This booklet was made for the people working on construction sites of the Degrémont France.
Surname: ......
First name :......
Company :......
Table of contents______
Safety: the decision of the company...... 3
Think, before you act!...... 5
Traffic...... 7
Tidiness and cleanness ...... 9
Hygiene...... 11
Training, accreditation and qualification...... 13
Personal protection equipment...... 15
Operation of tools...... 17
Trenches...... 19
Collective protection equipment...... 21
Working at heights...... 23
Ladders / anti-falling equipment ...... 25
Scaffolding / scaffold-tower ...... 27
Conveyance of materials / lifting...... 29
Electric power ...... 31
Temporary operation of equipment...... 33
Hazardous materials ...... 35
Working near wastewater treatment ...... il
Working in confined spaces ...... 39
Hazardous gas...... 40
Activities in hazardous atmosphere...... 42
Danger of explosion...... 43
Fire...... 45
In case of an accident ...... 47
Useful numbers...... 48
Safety:
The decision of the company
Guiding principles
Every employee working at our sites has the right to work among safe circumstances, and the obligation to contribute to this by responsible behavior.
The health and safety of our personnel is among our main priorities.
Every accident can be prevented by applying the proper methods, equipment, training and control.
Requirements
Everyone acts in compliance with the relevant legal acts and regulations during his activities.
Everyone participates in Health and Safety trainings, and receives information about the nature of the hazards he is exposed to.
We evaluate and take into account the health and safety impacts in every phase of our activities.
In order to prevent accidents, we elaborated work procedures and instructions, which must be strictly applied.
Safety is an important aspect in investment decisions, in selecting our partners, and our suppliers of goods and services.
1
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Think, before you act!
„Does the task to be carried out mean nay risk to me or to others?”
The analysis of the tasks (development of operation modes, procedures) allows:
- To identify dangers and risks,
- To define the corresponding preventive actions.
Documents to be aware of
Health and Safety Plan (H&SP)
The H&SP defines the „regulations” of work safety on the site..
Our company’s Risk Assessment describes, what risks our employees are exposed to , and includes the preventive actions taken.
The Risk Assessmentof other companies provide information about what risks their activities present to our employees.
Where does the hazard come from?
Risks toward us from the environment of the work site, or from the activities of other companies: external risks.
From our activities toward other actors: outward risks.
From our activities toward ourselves: internal risks.
Traffic
The traffic plan of the environment of the construction site is posted and kept updated.
The traffic plan indicates the routes of the vehicles and pedestrians, the parking and storage places. It is important to follow this plan.
Drive slowly and keep the rules of the traffic signs!
Do not occupy the pedestrian routes with a vehicle!
Crossings must be kept clear at all times.
Take special care in case of unfavorable weather conditions (rain, fog, frost, wind, etc.)!
Before using a machine, verify that the safety organs (break, lights, horn) work properly!
Attention!
Every machine-operator (crane, forklift, excavator) must participate at private training and must have an operation authorization for the machine.
In case of the majority of the lifting-, conveyor- and excavator machines the regular technical control and examination is obligatory.
Tidiness and cleanness
Keeping tidy and clean is indispensable for the good level of safety.
At a construction site, anything that not useful must be automatically considered as source of hazard.
The work surfaces, traffic routes, machines, equipment and storage places must be cleaned regularly.
The work places must also be kept clean and tidy.
Put the separated wastes into the bins serving this purpose!
Storage places must be identified and indicated (in accordance with the site installation plan).
At the piling of the stored materials, pay attention to the stability, and avoid slipping and collapse.
Hygiene
Locations
Pay attention to the cleanness of the common usage areas (locker rooms, showers, toilets, dining rooms)!
Clothing
Dirty clothes and equipment may be the source of infections.
Do not wear the work clothes outside of work, or where it is unnecessary!
Wash it regularly!
Treat it separately from day wear!
Body
The personal hygiene is the best protection against infections.
Wash your hands before eating and drinking!
Every wound and injury must be carefully cleaned and disinfected.
Alcohol, drugs
It is forbidden to use any product that changes behavior or vigilance (alcohol, drug, narcotics etc.).
Training and qualification
Training (and regular updating) refines the knowledge of hazards and risks.
Practice develops the good reflexes against hazards.
Qualification (accreditation, authorization) validates the competencies.
For certain activities it is necessary to have
qualification:
-electrical assembly,
-Working under electrical voltage,
-Scaffold assembly
-Driving/operating machines
-welding (fire permit)
accreditation:
-operation in confined spaces
-operation in explosive area
-occasional hazardous operation
It is forbidden to carry out these activities without the necessary documents!
Personal protection equipment
There is no universal protection. For each type of risk, there belongs a proper, adapted protection.
- Collective protection equipment is primary.
- Complete the collective protection equipment with PPE.
It is obligatory to wear safety helmet, and safety boots (with soles that cannot be pierced) on the construction site.
For certain works it is obligatory to wear protection gloves. The gloves must be adapted to the work and the product to be used.
It is obligatory to wear glasses (or protection screens) in all cases where there is a hazard of materials or pieces of concrete or steel etc. to be ejected.
It is obligatory to use ear/noise protectors at, or above 80 dB(A) noise load.
The effectiveness of personal protection equipment decreases with time.
Keep them clean and in good status!
Operation of tools
Tools can be hazardous: in case of bad repair, or wrong use, they can be the source of numerous accidents to the legs, arms, or eyes…
• Read the operation and maintenance instructions!
• Control the proper status of the tool before each use!
• Discard any defect tool!
• Do not take off the protection equipment (safety hats, screens, contact breaker) even for a few seconds!
• Use the proper collective and personal protection equipments for the work!
• Verify the presence of the CE sign.
Every tool can only be used for a certain purpose, and has a unique way of usage.
Trenches
Trenches present a danger to the public traffic and to the personnel working there, too.
When doing earthworks:
-In case of a workpit, between the depths of 0,25 m and 1,25 m a warning rail, at depths over 1,25 m protection rails
-In case of a lined facility, within built-up area between 0,25 m and 1,25 m depths a warning rail, over 1,25 m depth a protecting rail,
-Outside of built-up areas under 0,25 m depth a warning rail must be installed
The back-roll of the earth to the workpit must be prevented. In case of manual earthwork at the edge of the workpit a 0,50 m wide shoulder must be established.
The soil must not be removed by undercutting.
The permitted depth of unpropped workpit depends on the soil quality and the different slope-bends (see joint decree of Min. of Social and Family Affairs and Min. of Health No. 4/2002 (II.20.), Annex 4, Chapter III, Point 10.1.2)
The edge of the trench must be kept free, no material, tool, equipment or excavated earth can be placed there.
The traffic above the trenches must be ensured with planks.
The ladder serves for entering the trench.
Collective protection equipment
The utilization of collective protection equipment is preferred to the personal protection equipment, except for demonstration or justification that these collective equipments are more dangerous than the personal protection equipments.
In every working area:
-Use secured platforms,
-Maintain a continuity of usage of collective protection equipments (rails, etc.),
-The ceiling, or plank of the working area shall not be overloaded with construction materials,
-Secure the openings toward the ground,
-Enclose the obstacles.
In order for someone to get authorization to dissemble the collective protection equipment, it is necessary to install an extended protection equipment or similar.
The collective protection equipments are the guarantee for everyone’s safety.
Working at heights
Falling from heights presents a major hazard.
In 2004, there were 20000 falling accidents in construction and public investment projects, among them ca. 50 deaths.
Before working in heights, it is important to analyze the risks and to examine the following, in all cases:
-Risks related to the activity,
-Height of carrying out the activity,
-The environment,
-The duration of work,
-The necessary equipment.
In all cases, choices have to be made, by giving priority to the collective protection equipments.
The work planks are protected with rails, which prevent the falling of persons and materials.
Ladders and anti-falling equipment
Ladders: regulations of use
- Never use a ladder as workplace!
- The ladder is only to be used for accessing a work place.
- The ladder must be used in a supported and fixed position (skid-proof soles in good condition, fixing at the top).
- Ensure at least 1 m restoration zone.
- It is forbidden to use wooden ladders and wooden steps.
Anti-falling equipment
-It is possible to use anti-falling equipment based on an individual analysis, which states that it is not possible to use collective protection equipment.
- It is important to be trained for using it.
- The strap must be correctly adjusted and fixed to a solid, fixed point.
-The anti-falling equipment must be used in all cases if there is a hazard of falling.
Attention! These equipments must be examined before each usage, and be checked every year!
Scaffold / scaffold tower
The assembly of the scaffold and scaffold tower must be done according to the regulations, and the scheme provided by the qualified personnel.
The scaffolds have an adjustable protection rail (handrail, center-rail and base).
The scaffolds must be erected on a stable, fixed ground.
The scaffolds must be checked before each use.
One copy of the control minutes and the assembly minutes must be kept accessible on the location.
The following must be indicated on the label of the scaffold or scaffold tower:
-The name of the person taking over along control (and signature),
-date,
-date of the initial control,
-date of the regular checking by the qualified personnel.
Moving of materials / lifting
Manual moving
Use a posture that allows safe manual moving, and use the available lifting equipments!
Lifting
-Check the safety equipments, the hydraulic lines, lifting cables, before every usage!
-Underwedge the bases ensuring the stability of machines, and keep the maximum allowed load, prescribed by the producer!
-It is forbidden to use a machine for lifting that was not designed or not equipped for this purpose.
-Do not lift loads above people!
-The range of operation of the machine must be enclosed.
In case of the presence of electrical overhead lines: do not approach the line within 1.5 m in case of a 35 kV line, or within 2 m in case of higher voltage lines!
The lifting cables, hooks, rings, etc. are equipments that need to be checked each year.
Electric power
Cautions
-Pay attention to the good status of portable electrical equipments, their cables, switches!
-Connect them properly to the power supply!
-Never repair on your own an electrical equipment, switch, socket, etc.!
-The power supply unit must be kept closed, locked, the cover and case must be kept fixed.
-Portable electrical equipments cannot be used in the open air in rain.
-Electrical connections must be protected against the risk of breaking, trimming, cutting.
-Every damaged cable must be discarded.
Only a trained and assigned electrician is entitled to intervene (and open) electrical equipments, including the temporary electrical switchboxes on construction sites.
Temporary operation of equipment
Before intervening in an equipment (machine, appliance, or procedure equipment), which is fed by one or more power sources (electricity, pressure, spring, cable, counterweight)
:
-Notify the owner of the equipment, and follow the instructions.
-Disconnect all energy or liquid supply.
-Close it mechanically.
-Make sure the electricity supply was effectively disconnected, and there is no remains of electricity.
-The potential energy must be liberated (earthing, emptying, letting out, etc)
-The work area is to be enclosed.
-If more workers are working simultaneously, or after each other, it must be indicated that the equipment is out of work.
The violation of the temporary putting out of order constitute a serious damage to safety.
(T+) very toxic
(T) toxic
(Xn) harmful
(C) corrosive
(Xi) irritating
(F+) highly inflammable
(F) inflammable
(O) stirring
(E) explosive
(N) environment pollutant
.
Working near wastewater treatment
Biological risks
The biological agents are present in every pollution and aerosol. They infect by getting into contact with skin (injuries) and through mucous membrane (eye, mouth, respiratory organ). The preventive measures are simple and effective:
-when aerosols are present, protect your eyes (with glasses) and the respiratory organs (I-FP3 mask).
-Never put your hand to your mouth before washing hands (with disinfection liquid soap, nailbrush)!
-Don’t smoke!
-Don’t eat anything at the workplace!
Vaccination is a privileged preventive means. In this relation, it is the responsibility of the labor-health specialist doctor to provide advise.
If someone falls into a tank
-The electrical supply must be disconnected.
-No one should jump after the victim, because his own life can be endangered!
-Apply the rescue belts at the tank for rescuing the victim.
-Call the firefighters!
-Undress the victim and wash him with cold water and soap
/ Working in confined spacesA confined space is a space where the air is not renewed sufficiently (well, shaft, cesspit, tank).
Activities in confined spaces present a number of risks:
lack of O2, poisoning (H2S), danger of explosion (CH4),
fire, falling, collapse, etc.
In any intervention, it is necessary:
to follow the safety regulations of the intervention operation mode to identify the risks,
to have accreditation for the activity,
to activate the intervention operation mode,
to obtain the permit for intervention.
Don’t forget to:
check the equipments,
measure the presence of gas,
ensure aeration,
enclose the area!
Never do the activity alone!
Never try to access a limited atmosphere confined space in order to save your colleague!
The strict observation of the regulations related to interventions are the guarantee for the safety of workers.
Hazardous gasHazardous gas
Especially hazardous are two gases emanating from sewers: a hydrogen-sulfur and methane (attention must be paid at the interventions in existing structures and networks, at renovation and extension works)
The hydrogen-sulfur H2S
The average load value (ALV) is the maximum average concentration that is acceptable in an 8-hour shift.
The load limit value (LLV) is the value that the concentration can never exceed.
Methane CH4
Lower explosion limit (LEL): is the limit, over which a gas or vapor can cause explosion.
Upper explosion limit (UEL): is the limit, above which the gases are not explosive any more.
The LEL and the UEL can be depicted as follows:
Other gases used for treatment can also be hazardous: chlorine, ozone, carbon dioxide, nitrogen etc.
The personnel working in the hazardous zone is accredited.
Activities in hazardous atmosphere
Explosion can be caused by various things: presence of gases, hydrocarbon vapors, air over-pressure in tank, electrical over-tension.
The following preventive measures are very effective:
-Identification of the hazardous areas,
-checking the atmosphere, measuring the gas concentration with equipment,
-Ventilation of the rooms, exchange of air,
-Elimination of ignition sources
(it is forbidden to smoke, mobile phones must be switched off, etc.),
-the relevant safety regulations must be obeyed (welding, work with heat source etc.),
u
Wood, paper, textile, rubber and most plastics
; including: curtains, bedclothes, table clothes, pillows, garbage.
Flammable liquids, such as e.g. gasoline, kerosene, oil, grease.
Electrical equipments, and appliances, such as e.g. electrical network of houses, tv, electronics.
Fire
The signs for fire are placed at the work site.
In order to avoid danger:
-Identify the fire-hazardous zones;
-Do not cover the fire extinguishers;
-Eliminate the supply of material feeding the fire;
-follow the instructions of the safety signs,
-never block the rescue routes,
-keep the rooms clean!
In case of fire it is important to try to extinguish the fire at the time of appearing, limiting its expansion.
It is important:
-to keep calm,
-to know how the emergency can be contacted,
-to know how the fire protection equipment can be used.
In case of an accident