Health and Safety
Health and Safety
All Employees are entitled to be provided by their Employer 'so far as is reasonably practicable' with a safe place to work with safe access to the place of work, a safe system of work, adequate materials, competent fellow Employees and protection from unnecessary risk of injury.
The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are both established by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure that Employers are fulfilling their obligations to the Health and Safety at Work legislation.
General
The company carries Employers Liability (Compulsory Insurance) and Public Liability Insurance. It will be the policy of the company to ensure that the adequate welfare and appropriate safety precautions are maintained on all sites. Employees, sub-contractors and self employed have a duty to respect these policies and assist in maintaining them to a suitable standard.
Each employee has a statutory duty to take reasonable care for themselves, for all other employees and for anyone else in the environment to which they are working and who may be affected in any way by the work they are carrying out.
General risk assessments will be kept at our office and on larger sites.
Specific risk as identified will be addressed by Richard Betts (Sole Trader) or 'by other competent person'. All personnel must comply with these special arrangements.
All employees and sub-contractors will abide by the conditions of this policy and will also conform to any 'Principle Contractors' Health and Safety Plan that may be applicable.
Alcohol/Drugs:
All persons working or representing R B Roofing are expected to support the company image and conduct themselves in a responsible manner at all times. Alcohol or drugs, or persons under the influence of alcohol / drugs will not be tolerated on site. Any person breaching this rule may be subject to instant dismissal.
Pre-Site Planning:
Tenders will include sufficient resources to cover methods of working and adequate welfare facilities etc that can be assessed as necessary from the information provided at tender stage.
At the planning stage, action will be taken to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations.
In particular;
- Adequately trained operatives.
- The most appropriate order and method of working.
- The drawing up of Hazard / Risk Assessments where necessary.
- Method Statements as required.
- The arrangements for a safe supply of electrical power and the provision of adequate lighting.
- Allocation of responsibilities with sub-contractors.
- Discussion with sub-contractors as to control and supervision of safety on site.
- Identify the overall safety supervisor for site.
- The prevention of hazards which might arise from overhead or underground services.
- Facilities for welfare and first aid suitable to the site.
- Adequate fire precaution and permits to work if necessary.
- Identification of and planning for, any special risks relevant to the contract through Hazard / Risk Assessment.
- To check over working methods and precautions with site management before work commences.
- To ensure that work, once started, is carried out as planned or that a revised method is drawn up and that the relevant regulations and guidance are observed on site.
- That sub-contractors have the necessary equipment and expertise to enable them to carry out their day to day activities in a safe and competent manner.
- To organise the provision of protective clothing and equipment.
Special Hazards:
Unusual or special hazards known at planning stages will be built into safe work methods and implemented by site staff. Situations developing on site will be dealt with where possible or works stopped until all necessary arrangements are made. Including a revision of the Risk / Hazard Assessment and if necessary, a new work Method Statement.
- Subcontractors will be provided with a copy of the Safety Policy and will be expected to work strictly within the bounds of current legislation and codes of safe working practice. They will also be informed of any known hazards on site.
Asbestos: Under to Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 the Company has a duty to:
- Make employees aware of the dangers of asbestos.
- Identify possible asbestos on sites by enquiry and survey in the form of an 'Asbestos Register'.
- Arrange the safe removal or disposal of any material containing asbestos.
R B Roofing is NOT licensed under the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 (amended 1999) for the removal or disposal of any material containing asbestos.
Any material discovered on site that is known or suspected to contain asbestos must be left intact and immediately reported to the Supervisor or Agent in charge. Examples include asbestos cement, promenade tiles, sheeting, insulation board, cladding and sprayed lagging on pipes etc.
An arrangement will be made for a licensed asbestos disposal contractor to sample, analyse and prepare Method Statement and Risk Assessment for its safe removal and disposal to a suitably licensed waste facility.
Where asbestos material is identified in tender documents or pre-contract surveys, a licensed contractor will be arranged beforehand.
First Aid:
When working for a "Principal Contractor" it is expected that the company will arrange to share facilities of welfare and first aid. However, on sites where R B Roofing is the Principal Contractor, we will be in charge of the first aid box, to ensure that it is fully stocked and kept in a clean and accessible place. All accidents are to be recorded in an Accident Report Book.
Safety Wear:
Safety footwear is to be worn at all times. Safety helmets are to be worn at all times on sites except when using site offices or welfare facilities.
High visibility clothing is to be worn when appropriate.
Other appropriate safety (PPE) is to be worn when it is deemed necessary by Risk Assessment or when instructed by R B Roofing.
Electrical Equipment:
We have 110v and 240v tools. When working on commercial sites only 110v equipment is to be used.
All equipment must be in good condition and checked regularly.
Hazardous Materials/ Housekeeping: All materials must be made secure and cordoned off from public access as far as reasonably practicable using relevant safety barriers and hazard cones.
Good housekeeping is the responsibility of employees and sub-contractors. It is expected that all workers will keep a clean and tidy work place, clear waste and debris as work proceeds and do not block or restrict access routes. Do not leave tripping hazards on roofs, edges or by stairs, ladders etc. If possible use a catenary wire to raise leads and cables above floor level.
When not in use hazardous / flammable materials are to be stored only in the agreed designated area.
Areas of work:
Only authorised personnel are to work within barriers of work sites.
Safety Signs:
All personnel are to comply with all safety signs and restrictive barriers.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas e.g. Propane:
This commonly used gas must be treated with care. It is heavier than air and if it leaks will flow into excavations, drains and cellars etc. It is flammable and a small proportion of gas in air can give rise to an explosive mixture, because the vapour can sink and flow, any vapour / air mixture may be ignited some distance from the point of leakage and the resulting flame travel back to the point of leakage. Leakage may be noticed by the fish like smell with which the gas is normally odorized or by the cooling effect causing condensation. Leaks should not be traced using naked flames - use soapy water. In contact with skin, the liquid will cause severe frost burns. Propane gas cylinders are painted red and marked "Propane". A bursting disc is normally fitted to the valve which will rupture if the cylinder becomes over pressurised. When not in use, the cylinders should be stored in a safe place, preferably in the open air at least 3 m from excavation or drains etc. The storage area should be kept clear of oxygen cylinders and combustible material and must be well ventilated. If a safe place in a gas compound is not available, then the cylinders may be stored in a wire "gas cage". Ideally, store cylinders ten metres from temporary / permanent buildings and do not store cylinders closer than 4 m to temporary / permanent buildings or site boundaries unless the wall is fire resistant. If the building takes up most of this site, the safest place for storage may be on the flat roof in the open air. Cylinders must not be thrown, dropped or rolled although "milk churning" the cylinders is permissible. Do not move cylinders unless the valve is closed and the regulator or connector is disconnected. . Cylinders must be transported upright and properly secured. A Tremcard and fire extinguisher must be available on any vehicle carrying propane. Cylinders not in use must be kept at least 6 m away from any naked flame. Hoses should be kept as short as is practical.
Prevention of Fire:
Ensure you have sufficient information / training and at all times exercise good housekeeping techniques. Keep site clean. If the site operates a "permit to work" system ensure that this is fully understood and followed.
Only allow competent people to use "Flame Equipment".
Follow these guidelines:
Contract Work Instructions
Risk Assessments and Method Statements
Clear area of rubbish and any combustible material or if this is not possible, cover with sand or other non-combustible material.
Clear any Highly Flammable Liquids and empty Liquefied Petroleum Gas eg Propane cylinders at least 6 metres from the work area
Have at least 1 fire extinguisher (water or powder) and worker trained in their use
Only ignite flame when needed, extinguish flame when not in use.
Operatives are to wear eye protection and protective clothing to protect themselves from burns.
Check area for signs of fire or smouldering, heat transfer etc when going for tea breaks, dinner or other.
Stop any hot work at least 30 minutes before leaving site at the end of the day / shift. Make a thorough check of the area to ensure that there is no fire risk. Do not leave site until at least one more thorough check has been made just prior to leaving site.
Work at Height:
All working at height will be covered by risk assessment. Any person working at height must be protected against falls. On flat roofs, edge protection will be provided using an intermediate guard rail to prevent persons falling whilst kneeling down. If this is not practicable then other suitable measures will be implemented (see specific risk assessments). Special measures will be required for the working on or near fragile roofing materials. Barriers and signs are to be erected to prevent unauthorised people gaining access. Good housekeeping must be employed and all rubbish / waste must be tidied up and removed ASAP. Gangways must be kept clear. People working or traversing on fragile roofs must use 2 crawler boards. They must not walk up the bolts or rely on the strength of the material.
Scaffolds and Ladders:
Scaffolding if required will be supplied and erected by a professional scaffolding company. But it is the duty of all users of scaffold to ensure it is safe. Before allowing persons to work a visual inspection must be made every day. Hop ups, trestles and ladders used will comply with Construction (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regs 1996. Ladders will be secured at their resting place to prevent slipping; if this is not practicable, then they must be secured at the bottom or footed . There are many appliances that will assist safe working practices and it is the company policy to encourage the use of proprietary systems. Only competent persons will be permitted to erect, alter or dismantle scaffolds. No other person will be allowed to interfere with scaffolding in any way.
Extra care must be used on the public thoroughfare. Also to ensure that ladders in operation do not restrict access to doors etc. If this cannot be avoided, then signs and notices must be displayed and information given to the occupiers etc.
Safety Harnesses:
Safety harnesses and langards or "Sala" blocks will be provided and used when other control measures to prevent falls are not practicable. Due to the risk of tripping etc they should be considered as a last resort and are not normally appropriate for work other than of short duration undertaken on a day work basis.
Where there is any risk of falling more than 2m (6'6"), and it is not possible to erect a working platform, safety harnesses must be worn and attached to a secure and tested anchor or horizontal cable. Safety harnesses must conform to BSEN358 and, depending on the circumstances, may be used in conjunction with a fall arrest devise, which will conform to BSEN360-365:1993.
Emergency Procedures:
There is always the chance that a serious danger will suddenly arise. Examples of this would be a bomb alert, fire or something similar. On some sites, where the Contracts Manager's Risk Assessment indicates or the customers own procedures include it, a specific evacuation plan will exist. On all other sites, all operatives must be aware of the escape routes and follow these to a safe place in the event of an emergency. We do not encourage our operatives or staff to fight fires or return to areas of danger.