HSE Procedure for Setting Site Compound, Parking and Material Storage

This method statement outlines the procedure and methodology for the site compound set up, including Parking and Material Storage.

Typically contracts manager, site agent, foreman and a suitably qualified ecologist is responsible for this activity. Other employees who are directly involved include plant operators, banksman, site supervisor and general operatives.

Necessary Plant & Equipment

• 20 ton Excavator
• Komatsu D65 Dozer
• A25 Volvo Dump Truck
• 100mm De watering pump
• 10 Ton Vibtomax Roller
• Hiab trucks

Specific Training

All site personnel shall have FAS “Safe Pass‟ certification. All Excavator, Dumper and Crane drivers shall have CSCS certification. CSCS certified representative in underground service location.

Work Methodology

Before any excavations shall commence a permit to excavate shall be issued by authorised representative.

All personal involved in the operation shall be site inducted and briefed before works commence.

Topsoil shall be stripped using excavators and stockpiled within perimeter of compound fencing

Stone for compound surfacing shall be delivered in tipper truck and graded in to place using excavator

Once stone base is in place perimeter fencing shall be erected, all within the project permanent fence line. This shall consist of steel palisade fencing. Once compound fencing and gates are in place mobilization of site offices and containers shall commence.

Containers shall be delivered in flat-bed trucks and lifted off by excavators. Site Agent/Supervisor to ensure all lifting equipment has relevant GA 1 certificates before any lifting operations commence.

Potential Environmental Impacts and Necessary Mitigation’s

Potential Surface & groundwater contamination during construction.

Pollution from Surface Water run-off during Construction.

Mitigation’s

All fuels, oils, greases, hydraulic fluids and chemical storage areas will be stored in bunded compounds/areas on impermeable bases at least 10m from the proposed drainage system

All waste from toilet blocks shall be stored in metal storage tank and disposed of by licensed waste company when required.

Fuel storage areas will be bunded to provide adequate retention capacity in the event of a leak or spillage occurring; and kept at least 10m from the proposed drainage system

Construction works carried out in the vicinity will be monitored by a suitably qualified ecologist.

To reduce potential increases in flows into the drainage system and downstream during construction, the period of exposure of bare areas and uncontrolled runoff from new hard standing areas will be limited. Early covering/seeding/planting of exposed surfaces will be undertaken.

Material stockpiles will be kept to a minimum size, covered and located at least 10m from the drainage system.

To prevent contaminated or silt-laden runoff from entering the nearest turloughs, a range of temporary measures will be implemented, including silt fences, cut-off ditches, silt traps, straw bales, entrapment matting and drainage to vegetated areas.

Runoff will be controlled and, if required, directed to settlement ponds or sumps. Any temporary attenuation and treatment facilities will be designed and implemented in accordance with CIRIA C697 (2007). All temporary treatment systems will be regularly inspected and maintained.

The extent of construction activities will be controlled to limit vegetation removal and the exposure and/or compaction of soils. Land surrounding the immediate construction area will be fenced off, or otherwise demarcated, to prevent inadvertent intrusion from construction plant.

Construction works will be avoided during prolonged periods of very heavy rainfall adjacent to the turlough.

Specific Identified Residual Health and Safety Risks to Civil Works

The following is a list of identified particular risks associated with above works

• Underground Services
• Excavations
• Plant and Equipment
• Manual Handling
• Lifting Operations
• Biological Substances

Hazard of Existing Services

Work near significant existing services in addition to electricity:

• ESB services
• Telecommunications

Control Measures

• Detailed Method Statements and Risk Assessments to be carried out for all activities which have potential to impact on existing services
• Request temporary outages on services
• Worker Briefings to be carried out
• Consult with Statutory Bodies to obtain service drawings
• Adhere to Codes of Practice for avoiding dangers from under ground services
• Trial holing in advance
• Permit to Dig system to be implemented
• Use of Catscan equipment
• Use of trained plant operators
• Use of Banksman

Hazards related to Excavations ( Ducting and sewage works)

• Burial under earth falls
• Work in trenches or near saturated ground / high water table.
• Excavation Collapse
• Trench Collapse
• Falls from Height into excavations

Control Measures

Detailed Method Statements and Risk Assessments to be carried out pertaining to each particular activity

Permit to Dig System to be Implemented

Area to be scanned using CAT Scan techniques.

Suitable Plant to be utilized in excavation operations

All excavations to be monitored on a daily basis.

Competent Machine Operators to be utilized FAS CSCS qualifications

Adequate Trench Support Systems to be utilized i.e. trench boxes/sheets, battering of trenches

Temporary Works procedures to be implemented

Dewatering systems to be implemented where required.

Suitable access to be provided to trenches

Perimeter fencing and signage to be put in place and secure excavations

Hazards and Risks Associated with Moving Heavy Plant and Equipment

Noise hazard while working adjacent to Heavy Plant and machinery including excavation plant and lifting appliances

Operated by untrained individual

Incorrect use.

Speeding.

Poor maintenance.

Unsupervised reversing.

Overloading

Struck by site transport

Falls from vehicles.

Splashed by fuel during refueling.

Tipping or overturning of vehicles.

Contact with moving parts of machinery

Control Measures

Detailed Method Statements and Risk Assessments to be carried out for all activities to address the movement use of heavy equipment.

Worker Briefings to be carried out

Plant to be operated by Competent Personnel

Plant to be in good order and inspected daily prior to commencement of any works on site

Auxiliary devices and visual aids on plant as highlighted in Schedule 6 of Construction Regulations.

Carry out plant checks and record on plant checklists

Vehicle Banks-men to be utilized where required

Segregate traffic from public and workforce where possible

Implement work exclusion zones where appropriate

Implement Traffic Management Plans

Ensure all personnel were appropriate PPE and high visibility clothing

Hazards Associated with Lifting Operations (Offloading Containers)

Unsupervised lifts leading to collapse overturning of loads

Unstable ground causing overturning or collapse of loads

Uncontrolled pedestrians or site traffic leading to collisions with plant or pedestrians.

Control Measures

Ensure permit to lift system is in place Ensure all plant operators have relevant certificates for plant they are operating.

Ensure all lifting equipment have relevant and up to date GA 1 certificates.

Ensure all pedestrians and site vehicles are cordoned off from lifting operations.

Use of stabilizing pads or beams under any jacking legs used on lifting equipment.

Hazards Associated with Biological Substances (Refilling diesel and oils) Sewage Connections

Works which put person at work at risk from Biological substances

Leptospirosis /Weils Disease

Contact with contaminated ground or objects or materials contaminants, Red Lead

Handling construction chemicals,cement, curing agents etc

Handling flammable substances.

Working on existing streams and drains, particularly foul drains.

Control Measures

Detailed Method Statements and Risk Assessments to be carried out for all activities where biological substances are envisaged including contaminated ground and dealing with asbestos gaskets

Specialist contractors to be utilised to deal with asbestos

Areas of potential contaminated ground to be tested and areas segregated

COSHH Assessments to be carried out and briefed to workers

MSDS Sheets to be available for construction chemicals in use

Ensure adequate assessment of PPE requirements for works

All operatives engaged in sewer tie in works to wear appropriate PPE which will include gloves and disposable overalls.

All operatives to be briefed and trained

Adequate awareness of and protection against Weils disease

Hazards Associated with Manual Handling

Fractures, Strains, Sprains

Cuts, Lacerations, Abrasions

Injury through aggravation of previous/existing medical condition

Control Measures

Use of mechanical assistance wherever possible, e.g. forklift, plant, lifting appliance etc.

Reduce loads by making them smaller or lighter.

Ensure the working environment is suitable i.e. Access ways are unimpeded and properly lighted. – Working platforms should be non-slip and kept clean

Ensure that the individual is lifting correctly, maintains good posture, and lifts with knees bent and back kept straight.

All loads should be assessed individually for size and weight, but generally loads greater than 25kg should be handled by more than one person or mechanical means employed.

Operatives must wear appropriate gloves and other clothing to reduce the risk of injury.

Ensure that all previously experienced back complaints are brought to the attention of management, in order that allowances may be made in ascertaining the safest method of manual handling.