MURPHYMERAUX REFINERY

OIL U.S.A., Inc.POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

SSP-0048

Date Issued:08-26-09

Supersedes:New

Page 1 of 6

TITLE:

Barricades

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this procedure is to provide refinery employees and contractors a safety policy that covers the various methods used for barricading areas to limit access to hazards or potentially dangerous work.

REFERENCES:

  1. OSHA 29CFR1910.23; Guarding Floor and Wall Openings and Holes
  1. ANSI/ASSE A1264.1-2007; Safety Code for Floor and Wall Openings, Railings, Toeboards

WORKER REQUIREMENTS:

  1. All employees and contractors must be trained in the requirements of this policy.

2.All employees and contractors must heed the warnings provided by barricades and avoid these areas to the extent possible. If these areas must be entered, then necessary PPE and other precautions outlined in this policy must be followed.

3.The person installing a barricade must retain responsibility for the integrity of the barricade and must take additional, appropriate action if it becomes apparent that the barricade is not limiting access adequately.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

  1. The color and type of temporary barricade helps signify the type of risk involved. Examples of temporary barricades are: colored tape, signs, scaffolding (“hard barricade”), safety cones, etc.
  1. “Caution” tape is yellow with black letters and is used to denote situations where the hazards are obvious such as slippery surfaces, work that generates flying debris, steam leaks, etc. These areas may be entered if proper PPE and other precautions are exercised.
  1. “Danger” tape with a red background and black letters is used around areas where the danger levels are high and/or the hazard may not be obvious. This tape means “Do Not Enter”. Entry is restricted to all personnel without specific permission from the supervisor or his designee in charge of the area and assurance that exposure to the hazard is effectively managed. Judgment should be used in the decision to restrict an area with red tape, since use around too large an area or unwanted use can reduce effectiveness.
  1. Hazard-specific barricade tape with attached signs or wording on the tape are used around work areaswith special hazards such as that done by radiographers, lead workers, asbestos workers, or hydroblasting.
  1. “Hard Barricades” made of scaffolding are used to prevent access to areas where excavations or other serious hazards exist. Signs, tape, or flashing lights may be used to provide more information or improve visibility of the barricade.

CONTROLS:

  1. The work crew beginning the work is responsible for erecting the barricades around the work area. All work crews that work inside of the barricaded area are responsible for maintaining the barricade and for housekeeping activities in that area.

NOTE: If a job is not worked for several days or weeks but the hazard still exists, the barricades must be maintained by the responsible company. This may include installing hard barricades.

  1. Operations personnel are responsible for erecting barricades during draining and/or depressuring equipment.
  1. A temporary barricade should be removed promptly once it is no longer needed.
  1. All barricades must have a tag attached in a conspicuous location on all sides of the barricade. The following information is required on the tag:
  1. Date barricade is erected
  2. Reason for barricade.
  3. Name of person and company erecting barricade.

APPLICATION:

  1. Area where overhead work is in progress:
  1. The area immediately beneath an overhead work area should be barricaded with standard “caution” tape.

Note: A general rule for overhead work barricade distance is 1 foot out for every 2 feet up.

  1. Where it is impractical to barricade an entire area because of the scope of work going on overhead (e.g., a construction site), signs warning against falling objects should be posted at all regular access routes to the site or at sufficient locations around the site.
  1. Motorized equipment:
  1. Equipment such as aerial lifts or scissor lifts that are being used on roadways shall be barricaded.
  1. Any equipment that is left in a roadway overnight must be barricaded with traffic barricades (sawhorse or metal parade type) and yellow blinking caution lights.
  1. Barricading the swing radius and the load area (where the load is to be picked up and dropped off) of a rotating crane superstructure is required. This includes the functions of lifting and leveling of the crane.
  1. Floor openings through which a person may fall (defined as 12 inches or more in its least direction) shall either be attended by someone at all times, covered with suitable decking or enclosed with a hard barricade. Decking over floor openings requires a strong material such as scaffold boards, and must be secured to prevent it from slipping. Use barricade tape and caution signs to warn of a tripping hazard and that a floor opening is beneath the cover.
  1. Permanent hand rails are sometimes removed to allow certain work activities to be accomplished (ex: removal of heat exchanger bundles).
  1. Do not leave a location unattended where a section of the handrail has been removed unless the opening is protected by a temporary guardrail. All personnel within 10 feet of any area where handrails have been removed must use fall protection until a temporary guardrail is installed.
  1. Temporary guardrails on platforms shall be composed of a top rail approximately 42” high and a mid-rail at approximately 21” high. Such guardrails should be constructed from scaffolding or other materials sturdy enough to resist a 200 lb. force applied to the top rail at any point.
  1. At locations where sections of handrail are removed frequently, consideration should be given to fabricating the handrail so it can be quickly removed and reinstalled. Bolting, installing the posts in pockets, hinging the section, etc., are possible methods of construction.

PERMANENT BARRICADES:

  1. A permanent barricade is a fixed, painted structure or barrier such as a gate, chain, concrete wall, toe wall, or stripe on the ground intended to convey a permanent warning or caution against entry into the area without specific authorization and/or specific personal protective equipment requirements.
  1. A painted yellow line is used in several areas (Ex. alky unit, caustic storage area, etc.) to signify potential danger. These areas signify that toxic or corrosive chemicals are present in the area (e.g., caustic, acid, etc.). These areas also have signs posted signifying the hazard, personal protective equipment, or permits required to enter that area.

Issued by:

Michael Shephard, CSP

Safety and Security Superintendent

Approved by:

Doug Frueh

Manager – Safety, Security & PSM

Approved by:

Lynn Bourgeois

Refinery Manager