Standard Operating Procedures

Site Clearing
Site clearing is very important to assuring the safety of employees during renovation and
maintenance work. It must be performed before the workers leave the site and are
responsible of enforcing the following:

1. Nails protruding from lumber must be removed or bent over during the course of
work.
2. Combustible scrap and debris must be removed at regular intervals and not allowed
to accumulate. Wastes must be disposed of at frequent intervals.
3. Containers must be provided for collection and separation of all refuse. Covers must
be provided on containers used for flammable or harmful substances.
4. Do not use corridors or aisles for storage of materials.
5. A minimum clear egress width of 28 inches, or the equivalent clear width of the exit
door for the space, must be maintained at all times.
6. Materials must not be stored away so that they project into aisles or passageways in
a manner that could cause occupants to trip or that could delay an emergency
evacuation.

Excavation
The following requirements apply to all open excavations made in the earth's surface into
which employees are expected to enter:
1. The supervisor overseeing the project must be trained as an excavation competent
person.
2. All materials that are located close to the excavation site must be stored, arranged,
or secured in such a manner as to prevent the material from accidentally falling into
the trench.

3. Adequate means of egress must be maintained at all times. A stairway, ladder, ramp
or other safe means of egress must be located in trench excavations that are four (4)
feet or more in depth so as to require no more than twenty-five (25) feet of lateral
travel for employees to exit the excavation.

4. Excavations located near public vehicular traffic must be barricaded and employees
must be provided with, and wear, warning vests.

5. In excavations greater than four (4) feet in depth, or where oxygen deficiency or
other hazardous atmospheres could reasonably be expected to exist, atmospheric
testing must be performed prior to the entry of employees. If a hazardous
atmosphere is detected at a trenching site, this excavation must be treated as a
Permit Required Confined Space.
 6. Excavations must be inspected for hazardous conditions daily or when changing
conditions warrant (rain, different soil type, etc.). If a hazardous condition is
detected, employees must be removed from the excavation at once. This inspection
must be documented in a permanent, written log.

7. The supervisor will determine the methods of protection (e.g., sloping, shoring, or
shields) that are to be used during the excavation project. The supervisor must
explain to all employees entering the excavation the purpose of the protection,
means for entry and exit, and any other safety-related issues.

8. In work areas where the exact location of underground electrical power lines is
unknown, employees using jackhammers, bars, or other hand tools which may
contact a line must be provided with insulated protective gloves.

9. When an excavation is 4 or more feet in depth and the excavation cannot be readily
seen because of plant growth or other visual barriers, employees must be protected
from falling by use of guardrails, fences, or barricades.

10. Excavation equipment may not be operating when workers are within the
excavation unless employees are adequately protected from all related hazards.

11. Competent person will conduct daily inspections of excavations, adjacent areas, and
protective systems for evidence of a situation that could result in possible cave-ins,
failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous
conditions. An inspection shall be conducted by the competent person prior to the
start of work and as needed throughout the shift. Inspections shall also be made
after each hazard changing event (e.g. rainstorm). These inspections are required
when the excavation will be or is occupied by employees.

Scaffold and other temporary work platforms

A scaffold is defined as a temporary elevated work platform, of which there are three basic
types:

a. Supported scaffolds consist of one or more platforms supported by rigid, load-bearing

members.
b. Suspended scaffolds are one or more platforms suspended by ropes or other nonrigid
overhead support.
c. Other scaffolds are principally manlifts, personnel hoists, etc., which are sometimes
thought of as vehicles or machinery but represent a type of supported scaffold.

Workers must enforce the following in order to work safely with scaffolds:
1. The construction standard requires each employee more than 10 feet above a lower
level to be protected by guardrails or a fall arrest system.
 2. Each employee on a single-point or two-point adjustable suspended scaffold shall be
protected by both a personal fall arrest system and a guardrail.
3. Proper guardrails, guardrail supports, and toe boards are required.
4. No one should ever work on scaffolds during storms or high winds.
5. There should be an access ladder or equivalent safe access.
6. The footing or anchorage for scaffolds shall be sound, rigid, and capable of carrying
the maximum intended load without settling or displacement.
7. Scaffolds shall be inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each
work shift and after any occurrence that could affect a scaffold’s structural integrity.
8. Any scaffold damaged or weakened from any cause shall be immediately repaired
and shall not be used until repairs have been completed.
9. Overhead protection and hard hats are required for all those working on or near
scaffolds to protect against overhead dangers.
10. Materials being hoisted onto a scaffold must have a tag line.
11. Keep a minimum of tools and materials on the scaffold to avoid falling items as well
as tripping hazards for workers.
12. Safety nets can also be used to prevent items from falling off the scaffold, but they
are not designed to provide fall protection for workers.
13. Check carefully to avoid any exposure to overhead power lines.
14. Know the maximum intended load and the load-carrying capacities of the scaffolds
being used.
15. Know the proper use of the scaffold and the proper handling of materials on the
scaffold.
16. Workers must be trained to recognize any hazards associated with the work in
question.

During erection of scaffolds and other temporary work platforms, the following
must be observed:
1. Guardrails or personal fall arrest systems for fall prevention/protection are required
for workers on platforms 10 feet or higher.
2. Working platforms/decks must be planked close to the guardrails.
3. Planks are to be overlapped on a support at least 6 inches, but not more than 12
inches.
4. Legs, posts, frames, poles, and uprights must be on base plates and mud sills, or a
firm foundation; and, be plumb and braced.
5. Check to see if power lines near scaffolds are de-energized or that the scaffolds are
at least 10 feet away from energized power lines.
6. Make sure that tools and materials are at least 10 feet away from energized power
lines.
7. Verify that the scaffold is the correct type for the loads, materials, employees, and
weather conditions.
8. Check footings to see if they are level, sound, rigid, and capable of supporting the
loaded scaffold.
9. Check legs, posts, frames, and uprights to see if they are on base plates and mudsills.
 10. Check metal components for bends, cracks, holes, rust, welding splatter, pits, broken
welds, and non-compatible parts.
11. Check for safe access. Do not use the cross-braces as a ladder for access or exit.
12. Check for guardrails and mid-rails on platforms where work is being done.
13. Check for employees under the platform and provide falling object protection or
barricade the area. Make sure that hard hats are worn.
14. Use braces, tie-ins and guying as described by the scaffold’s manufacturer at each
end, vertically and horizontally to prevent tipping.

Working at unprotected elevated work platforms or surfaces/ Fall Protection

1. Identify all potential tripping and fall hazards before work starts.
2. Look for fall hazards such as unprotected floor openings/edges, shafts, skylights,
stairwells, and roof openings/edges.
3. Inspect fall protection equipment for defects before use.
4. Select, wear, and use fall protection equipment appropriate for the task.
5. Secure and stabilize all ladders before climbing them.
6. Never stand on the top rung/step of a ladder.
7. Use handrails when you go up or down stairs.
8. Practice good housekeeping. Keep cords, welding leads and air hoses out of
walkways or adjacent work areas.

Use of Hand and Power Tools

Failure to observe one or more of the following safe practices accounts for most hand and
powered hand tool accidents:

1. Select the right tool for the job - Examples of unsafe practices are: striking hardened
faces of hand tools together (such as using a carpenter's hammer to strike another
hammer, hatchet, or metal chisel), using a file for a pry, a wrench for a hammer, or
using pliers instead of the proper wrench.
2. Keep tools in good condition - Wrenches with cracked work jaws, screw drivers with
broken points or broken handles, hammers with loose heads, dull saws, and
extension cords or electric tools with broken plugs, improper or removed grounding
lugs, or split insulation are examples of tools in poor conditions. Tools that have
deteriorated in this manner must be taken out of service.

3. Use tools the correct way -. Always make sure that the force you're applying to a tool
is directed away from your body, and always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Don't apply force to a screwdriver, for example, when the object is held in your hand
and cut away from the body when using a knife or other sharp tool.

4. Keep tools in a safe place -. Do not carry sharp tools in pockets or leave sharp tools
in toolboxes with the cutting edges exposed.

5. The misuse of common hand tools is a major source of injury to maintenance and
construction workers because it is assumed that "everyone knows" how to use
 common hand tools. Observation and the record of injuries show that this is not the
case. The supervisor must assure that maintenance and construction worker's
instruction program includes detailed training in the proper use of hand tools.

6. The power cord must always be disconnected before accessories on a portable tool
are changed, and guards must be replaced or put in correct adjustment before the
tool is used again.

7. A tool must not be left in an overhead place where there is a possibility that the cord,
if pulled, will cause the tool to fall. The cord and the tool may be suspended by
counterweighted rope or string that keeps the cord out of the operator's way and
also counterbalances some of the weight of the tool and the cord. Power extension
cords on the floor create a stumbling or tripping hazard. They must be suspended in
such a way that they will not be struck by other objects or by material being handled
or moved.

8. Do not hang power cords over nails, bolts, or sharp edges. Cords must be kept away
from oil, hot surfaces, chemicals and water.

Handling of hazardous and/or toxic chemical substances

Proper Disposal of used lacquer thinner and paint:
1. Provide basin when cleaning / washing the roller and paint brush with paint or
lacquer thinner.
2. Avoid splashing or spillage of thinner. This liquid is highly flammable & not to be
exposed fire within 15mtrs radius.
3. Used thinner should be poured into a container and closed afterwards; container
should also be kept away from open flame or heat.
4. Reuse the thinner as necessary.
5. Do not dispose the used thinner by throwing it in open canal.

Gas and electric welding and cutting operations

1. Employees performing welding, cutting, or heating must be instructed in the safe

use of the equipment. Training may be arranged by contacting EHSS at 231-2341.
2. Proper precautions (isolating welding and cutting, removing fire hazards from the
vicinity, providing a fire watch, etc.) for fire prevention must be taken in areas where
welding or other "hot work" is being done. No welding, cutting, or heating may be
performed where the application of flammable paints or the presence of other
flammable compounds or heavy dust concentrations creates a fire hazard.

3. Arc welding and cutting operations must be shielded by non-combustible or

flameproof shields to protect employees from direct arc rays.

4. When electrode holders are to be left unattended, the electrodes must be removed
and the holder must be placed or protected so that they cannot make electrical
contact with employees or conducting objects.
 5. All arc welding and cutting cables must be completely insulated and capable of
handling the maximum current requirements for the job. There must be no repairs
or splices within 10 feet of the electrode holder, except where splices are insulated
equal to the insulation of the cable. Defective cable must be repaired or replaced.

6. Fuel gas and oxygen hoses must be easily distinguishable and must not be
interchangeable. Hoses must be inspected at the beginning of each shift and
repaired or replaced if defective.

7. Proper eye protective equipment to prevent exposure of personnel must be

provided.

8. Welding, cutting or heating of some metals, painted or coated surfaces, and similar
materials may produce a residue that constitutes a hazardous waste. Pre-testing of
these materials must be performed to determine precautions that must be taken and
acceptable methods for containment, transport, and waste disposal.

Wire, ropes, chains

1. Wire ropes, chains, slings, ropes, and other rigging equipment must be inspected
prior to use and as necessary during use to assure their safety. Defective gear must
be removed from service.
2. Job or shop hooks and links, or makeshift fasteners, formed from bolts, rods, etc., or
other such attachments, must not be used.

3. When U-bolts are used for eye splices, the U-bolt must be applied so that the "U"
section is in contact with the dead end of the rope.

4. When U-bolt wire rope clips are used to form eyes, the number and spacing of clips
must comply with recommended industry standards.

Temporary electrical connections

1. Don’t attempt to repair electrical equipment. Repairs are an electrician’s job.

2. Always check for defective cables, plugs, or sockets. If found, do not use, report it to
the electrician.

3. Never overload electrical equipment.

4. If a fuse blows, report it. Do not fit makeshifts.

5. Switch off and disconnect any equipment that sparks or stalls. Tag them.
 6. Don’t let cables trail across the floor.

7. Have your portable electric equipment inspected.

Demolition

1. Disconnect services to the demolition site (electricity).

2. Ensure there are no sparks or ignition sources where there is a risk of fire or
explosion.

3. Ensure separation between the public and demolition activities.

4. Use power shears, instead of oxy-acetylene cutting, where there is a risk of fire.

5. Install screens on equipment to protect from dust and noise.

6. Install barriers and fences.

7. Mark off hazardous areas.

8. Install safe work platforms (scaffold and elevated work platforms)

9. Install edge protections to open edges of landings, stairways, and fixed platforms.

10. Provide guarding to machinery or equipment.

11. Train and instruct all personnel performing demolition work.

12. Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Heavy Equipment

1. Stay alert of location of equipment around you

2. Beware of blind spots

3. Avoid entering or standing on blind spots

4. Always remain visible

5. Never stand behind a backing vehicle

6. Get out and walk around equipment to check if the path of travel is clear

7. Sound horn to warn anyone that you are going to move

8. Use mirrors to check for personnel at the sides or rear of vehicle

9. Back up with clearance on side

 10. Use four-way flashing hazard light

11. Stop immediately if anyone disappear from view behind you

12. “ No Rider Policy” must be enforced

Crane Lifts Operations

Lifts utilizing cranes, hoists, or other mechanical lifting devices will not commence unless:

1. An assessment of the lift has been completed and the lift method and equipment has
been determined by a competent person(s).
2. Operators of powered lifting devices are trained and certified for that equipment.

3. Rigging of the load is carried out by a competent person (s).

4. Lifting devices and equipment have been certified for use within the last 12months.

5. Load does not exceed dynamic and/or static capacities of the lifting equipment.

6. All lifting devices and equipment have been visually examined before each lift by the
competent person(s).

Driving Safety

1. Vehicle is fit for purpose, inspected and confirmed to be in safe working order.
2. Number of passengers does not exceed maker’s design specification for the vehicle.

3. Loads are secured and do not exceed maker’s design specification or legal limits for
the vehicle.

4. Seat belts are installed and worn by all occupants.

5. Drivers are trained, certified, and medically fit to operate the class of vehicle.

6. Drivers are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and are not suffering from
fatigue.

7. Drivers do not use hand held cell phones and radios while driving (best practice si to
switch off all phones).