Duties of Individuals

You must be aware of your duties and responsibilities. These are defined in the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and in the company Safety Manual. You have a duty to take reasonable care to avoid injury to yourself and to others. In addition, you must not interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of safety. Should you be involved with or witness an accident at work, you must make sure that it is reported to your site co-ordinator and that any injuries are treated immediately at the Medical Centre.

SAFETY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

Additional Duties of Team Leaders

Whilst each individual employee is personally responsible for his actions, team leaders have the added duty of providing a safe and healthy workplace. All levels of management and personnel must therefore;

• Be aware of the legal requirements, Codes of Practice and company procedures relevant to activities under their control.



• Know the possible hazards arising from materials, processes and activities in the area which they control and make their subordinates aware of them.



• Minimise the exposure to harmful substances. They will ensure that the risks to health are assessed and the necessary engineering and control measures implemented.



• Develop, implement and maintain systems of work, places of work and plant so as to prevent danger.



• Ensure that regular and frequent safety inspections are carried out, and the necessary actions implemented.



• Ensure that all injuries and serious incidents are fully and promptly investigated to determine their root causes and the appropriate remedial action taken.



• Provide and rehearse suitable emergency procedures to cover such matters as fires, chemical releases etc.



• Consult with all staff, particularly the appointed safety representatives, in order to achieve improvements in safety.



• Provide the arrangements to ensure that non-employees are not placed in any danger and adhere to the company procedures.



• Very importantly, ALL TEAM LEADERS MUST LEAD BY EXAMPLE!

Organisation and Arrangements

Each site has its own management structure. As a general principle, all safety queries and concerns must be directed initially to your immediate manager. If there is no quick resolution or satisfactory answer, then the safety representative ought to be involved.

GENERAL SAFETY RULES - KNOW THE RULES

Get the safety habit - don't take chances, learn all the risks, understand your work thoroughly, study the dangers and avoid them. Think before you act.

1. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

a) Good housekeeping is a factor in the prevention of accidents, therefore, keep your work area tidy, use the proper place for rubbish and waste.

b) When you have finished a job leave the area safe, remove any loose material that could cause yourself or others to trip and clean up any oil or grease.

c) Replace all machinery guards.

d) Keep walkways clear and protect floor openings or excavations with barriers and signs.

2. A LARGE PROPORTION OF INJURIES ARE DUE TO FALLS OR FAULTY MATERIAL HANDLING.

a) Watch your step as you go about, day-dreaming or inattention whilst working or moving from place to place are bad habits which you will have to overcome if you are not to be a menace to yourself and others.

b) Keep to recognised walkways, don't take what appears to be a short cut. Do not leave trailing cables etc. in walkways.

c) Watch out for traffic, cranes with loads and men working overhead.

d) Beware of changes in floor level, obstructions etc. Keep your hands out of your pockets.

e) Use tools wherever practicable to manipulate materials, but see they are the correct tools for the job.

f) When manually handling goods, get help if the load is awkward or beyond your capacity. Keep a straight back and bend the knees when lifting from a low level. Keep your chin in, elbows in and get a good grip.

g) Stack and de-stack materials carefully, follow the Team Leaders instructions., it is not "what" is handled so much as the way it is handled that leads to accidents.

h) Do not stand on chairs to gain access to shelving etc.

3. HAND AND PORTABLE TOOLS

a) Keep your hand tools in good order, sound handles on files, hammers, pad saws etc. Ill-fitting spanners, hammers with chipped heads and chisels or drifts with "mushroomed" heads must not be used.

b) Ensure that all portable electrical equipment has been tested before being issued to you. Always return such equipment to the issuing department when you have finished with it., never pass it on to another person for use.

c) Never attempt any repairs to cables, plugs, sockets or portable electrical equipment.

d) Report details of ineffective or damaged portable or electrical equipment to your Team Leader. Don't use it until repaired.

4. DROPPING ARTICLES

Do not drop or throw ANYTHING down from a height unless under instruction and only if other personnel are prevented by barriers and notices from entering the area beneath.

5. MOVING MACHINERY

a) Personnel employed on or near moving machinery of any description should not wear loose or badly fitting garments. It is quite possible for long loose neckties, large or torn sleeves or trouser legs, to become entangled and cause an injury.

b) Persons with long hair should also ensure that some means are employed to prevent it being caught in machinery; it is better to show no hair at work than have none to show when off duty.

c) Never adjust or approach unguarded machinery in motion.

6. GUARDS

Guards are placed for your protection and you will be best protected if you regard them not as making the place sake , but as a warning that the place is dangerous and that you should keep clear. Do not remove guards except with proper authorisation. When work is completed, ensure guards are replaced securely before plant is re-started. Report immediately any defects in machinery guards.

7. PERMIT TO WORK SYSTEM

A "Permit to Work" system is used in order to ensure that correct safety precautions are taken and maintained to protect individuals undertaking specific work over a particular period, in a specified location, until it is safe to resume normal working.

Before carrying out any operation where a serious hazard could exist the employee must ensure that a permit has been issued by an "Authorised Person" stating that conditions are safe to carry out such work.

After completion of the work , withdrawal of employees, their tools cancelled by the "Authorised Person" (Names of authorised Persons will be displayed on the factory notice board).

The types of "Permits to Work" and precautions to be taken are as follows:

I) Mechanical (M389)

For issue when work is required on any plant or equipment which is of a hazardous nature or when it is necessary for any employee to work within 6m of any overhead crane.

ii) Chemical (M093)

For working on systems which contain hazardous chemicals as defined by your site.

iii) Entry into Confined Spaces (M387)

For issue when it is necessary to enter any silo, tank, vat, pit, pipe, flue, vessel, boiler or any confined space where there could be flammable or toxic gases or lack of oxygen.

iv) Naked Flame/Fire, Explosion (M388)

For issue where there may be a risk of fire or explosion when welding, cutting or grinding plant or equipment containing sugar or pulp dusts or any flammable gas, liquids or solids.

v) Electrical (M330, M383, M385)

For issue when work is to be carried out on any type of electrical equipment of various voltages.

vi) Radio-Active Sealed Sources (M386)

For use on every occasion when work directly involves a Radioactive Sealed Source and on every occasion that a Sealed Source is fixed into or removed from a working position or transported between a working position and storage bunker.

vii) Excavation (M385)

An excavation certificate should be completed before any excavation is commenced.

viii) Roofwork (M362, M362A)

There are two permits, one for RDA employees and contractors and one for British Sugar personnel.

Precautions

Employees are not allowed to enter any plant or machinery or carry out any work until:

a) Machinery has been electrically isolated by "locking-off" or withdrawal of fuses.

b) All valves in stream, gas or liquid supply lines to plant or machinery are securely closed and "locked-off with blanks inserted if necessary. No reliance to be placed on non-return valves. Props to be inserted when parts can fall by gravity.

c) All temporary scaffolding and access platforms are securely erected and safe to use.

d) All tools and equipment to be used are in good condition.

e) You have been supplied with protective clothing and equipment specified on the permit.

f) Any confined space you have to enter has been tested and recording on the permit as safe to enter. Personnel must only remain in such confined spaces for period specified on the permit. Another person has been stationed at the entrance to the confined space.

Before welding, cutting or grinding on any plant or vessel, the area and plant should be cleaned of dust, teats carried out to confirm the absence of flammable or explosive gases and fire-fighting equipment provided in the immediate vicinity.

Only carry out work as instructed on the plant specified, regard all other parts of the plant as dangerous.

Leave the area safe when the job is finished.

8. LIFTING TACKLE

The misuse of lifting tackle could result in serious injury to yourself or your workmates, therefore, observe the following rules:

a) Only obtain the tackle in accordance with your site procedures.

b) Examine the tackle before use for any faults, report any faults immediately.

c) Never lend tackle to workmates or contractors, always return to the store.

d) Never hoard tackle in your own toolbox, locker or cupboard without permission.

e) All tackle has to be inspected at regular intervals, it is illegal to use it if it has not been passed as satisfactory by an examiner.

9. LADDERS-SCAFFOLDING

Do not use any ladders, scaffolding or boards which are defective, report immediately to your team leader.

a) Place ladders at a safe angle, one metre out for every four metres high.

b) Support or tie so they cannot slip.

c) Correct length for the job, extend 1m above platform.

d) Place feet of ladder on secure and level base.

e) Ensure all scaffolding is safe, boards must not overlap or overhang.

f) Working platforms must be provided with handrails and toeboards, and kept clear of materials whenever possible.

10. ROOFWORK

Only authorised persons are allowed to go on any roof and no one should go on the roof alone.

Roofing operations should only be carried out by properly authorised persons, in possession of a roofwork permit for the specific job, and all necessary ladders, crawling boards, edging barriers, safety ropes and harnesses. Ladders and crawling boards in use should be properly supported and secured to prevent slipping. Fragile roofs, e.g. those containing asbestos cement sheeting, can be particularly hazardous. In addition to using ladders and crawling boards, safety ropes and harnesses should always be used when working on such roofs.

11. PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

Adequate supplies of protective clothing and equipment are maintained by RDA; all employees should ensure that they are using the correct protection for the job.

Footwear

Protect your toes by wearing approved footwear with safety toe-caps.

Eye Protection

Various types of goggles, spectacles, face-shields etc are available and must be worn when:

a) Working on or on the vicinity of abrasive wheels.

b) Welding, cutting or grinding or when acting as a helper to an employee carrying out such operations.

c) Chipping concrete, tiles, paint, steel or any material where small particles could be removed.

d) Handling chemicals whether in liquid or powder form or the injection by pressure of liquids or solutions.

e) Demolishing any plant or building.

Ear Protection

Hearing can be impaired if persons are subjected to high noise levels. To avoid hearing loss, ear protection is provided in the form of either ear plugs or ear muffs.

Suitable ear protection must, therefore, be worn whenever working in a nominated ear protection area, when employed on heavy machinery or fabrication work, when using pneumatic drills or cartridge tools and when operating yard machinery.

Headwear

Safety helmets must be worn by all employees, other than in those areas designated by the team leader or factory manager.

General

There are many types of protective clothing, gloves, dust repirators and ear protectors available for your use.

12. DUST

Concentrations of certain dust on steelwork, ledges or in the surrounding atmospheres, can give rise to explosion hazards. Every precaution should be taken to prevent dust depositing in the factory and good housekeeping is an essential feature in minimising the risk. Inhalation of certain dusts, e.g. asbestos and filter aids can give rise to health hazards and, therefore, special precautions must be observed.

a) Asbestos Care must be taken not to damage the lagging on vessels and pipelines as they may contain asbestos. No lagging should be deliberately removed without instructions from the management and compliance with the Asbestos Regulations. Any form of asbestos packing etc, must always be kept in a closed container.

b) Filter Aids When handling filter aids, precautions should be taken to avoid the introduction of dust into the atmosphere. Spillages should be cleaned up immediately they occur and empty bags not allowed to accumulate within the factory.

Suitable respirators should be worn by all persons handling filter aids.

13. CHEMICALS

Most chemicals are hazardous if mishandled. When handling chemicals suitable protective clothing should be used and eye protection must always be worn as specified in the Safety Data Sheet.

Food and drink should not be taken, stored, prepared or consumed where chemicals are handled or used. Always read instructions on the labels.

14. ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

The use of unauthorised electrical equipment on site is prohibited. If electrically operated equipment breaks down switch it off, warn others and inform your team leader.

15. HORSEPLAY

Wrestling, throwing materials about or "fooling" of any kind may lead to serious injuries and is forbidden. Any employee caught doing these will be dismissed.

16. COMPRESSED AIR

Serious injury or death can be caused by even low pressures of air especially if directed on the eyes, nose, ears or any scratch or puncture of skin. Never skylark with an air hose or use it for removing dust from clothing. Limited use cleaning packaging machinery by competent persons is permitted.

17. YOUNG EMPLOYEES

Remember that while every employee is employed to do some particular work, your safety, and that of your fellow workmen, is more important than that work. Young persons lacking experience and skill are sometimes more careless and may employ wrong methods. It is everybody's duty to keep a watchful eye on them and give them the benefit of your knowledge of accident prevention.

18. FIRST AID

If you are injured, no matter how slightly, proceed to the Medical Centre for treatment, giving details of the cause to your team leader as soon as is practicable. Failure to do this may result in a minor injury becoming serious, also there would be no record that an accident had in fact, occurred. Never try to treat yourself or your workmates; make use of the service provided.

19. FIRE/EVACUATION PROCEDURE

All employees should be familiar with the procedures to be adopted for evacuation in the event of a fire or for any other reasons. You must be aware of the alarm systems, the means of escape from your place of work and your designated assembly point.

20. NOTICES AND INFORMATION