Issue 3

Transcription

Issue 3
Your safety newsletter from SGB
safety
SPOTLIGHT
September 2003
2
Safety
Platform
Introduction to Safety
Spotlight from
John Barrett, Group
Operations Director.
3/5
New safety
initiatives
Neil Murray, Chief Safety
Adviser looks at the
progress of the 2003
Safety initiatives.
6/7
Putting safety first
at Lyondell
The safety challenges for
SGB Holland on the
Lyondell manufacturing
facility near Rotterdam,
Holland.
8/9
Focus on safety
Safety Spotlight looks at
the safety features of
mast climbing work
platforms.
10/12
Focus on NEW
products
Safety Spotlight looks at
how two new SGB
products can help
provide a safer working
environment for
contractors.
PUTTING YOUR SAFETY FIRST
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Safety Platform
SGB’s Safety Commitment
At SGB we are committed to three
guiding principles:
z
To creating a safe working
environment for all our employees
and our customers.
z
To complying with local regulations
wherever we are working.
z
To empowering everyone in the
organisation to achieve the highest
level of safety performance.
SGB’s 10 Golden Rules of
Safety
John Barrett, SGB’s Group Operations
Director standing safely behind SGB’s
new Extraguard Edge Protection System.
John Barrett, SGB’s Group Operations
Director and Director responsible for
Safety, Environment and Quality
introduces this issue of Safety Spotlight.
I am pleased to report that we have made
further positive steps in our continuous
objective of improving standards of safety
at work across the Group. At the same
time, we cannot afford to become
complacent. We must work as a team
to sustain this progressive improvement
in safety performance.
I would like to take this opportunity to
welcome Steve Shine, newly appointed
Managing Director for the UK business
who fully endorses SGB’s commitment
to safety. With experience in the electrical
and contracting industries, Steve
appreciates the importance of providing
a safe working environment for staff
and customers.
we report on two new additions to the
SGB product range designed to enhance
safe working on site. SGB EXTRAGUARD is
a new edge protection system and SGB
ENVIROWRAP is a new concept temporary
cladding system. We have also developed
an innovative approach to the safe
erection of birdcage scaffolds and this is
explained in detail.
z
All our staff have the right to a safe
working environment.
z
All our staff have a responsibility
to work safely.
z
We can safeguard all work
activities by risk assessment.
z
We can prevent all injuries at work
if we follow safe working practice.
z
Safety is as important as cost,
quality and productivity.
z
Safety should never be
compromised to meet deadlines
or targets.
z
All managers are responsible for
safety.
z
Each manager is responsible for
training his staff to work safely.
z
A safe work environment
encourages efficiency and
productivity.
z
A safe work environment benefits
all our staff, our customers and
our shareholders.
We also take a look at the safety
management approach applied by
SGB Holland in the provision of access
services at the Lyondell petrochemical
complex near Rotterdam.
We hope you find this issue informative
and look forward to your comments and
ideas to for future features. Thank you all
for your contribution to making the safety
of our staff and our customers our highest
priority.
In this issue of Safety Spotlight we review
our key safety initiatives for the year and
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TE
DA
UP
Safety Initiatives for 2003
Neil Murray, SGB’s Chief Safety Adviser gives an update on
the 2003 Safety Initiatives to Safety Spotlight. The
initiatives we are undertaking are intended to raise safety
awareness at all levels, and to provide further support to
everyone involved in the safety management process.
At this point in the year we can take
stock of what we have achieved so
far and our objectives for the rest of
2003. We have much to be proud of in
working for the health and safety of
SGB employees across the world
including:
9
Neil Murray, SGB’s Chief Safety
Adviser joined SGB in 2000. Neil has
spent his career in the safety industry
and worked previously for the Health &
Safety Executive (HSE) where he held a
number of senior positions before
becoming Head of Construction Policy
of the HSE’s Safety Policy Directorate.
9
9
9
Trained over 200 UK managers
and supervisors in three-day
courses on how to use our
newly issued Safety Manual for
Managers and Supervisors (for
more details see our feature on
page 4).
Provided risk assessment
training for over 450 SGB
personnel.
Introduced new formal
investigation procedure for all
accidents which result in loss of
more than three days’ work.
These investigations will be
carried out by independent
managers, involving safety
advisers, and will focus on the
root causes of accidents and
remedial actions.
Launched our second safety
video entitled “The safe erection
and dismantling of scaffolding”
(more details see our feature on
page 5).
Our objectives for the second half of
2003 include:
9
9
Develop specific Risk
Assessment guidelines for
specialist subsidiaries SGB
Eventlink, SGB Formwork, SGB
Rovacabin, SGB Youngman and
Mastclimbers.
Establish a new training
programme aimed at all
personnel involved in manual
handling of scaffolding materials.
9
Issue a Safety Manual designed
specifically for SGB managers
and supervisors involved in
manufacturing operations.
9
Introduce “Site Change”
checklists for scaffolding teams
to help keep site risk
assessments up to date and
ensure we have the correct
controls in place during all
phases of site operations.
9
Issue a “Competence Passport”
to site personnel as an up to date
record of the skills and health
and safety training they have
received.
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Safety Initiatives for 2003
SGB launches new safety manual
The new SGB Safety Manual for Managers
and Supervisors is now in use. Each
manager and supervisor has received a
personalised logged copy of this new
initiative, the objective of which is to
communicate essential safety information
to those responsible for managing safety
within SGB. The information is held in a
ring binder, so it is easy to update.
The issuing of the manual has been
supported by a three day training
course aimed at explaining how the
manual should be used. The course
trains managers and supervisors to
manage safety on a daily basis. To date,
more than 200 personnel have been
trained.
Section 2 – Summary of Safety Arrangements
Section 5 – Safety Alerts
Safety Manual Contents:
z
Introduction
z
SGB Safety Policy Statement
z
Manager’s Safety Responsibilities
z
SGB Safety Arrangements
z
Managing Safety on Site
z
Managing Safety in the Branch
z
Safety Alerts
z
Risk Assessments Index
z
Accident and Incident Reporting
and Investigation
z
Reference: Glossary of Terms,
Relevant Reference Material, Key
Contacts, Feed back
So far SGB has issued 400 manuals
across all its UK and International
businesses. If you are a SGB
Manager or Supervisor and you have
not yet received your safety manual,
please contact Lynn Beatty, Assistant
to the Safety Department on
01342 830543
Section 6 – Risk Assessment Index
Section 3 – Site Survey Form
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SGB launches new video on scaffolding erection
The new video provides easy to follow
sequences of safe scaffolding. It also
shows a new approach to Birdcage
scaffolding devised by SGB’s scaffolding
team in Inverness and now adopted
across the company.
SGB is the first scaffolding and access
company to develop a safe method of
erecting birdcage scaffolds, applying
the safe erection principles of SG4:00
4
The basic stages are:
1
Preparation for the next lift – 2m Cuplok
standards are then added. Scaffolders are able
to work in safety within guardrails on boarded
platforms
Safety Video Contents:
z
The safe erection and dismantling
of independent tied scaffolding
z
The inspection, wearing and use
of safety harnesses
z
The safe erection and dismantling
of birdcage scaffolding
z
The scaffolders’ platform
z
Use of single guard rails
5
After setting out, the base is construction using
Cuplok 3m standards, ledgers and base plates.
2
Boarding out working platforms – Boards are
then lifted to the next level to construct the
working platform for end users. The scaffolders
raise the boards while their harnesses are
safely clipped on to anchor points above their
heads at the 4m level.
The base is completed using 3m standards,
ledgers and base plates.
The video or CD is accompanied by notes,
that reinforce the messages in the video in
greater detail. If your customers would like a
copy of SGB’s new video, please contact Lynn
Beatty, Assistant to the Safety Department on
01342 830543 Each copy is £60 +VAT.
6
3
2m
Scaffolders platform – after transoms are
added, boards are lifted to the first level
leaving a maximum gap one board wide either
side of the platform. It is only necessary to
board out alternate bays and around the
perimeter. A single guardrail is provided around
the perimeter and the unboarded bays.
Completed birdcage scaffolding. Fully boarded
platform with double guardrails and toeboards.
Gaps in the boarded area should be covered
with plywood
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Putting safety first
at Lyondell Chemical
Company, Rotterdam,
Holland
SGB Holland is the leading supplier in a joint venture providing a “Total
Access” service on the new Lyondell PO-11 chemical manufacturing
site being constructed near Rotterdam. This is currently the largest
industrial construction site in Holland. SGB Holland is working closely
with main contractor ABB Lummus Global Netherlands (LGN) on the
site.
Lyondell Chemical
Company
z Lyondell Chemical Company is a
world leader in the chemical
industry, with head quarters in
Texas and operations across the
United States, South America,
Europe and Asia.
z The company is a leading
producer of propylene oxide (PO)
and PO derivatives, including
propylene glycol, butanediol and
propylene glycol ethers used in
clothing, food packaging,
construction and house building
materials, household furnishings
and automotive parts
z The company had international
sales of $3 billion in 2002.
New manufacturing
facility at Rotterdam,
Holland
z The manufacturing site will be a
Lyondell Bayer Joint Venture,
Lyondell Chemical Company will
be the main operator.
z It is situated in one of the main
industrial areas in Holland,
called “The Europoort” about 30
km from Rotterdam in the southwest of the country.
z It is at this moment one of the
biggest industrial construction
sites in Holland, covering an area
of approx. 2 square miles (500
hectares)
SGB at Lyondell
z SGB Holland is supplying all
the access requirements to the
Lyondell project for main
contractor, ABB Lummus Global
Netherlands.
z The product range includes
Cuplok, Aluminium Towers,
Powered Access. SGB is providing
the scaffold teams to erect and
dismantle the structures.
z SGB Holland will be on site for
2 years
z SGB has been a top performing
contractor in safety on the site
z There are between 25 and 40
sub-contract companies working
on the site on a phased
programme – from civil engineers
to electricians, builders and
plumbers.
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John Janse, scaffold supervisor (far left) talking to some of his team.
From left to right Patrick Nuijten, Frans Nuijten and Immanuel de Weerd.
Maintaining a Safe Working
Environment
SGB Holland is no stranger to working
on long-term contracts, both on
permanent industrial sites and on long
duration construction projects. It was SGB
Holland’s safety management experience
on this type of contract and our ability to
provide a total access solutions capability
that helped us win the contract at
Lyondell.
SGB Holland has been putting its
commitment to maintaining the
highest standards of safety practice to
maximum effect on the site. A number
of ‘Contractor’ and ‘Supervisor’ of the
month awards are testament to that.
So far SGB and the joint venture company
have worked more than 310.000 man
hours without a lost time accident on site.
There are regular audits to check
compliance of safety systems, and
requirements of the project.
ABB has tougher safety management
procedures than is required by Dutch
Health and Safety legislation. ABB
demand that ‘risk analysis’ is carried out
for all scaffolding operations and ‘risk of
work’ (similar to risk assessments in the
UK) completed for more complicated
scaffolds such as over-hanging or internal
scaffolds.
SGB Safety Management
at Lyondell
As with many large scale projects, regular
communication is the key to best working
practice. Michel has a good working
relationship with both his team and key
colleagues at ABB and Lyondell. Michel
works particularly closely with Cees
Boutestein, Safety Manager for ABB.
SGB’s Project Manager on site is Michel
Kotterman. Michel has up to 250
scaffolders working for him and he plays
a key role in ensuring a safe working
environment for his team. He is also the
key link between SGB, ABB and Lyondell,
communicating daily work progress, safety
statistics and relevant design information.
The team uses a 3D CAD system to
identify the safest and most economic
access solutions for a particular
application.
Michel attends daily briefings, managed
by ABB which involve representatives from
all sub-contractors on site. This joint team
carries out a daily visual inspection of all
work.
Whilst not a specific legal obligation in
Holland, Michel and his team use the Risk
Assessment process and guidelines that
SGB Group has implemented. Tool Box
Talks, continuous training programmes
and a newsletter are used by Michel to
make his team aware of project progress
as well as hazards and controls in place.
SGB is obliged to provide ABB with 30, 60
and 90 day training programmes for all its
operatives and management, which are
monitored.
Etienne Rasson, one of the Construction
Managers for Lyondell commented ‘We
have been impressed with Michel and his
predecessor Sepp Fuchs from the SGB
Holland team. They have a very positive
attitude and a very
professional
approach to the
management of
safety. Michel is
the Project
Manager on site
most focused on
safety’.
Of his experience working on this site,
Michel comments “Working at Lyondell
is very different form working at one of
our branches. With responsibility for
providing project and safety management
and administration for the customers with
a team of up to 250 scaffolders, presents
me with many challenges. My working
days are never dull.”
John Janse is one of the scaffold
supervisors working for Michel and he
has recently been nominated for
Supervisor of the Month at the site.
“For me it’s recognition from our
customers of our commitment to our
safety performance. Here at the plant, the
safety measures are very very strict. I am
responsible for ten employees and when
the whole team is focused on safety,
everybody works much more efficiently
and safely.”
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Focus on Safety:
Mast climbing work platforms
Mastclimbers is an SGB joint venture
formed in 2001. The company leads the
UK market in the supply and erection of
mast climbing work platforms. In this
article Andrew Reid, founder and
managing doirector of Mastclimbers,
explains some of the key safety features
built into the latest generation of
platforms.
The Mast Climbing Work Platform
(MCWP) is an automated access system
that provides fast efficient distribution
and temporary access for men and
materials to their exact working
position.
As well as providing high standards
of safety, security and environmental
benefits, the system is quickly installed,
cost effective and easy to work from.
The ease of lifting men and materials
greatly increases the speed and
efficiency of work.
MCWPs are not designed to take over
from tube and fittings, or system
scaffolds. They in effect complement each
other. On projects where a combined
approach is structured, the results are
significant, in terms of initial installation
costs, and efficiency for the main
contractor and in turn, the client. This
fact has been proven on a number of
occasions. When compared to traditional
means of access, MCWPs can in some
cases reduce construction time by up to
half, thus reducing the overall project
length.
Key safety Fetures
The MCWP is one of the safest access
products in the industry. Within the
range are a number of key safety
feature:
z
z
z
Limit Switches: Top, bottom and
ultimate limit switches make contact
with striker plates fitted to the mast
sections and electronically isolate the
platform to prevent travel beyond the
striker plate.
Mast Proximity Switch: Primarily for
erection purposes, this prevents the
platform driving off the top of the mast
in the absence of a top mast. It also
acts as a back-up system for the top
mast limit switch and electrically
isolates the platform power in the
event that the mast section above the
platform is not detected.
Levelling System: In the twin
configuration all MCWPs will have a
levelling system activated to maintain
a horizontal platform during travel.
When the platform begins to move out
of level, the limit switches are
activated by the centre span deck
modules, and isolate the power on one
drive unit, allowing the other to ‘catch
up’ to the same level. Power will be
restored once a level platform has
been achieved, allowing normal
movement to continue.
z
Emergency Stop Button: Fitted to all
platforms to electrically isolate all power
to the platform.
z
Directional Controls: ‘Dead Man Type’
directional controls only allow platform
movement if the user activities either a
button or lever.
z
Gate Interlock Limit: Limit switches
which electrically isolate the platform’s
drive system, preventing operation
while the access gate is opened.
z
Manual Descent: In the event of a
loss of power while platform is in an
elevated position, hand brake release
systems manually release the primary
braking system and allow the platform
to descend in a controlled manner.
z
Over speed Safety Brake: In the event
that the primary braking system has
failed and the platform begins to
freefall, a gravity activated braking
system will engage to prevent the
platform descending to the ground in
an uncontrolled manner.
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Queen Victoria Street, Central London for Stanhope & Bovis
Lend Lease Multi-trade new-build 87,000 sq ft office building.
Mastclimbers provided the access for various contractors providing
roofing, curtain walling and stone cladding, allowing different trades
to continue work at different locations on the elevation.
Almada House, Hamilton, Scotland for Dane Architectural Systems. South Lanarkshire Council HQ – 20 storey office block with various 1&2 storey non-load
bearing buildings around the base. Mastclimbers designed a shelf bracket system – built along the whole elevation, linked to a walkway at storey two & fed by a
hoist from the ground, meant all work was suspended above the buildings below.
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NEW Products
EXTRAGUARD
Edge Protection System
SGB launches
EXTRAGUARD
SGB has just launched EXTRAGUARD,
a new high performance edge protection
system. Stuart Bamford, Product
Manager responsible for the
development of EXTRAGUARD explains
the new system and its benefits.
Development objectives
The EXTRAGUARD system was developed
in-house by Group Engineering following
an extensive review of systems currently
in use in the UK and in our international
markets. We set out with a brief to
develop a competitively priced system
which would set a new standard in the
market for robustness, ease of installation
and durability. That’s just what
EXTRAGUARD offers.
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System components
EXTRAGUARD comprises a universal fence
panel and post and a range of fixing
components to suit the site application
Components
z
Fence panels
z
Guard post
z
Du-al beam clamp
z
Slab clamp
z
Socket base
Fixing and clamping
All fixing devices have the same patented
unique J lock fixing. The post is simply
dropped into position, and secured
automatically.
The mesh panels simply hook over the
guardpost, and are secured at the
toeboard with a captivated clip.
Further developments
The rigid fence panel is of robust triple
wire construction, with integral toeboard,
and tough galvanised and powder coated
finish
The development team is busy working
on further product applications for
EXTRAGUARD. These include girder
clamps, stair and balcony brackets and
Logik panel brackets.
The steel or aluminium Guard post has a
bissel pin and captivated retaining clip for
securing the mesh panel.
Slab Clamp application
Safety features
The patented Du-al beam clamp has a
unique wedge device to give a strong,
secure double sided clamping action to
most aluminium formwork beams.
The socket base gives the opportunity to
secure to a male or female screw anchor,
in one component.
The Slab clamp offers the ability to clamp
to slabs or upstands, with a modern fast
acting speed thread.
Du-al beam clamp
Socket base
z
Full mesh edge protection
z
Built in toeboard
z
Rigid structural barrier
z
Highly visible
System benefits
z
Robust, rigid triple wire fence panel
z
Unique fast erection J-lock post
fixing
z
Simple fence panel fixing
z
Range of secure, patented clamping
devices.
z
Easy handling, stacking and
transporting.
Unique J lock fixing
Slab clamp application
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NEW Products
EnviroWrap scaffold cladding
SGB has recently
launched
EnviroWrap, a new
concept in scaffold
cladding which
offers significant
safety and
environmental
benefits compared
with conventional
cladding materials. Peter Bond, Product
Manager responsible for EnviroWrap
explains what is so special about this
edition to the range.
Environmentally friendly
z
EnviroWrap comes in rolls 5m x 15m
and is fully recyclable and needs no
special disposable arrangements.
Fixing Procedures
z
EnviroWrap sheets are heat gun
welded. Installation will be by approved
and trained SGB applicators.
What is EnviroWrap?
EnviroWrap is a polyethylene shrink-wrap
material. It is heat-applied to the scaffold
structure and forms a rigid bonded
cladding façade. It looks smarter than
conventional cladding because it is
moulded more closely to the structure it
contains. This will include any projections
or extensions, and even circular or
trapezoidal shapes. In short, EnviroWrap
effectively clads almost any shape. The
product is fire resistant to BS: 476 Part 7:
Class 1. and certified to DIN 4102 B1.
Safety Advantages
Containment
With conventional individual sheet
cladding, it is difficult to contain dust,
water, paint, fumes and other pollutants.
The shrink-fitting of EnviroWrap over the
entire scaffold and projections creates a
continuous bonded skin that contains all
those substances that could give rise to
hazards to people or the environment.
More effective weather protection
In 2004 new regulations will require
protection from adverse weather
conditions for site work at height. On
many sites subject to severe weather
conditions, the non-permeable
EnviroWrap will provide far more extensive
weather protection than has been known
to date.
No risk of detatchment
Detachment of traditional cladding sheets
can be a common occurrence, whether
caused by severe weather conditions, age
and UV degradation, or poor fixing. This
can create hazards if not dealt with
promptly.
Dow Benelux Styrene plant
EnviroWrap forms a heat-bonded cladding
skin that is more resistant to damage,
more resilient, and will stay in place for
extended periods of time without
degradation. Should the EnviroWrap be
damaged or punctured by site activity,
it can be repaired with a local ‘patch’,
without any larger area of degradation.
The Forth Bridge
Extractor plant weather protection
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Safety
Barometer
Mike Robinson
becomes President
of CHSG
Mike Robinson, UK
Operations Director,
receiving his badge of
office as he becomes
President of the UK
Construction Health
and Safety Group.
The CHSG is a leading
provider of health and
safety training for the UK construction
industry. Mike is being congratulated by
out-going president Tony Linehan.
SGB awarded
Certificate of
Achievement
SGB has been
awarded a
Certificate of
Achievement in
recognition of
500,000 hours
worked safely
on Pfizer
complex in Kent, South England.
The award relates specifically to new
building ‘B530 Project’ and is another
achievement for the permanent on-site
SGB team.
z
In the first six months of 2003, SGB worked 5 million hours.
z
SGB UK has had no major injuries for over a year.
z
While the Group accident frequency rate has remained the
same as last year SGB continues to have one of the best
safety records in the industry.
z
The current frequency rate of 0.75 is significantly better than
the average of 0.86 for the Engineering Construction Industry,
who are considered to be the best performers in construction
Safety & Health Expo – May 2003
SGB was ‘on show’ at the 2003 Safety
and Health Expo at the National Exhibition
Centre, Birmingham, England in May. The
exhibition is the largest event of its kind in
the UK and attracts Health and Safety
managers from a wide range of industries.
Regional Business Development Director
Tony Knight commented: “We were
extremely pleased with the level of
interest we had in our stand. Visitors were
particularly interested in our approach to
the provision of safe and reliable access”.
SGB receives safety
award at Heathrow
Airport
The SGB
team working
on the
prestigious
pier 5
segregation
project at
Heathrow
Airport has
been
awarded the
first monthly
safety award,
presented by
Steve Lewis,
Safety Manager at contractor, MACE.
Congratulations to Supervisor Paul Wilton
and his team.
Site Award for SGB
Industrial Services
SGB Industrial Services Site Manager,
John Cookson (first left) and his team
were presented with fleeces in recognition
of no Lost Time Accidents (LTA’s) for five
years at the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) –
complex in Ulverston, Cumbria in the
North of England. Congratulations to John
and his team.
Safety Award – your chance for
recognition for your contribution to safety
Safety is at the
heart of SGB’s
business. Everyone
WIN
in SGB contributes
£250
to our goal of
keeping people
safe, and this
award will help to
recognise those who take safety that bit
further in SGB.
one or a team who in their opinion has
made a positive contribution to safety.
This may either be for a safety action or
product safety improvement idea or for
making a continuous significant
contribution to safety in SGB.
It is simple to take part. For supervisors
and managers, please consider one of
the people in your team who has made
special effort for safety. Supervisors and
managers are eligible too, so senior
managers should nominate them in the
same way.
WIN £250
Every three months managers and
directors will be asked to nominate some
The Safety, Environment and Quality
Group will select winners from each SGB
business for each quarter who will be
presented with a framed certificate. The
best entry will also receive a cheque for
£250.00.
Please complete a short description of
200 words maximum with photograph if
possible describing the contribution to
safety of your nominee. Send or email
your entry to Neil Murray at Lingfield by
31st October 2003.
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SafetyBarometer
Spotlight on Asbestos
Neil Murray, SGB’s
Chief Health and
Safety Adviser
updates Safety
Spotlight on
amendments to
regulations on
the Control of
Asbestos due to be
introduced by the
UK Health and Safety Executive in May
next year.
Asbestos is recognised as the UK’s
biggest occupational health problem.
It was used extensively as a fire-proofing
and insulation building material from the
1950’s to mid 1980’s. The HSE is
amending its Control of Asbestos at Work
Regulations, Regulation 4 – ‘the duty to
manage asbestos in non-domestic
premises.’ The new legislation will require
building owners to:
z
assess whether the premises contain
materials incorporating asbestos
z
assess the risk arising from these
materials
z
take appropriate action to manage and
control the risk
SGB has addressed this by carrying out
the appropriate surveys of all its own
premises.
We have well established procedures in
place in SGB within our risk assessment
procedures and controls to guide us in
working in premises where asbestos
based materials form part of the building
fabric. These procedures must be
adhered to at all times. If you need any
clarification on this or have any concerns
please talk to your Regional Safety
Adviser. The message at all times is
Please be vigilant.
Asbestos – the facts
z
It is estimated that there are still
thousands of tons of asbestos
remaining in buildings.
z
The danger occurs when the
asbestos is inhaled. The long fibres
become lodged in the tissues of the
chest. This can lead to a range of
health problems, including lung
cancer, permanent scarring of the
lungs and cancer of the lining of the
lungs and stomach.
Asbestos – the SGB policy
z
SGB has already taken action in
light of the new legislation in all
its UK premises
z
All SGB properties have been
surveyed for asbestos content.
z
A plan of all premises have been
made, with areas containing
asbestos clearly marked.
z
It is estimated (by the HSE) that 3,000
people a year die from asbestos
related diseases, this is expected to
rise to 10,000 by 2010.
z
3800 construction-related industry
deaths were attributed to asbestos
between 1980 and 2000, 36 of those
were scaffolders
z
The branch Safety File contains a
specific section (9) for the Asbestos
Register. This ensures that for future
work, outside contractors are properly
informed where asbestos is present.
z
SGB provides scaffolding access for
others to carry out asbestos work. SGB
is not licensed to remove asbestos.
z
SGB already has an extensive
procedure to protect our employees
working on site.
z
SGB managers must ensure that the
procedures are in place before
scaffolding starts.
14 PUTTING YOUR SAFETY FIRST
safety spotlight august 2003.PMD
14
9/25/2003, 5:09 PM
Tool Box Talk
ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND WORK DO NOT MIX
Stuart Mathers, Safety Adviser for the
Midlands and North East England
introduces this Tool Box Talk. This is one
of many such talks, which are used to
communicate essential safety
information throughout the business.
It is a common fact that alcohol
consumption and drug use are on the
increase. It is far too easy to forget the
effect that they can have on work
performance. At SGB, almost all of us are
exposed to hazards in our daily working
Tool Box Talk
z
z
Statistics show that problems
associated with alcohol & drug use
is increasing.
Many drugs including alcohol can
seriously affect your ability to work
safely a long time after consumption.
z
The immediate effect of drugs can
last for anything from 10 minutes to
24 hours. However they can be
detected for anything up to 30 days.
z
Do not get drunk the night before and
expect to work safely the next day.
Alcohol takes time to work out of your
system (1 pint will take approximately
2 to 3 hours)
z
50% of all drivers killed are over the
legal limit. Don’t drink and drive
z
35% of all fatal accidents are related
to alcohol
z
You are far more likely to have an
accident on site when under the
influence of alcohol or drugs. People
with drink or drug problems are four
times more likely to have accidents at
work.
z
SGB has a drug and alcohol policy,
which states that no employee will be
permitted to work under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.
z
If you are found to be under the
influence of alcohol or drugs you will
not be allowed to work and may face
disciplinary action.
z
If you feel that you or anyone you are
working with is experiencing problems
with drink or drugs SGB will do our
best to help. This may include giving
people sick leave and assisting
people in finding suitable treatment.
z
Everyone has a responsibility to act
if they become aware that drugs or
alcohol are affecting safety at work
of themselves or others. If you know
somebody is under the influence of
drugs or alcohol, tell your manager
or supervisor.
z
There are many over the counter
and prescribed medications, that
can affect your ability to work safely,
including cold and allergy medications
and many painkillers. If you are taking
medication, tell your manager.
z
SGB take this issue very seriously.
We will be sympathetic to those
who seek help but equally will deal
seriously with anyone who knowingly
contravenes our policy.
lives. We need to be especially aware of
the problems that alcohol and drugs can
cause and the effect that they can have
on our reactions and behaviour.
SGB recognises this and has put
procedures in place to help us detect
signs of alcohol and drug abuse and
support those colleagues who may have
problems.
Employees or those with Management
and Supervisory responsibility can
talk in confidence about any of the
issues raised with the Personnel
Department or their Regional Health
and Safety Adviser
Stuart Mathers is the Safety Adviser
for SGB in the UK covering the
midlands and north-east UK. Stuart
joined the scaffold industry in 1962,
working for various companies in the
UK and abroad. Stuart originally joined
SGB in 1988 and after a spell abroad
rejoined the company at the end of
2002.
SGB Group Marketing would like to thank the following for their help in producing this newsletter:
SGB’s team at the Lyondell Chemical Company and the Lyondell Chemical Company
Please send any articles or suggestions for future newsletters to: Samantha Thorndike, Marketing Communications Manager,
SGB Group Ltd, Harsco House, Regent Park, 299 Kingston Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 7SG • Tel: ++ 00 (1) 372 381359 • Fax: ++ 00 (1) 372 381350 • email: sthorndike@sgb.co.uk
PUTTING YOUR SAFETY FIRST 15
safety spotlight august 2003.PMD
15
9/25/2003, 5:09 PM
PUTTING YOUR SAFETY FIRST
SGB is one of the world’s leading suppliers
of access and forming and shoring systems,
with an international network of rental and
sales outlets providing design, engineering
and installation support.
Our products are used extensively in the
building and construction industries in over
50 countries and on some of the world’s
largest industrial complexes.
For us size does not matter! Whatever the
scope of your project, our aim at SGB is to
provide you with solutions which combine
the highest levels of safety and productivity.
Please contact us about your
next project or visit our
website
SGB Group Ltd
Harsco House
Regent Park
299 Kingston Road
Leatherhead
Surrey KT22 7SG
Tel: 01372 381359
email: info@sgb.co.uk
www.sgb.co.uk
Your safety on-site is our first priority
safety spotlight august 2003.PMD
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