Sierra Support Services Group

Standard Operating Procedure

Document Title: Site Set Up
Ref. No.: SOP-001-FIBRE-CT
Document Users / Security Class: All Users

1.0 Purpose
The purpose of this procedure is to provide the Fibre, Caribbean Trinidad (CT) technician with
guidance in the manner and procedure to be adopted when setting up their work site and
during the installation of all fibre systems. This procedure outlines the sequential order the
actions are to be followed to enable the job to be completed safely and without harm to the
technician and/or any other person who may be present at the time.

2.0 Scope
This procedure applies to the site set up for the installation of all fibre systems under the Fibre,
CT contract. It should not be used for guidance on any other type of service or installation work
that the technician may be engaged in while working on the contract.

3.0 Hazards
The hazards associated with this work, are as follows:
 Work at Height
 Falling Objects
 Damaged or faulty equipment including the Fall Protection
 Vehicles and Traffic
 Electrocution
 Slips, trips, falls
 Manual Handling
 Utility Strike – Electricity, Gas or other services

4.0 Procedure
4.1 On arrival on site
4.1.1 Vehicle Parking
 Choose the best location. Park as near to your work location as possible, ensuring that
the gate of any residential or commercial building is not blocked unless there is
permission from the owner.

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 Ensure that the vehicle is locked at all times when unattended.

 Do not park in a manner to impede traffic. In instances where this is unavoidable,
implement the Traffic Management Plan.
 If available, park on the soft shoulder on in a commercial complex.

4.1.2 Introduction (PPE must be worn, ID, Emergency Card)

 Prior to commencement of work, employees must be appropriately attired and wearing
all mandatory personal protective equipment as required by the nature of work and as
highlighted in the JSSP (high visibility vest, safety boots, protective eye wear, head
protection etc.).
 The Technician must have their relevant identification available upon request (where
needed).
 All visitors to the site must have their relevant identification available upon request
(where needed).

4.2 Job Site Safety – Hazards Identification & JSSP Completion

On site risk assessment must be carried out for every job prior to work commencement and
updated as required throughout the job. The results must be recorded on the JSSP form
following a thorough assessment of site conditions.

4.2.1 Moveable/Non-Moveable Hazards

 To help categorise hazards, they have been categorised into “Moveable Hazards” and
“Non-Moveable Hazards”. Consideration should also be given to unforeseen hazards
that may arise unexpectedly during the works i.e. visitors, change in weather, etc.
 Moveable hazards that cause an obstruction or potential obstruction or present a risk to
the Technician, such as vehicles, children, pets or other animals should be removed
from the area of the work where practicable.
 Non-Moveable hazards such as sloping ground, unsound ladder footing etc. that cause
an obstruction or potential obstruction to the work should be addressed by finding an
alternative solution and should be avoided. If a safe work location cannot be achieved,
the escalation process must be followed.

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4.2.2 Visual Inspection – Overhead Power Lines

 The entire work area must be thoroughly inspected for the presence of overhead power
lines, which might be in close proximity to the fibre cable route.
 Machinery operating in the vicinity of overhead cables must not operate within 3
metres of the overhead cables (SOP-021-Working Near Overhead Power Lines).
 When operating from a ladder, the minimum safe work clearance must be maintained
from live conductors in accordance with the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity
Commission’s (T&TEC) requirements which are as follows:

Voltage Clearance (meters)

Not exceeding 12kV 1.0m
Exceeding 12kV but not exceeding 33kV 1.2m
Above 33kV 1.8m

 If the safe clearance cannot be maintained contact Site Manager immediately and
follow the Escalation Procedure. Any deviation from the Standard Operating Procedure
must be documented on the JSSP.

4.3 Site set up and clean up

4.3.1 Tools and equipment
 Once the Technician has completed the JSSP he will then proceed to set up the work site
bringing all necessary tools and equipment from the van in a safe manner.
 When working at height a tool belt must be used to carry all items such as screws,
grommets, hammer and any other items, which can be carried in a tool belt. Cargo
trousers are not a substitute for a tool belt.
 If tools are required while working at height a non-conductive tag line must be used.
Tools must not be thrown from a height to persons below.
 A drill lanyard/strap must be used for carrying the drill up and down the ladder.

4.3.2 Removal of ladders from the roof of vehicle

 Hard hat and gloves are required during ladder handling at all times. The correct
Manual Handling techniques must be observed at all times as per Risk Assessment RA-
007 Manual Handling and SOP-017 – FTTH Manual Handling.
 When unloading the ladders from the roof rack, an EN-131 step ladder or EN-131
combination ladder in an must be used to allow for removal of the ladder clamps

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 Store your extension ladder on the passenger side of the vehicle roof rack. When
removing extension ladders from the vehicle roof rack ensure you set up the/step
ladder on suitable ground away from the roadside where possible.
 The clamps must be stored on the driver’s seat in the van when not in use.
 Some vans have roller bars at the rear of the roof racks which are designed for ease of
loading of equipment on and off the roof. Where fitted, this should be utilised where
practical (adequate space behind the van).

4.3.3 Use of Barriers

 All technicians must ensure traffic cones/gate guards/signage is present in their van
prior to beginning work every morning.
 In areas of high pedestrian traffic, i.e. on the footpath of a built up area/town area,
there is an increased risk of members of the public colliding with the ladder. Barriers
must be placed around the base of the ladders during such works.
 If the work area has a higher than average number of pedestrians, the technician must
escalate to their Site Supervisor in order to organise another crew member to act as a
pedestrian controller.

4.4 Site and Vehicle Housekeeping

Site and vehicle housekeeping is very important as the tidiness of your work area plays a vital
part in carrying out your work in a safe and efficient manner.

4.4.1 Site Housekeeping

Good housekeeping on site minimises the risk of injuries to the Technician and members of
public who may be present in the vicinity of work area.
 Clean your work area as work progresses.
 Store all materials, tools and equipment neatly so that they do not pose a trip hazard.
 Ensure site is clean upon leaving the site.

4.4.2 Vehicle Housekeeping

All vans must be suitably racked or shelved. Materials must be placed in or on the appropriate
shelf/rack. If the storage area of your vehicle is untidy it may result in injury if you have to
clamber over items to search for tools or parts. It also may result in wasted time looking for
items which should be readily available.

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Sierra operates a clean dashboard policy. There should be no objects stored on the seats,
dashboard or floor in the cab of the van. In the event of a collision, any items on the floor,
dashboard or seat may become airborne, and may possibly strike you resulting in injury and or
loss of control of the vehicle.

4.5 Escalation
The escalation process must be followed when work cannot be completed as per any of the
instructions outlined in the SOPs.
4.5.1 The escalation process is as follows:
 The Technician must contact their Site Supervisor to discuss the situation and to
determine if a safe alternative solution exists. The escalation process must be a through
verbal discussion and cannot consist of a text message. Photographs of the issue should
be sent where possible to the Sierra Supervisor.
 When a safe solution has been agreed between the Technician and the Site Supervisor it
must be recorded on the Technician’s JSSP, including the job number, brief description
of escalated issue and solution agreed with the Supervisor.

4.5.2 Some examples of reasons for escalation after performing an on-site risk
assessment (JSSP) include, but are not limited to:
 Power line in proximity based on safe clearance stipulations as indicated in Section 4.2.2
 Unable to use full fall protection
 Adverse weather conditions
 Situations where public or pedestrian access will be impeded or affected
 Where existing Tap has become inaccessible
 If the required operation/controls are not adequately dealt with within the Risk
Assessments and or Standard Operating Procedures
 Where an unforeseen risk that is uncontrollable arises during the work process

The above list is not exhaustive and other circumstances may occur that require escalation.
If for any reason the Technician’s Supervisor is un-contactable, the Project Manager, SHEQ
Advisor or SHEQ Trainer must be contacted as an alternative.

Work may not proceed until contact with the Supervisor/SHEQ Advisor is made and a safe
solution has been agreed and recorded on the JSSP.

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4.6 Incidents, Accidents, Near-Misses and Emergency Procedures

4.6.1 Accident Reporting
Every person working for or on behalf of Sierra is responsible for the immediate verbal reporting
of incidents/accidents and near-misses to their immediate line Manager and the SHEQ
Department.

In the event of an accident occurring on site, and where the technician is alert and is physically
capable, the technician must assess the situation, and if necessary, the emergency services must
be called.

4.6.2 Water Mains, Gas, Power Line Strikes

In the event that a utility service is struck, the Technician shall contact the relevant utility
emergency number that is listed on the emergency card in the safety folder. The Technician
must also escalate to the problem to his supervisor.

Emergency telephone numbers for above -mentioned utility providers can be found in the
Technicians’ safety folder.

4.6.3 Road Traffic Accidents (RTA)

All accidents and incidents occurring during working hours and involving company vehicles must
be reported to the SHEQ Department and Supervisor. All Subcontractors involved in RTAs while
driving non-Sierra vehicles must also report these to the Supervisor.

4.6.4 Near Misses

A Near Miss can be described as an incident which occurs but does not cause injury or damage.
For example, if a Technician were to drop a spanner or other tool that lands safely on the
ground without causing injury or damage to anyone or anything this would be classified as a
near miss. (If the spanner struck a person or damaged a car, the event would then be classified
as an accident or property damage). All Near Misses must be reported to the Supervisor.

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4.6.5 Emergencies
General Emergencies
In the event of any emergency situations which may arise onsite the emergency services must
be contacted as is outlined on the emergency card. A rescue plan must also be in place where
there are instances of work being done at height.

Following Ladder Rescue

It is compulsory to seek medical attention following unintended suspension from the ladder.
 Ladder rescue has to be immediately reported to the Supervisor and the SHEQ
Department (both self- rescue and assisted-rescue scenarios).
 Following ladder rescue the Fall Protection Kit (FPK)/Fall Arrest system, ladder and other
equipment must be withdrawn from service immediately. The equipment must be
delivered to the SHEQ Department.
 The SHEQ Department will ensure an examination of the equipment is undertaken as
part of the incident investigation process.

No harness or other element of the Fall Protection Kit (FPK)/Fall Arrest system may be put
back in to service following an incident resulting in the suspension of a Technician.

5.0 References
SOP-003-FIBRE-CT Setting up of Controlled Work Zones
SOP-014-FIBRE-CT Working at Height
PR-004-FIBRE-CT Personal Protective Equipment
PR-060-FIBRE-CT Vehicle and Traffic Management

6.0 Definitions
Leaning Ladder - A rung (rungs with surface area of minimum 20mm and maximum 80mm front
to rear) ladder that does not have its own supports.
Step Ladder - A ladder with steps that are equal to or greater than 80mm front to back.
Standing Ladder – A ladder that supports itself (having rungs or steps).
Combination Ladder - A rung ladder that can be used as a standing ladder, a standing ladder
with an extension at top or an extending leaning ladder.
Laddermate – Base stabilising device for a leaning ladder
Rojak plate/Ladder Stopper – A base stabilising device for a leaning ladder

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JSSP – Job Site Safety Plan (On- site risk assessment) completed for each individual job by the
person(s) carrying out the task.

7.0 Document Control & History

Document Author: Reisha Prudhum-Ali
Document Approver: Kevin Reid Controller: SHEQ

Revision Amendment Date

Number

1.0 New Document November 2014

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