8 steps to safety

1. Personal Safety Awareness

Follow local site rules at all times
Always wear correct PPE and inspect before use
Ensure work areas are safe to enter
Hold handrails where provided
Do not cross barriers and obey safety instructions and signage
Keep your work area tidy, putting tools, equipment and other materials away at end of every shift
Familiarise yourself with emergency exits and protected areas
Walk, don’t run!
Stay alert! Personal safety awareness at all times – concentrate!

2. Working with Pressure

Working with pressurised systems shall only commence when:

Safe and suitable equipment has been provided
- Equipment provided shall be suitable for its intended purpose
- Shall not have been modified in any way from its original design without following a documented Management of Change process
- Equipment can be operated safely without further risk – without having to lift in place, climb up ladders or operate through pipework or structures for example
The operating conditions are known and understood before the job commences
- Know what liquid or gas is present
- Know what the pressure and temperature is
- Ensure operating instructions are available for the equipment/activity to be undertaken including actions in an emergency
Protective devices are fitted and functional
- Ensure all protective devices and isolations are in place prior to starting the job
- Where these devices/isolations are by others then record evidence that they are as per the job plan and functional
- Do not tamper with or otherwise alter protective devices or isolations once set
Maintenance and inspection routines in place and records kept
- All equipment required for the safe working on pressure systems shall be maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions
- Personnel using equipment must inspect equipment/system prior to use to confirm fitness for purpose, looking for signs of wear and corrosion
Personnel competence
- All personnel undertaking work on pressurised systems shall have a demonstrable competence for the activity to be undertaken
- A Suitable and sufficient risk assessment is in place prior to the job commencing alongside written procedure for the activity

3. Driving Safety

Drivers must be authorised and:

Follow the rules of the road as appropriate for the country of operations e.g. UK ‘Highway Code’ including remaining within national speed limits or a speed appropriate for the driving conditions at the time
Observe safe driving practices
Seat belts are installed and worn by all occupants
Never use mobile phones or radios whilst driving
Never drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs or if suffering from fatigue
Ensure vehicle is fit for purpose, inspected before use and confirmed to be in safe working order
Drivers are authorised, traineed, certified and medically fit to operate the class of vehicle
Passenger numbers should not exceed manufacturer’s design specification
Loads are secure and do not exceed manufacturer’s design specification or legal limits

4. Lifting & Mechanical Handling

A lift assessment must be completed and the lift method and equipment determined by a trained and competent person
Operators of powered lifting devices are fully trained and certified for that equipment
Rigging of the load is carried out by a competent person(s)
Lifting devices and equipment is certified for use within the last 12 months
Load does not exceed the dynamic and static capacities of the lifting equipment
Any safety devices installed on lifting equipment are operational
All lifting devices and equipment have been visually examined before each lift by a competent person(s)
Stop the operation if any deviation or complication becomes apparent

5. Manual Handling

Determine whether a mechanical alternative is available or possible to avoid manual handling where practicable

If unavoidable;

Assess the properties of the load
Carry out a manual handling risk assessment
Use proper lifting techniques
Consider the working area and the environment
Stop all manual handling operations immediately if any complications or deviations become apparent

6. Working at Height

A risk assessment must be completed to develop a safe system of work

Then PREVENT a fall by using;

A fixed platform with hand rails, verified by a competent person

Or if this is not possible MINIMISE the consequence:

Use air bags or netting preferentially
Use approved fall arrest equipment ensuring it has been properly maintained, is correctly anchored and will arrest the fall before impact
Check for fragile surfaces and assess environmental conditions before commencing work
Ensure that a rescue plan is in place for colleague(s) injured whilst working at height
Do not use ladders unless absolutely necessary and only for short durations

7. Use of Work Equipment

Ensure a risk assessment is completed before starting the job
Select the correct equipment/tools for the job and inspect before use
Consider alternatives to use of knives, and if no alternative, select the right one for the job
Avoid wearing rings or bracelets
Ensure guards are fitted and in good condition prior to using machinery
Isolate prior to maintenance or change of equipment component
Have the correct PPE available and use it
Ensure that you are trained and competent to use the tools or equipment
Never attempt to bypass equipment safeguards or modify in any way

8. Management of Change

Additional work outwith the agreed scope of work should not be undertaken by ICR personnel unless authorised by Operations Management.

Where there is significant change to an activity, organisation, process or equipment then it shall proceed only when:

A risk assessment has been conducted by all impacted by the change
A plan has been developed that covers the change, that clearly defines the timescale for the change and includes all control measures to be implemented
The plan has been authorised by the responsible person
The change and the plan to manage the change has been communicated to all involved
The results of the proposed change shall be monitored and the job stopped if unsafe

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8 steps to safety

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