

• Remove any unsecured equipment before raising tipper


44. Road roller and other towed plant


• Check for oil leaks

• Check oil level daily

• Tow safely – correct number plate, raised jockey wheel, break-away

cable attached , lights in place and working

• Ensure a red warning triangle is attached to overlapping handle


45. Rammer


• Check for oil leaks

• Keep stored in a drip tray when not in use

• Two man lift only

• Vibration dosemeter is to be used

Always consider safety of your colleagues and members of the

public


46. Quality & Pride in your workmanship – Edge Preparation


• All bound edges shall be essentially straight, smooth and vertical.

• Cut back edges to correct angles - The internal corners and edges of a reinstatement shall be as square as possible.

Internal angles less than 90° are acceptable and, where this is the case, appropriate compaction equipment shall be used to

achieve the specified compaction.

• Individual projections not to be less than 250 mm length, measured parallel to the nominal centreline of the trench.

• All edges shall be adequately prepared prior to application of edge sealant e.g. free of contamination, loose material, and

the like. In all cases the manufacturer’s instructions shall be followed.

• Cut back to existing street furniture/trenches


47. Quality & Pride in your workmanship – Edge Proximity to other Apparatus


Carriageway: Where the trimmed edge of your excavation is within 250mm of the road edge/kerbing/drains, manhole

covers/other reinstatements etc. you must extend the trim line to include the feature.

Footpaths/cycle tracks: Where trim-lines for the reinstatement edges are within 150mm of the road

edge/kerbing/drains, manhole covers/other reinstatements etc., the trim lines should be extended to include the

feature. Only the surface course of this extra area needs to be excavated and reinstated (provided the lower layers have

not been damaged).


48. Quality & Pride in your workmanship – Compaction


Compaction requirements for Bituminous Mixtures




• 4 passes in the footpath for each layer • 6 passes in the road for each layer




1. Surround to apparatus fine-fill compacted with 10kg

hand hammer, 6 passes every 100mm

2. Backfill GSB Type 1 compaction whacking foot, 4

passes for each 100mm depth

3. 60mm Binder course 20mm dense macadam

compaction whacking foot, 7 passes every 60mm

depth

4. 40mm surface course compacted with twin drum

roller, 5 passes every 40 mm depth

5. Edge preparation 10kg hand rammer

6. Coated chippings. All chippings shall be 14mm or

20mm size, pre-coated. Where chippings are to be

embedded into road surface they must be spread to

match the existing surface

7. The bituminous overlay shall not be laid until the

cured road slab has achieved a crushing strength of

25N/mm2.


51. Quality & Pride in your workmanship – Over-banding


• Overbanding to be BBA/HAPAS approved

• Only undertake over-banding where approved by local council

• Overbanding should not be more than 3mm thick or 40mm wide.

• Hot-applied overbanding to the correct method of work and temperature that depends on the type of material used.

Overbanding should not be applied in the following situations:

• Wet road surface conditions (although some products can be used on damp surfaces – check with Supervisor)

• Low temperatures (Should not be applied below a minimum air temperature of +5°C)

• High temperature (Should not be applied above a maximum air temperature of +30°C)


52. Quality & Pride in your workmanship – Pavement Slabs


• Stack slabs flat/avoid manual handling

• Check that all necessary materials are on site

• Damaged modules will need to be replaced

• Check the sub-base level is the correct tolerance

• Match and place modules to fit existing layout or bond

• Remove excess materials from surface


53. Quality & Pride in your workmanship – Don’t leave Hazards behind



54. Quality & Pride in your workmanship – Don’t leave Hazards behind



55. Quality & Pride in your workmanship – Completion of Reinstatement Works


• On completion of works speak to the customer and ask customer if they are satisfied with

your work

• If so leave a “Completion of Reinstatement” card with relevant fields completed

• Date and time are very important


56. Quality & Pride in your workmanship – Dealing with an unhappy customer


• Contact your supervisor with details of the problem immediately • Explain to the customer that your supervisor will be in touch • Give the customer your Supervisors name • Remember courtesy and good manners at all times


“To create an environment that encourages a culture of care and concern for each other, intolerant of any

level of harm and focussed on protecting the health and enhancing the wellbeing of our people”

eight2O Safety, Health & Wellbeing Aspiration

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