Risk Assessment & Safe Working Practice

Transcription

1 RA Ref Number: 08 Revision: 3 Project/Job Number Reference Insert Job Number Approval Date: 30/03/2018 RA Description: Working above false ceilings (in false ceiling s) Next Review Date: 01/04/2019 Notes: Please refer to Safe Working Practices 08 for definitions of items in this assessment. Created by: Lee Davies Risk Assessment Method & Scoring The summary risk assessment is calculated as Likelihood x Consequence and categorised as follows; 1 to 6 = 7 to 16 = 17 to 25 = High Risk Issued by: Issue Date: Insert Name Insert Date Asbestos related disease. Injuries from dropping tiles during removal. Injury from the collapse of the ceiling grid. All Present. Total 15 Engineer Engineer / below Total 15 Engineers are trained in asbestos recognition. Engineers are trained to not touch any tiles they suspect may contain asbestos. Engineers are trained to report to the client any tiles they suspect may contain asbestos. Engineers ask to see the asbestos register for the building prior to any works taking place, should this not be available, and the presence of asbestos is suspected the work does not start until a qualified person has carried out a suitable survey. Engineers are trained in tile removal. Tiles are removed one at a time. If only a single tile is removed from an area of six tiles, it is not removed from the ceiling. If other persons are present, two men are used to carry out this task, the tiles are handed down to a person on the ground for stacking. Engineers are trained to inspect the ceiling fixings for any sign of weakening. Any potential failure points are noted, reported to the client, and work does not continue. Tiles are never removed from a grid to a greater ratio than 1 out to 1 in. Tiles are never stacked in a to a greater ratio of 6 in to 1 out. CDI works never involve the any ceiling supports. Total 5 Total 5 RA Number: 08 - Issue Revision: 3 Page 1 of 5

2 storage of removed ceiling tiles use of tools, or pulling of cabling in a ceiling. The fitting of a containment drop through a tile. The fitting of a containment drop through a side support grid. The steel type ceiling tiles in none lay in grid systems. Injury from trips / falls over stored tiles. Injury from tiles being damaged from above and from items dropped through the open grid. Failure of the tile due to cutting. Failure of the ceiling due to the cutting of a support grid. Injury from tiles dropping out of the grid after re-fitting, due to expansion of the slots. All present. All present. Likelihood 4 Total 16 Engineers are trained to stack removed tiles neatly in a dedicated storage area. Warning signs and barriers are placed around the stacked tiles to keep unauthorised persons away. Engineers are trained never to overreach in ceiling s. Engineers are trained never to lean on, or place items within the ceiling. Engineers are trained never to take any items into the ceiling apart from those immediately required. The ceiling is not used as a storage space. Cutting / setting of containment is not carried out in the ceiling. Engineers are trained to install a plywood section of minimum 4mm depth, and the same size as the tile, into the ceiling grid to support the containment, and remove the strain from the cut tile. Engineers are trained to chop a slice of plaster out from behind the grid to run cabling, thus the grid is not cut at all. On finding a tile where the grid is in danger of expanding engineers are trained to fit a drilled fixing into the slab above the tile, and to then pass a thin wire through the fixing and the tile, to allow for only a short drop of the tile before it is caught by the support wire. RA Number: 08 - Issue Revision: 3 Page 2 of 5

3 fibreglass insulation. fibreglass insulation. Contamination of the area from loose dust. Skin irritation by fibreglass particles. All present. Likelihood 4 Total 16 Engineer Likelihood 4 Engineers are trained to assess the condition of fibreglass insulation. On a single tile, if insulation is found to be breaking down into dust, the works are stopped, and the client contacted. The client appoints a specialist contractor to assess the insulation. Engineers are trained to wear the correct PPE for fibreglass where the task specific RA requires it. EG; 1. Latex / cotton gloves. AC PN 5935 (AC Electrical part no). 2. A dust mask and filter AC PN FFP3 Fine dust spec. 3. Overalls with sleeves disposable paper type. AC PN 7780 / Goggles AC PN fibre glass insulation fibre glass insulation Contamination of the area from loose dust during works. Contamination from fibreglass dust during cleaning up. All present. Likelihood 4 All present Likelihood 4 Engineers are trained to place dustsheets over the areas likely to be contaminated prior to ceiling tile removal. Engineers are supplied with vacuums and suitable filters / bags to remove dust after works. Engineers are trained in the disposal of all overalls, dustsheets, vacuum bags etc so as to not compromise the environment. Engineers remove overalls in a controlled environment, and the areas are vacuumed clean afterwards. RA Number: 08 - Issue Revision: 3 Page 3 of 5

4 Safe Working Practice: 08 Working above false ceilings (in false ceiling s) 1 PURPOSE: The purpose of this guide is to highlight safe working practices for: Working above false ceilings (in false ceiling s) THIS INSTRUCTION MUST NOT BE TREATED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR TRAINING. All persons working above false ceilings must receive appropriate training 2 PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT Operators must wear Safety Boots/Shoes incorporating steel toe-caps CDI issued work wear Eye Protection where appropriate Hard Hat where appropriate 3 BEFORE WORK Be aware that there are many types of ceiling tile. The older types can contain asbestos, or be painted with lead/asbestos type paints. Never attempt to remove a tile you are unsure of, ask to see the building asbestos register, but even if the tiles are not listed, assume that they are asbestos, and contact the main contractor/client, or a specialist contractor. Lock in grid type ceilings can only be removed by cutting the tiles and sliding them along the grid. This is a specialist job, and should not be attempted by an untrained person. Steel type tiles push fit into the grid, and once removed can become loose and fall. When the tile is replaced, drill a cable base fixing into the slab above it, and pass a length of wire through the base fixing, passing through the small holes in the tile. This should be long enough to support the tile should it drop out of the grid, but be short enough to keep the dropped tile above head height of passers by. Be aware that above tiles fibreglass insulation can often be found. Always wear a dust mask and overalls when removing tiles. If loose insulation is found in large quantities it should be removed by a specialist contractor prior to works continuing. LAY IN GRID TYPE. First survey the building to establish which tiles are to be removed. Lay out a dust sheet, or arrange to have a vacuum on hand. Ensure your hands are clean, or you have clean gloves. Set up a set of steps, or a tower, being aware of the practices listed in working at height. RA Number: 08 - Issue Revision: 3 Page 4 of 5

5 4 DURING WORK LAY IN GRID TYPE. Tiles should not be removed whilst persons are directly beneath the area of works. Push gently up on the centre of the tile, and tapping the corners gently it should lift easily out of the grid, turn the tile through 90 degrees, and lower it through the grid square. Should there be resistance to lifting, do not force it. Try another tile nearby instead. When the first tile is out, store it to one side where it cannot be trodden on, knocked over, or damaged in other ways. With the first tile out, look carefully over the ceiling from within the grid to establish any difficulties with other tiles to be removed. Typically these will be trunking, conduits, ducts, insulation, etc. Some tiles may have to be left in due to equipment being fitted close to the grid on the inside. Carry on along the run to remove other tiles. Never remove all the tiles from an area as this will weaken the grid. Stack all the removed tiles in one place. Never remove grid bars from the ceiling. Do not remove or cut ceiling suspension wires. When tiles are removed from an area, take them away, and store them flat, in a clean secure place, until the job is finished. If possible, do not replace tiles that will have to be removed later in the job, as this will increase the risk of damage to the tile. Some clients may insist that tiles are replaced at the end of every shift, typically during night works where the building is returned to as was at the end of every shift. If this is the case ask the customer to provide a box of spare tiles to replace damaged units. Never lean on the grid, place weight on other tiles or the grid, or allow cables to drag against the grid when they are being pulled in. Always have a man in the tile space to feed cabling over the grid, never over-reach, and always remove another tile to access areas beyond your arm s length. 5 AFTER WORK All debris shall be removed from the ceiling upon completion of work prior to reinstalling tiles. Ensure that all tiles that you have removed are replaced. Vacuum carefully to clean up all dust after tiles have been replaced. Remove all waste to the designated containers, or return to CDI for correct disposal CDI GROUP LTD PLACES GREAT IMPORTANCE ON EVERYONE'S SAFETY: FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE MAY RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION RA Number: 08 - Issue Revision: 3 Page 5 of 5