Ground Elements

Slab preparation, concrete place and finish ground slabs, piles, footings, capping beams, blinder, lift/hoist pits, crane bases etc.

Details

High risk works associated with this work activity

• Risk of a person falling 2m or more
• Carried out at a workplace in which there is mobile powered plant
• Work that involves tilt-up or pre-cast
• On or near energised electric services
• Structural alterations that require support to prevent collapse
• Work that is likely to involve the disturbance of asbestos
• On or near pressurised gas mains or piping
• Work carried out on or adjacent to road, railway or traffic corridor
• Demolish a load bearing structure or is otherwise related to the structural integrity
• Work in or near a trench 1.5m deep
• Work in a confined space
• Work in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere

1. Prestart

Control Measures

Ensure all workers have attended “Site Safety Induction”;
Ensure all workers are familiar with the required tasks and read, sign and date the Manual Handling Workshop and SWMS’s;
Ensure pre-start meetings have been conducted and workers understand work processes and safety requirements prior to commencing work tasks.

Supervisors must check access ways and work areas and safety issues are to be rectified prior to sending workers out to their work areas.

PPE required by John Holland and ECCC: hard-hat; safety boots; gloves and safety glasses.
High visibility, long sleeved shirts are to be worn and apply spf50 sunscreen.

2. Access/egress to work area

Control Measures

Employees to use correct access/egress to work area as designated by builder ie. designated walkways, scaffolding, stairs etc.;
Stair tread systems are to be used for the primary form of access and egress to and from a work area, unless it is not reasonably practicable to do so eg. trenches/pits where a stair tread does not fit.

Install exclusion zone and signage to isolate work area against access from non-essential personnel;
Never enter others Trades exclusion zones without consultation with the erector; Do not remove barriers or edge protect.

Ensure that excavators have created stairs or ramp access into pad footing excavation, by digging a 600mm wide step;
certified access to all trenches over 1m deep.

3. Laser operation

Control Measures

Set laser up below eye level whenever possible, away from high traffic areas to avoid damage;
Ensure suitable eyewear is worn.

Laser operator must be trained in safe use of Class 2 laser.

4.(a) Working in detailed excavation area alongside excavator/skid steer loader (mobile powered plant)

Control Measures

Machine operators must be suitably trained with current VOC.;
Ensure all visual and audible warnings on machine are working.

Segregate plant from workers where possible with physical barrier;
A spotter is required when physical barriers are not practicable;
When working in exclusion zones with plant the spotter must maintain visual contact with the plant operator;
Workers must not work out of view of plant whilst plant is in operation, to be managed by spotters;
When workers are at risk of being struck by plant spotters are to instruct workers to leave the area until safe to return.

Excavations deeper than 1 meter must be benched, battered or sored to prevent collapse;
All excavations must be excluded with signage until filled in;
If using star pickets for exclusion zones, ensure star picket caps are supplied.

4.(b) Sub-grade/detailed excavation

Control Measures

The use of mechanical aids is the best way to overcome manual handling issues while sub-grading, ie. excavator/loader;
Spotters must be supplied if using earth moving machinery to assist with sub-grade.

Maintain good manual handling techniques whilst sub-grading. Keep back straight and use your legs (not your back) when shoveling, screeding and raking;
Refer to the correct manual lifting handling document. Proof of manual handling training may be required.

Job rotation and adequate rest periods are necessary during hot weather, stay hydrated and don’t wait for the effects of heat stress before having a break;
Adhere to the heat policy in ECCC safety plan.

5. Lay vis-queen (plastic), carry & lay reinforcement mesh

Control Measures

PPE must be worn, ie., hard-hat, safety boots, safety glasses, gloves, high-vis, long sleeved shirt and sun protection. Refer to the correct manual lifting handling document when lifting or carrying, heavy or awkward objects.

Two men to carry rolls of plastic or sheets of mesh, use legs not back and maintain good posture whilst lifting;
Ensure personnel are clear of work area when dropping sheets in place;
Check ground conditions for safe, clear access;
Eliminate all trip hazards.

Ensure all starter bars are capped progressively whilst being installed;
Only retractable knives are to be used to cut plastic.

When working on Re Bar, Safety mesh to be supplied where Reinforcement steel spaces exceed 200 x 200mm.

6. Erect formwork (edge board only) – this step may not be required, depending on work element

Control Measures

Ensure hand tools & equipment are in good condition before use;
Check for current test and tag on corded electrical power tools and if out of date notify supervisor;
Ensure power tools are in good condition, with all guards fitted and leads protected against mechanical damage.

Team lifts for formwork when mechanical aids cannot be used, as per manual handling training;
Ensure all protruding bars & star pickets are capped.

Suspended formwork must be inspected and signed off by competent person prior to pouring concrete.

7.(a) Place concrete (screed/shovel/rake)

Control Measures

Supervisor to have sufficient manpower to complete the pour with the ability for the workers to have drink breaks and lunch breaks without inhibiting the concrete pour.

Ensure good access to and around work area;
Supervisors are to manage the pour in a way that maintains suitable access for the workers throughout the pour;
Gaps greater than 200mm are to be rectified by installing lace bar or covered with safety mesh.

Ensure all reinforcement starter bar caps are installed on all exposed re-bar before the placement of concrete.

Keep back posture straight and use your legs not your back;
Rotate job tasks and take breaks as needed;
Stay well hydrated and reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours;
Workers are to have suitable access to fresh drinking water at all times while placing/finishing concrete.

Ensure no holes in boots and long socks to prevent concrete burns;
If concrete does get in boots or on clothing remove immediately and wash skin to prevent chemical burns;
Read Manual Handling Document, MSDS and HAZ Subs Risk assessment on concrete and sign off.

7.(b) Vibrate concrete (See relevant SWMS)

Control Measures

Prior to use of vibrator, ensure motor is fully fueled and oil levels are adequate;
Check kill switch, make sure motor turns off as needed;
Inspect shaft, if damaged and wire or inner shaft is showing report it to your supervisor and replace with shaft in good working order;
Plug shaft into motor and start to make sure all is in good working order before the pour.

Operators should rotate task every 100 square meters to prevent repetitive muscular skeletal injuries;
Be vocal and ask other workers to help move the vibrator motor as necessary;
Use mechanical aids as much as possible to prevent manual handling injuries, if mechanical aids are not available use two-person lift.

Wear all PPE ie. hard-hat, steel-toed gumboots, safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection when working in close proximity of vibrator heigh vis long sleeved shirt, and sun protection;
When working within 3 meters of vibrator hearing protection must be worn.

When concrete gets in your boots clean out immediately to prevent chemical burn;
If you get excess concrete on your skin wash off immediately to prevent chemical burn;
If you get excess concrete on clothing change clothes to prevent chemical burn.

8. Refueling of machinery/plant (see relevant SWMS)

Control Measures

Prior to refueling workers must read Safety Data Sheet and Chemical Risk Assessment;
Prior to refueling worker must check the work area ensure there are no ignition sources near the refueling area ie. grinding, cutting, welding, that causes spark and naked flame;
Workers are to ensure that the vibrator or trowel machine is turned off so that ignition cannot be caused by spark plug.

Use nozzle, spout or funnel when pouring fuel to minimize spillage of fuel and wait for motor exhaust to cool before filling to prevent combustion;
When refueling ensure there is a powder type fire extinguisher in the immediate area, the extinguisher is in current test date and the person refueling has current fire extinguisher training.

Know the location of nearest spill kits;
Clean up any spills on ground or plant;
Ensure correct PPE is worn as per SDS recommendations.

9. Working around/under pump or kibble

Control Measures

Workers are to avoid working under boom/kibble at all times;
Always maintain constant communication with dog-man or pump operator.

All equipment must be checked and certified by engineers before use and approved by builder.

PPE must remain on at all times.

Never place vibrator in kibble at any time and concreters to only help maintain kibbles position; Concreters are not to release kibble jaws or to take safety chain off;
Certified dogger only to operate kibble jaw.

Erect exclusion zones or barricades to isolate work area may be required.

10. Finishing concrete

Control Measures

Only certified concreters to use trowel machine, or trainees to be supervised by certified concreter;

Read and sign off on plant risk assessment prior to commencement of task;
Refuel machine and check oil levels prior to starting machine;
Inspect machine, make sure that all guards are in place, blades are clean and in good condition and no bolts are missing;
Start machine and make sure the emergency safety switch is in working order;
If emergency switch is not working tag out and notify supervisor to be fixed.

Stay well hydrated and wear sun protection, notify supervisor if you need someone to take over for drink breaks.

11. Application of curing compound

Control Measures

Prior to commencement of application read SDS and product instructions;
Apply as per manufacturer’s instructions.

Ensure that all PPE is worn as per SDS;
Ensure curing compound is applied in well ventilated area.

Set up exclusion zones with signage and barrier to keep workers away from application area, can be slippery when wet;
Keep exclusion zone up until concrete curing surface is fully dry.

Contain spills immediately with spill kit, keep spills and run-off out of drains and waterways;
Spills on porous surfaces can contaminate groundwater.

Store in a cool and dry area, ensure storage is well ventilated and out of direct sunlight;
Ensure storage Bund is capable of holding 110% of volume stored.

12. Wash down tools, clean up work area

Control Measures

Wash all tools in designated wash out area (area to be identified by builder);
Place all left over concrete in bins provided by builder. Make sure when washing tools that use of a brush or gloves to stop cuts and concrete burns;
Do not allow run off to enter drains or waterway.

Make sure all work areas are clean and free of concrete daily, to prevent slips trips and falls.

13. Failure of SWMS

Stop work and amend SWMS when it does not reflect the work activities described therein, fails, or an incident occurs;
Workers to sign off on amendments to SWMS.

Administrator's section at GitHub

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