We're updating our H&S policy and I'm looking for input on situations in the rich experience available on the board here.
Since nowadays most of the survey work is done by one man crews how has this effected the way you handle the H&S issues.
Using common sense, a lot of things comes to mind, and until now we did not really have the need to write these things down.
Safety clotehs, -shoes, cones, ...
I don't like the idea of filling in a checklist every morning/evening before/after the job is done, but what would you include as a daily reminder in such a list.
And I don't like the 'Big Brother is watching you' but should we check if all surveyors arrive safe at home?
Does someone at home/office know where you'll spend the day in the field?
Maybe the most important thing, how do you keep track of safety issues and how do you manage them to prevent similar situations in the future or for other teams?
Do you take in account allready extra security when you bid for a job, do you charge extra?
Looking for your input,
Christof.
Christof
I know you said you don't like checklists but they can be of help with this. We perform "Prework Hazard Analysis" or "Job Safety Analysis" before beginning work. A checklist of what hazards you anticipate and any means of eliminating or mitigating the hazards can cause the workers to, at least, put some thought into what they are going to be exposed to.
Example:
Hazard: Traffic
Solutions: Appropriate safety wear, cones, locate control as far as possible from traffic, extra workers to act as "sentinels" for approaching traffic, work during "off peak" hours, etc.
Of course this needs to be reviewed regularly so the crews don't just automatically "check off" on prior analysis. The object is to prevent injuries, but if injuries occur you can use the analysis to "fine tune" work int the future. It is also one more thing to have in the file in the case of a law suit.
Andy
Christof
There are some useful advice, templates etc on this page, although it's from the UK many hazards are the same the world over:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/index.htm
Having seen a large excavator strike three 33kV overhead lines last week I'm getting rid of the aluminium levelling staff. Biggest surprise after the flash and bang was that the driver and machine were unharmed, I fully expected a fireball.
Solo working is similar to solo hillwalking, mountaineering and sailing: tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back. In addition carry a radio and/or cell phone + basics such as a whistle, torch/strobe-light/mirror etc.
I do not think it is overbearing at all to have a solo worker check in when done with work in the field, a simple text message such as "done on site" should suffice. If I were sending solo workers out I think I would feel a little uneasy without such confirmation.
On my first major civil construction project there was a very good safety officer who made a speech during the orientation that really helped my approach to work place safety. He talked about how people get the idea that the work they are doing is really important and then take risks to get it done and end up getting hurt, expanding on the idea he explained how if a person were to die on the site today they would be practically forgotten by the time the construction was complete what with new workers coming in and old ones leaving as the different phases cycled through.
Fighting the urge to get the job done and taking the time to do it safely is key in my opinion. I think that the insight be methodical in this way is something that often comes with age but also needs to be encouraged and understood all the way up and down the chain of command. Like ethics I really think that these things start at the top of a organization.
Personally I do not like checklists and activity hazard analysis forms for surveying. The hazards we face are a little more dynamic than some of the tasks other trades perform and I feel that the temptation to autofill the form is too great and that if you are doing one safety task with that kind of attitude it has the potential to spread to other tasks. It is understandable if needed for insurance or compliance with a overall company policy but that is the extent of it in my opinion.
A large surveying firm in Texas performing route surveys which may cross several counties, issues a map and contact phone numbers to the nearest hospital as their crews move along the project, such to be carried in each vehicle.
New Zealand has a "Code of Practice For Temporary Traffic Management" which details signage warning cones etc that are needed for protection of the public when working on the roads. It is not too onerous to work within and has some flexibility. It helps keep both the crew and the public safe.
But I'm not convinced that checklists help that much - tick box complacency sets in very easily. But they are good to ensure you have the right gear.
The best you can hope for really is a good proactive attitude from the crew. Look out for your own and each others backs. After all its them thats going to get hurt...
I notice that some share my feelings about the checklist system;
I'm leaning towards using a checklist for the preparing phase of the job, the office part, but I want to avoid the people in the field have to check it daily, I don't believe that will work on the long term. On the other hand, we have space left on our job description forms to record incidents. So we can keep track of these and discuss them later with the teams.
There must be other ways to keep them sharp and make them pay attention to the surrounding and possible dangers. Maybe some eye catching 'Safety labels or a good slogan' on the instrument cases and/or inside the truck.
Thanks all for your input,
Chr.
We have a sign out board that shows where you are and if you returned. We also have 1/2hr safety meetings once a month on safety topics. At the end of the meeting each person has a chance to bring up other safety concerns.
A lot of the safety activities over here are highly regulated by the state and federal governments.
If your vehicles carry first aid kits, (1) have a system to check for expired items, and (2) replace latex gloves with nitrile or vinyl. (At first glance, you might suppose a solo worker wouldn't need gloves. But he/she might assist a worker from another trade.)
thanks Ashton,
we have our yearly check up of the first aid box.
Not clear to me why to get rid of the latex gloves,
Allergy??
Chr.
