summer shutdown july 2015
TRANSCRIPT
15/04/2023 Dave Bennion ©2015 1
Dave Bennion BSc(Hons); Tech IOSH; SIIRSM RSP; ACIEH; DipEnvNEBOSH
MInstLM; CIHM; ACQI; AMIIAIHealth , Safety, Fire, Environmental & Quality Professional
Health & Safety – Summer Shutdown?
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Introduction
August has typically been the month when companies shutdown for summer holidays or run on skeleton staff. Factories, offices and schools use this time for essential and plan maintenance.
Workers wind down drawing their attention to their impending holiday break and parents who do work have the added pressure of childcare over the 6 – 8 week school holidays.
Health and safety however don’t take a holiday nor do accidents from unsafe acts go on holiday.
The next few slides cover some basic considerations!
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Essential and Planned Maintenance
Having essential and planned maintenance when the company is on shutdown thus improves productivity when in full work flow. This also enables round the clock maintenance teams to work efficiently in readiness for the workers return.
With pressure to get maintenance completed within a 1 – 2 week window at shutdown it is essential that preparation and planning is completed prior to shutdown. Health and safety is an integral parts of ensuring the safety of maintenance teams as well as protecting the wider considerations of brand awareness and image from unsafe acts and potential media attention.
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Safety Considerations
Prior to shutdown: Ensure RAMS are completed Ensure Permit to work – hot works, confined spaces, environmental etc are completed. Ensure licences for MEWPS and other site traffic are complete and valid. Ensure F10 (CDM), welfare facilities, security arrangement and environmental. Ensure emergency evacuation plans, fire risk assessment, environmental impact assessments are completed. Ensure where required emergency services are aware and plans approved. Ensure that none essential systems are shut down, lock and tag implemented and fire warning systems work.
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Safety Considerations
During essential and planned maintenance: Induction and instruction to maintenance teams ie: fire arrangements, first aid stations, welfare facilities, asbestos register, roles and responsibilities etc RAMS, and other documentation are signed off by workers Nominated gatekeepers for keys, permits including a signing system etc PM’s, SHE officers etc lead by example on safety and monitor . TMP is followed and PPE, RPE is used ensuring walkways and signage is suitable and sufficient, shortfalls and violations addressed. The site remains secure and waste/ combustibles are removed from site, skips are secure (remember waste transfer notes etc) and emergency exits kept clear.
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Safety Considerations
Continued: Live working on electrics is closely supervised by competent operatives. (Do not lone work) MEWPs including emergency plans and other working at heights are safe and not done in isolation. (A significant number of accidents occur with this activity) Work as not done is isolation and adequate First Aiders (AP) are available on each shift. Night workers only work nights and there is a PM available (on call) – on site if large team. Never undertake tasks which use have not be trained or competent in. All completed work is fully signed off
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Safety Considerations – Skeleton StaffNot all companies shutdown over summer ie: hospitals, care homes and other essential services as well as high demand sectors. Having adequate staffing levels particularly in all ready stressful environmental ie: social care is challenging .
Under pressure to meet stretched services safety can be overlooked and corners cut.
Balancing the demands of service provision through adequate staffing , increased use of temporary or agency staff puts added pressure on workers and managers.
Do forget young workers, those with mobility or other ill-health considerations and pregnant or nursing mothers – they need to be sufficiently supported.
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Safety Considerations – Skeleton StaffSome general consideration for skeleton staffing: Only used approved recruitment agencies who do detail checks on candidates (don’t be tempted by cheaper costs) All staff need an induction including agency staff. Ensure that some regular staff are on shift to maintain some consistency. Monitor hours to ensure workers are not undertaking too many hours – this could result in more mistakes and accidents. Generally night workers should stay on nights – mixed shifts seriously damaged workers health – again mistakes and accidents are more likely. Where this is not an option ensure shifts are grouped ie 4 nights on 3 days off, 4 days on 3 days off etc. Ensure workers only do what they are trained and competent in or provide additional training to meet new tasks.
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Safety Considerations – Skeleton Staff
Continue: Stager annual leave where possible throughout the year and be aware of staff with young children giving them priority in school holidays. Agree that annual leave forms are submitted at least a month in advance of leave and limit the number of staff on leave at any given week. (first come – first served) Be aware of staff who are struggling under higher than normal pressure or who’s behaviour is out of character – remember not to condemn rather support. Be aware generally of drug and alcohol dependency - support and signpost (where appropriate) to professional services.
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Disclaimer:
It is not possible to cover all eventualities on this presentation and therefore I have covered the general broader issues for consideration.
If you are unsure of any of the issues raised please speak to your health and safety manager , facilities team or refer to the HSE website for further advice.
