BMF Employee Handbook

Employee Safety Handbook

Issue 02 October 2013 MF570

Introduction The aim of this Handbook is to introduce employees to health and safety risks commonly found within builders’ merchant operations and provide guidance in the prevention of accidents and ill health.

Health and safety is everybody’s responsibility and whilst the company takes every reasonable and practical precaution to provide a safe working environment for its employees, visitors and customers, the company relies on employees to implement its Health & Safety policy, act sensibly and follow the ‘Golden Rules’ set out in this Handbook.

This Handbook will help you: • Follow the company health and safety policy • Identify and evaluate health and safety risks • Work safely by providing Golden Rules and advice on appropriate precautions for specific risks – Do • Avoid accidents by following Golden Rules and not work in an unsafe manner – Don’t This Handbook also helps communicate our health and safety message which is “All accidents are preventable providing sensible working practices are followed”. This requires you to: • Carry out work activities safely and without risk to yourself and others • Report unsafe conditions, near misses, and accidents • Work safely following information, instruction and training provided • Actively monitor your own, customers’ and colleagues’ activities and report to Supervisors and management if you see unsafe practice or situations • Co-operate with your employer on all matters of health and safety If you have any queries or require any additional safety information you should speak to your Line Manager.

This Handbook has been designed to be used in conjunction with the company’s Health and Safety Policy. © BMF. This publication has been produced with the help of BMF Health & Safety Consultants, Degrees of Risks Ltd. Photographs courtesy of John Nicholls, UGS and Kington Building Supplies.

Information correct at time of going to press October 2013.

2

Employee Safety Handbook

Contents The Handbook has two sections: 1

Priority issues

2

General guidance

Priority health and safety issues Priority health and safety issues to be addressed include: •

General hygiene, housekeeping and safety standards ������������������������������������������������������������������4

•

Customer and visitor safety ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������5

•

Fire safety ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������5

•

Manual handling ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������6

•

Access to heights ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������7

•

Workplace transport ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������7

•

Accidents and near miss reporting �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������8

General health and safety guidance This section sets out additional health and safety guidance for: •

Abrasive wheels (grinding wheels) ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������9

•

Compressed air ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������9

•

Cutting metal/plastic strapping and retention bands ������������������������������������������������������������������10

•

Electrical safety �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������10

•

Hazardous substances ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������11

•

Noise �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������12

•

Mobile work equipment ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 12-13

•

Office safety ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������14

•

Personal protective equipment ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������14

•

Racking �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������15

•

Road transport �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������16

•

Vehicle mounted cranes ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������17

•

Stacking of materials �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������18

•

Vehicle fuel (Petrol/Diesel/Gas Oil) ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������19

•

Work equipment – Hand tools ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������19

•

Work equipment – Machinery ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������20

Employee Safety Handbook

3

General hygiene, housekeeping and safety standards Most places of work can be made safer if simple rules on hygiene, tidiness and safety awareness are followed.

DO • Respect the company’s NO smoking policy • Restrict smoking to areas and times designated by management. Smoking material should only be disposed of in a specified metal container • Always wash your hands after handling any hazardous substance or going to the toilet and before eating or drinking • Always use the towel or air driers to dry your hands • Use barrier cream for dirty jobs and skin care after washing your hands • Mop up any liquid spillage and clear rubbish from gangways immediately • Keep your working area tidy • Ensure that rubbish or dust does not accumulate causing a fire hazard • Ensure fire exits are kept clear at all times and check periodically that fire doors operate correctly • Immediately report any holes or unevenness in floors, gangways, stairs etc. which might cause people to trip or fall • Immediately remove cut banding and nails from any opened packages and place in the waste container • Remove rings or any loose clothing/strands to avoid them being caught in any moving parts ALWAYS follow ‘safety working procedures in line with information, instruction and training provided’.

4

Employee Safety Handbook

DON’T • Smoke in areas or at times where smoking is prohibited • Distract someone operating a machine • Fool around or play practical jokes in the workplace • Leave tools around where they can be damaged, tripped over or fall • Obstruct gangways, walkways and stairs • Trail cables where they might cause people to trip • Eat, drink or smoke when handling hazardous substances • Leave spillages untreated where they might cause people to slip • Leave packaging bands trailing from stock or lying around • Allow rubbish to accumulate in your working area • Walk on fragile surfaces e.g. roofs NEVER operate any equipment or undertake any task unless adequately trained and authorised.

Customer and visitor safety Employers have responsibility for the safety and well being of customers and visitors on site.

If you see unsafe situations offer the customer or visitor assistance, support and advice.

DO • Oversee visitor activities e.g. politely ask pedestrians to use designated walkways and request drivers of vehicles to park in designated areas. Ensure children are kept under appropriate supervision by parents • Dissuade public from straying unaccompanied into goods storage and yard areas • Escort customers to stacks and ensure materials for self-selection can always be retrieved without risk • Be available to move customers’ goods, take it to and load their vehicle

DON’T • Allow unauthorised customers or visitors into hazardous and restricted areas • Permit customers to use or ride on any plant or equipment • Allow customers to climb on stacks of materials or racks • Encourage customers to help themselves in non self-selection areas • Allow visitors to wander around unaccompanied

• Keep customers clear of any hazardous areas • Warn visitors of danger of forklift trucks and sideloaders • Offer protective equipment to visitors where applicable • Draw customers’ attention to safety instructions on labels of hazardous substances

Employee Safety Handbook

5

Fire safety Even small fires can quickly get out of control, and put people and property at risk.

DO • Ensure visitors/customers do not smoke in prohibited areas • Ensure escape routes are always kept clear • Ensure all emergency exits are unlocked at the start of each working day • If you discover a fire, first raise the alarm and then only if you have received training and it is safe to do so, try to put out the fire using a suitable fire extinguisher • Keep working areas clean and free from combustible rubbish • Switch off and unplug electrical equipment when not in use, and before the branch closes • Ensure that flammable liquids are stored safely • Follow the fire drill should the alarm sound • Read and understand the notice ‘Action in the Event of Fire’

6

Employee Safety Handbook

DON’T • Smoke in prohibited areas • Overload electrical circuits • Obstruct fire exit doors • Burn rubbish on site or allow combustibles to build up in rear areas of the premises • Use, or allow others to use, welding or cutting equipment unless the work is controlled using “Permit to Work” procedure – Check with your Manager/Supervisor • Stack flammable materials next to perimeter fences

Manual handling Unnecessary or incorrect handling can cause injury, in particular to the back.

DO • Use mechanical lifting aids such as sack trolleys, pallet trucks and lift trucks to move goods • If goods have to be manually moved, examine and assess the load, its centre of gravity, stability, weight etc. and determine your ability to move the goods safely • If you need assistance – call for help

DON’T • Manually handle or lift anything if there are suitable lifting aids available • Lift anything beyond your capabilities • Attempt to carry heavy items down from racking systems balanced on ladders • Lift or handle more than can be easily managed

• Report any back problems you have to management • When lifting:

– Plan the lift/handling activity, where the load is to be placed, remove obstruction from route to prevent slip, trips and falls

– Keep the load close to the waist for as long as possible when lifting. Keep the heaviest side of the load next to the body

– Adopt a stable position. The feet should be apart with one leg slightly forward to maintain balance

– Ensure a good hold on the load. Where possible hug the load as close to the body as possible

– Moderate flexion (slight bending) of the back, hips and knees at the start of the lift, is preferable to fully flexing the back (stooping) or fully flexing the hips and knees (full/deep squatting)

– Don’t flex back any further while lifting. This can happen if the legs start to straighten before starting to lift the load

– Avoid reaching and twisting. Keep shoulders and hips facing in the same direction. Turn by moving the feet

– Keep the head up when handling. Look ahead, not down at the load once it is being held securely

– Move smoothly. Do not jerk or snatch the load

– Always use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the task

Employee Safety Handbook

7

Access to heights Falls from ladders and step ladders can result in serious injury. You should only use ladders and step ladders for short duration work where no other means of access is practicable.

DO • Use mechanical access equipment wherever possible – otherwise use safety steps to access stock

DON’T • Use mobile plant such as lift truck forks for gaining access to height unless a proprietary safety cage is fitted to the lift truck. This equipment can only be used for short duration unplanned work in an emergency.

• Only use ordinary ladders on level floor surfaces if securely tied or footed by workmate. Working areas should be demarcated with cones

• Overstretch so your body is outside the ladder frame

• Report defects and ladders in poor condition

• Climb up racking or stacks of material

• Replace any guardrails that were removed to allow goods to be moved

• Be raised on forks or stillage of any lift truck

• Ensure loading gates on mezzanines are closed when not in use, and gain access only by using fixed guarded stairway provided

• Walk on or store materials on any fragile material or internal roof unless classified as load bearing and suitable for walking on

Workplace transport DO • Use designated pedestrian walkways and separate entrance doors to warehouse • Wear high visibility clothing and toe protectors when entering the yard and warehouse • Keep to site speed limits • Use designated employee parking • Ensure reversing operations are under control of trained banksman

8

Employee Safety Handbook

DON’T • Stand behind reversing vehicles • Allow drivers to reverse in uncontrolled manner with persons behind or in proximity

Accidents and near miss reporting We take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent accidents but from time to time they may still occur. When accidents happen and near misses which could result in a serious accident arise it is the company policy to investigate the underlying cause and take action to prevent re-occurrence.

DO

DON’T

• If injured, see your First Aider or Manager/ Supervisor

• Regard accidents as inevitable – they can be avoided

• Ensure details are recorded in the Accident Book and accident investigation undertaken

• Try to conceal accidents – by knowing, we can help to prevent them in the future

• If a visitor or customer is injured – persuade them to have first aid, ensure details are entered in the Accident Book and obtain a statement of the circumstances of the event, with witnesses if possible • Always report ANY injury/illness that could affect your ability to work • Inform your Manager/Supervisor if property, equipment or stock is damaged

Employee Safety Handbook

9

Abrasive wheels (grinding wheels) Serious injuries can be caused by sparks and fragments being thrown off high speed grinding wheels.

DO • Always wear safety goggles or a visor • Ensure tool rests are adjusted as close to the wheel as possible, guards in place and correctly adjusted • Ensure any ventilation extraction system is switched on and correctly located • Report any damage or defect immediately to your Manager/Supervisor

DON’T • Fit or dress a grinding wheel unless certificated and authorised by your Manager/ Supervisor • Grind on the side of the wheel (unless designed for this purpose) • Use a worn or damaged wheel • Operate the wheel if guards are missing or damaged

• Follow safe working instructions and training provided

Compressed air Misuse of compressed air can kill if directed at skin, and flying particles may cause loss of sight.

DO • Regularly check condition of all air lines and connections

• Direct compressed air towards yourself or anyone else

• Ensure a written scheme of examination is in place for air receivers

• Use compressed air for blowing down clothing

• Disconnect tools from air line when cleaning or adjusting

• Use compressed air for blowing off machinery unless fitted with a safety nozzle

• Report any damage or defects

• Engage in horseplay with compressed air

• When blowing down wear eye protection and ensure any extraction equipment is turned on • Preferably use vacuum method to reduce risks from inhalation of fine dust 10

DON’T

Employee Safety Handbook

Cutting metal/plastic strapping & retention bands Any strapping cut under tension may cause serious injury and/or collapse of materials.

DO

DON’T

• Use safety cutters which hold cut ends together

• Use tin snips, claw hammers, hacksaws etc. to cut strapping

• Wear safety glasses or goggles and gloves

• Leave cut bands hanging from packs

• Stand to one side of strapping to be cut

• Leave cut bands on ground where they may be tripped over or become caught up in tyres

• Keep others clear when cutting straps • Identify unsafely stacked and stored goods as you walk around the premises. Advise your Manager/Supervisor if you think stacked goods may collapse or product damage is likely

• Attempt to cut bands if pack is likely to collapse

• Remove cut bands and place in skip

Electrical safety Electric shocks can be fatal, and faulty equipment can cause serious fires. All electrical equipment should be treated with respect.

DO

DON’T

• Check electrical equipment for damage and that it carries a current test label before use

• Carry out electrical repairs unless you are authorised to do so

• Report any damage to your Manager/ Supervisor

• Bring your own electrical equipment to work unless authorised to do so

• Always use a Residual Current Circuit Breaker when working in damp conditions or with a power washer

• Connect electrical equipment to lighting sockets

• Check for overhead cables or electrical equipment before raising ladders or operating lifting equipment

• Leave equipment or cables where they may be run over • Work on live equipment or cables where they may be run over • Work on live equipment or allow others to, unless authorised to do so • Use electrical equipment which is damaged or defective

Employee Safety Handbook

11

Hazardous substances Whilst every step is taken to eliminate hazardous substances their use is sometimes unavoidable.

Similarly hazardous materials may be sold. As a consequence dangerous substances may be stored at the premises. These materials may be safely handled provided, instruction on safe storage, handling and use of personal protective equipment are followed. This information is contained within material safety data sheets and manufacturers’ labelling information.

DO • Learn to identify hazardous substances by the symbols on the container • Follow precautions set out on the label, manufacturer data sheet information and COSHH Assessments • Always wear protective equipment as indicated as necessary on supplier safety information • Exercise good levels of personal hygiene • Ensure all containers are securely sealed and not damaged • Report any changes in the state of your health following exposure to any hazardous substance • Check with your Manager/Supervisor on the correct method of disposal of waste and equipment • Follow procedure in the event of spillage • Store larger quantities of flammable and highly flammable liquid within a metal bunded store

12

Employee Safety Handbook

DON’T • Smoke when handling hazardous substances • Open a container of hazardous substance unless absolutely necessary • Use hazardous substances other than for their intended purpose • Use hazardous substances (e.g. white spirit) to remove paint or grease from your skin • Transfer hazardous substances to an unlabelled container

Noise Regular exposure to high levels of noise can permanently damage your hearing and lead to deafness.

DO • Wear hearing protection when advised to do so • Always ensure protector is clean, undamaged and correctly fitted • Ensure noise enclosures are shut • Keep noise levels as low as possible and ensure they do not cause a nuisance to others

DON’T • Enter an area marked ‘hearing protection zone’ without ear protection • Use any personal stereo headphones anywhere on the premises - not only are these a noise hazard, they could mask warning signals

• Follow safe working procedures for the noisy work equipment and maintenance practices to reduce noise to the lowest level practicable • Attend for hearing tests (audiometry) as required by your employer • Report hearing difficulties to management

Mobile work equipment Accidents involving mobile work equipment can cause serious consequences.

DO • Before use carry out scheduled daily checks and maintenance

DON’T • Operate mobile equipment unless you have been specifically trained and authorised in writing by your Manager/Supervisor

• Immediately report defects to your Manager/ Supervisor

• Allow unauthorised persons to drive

• Plan all work activities involving mobile work equipment

• Overload beyond loaded capacity i.e. safe working load

• Drive and operate mobile work equipment with care - Be aware of other people in the area where you are working

• Travel with forks raised

• When driving on an incline ensure that: • When carrying a load it faces uphill • The mast is adjusted to suit the gradient and the forks are raised only sufficiently to provide ground clearance • Cross any kerbs, rail trucks etc. diagonally

• Attempt to turn on an incline • Brake harshly or suddenly • Travel on soft ground • Travel forward with a bulky load obscuring your vision • Allow people to walk under raised fork arms • Carry another person

• Wear lap belts*

Employee Safety Handbook

13

Mobile work equipment - Continued DO • Sound horn before moving in and out of buildings

• Leave equipment unattended with keys in place

• Slow down for bends and sound the horn or stop at blind corners

• Operate lifting equipment unless it has a valid certificate of test

• Only use equipment for the purpose for which it was intended

• Disarm any safety or warning devices fitted

• Ensure loads carried are stable • Ensure loads are not wider than gangways • Watch out for pedestrians and obstructions • Keep drivers of vehicles that are being loaded or unloaded clear of lifting operations • Report pot holes and poor yard surfaces likely to upset stability of load and cause overturning • Keep to speed limits • Ensure audible reversing alarms and ‘strobes’ are working • Switch off all equipment when unattended • Remove keys when leaving equipment • Ground “forks” when parked * By law, if seatbelts are fitted to mobile plant you must wear them, except where your company’s health and safety risk assessment has shown that­: - There is a need to dismount repeatedly - The forklift is used on smooth level surfaces - The forklift is operated at slow speeds and in ways which make it unlikely that it will overturn.

If in doubt, check with your manager.

14

DON’T

Employee Safety Handbook

• Attempt to repair faults yourself. Leave to qualified maintenance person • Use the fork lift on a Public Highway unless you know that the fork lift is appropriately registered and insured

Office safety Computer screens (VDU’s) do not damage eyesight. Simple precautions should be taken to prevent eye strain and upper limb disorders.

DO

DON’T

• Adjust your seat so elbows are at right angles and wrists straight and parallel to keyboard

• Operate for long periods without a break – take short breaks often

• Sit upright with back fully supported

• Sit without adequate back support, your feet off the floor or leg room restricted

• Position screen and work to minimise eye and head movement • Use document holder and footrest where necessary

• Work with reflected light on the screen • Restrict movement – keep work area tidy

• Report persistent aches and pains • Remember that the company only has a legal responsibility to assist with the cost of eye tests and corrective lenses if you have been assessed as a ‘USER’ – ask your Manager/ Supervisor for details.

Personal protective equipment Personal protective equipment will be provided free of charge and replaced as necessary. It should be used as protection of last resort with other protective measures taken first.

DO • Sign for issue and replacement of all personal protective equipment provided • Wear equipment at all times when carrying out the process for which it is required, or within designated areas • Take care of it and report any damage or loss to your Manager/Supervisor

DON’T • Misuse protective equipment • Use someone else’s protective equipment • Take protective equipment off the premises unless authorised to do so • Launder potentially contaminated protective clothing at home

• Clean, maintain and store it in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions • Use protective equipment as instructed and trained Employee Safety Handbook

15

Racking Misuse of racking systems can cause collapse and result in serious accidents.

DO • Regularly inspect goods stored on racking and report unstable loads, those that are not appropriately secured with banding or shrink wrapped • Check that safety pins are in place • Place heavier loads at low level • Ensure loads on racking are stable and that loose goods are shrink wrapped or banded

16

Employee Safety Handbook

DON’T • Exceed safe working loads of racking systems • Place pallets on racking systems that are not suitable, damaged or inadequate for the system on which they are placed

Road transport All company vehicles should be operated safely. Great care should be taken when reversing vehicles.

Preferably this should be under the direction of trained banksmen.

DO • Check brakes, lights, horns, reversing alarm, tyres, ropes and straps daily

DON’T • Stand behind a reversing vehicle

• Report vehicle defects

• Drive or operate lifting equipment unless trained and authorised in writing to do so

• Check loads are secure before commencing a journey

• Exceed permitted load or speed limits appropriate to the conditions

• Ensure reversing operations are under control of trained banksman

• Move vehicles with lashings removed

• Use markers on long/wide loads • Exercise care when releasing ropes and chains • Keep clear of loads in slings and elevated tipper bodies • Warn other road users using cones or warning triangles when making a delivery on dangerous stretches of road • When entering or leaving cab, or climbing on and off trailers, always use step and grab handles provided. Check shoe soles are clean and not likely to cause slip accidents

• Drive defective vehicles • Drive without an appropriate licence e.g. LGV • Drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs or when you are ill • Use mobile phones whilst driving • Block fire exit routes • Jump down from cabs, trailers, off loads or cranes • Smoke in cab

• Plan road journeys and keep to speed limits • Remove keys when leaving vehicles

Employee Safety Handbook

17

Vehicle mounted cranes DO • Undertake daily check of equipment for leaks and damage before use • Before operation of crane undertake risk assessment and ensure risk controls are adequate • Plan and organise lifts • Check overhead for obstructions before raising crane, materials secure, load does not pass over persons, onlookers clear etc.

• Use stabiliser legs/outriggers on both sides where possible. Stand square and use both hands to pull out stabiliser legs/outriggers.

Readjust as necessary as vehicle load lightens when unloading • Ensure crane controls are free from obstruction, e.g., that the seat is not in the way of any levers before powering up the crane

• Use the vehicle crane unless you are conversant with safe working procedures/ operating instructions and climb without using steps provided • Exceed safe working capacity of the crane This means knowing the weight of the load • Operate lifting equipment unless it has a valid certificate of test • Use faulty or damaged equipment • Raise the lifting mast in the vicinity of overhead cables or structures • Climb above ground level without wearing a hard hat • Pull out stabilisers/outriggers from the side with your body twisted • Move vehicle without checking stabiliser/ outrigger landing legs are raised and locked

• Carry out operation on firm, level ground and use supports under stabiliser legs/outriggers

• Operate crane unless sitting or standing in the correct operating position

• Operate controls smoothly to avoid jerking of crane

• Walk or stand under a suspended load

• Keep constant watch for faulty hoses or seals • Check crane is secured to the bed of the trailer with straps at end of operation and before moving off • Check stabiliser legs/outriggers are retracted and locked. Walk around and check vehicle before moving off • Wear appropriate safety boots, hard hot, gloves and fluorescent vest • Climb on and off vehicle/trailer platform using the steps or ladder provided • Take care climbing up and down from crane control platforms using handles and steps provided

18

DON’T

Employee Safety Handbook

• Under any circumstances, climb from the vehicle/trailer

Stacking of materials Unstable stacked materials are accidents waiting to happen.

DO

DON’T

• Regularly check stacks for stability

• Stack timber on uneven or soft ground

• Rebuild stacks which are leaning or insecure

• Use damaged, uneven or inadequate timber bearers

• Leave sufficient space between stacks for safe operation of equipment • Insert sufficient binding sticks between sets of timber • Securely band sets of material • Ensure stacks are stable and only one set high in self selection areas

• Stack timber and sheet materials above a safe working height (normally 4 sets high in exposed stock yards) • Use damaged or inadequate pallets • Stack bricks or blocks more than three packs high • “Pick the middle” out of stacks of brick products leaving them liable to collapse • Place combustibles against the side of buildings • Stack loose materials at height where it may fall or be blown off • Stack any materials adjacent to boundaries higher than the fence

Employee Safety Handbook

19

Vehicle fuel (Petrol/Diesel/Gas Oil) Petrol fumes are particularly dangerous and can easily start fires.

DO • Lock fuel points at the end of the day • Empty fuel tanks only by using a specially designed fuel retriever • Empty and remove fuel tanks if welding work is required near them • Inform your Manager/Supervisor if a fuel tank requires repair • Only keep small quantities of fuel oil within the workplace in specific marked containers • Ensure bulk quantities are contained in enclosed tanks

DON’T • Attempt to repair any fuel tank - this is a specialist job • Drain fuel from a tank by letting it run into an open container • Weld or flame-cut near a fuel tank • Use a naked light or bar heater near fuel • Smoke, eat or drink in the working area • Use a mobile phone near fuel • Use fuelling equipment unless authorised to do so

Work equipment – Hand tools Hand tools should always be well cared for and checked before use.

DO

DON’T

• Keep tools clean and properly sharpened

• Use defective tools

• Protect cutting edges when not in use

• Use vibrating power tools for long

• Use safety glasses or goggles when using chisels

• Misuse tools

• Report any numbness, blanching or tingling in fingers

• Leave tools lying around, particularly in places where they might fall onto people or machinery • Use chisels with mushroomed heads - people have lost eyes when metal has flown off

20

Employee Safety Handbook

Work equipment – Machinery Adverse health effects can also arise from noise, vibration and dust generated during operations.

DO • Use work equipment only for its intended purpose • Only use work equipment provided you have received appropriate information, instruction and training • Check guards are in place and that emergency stop controls operate before using work equipment • Wear personal protective equipment as instructed

DON’T • Operate work equipment unless appropriately trained, certificated and authorised to do so • Operate work equipment unless all guards and safety devices are in place • Clean or adjust work equipment unless it is isolated and stationary • Wear loose clothing or bracelets • Leave moving work equipment unattended

• Report any damaged or defective machinery to your Manager/Supervisor • Keep floor areas clear and free from slip/trip hazards • Switch off and ‘isolate’ machinery for maintenance at end of work period and when not in use • If under 18 ensure your are supervised by an authorised person • Ensure the dust extraction system is connected and working

Employee Safety Handbook

21

Confirmation of Understanding Priority health and safety issues ❏

❏

General hygiene, housekeeping

Manual handling and safety standards

❏ Access to height

❏ Customer and visitor safety

❏ Accident and near miss reporting

❏

Fire safety

❏ Workplace transport

General health and safety guidance ❏ Abrasive wheels

❏

Personal protective equipment

❏ Compressed air

❏

Racking

❏ Cutting metal strapping & retention bands

❏

Road transport

❏ Electrical safety

❏ Vehicle mounted cranes

❏ Hazardous substances

❏

❏

Mobile work equipment

❏ Vehicle fuel

❏

Noise

❏ Work equipment – Hand tools

❏ Office safety

Stacking of materials

❏ Work equipment – Machinery

PPE Issue Record confirmation List of equipment issued: 1. 5.

2. 6.

3. 7.

4. 8.

I have read and understood the employee handbook and do not have any further questions at this time.

I understand I have a legal duty to work safely at all times and to report any dangerous situation to my Manager/Supervisor without delay.

22

Issued by (signature of trainer)

Date:

Received by (signature of employee)

Date:

Employee Safety Handbook

About PPE Personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided as protection of last resort where all other health and safety measures are inadequate, or where there is a need for supplementary protection.

The company provides PPE free of charge and will replace worn or damaged PPE as is necessary.

Appropriate accommodation facilities are provided for the equipment.

You should inform your Supervisor or Line Manager: • If in your opinion insufficient protection is provided by the PPE issued • Where you believe the PPE fails to perform, is contaminated, damaged and requires replacement.

It is your responsibility to use PPE in line with information, instruction and training provided including manufacturer’s instructions.

You should treat PPE with care, and wash, clean and store the equipment as directed.

Employee Safety Handbook

23

1180 Elliott Court, Coventry Business Park Herald Avenue, Coventry CV5 6UB Tel: 02476 854980 Fax: 02476 854981 Email: info@bmf.org.uk www.bmf.org.uk 24

Employee Safety Handbook