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This procedure will outline the arrangements for dealing with the categories listed below. More detailed arrangements specific to the development or individual activities will be addressed in the appropriate documentation connected with the activity concerned. However, in all circumstances, it is important that the same principals of action are maintained so as to deal with the emergency concerned swiftly and with minimal risk to the personnel involved. It is vital that the site supervisory personnel and operation personal, know what to do and when to do it so as to avoid confusion, miss management of the situation and ultimately making matters worse and wasting what could be deemed as valuable time.
It will be the Contracts Managers responsibility to ensure that these procedures are followed and that development specific plans are in place for each project under his control. It will be the Project Managers responsibility to implement these procedures. It will be the responsibility of all other Managers and trade supervisors to adhere to the specific procedures on each development.
The following flow chart should be used as a guide to establishing a clear process of response from the time of discovery or notification of the incident through the administration of the process through to the final closure and documentation of the events.
The following items should be considered as potential incidents and need to be addressed during the planning of the development:
Fire
Bomb Threat
Environmental spillage
Chemical release or spillage
Unauthorised entry to site and access to high levels or high risk areas
Cable or service strike
Confined space rescue
Excavation collapse
Overturning or collapse of plant or machinery
Crane collapse
Rescue from height including tower cranes
Serious injuries
Craig Moorcroft – H&S Director Mobile No: 07733 301 350 | Email: craigmoorcroft@coinford.co.uk |
Clarice Tune – H&S Manager Mobile No: 07483 066 591 | Email: claricetune@coinford.co.uk |
Both the CDM regulations 2015 and the Working at Height Regulations 2005 make reference to having plans in place to deal with emergencies and rescue from places at height and unforeseeable situations. In all cases, a specific plan for the individual development must be formulated and put into place. Once in place, it must be practiced on a regular basis and updated accordingly to accommodate the changes in conditions and changes in site personnel that invariably occur.
Rescue from height is probably one of the most difficult situations to deal with. When constructing high rise structures, a means of recovering any potentially injured person must be in place so that recovery to a place of safety can be achieved. This can normally be achieved with a rescue cage; however, this can only be achieved if a crane is located on site. However, a passenger or goods hoist can be used to achieve the same result. It is important to note that any attending paramedics must not be expected to place themselves in any unnecessary danger.
A Rescue plan must always be place when people are subject to suspension trauma. Without immediate rescue a person in suspension is liable to quickly die unless he is recovered immediately.
This must not be confused with the rescue of a tower crane driver suffering from a medical condition. Under no circumstance should a person suffering a medical condition be put into suspension. If a crane driver should suffer a medical condition, then it is essential that all rescue operations are co-ordinated through the emergency services. and the rescue supervised by a medically trained person. This risk is clearly minimised by the crane driver undertaking regular medicals.
The contractor carrying out the Confined Space works, should be able to affect a rescue using the confined space equipment being used, (see AP 18 Confined Spaces). However, we must ensure that the equipment, training and method of the rescue are included in the documentation provided. Rescue from a Confined Space will normally be carried out using a tripod and winch positioned at the entry point, and the entrant(s) will normally be provided with a 10-minute breathing apparatus escape set. It is important that no-one else enters the confined space in an emergency, except for trained rescue personnel using full breathing apparatus equipment. Far too often, fatalities have occurred when would be heroes have entered into the confined space and become another casualty.
In the event of a tunnel (heading works), or excavation collapse, it is essential that all rescue operations are co-ordinated through the emergency services. Shoring and progressive digging, paramedic assistance will all be required and if any of the above are commenced out of sequence, the situation can be made far worse than originally encountered. When assessing the safe system of works provided by the contractor carrying out this work, is essential that adequate control measures are provided and documented together with all contact details for essential services and personnel.
Every year there are a number of major fires on construction sites and in buildings undergoing refurbishment. All have serious consequences. People are injured, buildings are destroyed, and plant and equipment damaged, work is held up and our program is not met. The majority of fires can be prevented by taking simple precautions and by adopting safe working practices.
Compliance with this procedure is mandatory to minimise the risk of accidental or malicious fires and prevent the possibility of our fire insurers withholding or withdrawing fire cover.
Proper planning for fire, health, safety and environmental issues must be an integral part of overall preparation and budgeting for the efficient running of each project. Clear procedures and standards must be laid down at the start and adequate resources, in terms of time, material and money must be committed to the prevention of fires, accidents and ill health.
Prior to the construction phase commencing, the Contracts and Project Managers will refer to this guidance and the template Project Fire Plan. These are intended to assist in determining the extent of measures required for the project.
The Project Fire Plan must be completed prior to commencing construction works for every project and updated on a regular basis while the Company continues to undertake this role. The plan constitutes a Fire Risk Assessment and will determine the controls relevant to the project. This will be based on the complexity and risk profile of the project.
Having developed the Project Fire Plan for their project, the Contracts/Project Manager will appoint a Fire Marshall. He will ensure that the control measures and fire precautions are adequately detailed and maintained throughout the course of a project. The Fire Marshall shall ensure that these procedures are followed.
Where employees and/or property are at risk due to “Hot Work”, specific detailed precautions must be applied. In this regard, “Hot Work” is operations requiring:
Use of open flames
Some Grinding
Welding
Local application of heating (e.g. soldering etc)
Where the Company’s operations involve “Hot Work”, specific detailed precautions will be applied with the application of the Hot Work Permit HSF 402. Site Management must complete this permit and provide sufficient information and instruction to employees to enable them to safely comply with the permit requirements. Copies of Hot Work Permit must be retained in the site file.
The Site Emergency Procedures poster from page 8 of this document (contained in the Fire Plan) must be displayed on all projects, within site accommodation. In addition, other information, signs etc, as required by the Fire Plan are to be positioned accordingly.
Typical “Hazards” associated with routine construction activities are as follows:
Electrical fault
Radiant heat igniting documents and clothing
Electrical sources, e.g. faulty or overloaded circuits faulty electrical tools, over-rated fuses damaged cables
Ignition of combustible materials and waste
Ignition of flammable substances and vapours
Arson from site outsiders
Flame producing tools and operations,
Uncontrolled hot works e.g. metal cutting and welding etc.
Bins/ashtrays not being emptied
Adjacent flammable materials
Fire within the office space may lead to persons being trapped in small rooms with only one exit. This is a particular problem on the first floor of the accommodation set up. Fire starting within the site accommodation or stores could move swiftly to set fire to other areas of site accommodation.
During refurbishment, or following completion of the shell, the Fire Brigade are to be notified of the works and a plan of the building deposited with them.
All site accommodation is to be located wherever practicable at least 6 metres from the permanent structure.
The gap between and under site offices to be enclosed to prevent the accumulation of combustible materials. A clean area of approximately 2 metres is to be maintained around the offices where ever this is practicable
A standard of good housekeeping will be maintained.
All site accommodation will be fitted with smoke detectors.
An audible alarm will be fitted which can be heard in all work areas and the site accommodation, usually a bell or klaxon horn. A minimum of two emergency exits will be maintained within all work areas.
Suitable signs will be installed indicating escape routes and evacuation procedure with designated assembly points.
In permanent buildings the alarm system should be tested weekly and a full evacuation exercise carried out twice yearly.
Fire extinguishers will be installed in the site accommodation and at other suitable locations. These will include:
L.P. Gas cylinders will only be taken into the building where they cannot be used from outside. When not in use they must be removed from the building and stored in a suitable metal cage in the open air provided for the purpose. All gas hoses will be of the correct grade and in good condition.
Flammable liquids will be stored in suitable marked flameproof metal cabinets when not in use. When in the work area, containers will be kept closed except when being used. Decanting must be carried out away from sources of ignition, and spills must be absorbed into an inert material and removed from the area.
Electrical installations will be carried out and altered only by qualified electricians. A qualified electrician on a quarterly basis will inspect all temporary electrical installations.
Metal bins will be provided for waste paper.
The procedures detailed in this section and the Fire Plan must be adhered to at all times. In the event of a fire on site or within the office, the personal safety of company employees is of paramount importance and must override other considerations such as saving property.
If a fire is discovered, the alarm must be raised by the appropriate method such as shouting, ringing the fire bell, break- glass manual call point etc.
Under no circumstances must any employee place themselves at risk by trying to tackle the fire, leave it to the professionals.
The Company has nominated a sufficient number of qualified First Aiders and Appointed Persons so that we can provide a sufficient level of cover in our workplaces and to comply with the current regulations and Approved Codes of Practice.
Details of all qualified personnel are available from the Safety Department.
First Aid personnel have a responsibility to firstly ensure that the casualty is treated and that in the event of a serious incident is dispatched to the nearest accident and emergency unit.
First Aid Personnel must also familiarise themselves with the requirements of AP 06, the Reporting of Injuries, Disease, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations.
In brief, the duties of the First Aid Personnel will be:-
Ensure that the contents of the first aid kit are maintained to the standards under the Approved Code of Practice.
Ensure that the prescribed notice is prominently displayed giving the location of the First Aider and the First Aid Box.
Ensure that the statutory guidance for first aid is kept in the box or displayed.
Where necessary, to give basic first aid treatment and list action taken in the Accident Book.
Ensure that the appropriate personnel and management are informed of any such accidents and treatment given.
All developments must have a sufficient number of 10 person First Aid Kits to provide treatment for the number of personnel on site. A clean area, fitted with a sink with hot and cold water must be provided for treatment. Notices must be displayed on doors and notice boards indicated the first aid room and the location of the nearest hospital. All site personnel must be made aware of the location of the equipment and the identity of the First Aid Personnel at the induction stage.
The following page contains a typical emergency action poster to cover the fire and first aid procedures and a location poster for the nearest A&E Department. These posters are available in A3 laminate format for display on site.
Emergency Action - Fire & First Aid
Emergency Action - Fire & First Aid
Emergency Assembly point Sign to be displayed in a safe area, usually outside of the site entrance
First Aid Information Poster
First Aid Room Information Poster
