PROJECT SAFETY GUIDELINES

One Safety Engineer

General Rules
• Safety is part of everyone’s work. Think before you act.
• Comply with safety instructions.
• Observe the permit to work system and specific requirements contained therein.
• Do not use, operate, repair or adjust equipment without authorization.
• Use the correct tools / equipment for your work. Use them properly.
• Do not engage in practical jokes or the teasing of work-mates.
• Do not tamper with any safety / fire protection equipment.
• Do not sleep in the workplace.
• Do not smoke in non-smoking areas.
• Observe safety signs.

As means to identify the staff, contractor’s workers and other personnel the following colour code for the safety helmets shall be followed
      ELCON Staff - White
      Subcontractor Staff - White with red band
      Contractor workers - Yellow
      Technicians - Red
      Safety Personnel - Green

• Minimum personal protective equipment
• for construction site shall be Safety Helmet, Safety Boots / Shoes
• IF YOU DO NOT KNOW, THEN ASK.
• All employees including visitors shall wear safety helmet at all times when they are in site. Site Security shall provide Safety helmet to visitors.
• The persons working at height more than 2 meter must wear safety belt and anchor properly.
• Working clothes should be close fitting with no loose flaps or bulging pockets. All workers must wear long pants when they are at site.
• Do not venture in dark or poorly illuminated areas
• Do not take short cuts, always use a safe route.
• Do not stand near unguarded edge where you may fall from height.
• Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, where required
• Do not wear rings and jewelry when working at moving machinery, electrical equipment or in cramped spaces
• Do not tamper or remove the safety guards provided.
• Wash forearms and hands thoroughly before eating and end of the work
• Do not eat in the work places. Eating must be done at the designated area.
• Do not spit indiscriminately
• Dispose all litter promptly and in the proper bins.

Good Housekeeping

Good housekeeping is the foundation to a safe workplace, effective maintenance, quality products, security of assets and the prevention of fires. It maximizes production, improves employee morale and develops a new pride in work and workplace. As workplace conditions improve there is opportunity for better employee performance and the public image of the business is improved amongst suppliers and customers. The more hazards that exist due to poor housekeeping then the greater the chance for mishaps that may include:-

• Slips and falls caused by oil spillage, holes and loose floorboards
• Falls due to loose or poorly maintained stair treads and handrails
• Illness or disease caused by dangerous germs harbored in unhygienic kitchens, toilets and change rooms
• Production delays due to obstructed aisles, poor storage and collapsed stacks
• Fire because of an accumulation of waste or incompatible storage
• Vehicle damage because of poorly maintained roads
• Machine wear or damage because of the entry of abrasive materials or tools
Not only management, but every employee has an important part to play in the promotion of good housekeeping. The main objectives of good housekeeping are:

• to remove unnecessary things;
• good layout by providing aisles and storage places for every item ;
• maintaining an orderly workplace ;
• keeping machinery clean and free of danger ;
• uphold clean aisles and keep every item in its correct and proper place.

Access-ways

Safe access is a necessary requirement both for walking and work purposes. It is particularly important in construction work.

• Access-ways for personnel preferably 1000 mm wide but not less than 750 mm wide. Free of all materials and obstructions. In good state of repair.
• No tripping hazards. No protruding nails. No splinters on wooden planks. No holes. No loose boards.
• No electric or telephone cables or hose pipes causing obstruction of walkways.
• Adequate illumination of walkways and access routes during hours of darkness if night work to occur.
• Floors clean and free of oil, grease, dirt, refuse, water etc. Where spillage occurs it is cleaned up promptly.
• Floors around machinery are level and in good condition. Free of chips, loose material and not slippery.
• When areas are constantly wet and in use by personnel for walking and work purposes, then non - slip surfaces should be provided.
• Duckboards provided wherever possibility of spillage of materials may occur.
• Where seating is provided it should be maintained in good condition.
• Storm water drains and embankments established and kept in working order to prevent flooding.
• Floor openings, pits, trap holes securely fenced or covered.
• Sufficient escape routes available to allow prompt escape. Clearly marked. No locks or fastenings fitted which may hinder escape. Approaches and escape routes unobstructed. Flammables not present in escape routes. Doors opened outwards onto a level landing / floor.

Stacking and Storage Practices

Minimum construction site dress code for all personnel (including visitors)) shall be:

• The golden rule for stacking is that no stack should be higher than three times the smallest side of its base. The only practical way of complying with this rule in many cases where bricks, sacks and other small objects are involved, is to bond the objects together so that one solid stack is made. The following guidelines are applicable.
• Provide a level floor which is capable of sustaining the load of stacked material
• The articles in a single row should be consistently of the same size, shape and weight.
• Removing of articles from a stack shall take place only from the topmost row or part of a row .Under no circumstances may any article be removed from any underlying row without first removing all items from above it .
• If a stack starts to collapse, it should be broken down and rebuilt.
• Whenever workmen work on stacks they should avoid contact with moving machinery and electrical conductors.
• If a workman wishes to climb onto a stack , he should use a ladder.
• A competent supervisor should be present whenever stacks are built or broken down.
• Good storage practices are essential to the proper control of materials and the following guidelines should be observed.
• Area level, clean and free of foreign objects. Provided with proper drainage
• Everything in its proper place, neat and orderly. Clear visibility of items for accounting purposes.
• Unobstructed access to fire fighting equipment and electrical switchboxes.
• Materials that are stored on pallets are cross tied.
• Oil drums choked with drum stoppers (wedges) parallel to the floor. Containers numbered / dated allow FIFO (first in first out) approach.
• Corrosive materials (acid and alkalis) stored in ventilated areas and away from combustibles.
• Oxidizing agents and flammable liquids stored in fire resistance storage areas .Kept cool.
• Oxidizing agents stored separately from flammable liquids and organic chemicals.
• Compressed gas cylinders stored securely and vertically.
      protected against corrosion
      away from heat sources, stairs and exits.
      adequate ventilation present in storage areas.
      oxygen kept away from oil.
• Bulk storage of flammable and oxidizing gases kept at least 6000 mm apart in secure area.
• Small quantities of flammable liquids stored in approved spill-proof containers.
• Crates free of protruding nails and splinters. Empty creates removed from storage area
• Heavy articles on lower shelves / racks.
• Circular items (drums, wheels, tyres) secured with triangular block of wood. Piled in shape of pyramid.
• Cotton waste stored in sealed containers.
• Rubber stored away from sunlight and artificial lighting.
• Bagged material cross tied with mouth of bag towards the inside of the pile. Neat. No overhangs.
• Pipe and other round materials piled in layers with strips of wood or iron between layers.
• Abrasive wheels handled carefully. Stored vertically in dry area.
• Hand and portable power tools stored on wall racks or in bins

Signs And Notices

The use of symbolic safety signs has the advantage of conveying safety information to both the literate and illiterate. Additionally, the provision of printed instructions can be minimized.

• Symbolic safety signs fall into the categories of prohibition, warning, mandatory and informatory. Signs should include a symbol as well as a printed instruction.
• Provided in accordance with legislative requirements for electricity, machinery, fires and explosives, personal protective equipment, traffic signs etc.
• Escape routes clearly signposted.
• Emergency telephone numbers displayed at telephone numbers for Clinic, Ambulance, Fire Brigade, Management and Police.
• Signs clearly visible and not damaged.
• Warning signs posted on fences surrounding areas that contain hazardous substances.

Fire Prevention & Protection

Basically, fire is a chemical reaction. Whenever fire occurs, there is combustion or burning, in other words, oxidation of substance accompanied by Heat, light and smoke. Three things and chain reaction are necessary for fire to take place. Fuel, Heat and Oxygen.

• The danger of fire is greater during the period of construction than it is after the building is completed. To eliminate the causes of fire, it is important to locate how and where fire starts. The maximum frequency is due to Electrical causes which are about 25%. A summary of known causes are given below.
• Electrical: Temporary or makeshift wiring, particularly if defective or overloaded, is a common cause of electrical fire. Water proof cords and sockets should be used in damp places and explosion proof fixtures and lamps should be used in the presence of highly flammable gases and vapors.
• Smoking: Carelessly discarded cigarettes butts are a major source of fire.
• Welding and cutting: Fabrication should be done in a special fire safe area with concrete or metal plate floors. No welding or cutting should be done on a surface until various building materials like wood, cardboard straw, packing products, oil, paint, asphalt, bitumen, etc., have been removed. In erection sites, while the above mentioned fire prone materials cannot be removed totally, CGI sheet may used to arrest the falling of molten metal down below, so that fire hazards are eliminated. The classification of Fire is

      CLASS A FIRES Ordinary combustibles.
      CLASS B FIRES Flammable liquids
      CLASS C FIRES Gases

Suitability of different types of portable fire appliances for different classes of fires as prescribed in IS 2190. All fire extinguishers shall bear the label showing the due date of refilling and contact person / agency for the same. Preferably the Dry Chemical Powder suitable for A B C class of fire can be sued for construction sites.

Power Tools

Always use the correct equipment for the work. Avoid restoring to makeshift solutions;

• All the electrical hand tools must be checked by the electrician before distributing to the site operators.
• A maintenance register for the electrical hand tools must be maintained by the Electrician/Site Storekeeper.
• Always keep equipment clean and in perfect working order and unserviceable equipment must be returned to site stores.
• Abrasive wheels are potentially dangerous and it is essential that the correct wheel is selected and fitted by a competent person.
• Only persons who have been trained to do so and are in possession of an appropriate certificate may mount abrasive wheels and diamond tip blades.
• Use of abrasive wheel / diamond tip blade tools and equipment will be limited to persons having received the training noted above.
• The names of every person on site trained and appointed to mount abrasive wheels and diamond tip blades will be entered into a register / training record maintained on site.
• All persons required to use this equipment will be provided with adequate personal protective equipment
• Correct wheel used for speed of grinder. Valid date must be endorsed on wheel. Only valid discs in use.
• All electrical power tools must be provided with ELCB and grounded properly.

Hand Tools

Screwdrivers should have the correct size and tip to fit the spot of the screw. Screwdrivers shall not be hammered or twisted with the help of pliers or mole grip and shall not in any manner carried in the packet.

• The right kind of hammer shall be selected for the job. Hammer heads should be properly secured to handles with proper wedges. Brass / Nylon head hammers should be used in hazardous areas to avoid sparks.
• Chisel cutting edges shall be kept sharp with its original shape and angle maintained. When a sledge hammer is used for striking chisel, the chisel should be held by a second person using a pair of tongs.
• Pick-axe and Shovels shall be maintained in a serviceable condition. Shovel blades shall not be allowed to become blunt, turned, split or jagged. In the case of spanners and wrenches Only the right type and size should be used. Extension leverage for spanners and wrenches shall not be used unless the wrenches are designed for such use. A wrench shall not be used as a hammer and should not be hammered to tighten a bolt unless otherwise designed for such use. Pliers are not to be used as a wrench. They are meant for gripping round objects and for cutting soft metals and wires. When cutting metal/wire with pliers, it shall be ensured that the scrap does not fly off and cause injury. Only long handled pliers shall be used to cut wire under tension.
• Hydraulic / Screw Jack capacity shall be ensured to be adequate and strong enough to raise and maintain the load positioned on its center line. No one shall get under the load being raised. The stability of the equipment and the Jacks must be ensured before raising the equipment.
• Use of hacksaws require the correct type of blade shall be selected to suit the material to be cut. The blade should be set with the teeth pointing in forward direction and sufficient tension shall be applied to ensure the blade maintained rigid with the hacksaw frame.