c general safety

Section C: General Safety

Personal Proctective Equipment (PPE)

What your site and employer must do for you:

• Identify risks and eliminate them where possible• If there is still a risk provide Personal Protective

Equipment (PPE) that protects you from those risks• Provide facilities to clean, store and maintain PPE• Provide the PPE free of charge• Show you how to use the PPE

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Section C: General Safety

What you should do for your site and employer:

• Wear your PPE at all times when required• Wear the correct PPE for the task• Put in on correctly and adjust it so that it fits• Look after and care for your PPE• Report any defects

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)Section C: General Safety

Some sites have mandatory PPE policies and rules

These rules may include the use of gloves and glasses at all times because:

• Hazards and risks can change daily

• You can be exposed to a range of hazards

Policies and Site Rules Section C: General Safety

Other times you will need to wear PPE are:

• When required by the risk assessment or method statement

• Special instructions from your supervisor• Client imposed site rules• Signs and notices• Guidance on any PPE requirements will always be

found in the Risk Assessment and Method Statement for the task

Policies and Site Rules Section C: General Safety

Common examples of PPE include:

• Waterproof clothes (keep you warm and dry and prevent muscle strains)

• Safety helmets / hard hats • High visibility clothing• Safety boots / safety gloves / safety goggles • Ear Defenders

What is PPE? Section C: General Safety

Hard Hats:

• Must be worn if you are at any risk of head injury• May only be removed if you are working in a safe

area such as the site office• Must never be used if they have been dropped

from height to a hard surface as there may be hairline cracks in the hat that you cannot see

• Should not be worn over a wooly hat – only use a proprietary liner

Head Protection – Hard Hats Section C: General Safety

• Must only be worn square on the head, never at an angle

• Must always be adjusted so the hat is a snug fit and does not fall off

• Must be worn in the correct way at all times …

Head Protection – Hard Hats Section C: General Safety

Safety Boots:

• Must always be worn if there is any risk of injury to the feet

• Must be worn at all times on any construction site• Must be the correct size for your feet and laced up

correctly• Some types offer better ankle support - preferred

on some sites• Remember - no boots can mean no job

Foot Protection – Safety Boots Section C: General Safety

• Eye protection must be worn on site if there is any risk of an eye injury to employees

• Workers using grinders, abrasive wheels, cutting tools etc must wear impact resistant goggles to protect their eyes from flying fragments of debris

• Workers using welding equipment must wear welding goggles to protect their eyes from sparks and the intense light from any sparks or flames

• If you do not have the correct eye protection, do not start the job!

Eye Protection – Goggles Section C: General Safety

Safety Goggles

Safety Glasses –

light duty only

Full Face Shield

Eye and face protection

Eye Protection - Goggles Section C: General Safety

• Ear protection must be worn on site if there is any risk of exposure to loud continuous noise in the workplace

• Ear Plugs or Ear Defenders may be suitable depending on the noise levels encountered on the job

• Remember, when wearing any form of ear protection you will be less aware of what is going on around you

Ear Protection – Ear Defenders Section C: General Safety

• Protective Gloves must be worn on site if there is any risk of exposure to chemicals, contaminants, solvents etc or potential damage to the hands

• Different gloves protect your hands from different types of hazard – always select the correct type of gloves for the job – check with your supervisor

• Barrier creams can be used but are no substitute for gloves although such creams can offer an additional line of protection

Hand Protection – Gloves Section C: General Safety

• By law, employers must provide a fall protection system if employees are working at extreme height

• Fall protection systems may include Safety Nets, Full Body Harnesses and Lanyards

• Remember, never attempt to use any body harness unless you have been fully trained

• If you are unsure how to use any piece of Personal Protective Equipment always ask for advice and training

Fall Protection – Harness and Lanyards Section C: General Safety

• If you have to work near or over water or there is a risk of drowning you should be provided with a buoyancy aid

• Other more basic equipment such as life-rings may be provided

• During some special activities manned rescue boats are provided

Flotation Equipment Section C: General Safety

• The supply and use of PPE is controlled through the Health & Safety at Work Act by the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations

• By law, your employer must pay for, provide you with and replace your Personal Protective Equipment

• By law, you must wear and properly utilise any PPE your employer has issued you with

• If your PPE is damaged in any way you must let your employer know

PPE and the Law Section C: General Safety

Electrical Safety, Hand Held Tools and Equipment

Annually over 1000 workers suffer serious workplace injuries following electric shock

Electrical Safety Section C: General Safety

• You can’t see it

• you can’t smell it

• it’s dangerous and

• It can kill

• There is no visible way of knowing for sure whether a cable is live or dead

Electricity – What is the Problem? Section C: General Safety

Battery Power

• By far the safest option

• They will not give electric shocks

• There are no trailing leads

• Secure and safe charging stations

Electrical Voltages Section C: General Safety

Reduced Voltage

Reduced voltage 110V systems should be used on site

• The standard colour is yellow

• This system means you would only get a 55 volt shock if something went wrong

• Unlikely to have any lasting damage


240 Volt Equipment

Domestic (or mains) power in the UK is 230/240 volts

• The standard colour is blue

• Severe, or even fatal shock, from 240 volts

• Used on site for generators / electrical distribution

• Not recommended for site power tools

• Armoured flex or cables

• Must be used with Residual Circuit Breakers


When using extension leads…

• Always ensure that it is safe to use an extension lead

• Uncoil the whole cable

• Check for damage before use

• Report any damage to the cable

• Wherever possible run cables above head height

• If the cable is trailing cover it with a protective ramp

• Put up warning signs

Extension Leads Section C: General Safety

What your site and employer must do:

• Provide safe electrical equipment, power supply and lighting

• Isolate (or protect) electrical supply from existing mains

• Provide information about the above• Provide training on the tools to be used


What you should do for your employer:

• Use tools in accordance with training• Be aware of the respective voltages• Report any damage to or faults with tools


And many more…

Hand Tools

Corded Power Tools

Battery Power Tools

Gas Powered Tools Air Powered Tools

Tools You May Use on Site… Section C: General Safety

• Abrasive wheels can shatter or explode at high speed

• Anyone using an abrasive disc cutter must be trained

• The speed of the wheel must match the speed of the machine

• Only cut material that the wheel is designed for

• Eye (impact goggles) and ear protection is necessary

Abrasive Wheels Section C: General Safety

• Direct and indirect cartridge action guns using an explosive charge

• Used fire fix into solid materials

• Cartridges, or settings must be suitable for the material

• All users must be adequately trained

• Machine must be cleaned, inspected and serviced


Cartload-operated Tools Section C: General Safety

• Machine must be cleaned, inspected and serviced

• Manufacturers and suppliers will provide free training


• Remove gas cylinders before carrying out any maintenance

• Dispose of fuel cells or cylinders correctly

Compressed Gas Tools Section C: General Safety

• Chainsaws – high risk / specific training

• Compressed air-powered tools

– Risk of serious whiplash injuries

– Always check hose fittings

• Lasers – exclusion zones and signs

• Non-powered hand tools

– Loose handles / blunt blades / worn parts

Specialist Tools and Equipment Section C: General Safety

Safety Sings and Signals

What your employer must do:

• Ensure safety signs follow standard designs• Maintain signs / keep them clearly visible• Provide signs that are appropriate to the hazard• Remove signs if they are no longer needed• Display any safety signs identified in their safe

system of work

Safety Signs and Signals Regulations Section C: General Safety


• Understand what the signs mean

• Speak to your supervisor if you are confused by a sign or its meaning

• Follow the instruction or direction of the signs

• Do not interfere with or vandalise a sign

• Report any damaged or missing signs

Safety Signs and Signals Regulations Section C: General Safety

Mandatory

Prohibition

Emergency or First Aid

What are ‘Safety Signs’? Section C: General Safety

…Indicate things that you must do…

Mandatory Safety Signs Section C: General Safety

Scaffolding

incomplete

…Indicate things that you must not do…

Prohibition

Prohibition Safety Signs Section C: General Safety

…Indicate hazard or danger…

Warning Signs Section C: General Safety

…Indicate extinguisher locations etc…

Fire Signs Section C: General Safety

…Indicate safe route or location…

Emergency or First Aid

Emergency / First Aid Signs Section C: General Safety

Hazardous Substances or Condition Section C: General Safety

Site Transport


• Explain site traffic rules at induction• Provide signage, barriers, markings, lighting• Ensure segregation of vehicles from

pedestrians• Provide a safe method of delivery / off loading• Implement one way systems where necessary

Site Transport Section C: General Safety

You must:

• Follow all transport safety rules• Use only designated parking areas• Only use designated walking routes• Advise your supervisor if you think vehicles are

too close• Always wear high visibility clothing


Common accidents:

• Being struck by moving plant

• Loss of control / overturning vehicles

• People falling when climbing in or out of vehicles

• Accidental movement of the vehicle (engine left running)

• Being crushed between a structure and a vehicle as it slews round


Fire Safety


• Put in place a fire prevention and fire action plan

• Explain fire risks and controls

• Provide and maintain fire detection, fire fighting equipment and fire exits

• Have a system in place to control ‘hot works’

• Provide means to ensure rubbish and waste don’t build up

Fire Prevention and Control Section C: General Safety


• Practice good housekeeping and clear up waste

• Obtain a hot work permit whenever your work might create sparks, heat or flames

• Keep exit routes and fire points clear at all times

• Store materials and fuels in designated areas

• Know what to do and how to raise the alarm in the event of fire

Fire Prevention and Control Section C: General Safety

How Fire Starts…

Fire Safety Section C: General Safety

Oxygen

Fuel Heat

Fire is spread by:

• Conduction - transfer from one place to another• Convection - heated gases rise and ignite another

material• Radiation - transfer of heat through the air• Direct burning - a combination of the above factors

where the fire spreads

Fire Safety Section C: General Safety

Three ways of extinguishing fires:

• Starve the fire of fuel or oxygen

• Smother the fire cutting of the supply of oxygen (blanket the fire with foam, sand etc)

• Cool the fire using water to lower the temperature

Extinguishing Fires Section C: General Safety

Fire extinguishers do not prevent fires but they must be:

• Provided in accordance with fire risk assessment• Located where required and kept accessible• Suitable for the type of fire• Inspected regularly (monthly / annually with the

results of the inspection recorded)

Note: only trained personnel should use extinguishers

Fire Extinguishers Section C: General Safety

Colour of extinguishers (BS EN 3):

Colour MediumRed WaterCream FoamBlue PowderBlack Carbon dioxideYellow Wet chemicals


Fire extinguishers – 5% identifying collar or band


Fire class Substances / materials

Water (Red)

Foam (Cream) CO2(Black)

Dry Powder (Blue)

A Carbonaceous material, i.e. paper, cloth, wood

YES YES YES

B Flammable liquids, oils, paints

NO YES YES YES

C Flammable gases or liquefied gases such as propane and butane

NO YES NO YES

D Metal / molten Metals

NO NO NO YES

E Electrical fires NO NO YES YES

F High temperature cooking oils

NO YES YES YES

Classification of Fire / Extinguisher Use Section C: General Safety

Questions Section C: General Safety

c general safety

Education