M ONTHLY H&S F OCUS W INTER 2014/2015 W INTER W ORKING Every - - PDF document

MONTHLY H&S FOCUS WINTER 2014/2015 WINTER WORKING

for more info contact H&S team

Every year, the weather conditions during winter can strongly impact our environment and therefore impact our workplace and our health, introducing new hazards that will need to be identified and controlled. The following safety focus intends to discuss the main points that will need to be looked at over the next coming months.

Welfare facilities:

Heating / Drying rooms Radiant heaters should be made available and in good working condition. Disposition should be made in your site welfare facilities for the drying of wet PPE clothing. Safety Alert: Safe use of drying rooms The main hazards associated with drying room facilities relate to the electric heaters and the risk of fire. Electric heaters are high-wattage appliances and have the potential to cause harm if they are not used in the correct manner and if the fire hazards are not identified and controlled appropriately. If this equipment is misused it has the potential to kill. The heaters provided within the welfare are there to generate heat within the room. The space around them should be kept clear at all times to prevent the heat from igniting nearby combustible materials such as paper, clothing, flammable liquids, etc. No items should be placed on or around the heaters. We should also take note that since these heaters are electrical appliances, they should not be tampered with in anyway. There is a risk of electrocution from inserting any items beyond any guards or grills. Correct use and maintenance of electric heaters:

Picture above shows an ad hoc drying device which as detailed above had the potential to cause harm by electrocution, electric shock

• r fire

Picture above shows a portable heater surrounded by combustible materials, generating a fire hazard if the device is turned on

MONTHLY H&S FOCUS WINTER 2014/2015 WINTER WORKING

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• Never operate a heater you suspect is damaged. Before use, inspect the heater, cord, and

plug for damage. If you have any suspicions regarding the safety of the equipment, report it to your supervisor

• Never leave the heater operating while unattended
• Keep combustible materials away from the appliance
• Ensure that the heater is placed on a stable, level surface, and located where it will not be

knocked over

• Be sure the heater plug fits tightly into the wall outlet. If not, do not use the outlet to power

the heater

• To prevent electrical shocks and electrocutions, always keep electric heaters away from

water

Walking, driving, site layout

Icy conditions and snow The risk of slips, trips and falls generated by the formation of ice on the road and pedestrian ways must be considered during the winter period. Gritting should be used to de-ice floor where and when necessary.

• Where: On any road or pedestrian

route that might be regularly used by people on site.

• When: Gritting should be carried out

when frost, ice or snow is forecast or when walkways are likely to be damp

• r wet and the floor temperatures are

at, or below freezing. In all circumstances, remember to watch your step as the ground might be icy and slippery. Do not take any shortcuts over grass or dirt which are likely to become slippery when wet. Lighting Proper lighting should be in place around site, especially where plant movements are frequent such as road access, vehicles depots, etc. There should be enough provision for lighting along the pedestrian areas, walkways and around building entrances as there will be less daylight during the winter period. Decaying leaves, wet surfaces Along with the icy conditions, decaying leaves that become wet or have started to decay can create slip risks. It must be ensured that pathways are kept clear from decaying leaves

• r dirt in general.

Moreover it should be ensured that any water puddles are treated immediately, as it is likely to freeze and become a serious slip hazard.

MONTHLY H&S FOCUS WINTER 2014/2015 WINTER WORKING

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Work safe, Home safe: Personal car maintenance During the winter period, the weather also impacts the general state of your car and can result in increasing risks while driving. Here are some simple recommendations and checks you should carry out on your car to ensure you remain safe on the road:

• Check your tyre pressure and tread depth including your spare.
• Check your lights.
• Fill up your windscreen washer reservoir with a good quality non-freezing concentrate
• Make sure your window wipers are in good condition
• Make sure your brakes are working well
• Keep a screen wiper, a can of de-icer, a warm blanket, a high visibility vest and a torch

with spare batteries in your car.

• Keep as much fuel in your tank as possible.
• Keep your mobile phone fully charged.
• In bad weather, reduce your speed and drive carefully.

Plant and equipment:

Vehicles: With the shorter period of daylight, the operators of a construction plant must ensure they regularly clean their windows so they can safely see all around. Ensure as well the constant use of mirrors. A banksman should be assisting the plant

• perations where appropriate, especially if the visibility is poor.

The lights on all the vehicles should be cleaned regularly as well to ensure they are visible by everybody on site. Storage area – CoSHH: Ensure any liquids stored outside are checked, as they may be affected by low temperatures. Make sure the freezing point of the products kept in the storage area are far below the expected temperatures over the winter. If not, Assess how well they are protected, taking into account the added weight that snow and ice can put on roofs, shelters and canopies

MONTHLY H&S FOCUS WINTER 2014/2015 TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

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Outdoor working during winter

Working in winter is not just about safety, it’s about keeping yourself warm while working

• utside.

Right PPE (helmet liner, gloves) As always, make sure you wear the appropriate PPEs while working on site. During winter weather, you might have to take extra precautions. It is usually advised to:

• Wear cotton glove liners: these will help keep your hands warm. It will improve

circulation and reduce HAVs risks when operating on tools generating vibrations.

• Wear a purpose-made helmet liner that will keep you warmer.
• Wear suitable footwear with the correct tread to reduce slip hazard.
• Make sure that the clothing you are wearing keeps you warm enough throughout

your shift. Don’t forget as well to:

• Use cream to stop your skin getting dry in the cold and wind. You can as well use lip

balm to avoid the drying of your lips.

• Keep drinking, especially warm drinks. This will help to stop your skin getting dry.

Safety Alert - Cold stress Cold temperatures and increased wind speed (wind chill) cause heat to leave the body more quickly, putting workers at risk of cold stress. Anyone working in the cold may be at risk, such as operatives working outdoor on a construction site. Common types of cold stress: Hypothermia: When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be

• produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy. The

result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperatures. The early symptoms are of hypothermia are usually:

• Shivering
• Fatigue
• Loss of coordination
• Confusion and disorientation

The moderate and severe symptoms that occur generally after the early symptoms are:

MONTHLY H&S FOCUS WINTER 2014/2015 WINTER WORKING

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• Shivering stops
• Blue skin
• Dilated pupils
• Slowed pulse and breathing
• Loss of consciousness

Trench Foot (also known as Immersion Foot) Trench foot, also known as immersion foot, is an injury if the feet resulting from prolonged exposure to wet and cold conditions. Injury occurs because wet feet lose heat 25 times faster than dry feet. Therefore, to prevent heat loss, the body constricts blood vessels to shut down circulation in the feet. Skin tissue begins to die because of lack of oxygen and nutrients and due to the build up of toxic products. The symptoms of trench foot include:

• Reddening of the skin
• Numbness
• Leg cramps
• Swelling
• Tingling pain
• Blisters or ulcers
• Bleeding under the skin
• Gangrene

To avoid this, make sure you wear appropriate and waterproof safety footwear.