Month: April 2019

Monitoring Instructions

1. Field sampling strategy
2. Pre-sampling calibration of equipment (if active sampling)
3. Preparation of sampling media
4. Sample identification
5. Issue to the Wearer
6. Prepare the sampler – instruction given by laboratory
7. Relevant data on data sheet
8. Instruction to wearer
9. Start sampler and note the time on data sheet
10. Instruction to Wearer
    1. Sample duration – as specified in program (field sampling strategy, mentioned above)
    2. Breaks / lunch – should be worn through breaks / lunch, but local circumstances may dictate
    3. Note incidents during sample period; if possible, maintain a log sheet
    4. RPE – If any Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is worn during the sample period, the personal monitor should be left on and running (outside the RPE) and full details of the type of RPE worn recorded on the data sheet.
11. Retrieve Sampler – stop the sampler and note the time on the data sheet
12. Post-sampling calibration of equipment (if active sampling)
    1. Calculation of average flow rate (the sample is considered invalid if there is a +/- 5% difference between the pre- and post-sampling calibration flow rates)
    2. Calculation of total air volume sampled (in liters)
13. Completion of sample form
14. Return of sampler and blank to lab within a “reasonable time” (1-2 days after sampling).

Plant Manager:

• Responsible for ensuring that the site complies with this guidance, and audits against it, as part of their basic site SHE improvement plan.

Plant Superintendent:

• A facility-specific Confined Space procedure is maintained consistent with this guidance.
• Individuals involved with the system have received adequate training
• Individuals authorized to issue and accept permits have been appointed

Permit Issuer:

• Know the space hazards including information on the mode of exposure, signs or symptoms, and consequences of exposure
• Verify emergency plans and specified entry conditions such as permits, tests, procedures, and equipment before allowing entry
• Terminate entry and cancel permits when entry operations are completed or if a new condition exists
• Take appropriate measures to remove unauthorized entrants
• Ensure that entry operations remain consistent with the entry permit and that acceptable entry conditions are maintained

Authorized Entrant’s Duties:

• Know space hazards, including information on the mode of exposure, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure
• Use appropriate PPE properly
• As necessary, maintain communication with the attendant(s) to enable the attendant to monitor the entrant’s status as well as to alert the entrant to evacuate
• Exit from the permit space as soon as possible when ordered by an authorized person, when the entrant recognizes the warning signs or symptoms of exposure exist, when a prohibited condition exists, or when an automatic alarm is activated
• Alert the attendant when a prohibited condition exists or when warning signs or symptoms of exposure exist

Attendant’s Duties:

• Remain outside the permit space during entry operations
• Perform non-entry rescue by raising the entrant out of the space via the emergency rope.
• Know existing and potential hazards, including information on the mode of exposure, and their physiological effects
• Maintain communication with and keep an accurate account of those workers entering the permit space
• Order evacuation of the permit space when a prohibited condition exists, when a worker shows signs of a physiological effects of hazard exposure, when an emergency outside the permit space exists, and when the attendant cannot effectively and safely perform required duties
• Summon rescue and other services during an emergency
• Ensure that unauthorized entrants and entry supervisor of unauthorized persons
• Perform no other duties that may interfere with the attendant’s primary duties

All contractors are subject to the site safety procedures. Contractors shall be requested to report to an appointed site staff representative before they commence work.  All relevant procedures and the need for continuous good housekeeping shall be drawn to their attention at this time.

The amount of detail will depend on various factors including;

• The nature and extent of the work. (Including specific hazards)
• The area(s) where the work is to be carried out.
• Whether the contractor (specific employees) has worked on the site before.
• If the work requires a Permit to Work.

The evacuation procedure will be explained when the contractor(s) sign in at the reception area.  It will however be necessary to inform all staff before arrival to sign in and not go directly to the site of the work.

Waste generated as a result of any work must be disposed of in an approved manner.  This applies particularly to special or controlled waste. If the amount of general waste generated by a contractor is small, the contractor may be permitted to use our compactor on site but only with the permission of the SHE Manager, or Manufacturing Manager.  For larger amounts, the contractor can be requested to provide their own approved disposal facility. In addition, it is not permitted for any waste to be allowed to go into the site drainage system.

Contractor’s vehicles brought onto site must be parked in the parking lot, unless there are extenuating circumstances, and special arrangements are made.  They may be allowed to off load tools and materials, but should move the vehicles to permitted parking areas as soon as is practicable. In addition, any workers huts or storage facilities required to be positioned in the site yard must be located so as not to cause obstruction to vehicles entering or leaving.

The site operates a Permit to Work system.  It is important that if this system is involved, the contractor is aware that a Permit to Work will be required, and no work other than agreed preparatory work is started before the Permit is issued.

Any unsafe working practices are to be reported to that contractor’s Hazleton site contact or the SHE Manager.  The site contact will resolve the issue(s) with the contractor’s supervisor, or the contractor personally. If an unsafe act is witnessed, do not suggest a safer way of working or doing the job.  Dealing with the problem this way could leave the advisor subsequently responsible for any resulting consequences. Far better to let the contractor and/or the SHE Manager/Site contact resolve the safety problem.

The site contact shall give a level of personal supervision to commensurate with the type of risks involved and the complexity of the task.

All contractors will receive a copy of this written program to review with their employees prior to any work begins.

1. User checks.  These are quick checks that should be carried out every time and before the appliance is used by the user.  It consists of checks on:
   1. Condition of plug (i.e. damage to casing or pins, cable outer sheath held in cord grip)
   2. Condition of lead (i.e. cuts, abrasions etc)
   3. Is it suitable for the exposure. (ie is it used outside and it is raining).
   4. Visible damage to the outer cover or obvious loose screws, fittings etc.
2. Formal Visual inspection: This would include the above and shall be carried out by a competent person.
   1. Internal inspection of plug connections.
   2. Check on  rating of fuse fitted.
   3. Signs of overheating of electrical parts.
   4. Full inspection of supply lead for cuts and other damage.
   5. Appliance terminal connection screws are tight.
3. Combined formal inspection and testing: this includes the above and the use of specialized test equipment which tests for the effectiveness of the earth connection were used, and the effectiveness of the casing insulation where it is not.     This shall be carried out by a competent person. The results shall be logged and tested apparatus labeled as tested. The label shall give the expiry date of the validity of the test.

1. In the event of a fault on a distribution board,  control panel or cable trunking, it is possible with modern insulation that the heat generated could cause a flammable vapor to form.   This will appear as “smoke”. By opening a switch locally to isolate the problem, it is possible that a spark could be generated which would ignite the vapor and cause an explosion or fire.  For this reason, if anyone discovers a large volume of smoke coming from electrical apparatus, DO NOT attempt to switch it out locally. Contact a competent person who should switch out at a point remote from the fault.
2. Any failure of electrical apparatus even when it is known to be caused by a circuit breaker tripping, or thermal overload trip, should be referred to a competent person.
3. All electrical faults should be reported to a supervisor immediately.  If considered necessary, the equipment should be switched off and the isolator switch opened and locked to prevent inadvertent re-energizing.
4. Unless designed for outdoor use or exposure to water, NEVER use  electrical equipment in the rain, or where it may be subject to water  ingress or splashing.
5. Never take portable electrical apparatus into the classified area unless it has been decommissioned and pronounced safe to do so and a Hot Work permit has been issued.
6. Electrical Safety Interlocks
   1. These are fitted to a number of the machines to prevent energizing or operation until certain safety condition(s) are satisfied.
   2. These must NOT be defeated to regain commercial operation of a machine unless accompanied by a written procedure which ensures documented operator compliance with that particular safety interlock check for each operation of the machine.  They may only be defeated by a competent person for the purposes of fault-finding and then in conjunction with a written risk assessment

Use of protective equipment.

Employees working in areas where there are potential electrical hazards shall be provided with, and shall use, electrical protective equipment that is appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed.

Protective equipment shall be maintained in a safe, reliable condition and shall be periodically inspected or tested.

If the insulating capability of protective equipment may be subject to damage during use, the insulating material shall be protected. (For example, an outer covering of leather is sometimes used for the protection of rubber insulating material.)

Employees shall wear non conductive head protection wherever there is a danger of head injury from electric shock or burns due to contact with exposed energized parts.

Employees shall wear protective equipment for the eyes or face wherever there is danger of injury to the eyes or face from electric arcs or flashes or from flying objects resulting from electrical explosion.

General protective equipment and tools.

When working near exposed energized conductors or circuit parts, each employee shall use insulated tools or handling equipment if the tools or handling equipment might make contact with such conductors or parts. If the insulating capability of insulated tools or handling equipment is subject to damage, the insulating material shall be protected.

Fuse handling equipment, insulated for the circuit voltage, shall be used to remove or install fuses when the fuse terminals are energized.

Ropes and handlines used near exposed energized parts shall be nonconductive.

Protective shields, protective barriers, or insulating materials shall be used to protect each employee from shock, burns, or other electrically related injuries while that employee is working near exposed energized parts which might be accidentally contacted or where dangerous electric heating or arcing might occur. When normally enclosed live parts are exposed for maintenance or repair, they shall be guarded to protect unqualified persons from contact with the live parts.

Alerting techniques.

The following alerting techniques shall be used to warn and protect employees from hazards which could cause injury due to electric shock, burns, or failure of electric equipment parts:

Safety signs and tags. Safety signs, safety symbols, or accident prevention tags shall be used where necessary to warn employees about electrical hazards which may endanger them.

Barricades. Barricades shall be used in conjunction with safety signs where it is necessary to prevent or limit employee access to work areas exposing employees to uninsulated energized conductors or circuit parts. Conductive barricades may not be used where they might cause an electrical contact hazard.

Attendants. If signs and barricades do not provide sufficient warning and protection from electrical hazards, an attendant shall be stationed to warn and protect employees.

All containers, both non-bulk and bulk, that contain hazardous chemicals must be labeled with the following:

• Identity of the hazardous chemical(s)
• Appropriate hazard warnings or, alternately words, pictures, symbols which provide at least the general information

When a chemical arrives on site, it is suggested to leave the manufacture’s label intact.  If a label is incorrect, deteriorated, or missing, a new label with the correct information must be applied to the container.

The HMIS system is suggested for all packages that have to be relabeled due to package transfer or deteriorated/missing labels.  Training will be provided to all employees on the proper use of this system.

Temporary signs may be used in lieu of labels if labels are not immediately available.

All hazardous chemicals that are being shipped must comply with all OSHA and DOT regulations on proper labeling.  More information on this subject is provided in DOT training.

Some containers are designated to be used to transfer hazardous materials from the manufacture’s container into other containers or process tanks.  If these containers are used for this sole purpose, they will be labeled with the proper information as to alert employees of possible residual chemical left in the container.  A single container that is used to transfer multiple “like” chemicals will bear the labels of all of the chemicals that it may contain. This will prevent an employee from using that container to transfer a chemical that potentially may react with the residue of one or all of the chemicals transferred prior to it.

It is the responsibility of the Environmental Supervisor to implement the hazardous communications program.  This duty includes:

• ensuring that all employees receive the proper training
• keeping a current list of hazardous chemicals that are onsite
• maintaining the written program
• reviewing Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all potential new chemicals prior to the authorization to bring them on site is given by Plant management
• ensure that the supervisors and lab manager maintain their responsibilities in complying with this standard
• annually reviewing this program

It is the responsibility of the Supervisors to:

• Ensure their employees understand the hazards related to the chemicals that they handle
• Ensure their employees follow safe working practices while handling hazardous chemicals
• Allow the employees time to review the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and/or ask questions pertaining to the chemicals that they are handling
• Inspect their areas to ensure that all chemicals are properly labeled

It is the Lab Manger’s responsibility to maintain and review all the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the chemicals on site.

It is the Employee’s responsibility to comply with all the rules and safe work practices set forth by the management.

The purpose of a Hot Work Permit system is to ensure that there is:

• Communication between those doing the Hot Work, and those who are in charge of the area’s affected by the Hot Work
• An adequate risk assessment is performed prior to work starting, and the necessary precautions are documented.
• Provisions are made to limit fire hazards, and have sufficient extinguishers on hand to control incipient fires.

It is a special form of a Permit to Work, and covers tasks for which there are no Operating Procedures available.

The Plant Manager is responsible for ensuring that the site complies with this guidance, and audits against it, as part of their basic site SHE improvement plan.

The Plant Superintendent ensures that –

• A facility-specific Hot Work procedure is maintained consistent with this guidance.
• Individuals involved with the system have received adequate training
• Individuals authorized to issue and accept permits have been appointed

The Permit Issuer ensures that-

• The persons doing the permitted work understand the hazards and have adequately addressed them.
• Those signing off on the permit are aware of the meaning of their signature.
• The procedure has been followed in its entirety.
• The location of the Hot Work has been personally inspected by the Issuer for fire safety.

Permits are posted in a visible location at the work site for the duration of the work.

Completed permits should be kept on file for audit purposes. Generally, about thirty permits should be sufficient.

A list of persons authorized by the site manager to issue and approve permits will be maintained.

An example permit is attached. The permit must contain:

• Description of the work to be performed
• Exact location where the work is to be performed
• Identification of the object to be worked on
• The date and time authorized
• The time period permitted
• Signatures
• Person performing the work (Acceptor)
• Fire watch
• Authorized person (Signatures of authorized person to indicate that all safety precautions indicated on the form have been taken. The authorized person will sign after physical verification of the precautions)
• Atmospheric and LEL sampling results
• Name and characteristics of chemical hazards
• Required safety equipment and precautions that have been taken.