Toolbox talks:-
Manual Handling
COSHH
Excavations
NOISE

Manual Handling

We lift, manoeuvre and handle goods every day of our lives in one way or another, not just whilst at work but also during social activities such as gardening, DIY, shopping and sport.

A bad back or injury today, could, and regularly does, turn into a painful back problem for life!

Lifting incorrectly could also lead to a hernia, sprains, strains and even fractures.  Therefore, before lifting items take a few seconds to think – it could save a lot of pain!

Lifting safely

• Can a trolley or mechanical lifting aid be used to lift the item instead of handling the item manually?
• Be kitted-up for the job and, if practicable, obtain firm – grip gloves.  The gloves will also offer protection against cuts, punctures and friction burns.
• Wear safety shoes to ensure a good floor – surface grip to prevent slipping whilst manoeuvring. The shoes will also provide protection from falling objects.
• Before lifting assess the weight of the item to be carried.  Is the load weight of the object evenly distributed throughout the load?
• Obtain assistance to lift unbalanced, awkward or heavy items.
• Check your line of travel.  Is the route you intend to take free from obstacles and tripping hazards?

LIFT USING THE 5 STAGES METHOD

1. Stand close to the load – spread your feet.
2. Bend your knees – keep your back straight.
3. Grasp the load firmly.
4. Lift smoothly and evenly with your legs taking the strain.  It is important not to twist your trunk or to jerk or shove your body.
5. Hold the load close to your body.

Remember     Lift the load from floor to knee, then knee to carrying position and always keep    your back straight.

                        DO NOT ALLOW THE LOAD TO OBSTUCT YOUR VIEW!

COSHH

 “COSHH” stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. The aim of these controls is to protect employees from harmful substances, e.g. wood-dust from sanding machines, fumes from solvent adhesives, etc.

Generic COSHH Assessments have been produced and are held on site. Chemicals which are purchased locally should have been assessed by the line manager purchasing the product with the assistance from the Safety Officer as necessary.

The risks to staff that follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safe systems of work are normally low.  However, failing to wear PPE, or using PPE that has not been adequately maintained, could put you and your colleagues at risk.  Similarly a product used in an unsafe condition or manner could be harmful.

Therefore, to ensure you are not put at risk when using chemicals or equipment whilst at work, follow these procedures:

• Before starting work, read the label and follow the manufacturer’s instructions, e.g. wearing gloves and goggles when using descalers and degreasants.
• Ensure ventilation/fresh air is adequate when applying adhesives and solvents.
• Ensure that the correct PPE is available.  Stores should be able to provide all suitable equipment and clothing to you.
• Check that the PPE is available to use before you start the job.
• Ensure that local exhaust ventilation systems are working properly and that they are regularly maintained, e.g. ventilation from wood-working machinery, etc. A record should be kept of all maintenance work undertaken.
• PPE should be regularly checked and, if necessary, replaced.  Filters should be replaced as recommended by the manufacturer, and more frequently if heavily used. A PPE “log” should be kept, detailing who the PPE is issued to, recording maintenance and filter replacements.
• Follow the safe system of work when using hazardous items.
• Do not eat or drink whilst handling hazardous items.
• Report any defects or faults to equipment and plant.
• Do not transfer hazardous items into unlabeled containers, e.g. decanting acid into small lemonade bottle, etc.
• Know what safety precautions to take when handling substances you deal with frequently.  Be aware of what to do should an emergency arise, e.g. splashing solvent into your eyes or onto clothing (emergency instructions are normally incorporated into the label of the product).
• If you are not sure that a substance you have been asked to use has been adequately assessed, speak to your line manager.  Should you require assistance or advice on how to use a product in a dangerous area (e.g. a confined space) call the ESH Team for advice.
• If you feel ill or drowsy whilst using a product or carrying out a particular task stop immediately and speak to your manager for advice.  Move to an area of fresh air and if necessary obtain treatment from the First Aider.  Do not allow anyone to return to where you were working – or to continue your work in another area – if you have become ill as a direct result of carrying out a particular job.  Ensure that your manager investigates.
• As well as protecting yourself, consider the possible effects of the use of chemical products and substances on other people who may be indirectly exposed.

Excavations

Digging an excavation on a site may be a worker’s first and last job.  If the sides collapse, there may be no escape.  There is almost no ground which will not collapse under certain conditions.  If there is any doubt whatsoever about the safety of the sides, they should be timbered or battered.  Timbering materials should always be provided on site.

NB.  The law requires the sides of any excavation that may be liable to collapse (Risk Assessment) must be supported or battered back to a safe angle which depends on type of ground whenever there is a risk of collapse or falling materials.  Most deaths occur in trenches less than 2.5 metres deep.  Most accidents occur in ground conditions with no visible defects; the trench sides seem clean and self-supporting.  Rain water and dry weather increase the chance of failure.

Before work commences:

• Ensure a permit to excavate is provided by competent person.  Determine methods of excavating, installing and removing support work.
• Provide an adequate supply of material for support work, barriers (and correct traffic notices where appropriate).  If road works signs are needed they need to be erected by street works supervisor.
• Determine positions of all public services and ensure that they are adequately marked, and/or disconnected using such information as provided by drawings, cable locating equipment, ground boxes etc.
• For the purposes of excavations, no ground should be considered “good” or “safe” until it has been investigated by a competent person.
• Check whether excavation will affect adjoining roads or buildings.
• Always seek advice before excavating below existing foundations.  It may be necessary to provide shoring, i.e. raking or flying shores or both.
• Prevent access – especially of children.
• Provide adequate and sufficient ladders and ropes for securing access and egress.

Checks during Operations:

• Ensure sound material is being used for support work.
• Ensure that approved and safe methods are adopted for the installation of support work in excavations.  A competent person should be in attendance at all times.
• Ensure that all working surfaces are safe.
• Install timbering as soon as excavation sides are trimmed.  This should be done from ground level or from inside existing timbering.  Do not enter an unsupported excavation unless authorised to do so by a competent person.
• Ensure that all support work is secure and that props and wedges are tight and properly maintained.
• Check for signs of over-stress in support work, damage from plant and, when timber is used, make long term check for disease/defects i.e. dry rot, shakes etc.
• Check for water or soil seeping through support work.
• Check for signs of earth peeling/cracking at unsupported faces.
• Check that there are adequate ladders, that they are maintained, secured and used correctly.
• When pumping, ensure that there are adequate pumps and that soil is not being drawn from behind support work.
• Monitor for unhealthy atmospheres which may include gas monitoring/lack of oxygen.
• Ensure that spoil heaps and materials etc. are kept back 1 metre from the edges of the excavation.
• Ensure that there are adequate barriers/notices/warning lights.
• The edges of excavations should be provided with guard rails, hand rails and toe boards. Bridges and gangways should be provided with hand-rails and toe boards.
• Ensure that “stops” for dumpers, tipping lorries etc are well anchored.
• Ensure that all passing traffic is kept back from edge of excavation.
• Ensure correct method of withdrawing support work is issued; if unsafe to strike – leave in.
• Ensure that machine operators have the best possible vision of work in progress.
• Ensure that services are marked and protected and adequately supported when exposed in excavations.
• Carry out inspections daily, prior to each shift, after use of explosives or after inclement weather, particularly frost and rain.
• Ensure that a record of all examinations is properly recorded in the appropriate form, and signed by a competent person.

Noise

Being exposed to noise in excess of 85dB (A) can damage the sense of hearing in some people.  85dB (A) is roughly the level of noise where you have to shout in order to be heard when a person is only one metre away from you.  A jet engine taking off at a distance of 25 metres from you is likely to produce a noise level in excess of 140dB (A).

Noise assessment of areas need to be carried out to ensure that where hearing protection is needed then it is identified.  Where practical, action to silence noisy equipment should have also been undertaken.  Areas where silencing is not possible will have been designated Hearing Protection Areas and suitably signed at practical locations.

Nobody in their right mind would set upon a path of deliberately trying to damage their hearing.  However, being regularly exposed to heavy noise levels – without taking safety precautions – could result in occupational deafness.

Occupational deafness develops slowly at first – an individual may have difficulty hearing conversation to start with, then Tinnitus (a constant ringing in the ears) develops.  The last stages, perhaps before total deafness, would need the sufferer to wear a hearing aid.

As we use our sense of hearing for pleasure – to enjoy music, watch films or television and to communicate effectively – as well as to pick up danger signals (such as fat moving cars, sirens, etc.) it is well worth looking after your hearing.

You can protect your hearing by ensuring you adhere to the following points:

• Wearing ear defenders where noise levels of 80dB (A) is exceeded.  These areas should normally be signed.  If you have trouble being understood or understanding a conversation at a distance of one metre then it is likely that the noise level is above 80dB (A).
• Ear defenders should not be worn if they are cracked or damaged in any way.  Check your ear defenders for damage prior to use from the manufacturer’s guide which should be followed for any maintenance required.
• Ensure that headband of the ear defenders are not slack and that the ear muffs fit properly.
• Report damaged and noisy plant equipment for repair.
• Be aware of the risk attached to working in a noisy environment.  Excessive noise can cause stress, lead to accidents and also damage hearing.
• Immediately consult your doctor if you suffer any problem with your hearing and inform your supervisor.

All operatives to sign below to signify their understanding of the relevant toolbox talk

Manual Handling (Date delivered ________________________________________________)

COSHH (Date delivered ________________________________________________)

EXCAVATIONS (Date delivered ________________________________________________)

NOISE (Date delivered ________________________________________________)