Flint Adverse Weather Policy

Transcription

1 Flint Adverse Weather Policy Author: Ann Bryant Page 1 of 8

2 Table of Contents: 1. INTRODUCTION DOCUMENT HISTORY REFERENCES SCOPE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS PPE WEATHER CONDITIONS OUTDOOR WORKING INDOOR WORKING VEHICLE AT WORK SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENT PLANNING FOR ADVERSE WEATHER IDENTIFY THE PROBLEMS CONSEQUENCES OF THERMAL DISCOMFORT EMERGENCY EVACUATION COMMUNICATION... 8 Author: Ann Bryant Page 2 of 8

3 1. Introduction Flint Consulting recognises that the nature of the services it provides can place employees and contractors at risk due to lack of supervision or peer worker support. Whilst accepting the need to deliver its contracted services, Flint understands that all reasonably practicable steps will be taken to identify, eliminate or minimise the risk to employees. The objectives of this policy will be achieved in a variety of ways which include carrying out suitable and sufficient risk assessments, introduce control measures and provide information and training. 2. Document History Issue Date Updated by Comments /1/2009 A Bryant Formal Release 2.0 8/01/2015 A Bryant Review 3. References [1] Adverse Weather Policy HRM Guide [2] Health & Safety Executive Vehicles at Work Vehicles at Work [3] Health & Safety Executive [4] General Workplace safety Cold Weather [5] Site Inspection Workplace Transport Questionnaire Flint_ SiteInspection-WorkplaceTransportQuestionnaire 4. Scope This policy is needed to provide general guidance to facilitate, staff and employees during adverse weather and emergency conditions. Employers have a number of options available to them in terms of arrangements for days where employees are unable to attend work due to snow or poor road conditions. The starting point for any policy should be that employees make reasonable attempts to get to work and where possible have a contingency plan in case their normal travel arrangements are disrupted. But it would be unreasonable for an employer to insist on someone attending work if travelling would pose a health and safety risk. Author: Ann Bryant Page 3 of 8

4 5. Adverse Weather Conditions PPE Employers and supervise should ensure that employees wear the clothing correctly and whenever it is needed, such as HV jackets, eye shields, steal tow shoe and gloves. HV clothing should be manufactured to a recognised standard. The new British Standard for high visibility warning clothing is BS EN 471. This is a harmonised European standard produced with the legal requirements for PPE in mind. Clothing which conforms to the standard is marked with a pictogram HV clothing should be comfortable and fit the wearer properly. It should cause the minimum of restriction in the wearers movement. Note: from July 1995, new clothing must be 'CE' marked to show it meets the new European rules on the manufacture of PPE. Remember: the CE mark only means that the clothing meets the standard. It does not mean it can be used in all situations. HV clothing must be suitable for the actual conditions of use Weather Conditions Adverse weather may create difficulty for employees to report to work or make it advisable for employees to leave site. Employees who anticipate problems with transportation are encourage to exercise personal judgement concerning road safety in their areas and getting to site. Therefore, should adverse weather conditions develop during normal operations employees may use annual leave or statuary leave or make up the time missed when encountering hazardous road conditions. In some circumstances, it may also be appropriate to allow staff to work from home if their duties are not location dependent, providing the company has a formal home working policy. Where staff are unable to reach their place of work, or to do so may risk being unable to return home safely, they should contact Flint Head office / Line Manager to agree the appropriate course of action Where adverse weather conditions develop during the day, Flint shall notify employees of working conditions through normal supervisory channels. Author: Ann Bryant Page 4 of 8

5 Where adverse weather conditions are predicted, staffs are strongly advised to consult with Flint Head office/ Line Manager to see if working from home may be an option or consider further option. No individuals with underlying medical or physiological conditions are required to work in weather conditions that could be prejudicial to their health When working in cold climates alcohol should be avoided as it increases the risks of dehydration/ hypothermia and can impair judgment If working in mountainous areas where avalanches are a possibility employees should never work or travel alone and those working in the area should ensure that others are aware of their intended location (s) Should any employees show adverse effects whilst working in cold weather climates they should withdraw to a warm safe area, wet clothing should be replaced;; medical aid requested and the person monitored continuously. Dehydration can also be a risk in cold climates due to excessive sweating in protective clothing. Those working in such areas should ensure they take on adequate fluid [2.5liters per day is the average;; arduous work in cold weather clothing can double this need] Be aware of fog and lack of clear visibility. Do not be lulled into a false sense of security. You can enter a fog bank either from the outside in which case it will be patchy. Patchy fog is dangerous. In one instance you can have reasonable visibility then, at the other extreme then at the next stage there is none. Alternatively a fog bank can evolve around you Convective wind gusts are induced by rapidly descending air masses in a thunderstorm or squall line, so-called downdrafts. On impact with the ground the air contained by the downdraft is detected by the surface and causes the wind gusts. Therefore, employees should be careful when working in high wind areas and take the necessary precaution such as securing equipment being removed from transportation Outdoor working Cold weather as hazard is difficult to define as it depends on personal experience. The danger is not only from the ambient temperature but also the wind chill factor, rain, the condition of the team. Employees can avoid unnecessary exposure by such means as: Wearing long sleeve shirts or loose clothing with a close weave Wearing hats with a wide brim More frequent rest breaks Author: Ann Bryant Page 5 of 8

6 Taking breaks in the shade whenever possible Scheduling work to cooler times of the day;; and If possible, provide shade where work tasks are being undertaken. Indoor Working Reasonable working temperature in workrooms usually at least 16 C, or 13 C for strenuous work (unless other laws require lower temperatures);; Local heating or cooling where a comfortable temperature cannot be maintained throughout each work room (e.g. hot and cold processes);; Thermal clothing and rest facilities where necessary, e.g. for hot work or cold stores;; Heating systems which do not give off dangerous or offensive levels of fume into the workplace Vehicle at Work Safety It is important that drivers are able to see clearly around their vehicle, to allow them to spot hazards and avoid them. Vehicles should have large enough windscreens (with wipers where necessary) and external mirrors to provide adequate visibility around the vehicle Road-going vehicles are fitted with conventional side mirrors, and it is often worthwhile adding extra mirrors to reduce blind spots for drivers. You should consider if the horns, vehicle lights and reflectors are sufficient for your needs Alarms such as radar and other devices that sense nearby obstructions are increasingly being fitted to vehicles as parking aids. Risk assessment identifies reversing alarms as a control measure they should be kept in working order. Planned maintenance is also needed to help prevent failures during use Note: See Site inspection for Workplace Transport Questionnaire, Ref [5]. Author: Ann Bryant Page 6 of 8

7 Risk Assessment Hazard should be identified Agree who is at Risk Assess and evaluate the Risk Record Findings Review Assessment Planning for Adverse Weather Planning and training for employees will help them to understand thermal comfort and what their adaptive options may be should their comfort levels change. Ways you reduce the risk of thermal discomfort? A possible order for problem solving may include wait for the thermal conditions to improve e.g. can any jobs be put off or rescheduled;; Know the weather forecast before going out reduce metabolic rate by introducing lifting aids;; Selection of clothing and equipment change uniform to suit the working environment provide heaters, coolers or air conditioning Prevent access to the hazard e.g. only acclimatised workers Organise work to reduce exposure e.g. work-rest schedules, job rotation, team rotation, more workers on job Provide welfare facilities e.g. first aid and emergency procedures if they are deemed necessary Identify the problems Is a detailed risk assessment required, or might the problem be solved simply? Simple solutions may include: closing windows in air conditioned offices pulling down blinds to prevent solar radiant heat etc providing employees with sufficient control to adapt the environment by adding or removing layers of clothing;; look - visually inspect the workplace to identify hazards that may impact on employee thermal comfort;; look for patterns in the absenteeism rates, types of illnesses and their frequency of occurrence, the nature of employee complaints etc Author: Ann Bryant Page 7 of 8

8 take particular note of where the employee may work, their job, how experienced they are, whether any illnesses are recurring etc Things to look out for include Are there any heat sources in the workplace Are workers exposed to external climatic conditions Are workers wearing PPE Are workers involved in intensive physical activity Consequences of thermal discomfort Things to look out for Do accidents increase during periods of hotter or cooler weather Do absentee rates increase during hotter or cooler weather Are there more complaints during hotter or cooler weather Do more than 20% of employees complain of any of the symptoms of thermal discomfort Emergency Evacuation The emergency rescue team operative should have been properly trained to carry out their task, be ready at hand, and capable of using any equipment provided for rescue, such as breathing apparatus, lifelines and climbing equipment. Rescuers also need to be protected against the cause of the emergency. Members of the team should also be first aid trained to carry out first aid requirement if deem necessary. [See attached rescue plan] Communication - Check to ensure the mobile/landline system work in the area where you are going to work - Consider the use of a satellite phone (Note: climatic conditions can seriously impair a sat phone). - Remember batteries die quickly in the cold. Author: Ann Bryant Page 8 of 8