030 Working in inspection chambers

							Mirfield Groundworks Ltd



METHOD STATEMENT                                            No. 030

SITE:

TASK: Working in inspection chambers

LOCATION:

DURATION:




METHOD:

Construct benching to base of inspection chamber by hand.

Pointing rings and clean out prior to final inspection

Install pipe laser prior to pipelaying.

PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

1.    Mixer
2.    Pipelaser
3.    Gas Detector
4.    Tripod,harness and rope
5.    Hand Tools.
6.    Barriers.
7.    PPE.

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

Grano,sand and cement.

MAIN HAZARDS:

Harmful/combustible gases
Oxygen depletion
Falls




                                                                  ST030/2008
Mirfield Groundworks Ltd



METHOD STATEMENT                                                    No. 030

SITE:

TASK: Working in inspection chambers

LOCATION:

DURATION:


CONTROL:

The works will be carried out by experienced operatives who will be supervised
during the whole of the works. Supervision will be by a nominated competent person.
Only authorised personnel will be allowed into the Inspection Chamber.

All Inspection Chambers will be tested for gas prior to entering and a record kept.

All personnel within the work area will wear the appropriate PPE.

Tool Box Talks will be given to all operatives in the following:-
1) Confined Spaces.
2) Slips, Trips and falls.
3) Guarding Excavations.
4) The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

All Inspection Chambers will be fenced off at any time whilst unattended.


GENERAL:

It is our intention to promote a safe working environment and to this end, we would
insist on full co-operation from all contractors and the general public. The works will
be carried out by experienced operatives who will be supervised during the whole of
the works. All operatives will be issued with personal protection equipment. All
operatives will be expected to wear any, and all personal protection equipment
provided. Operatives failing to wear the equipment or take care of themselves or
others will be reported to the office and disciplinary action will be taken. All plant
operators to hold a valid CTA card or CPCS card. Only experienced – trained
operatives will operate the plant and equipment. Statutory examinations will be
carried out on all plant, equipment with records kept, daily and weekly. Only
authorised-trained operatives will be permitted to drive any plant vehicles and mount
abrasive wheels on company machines. No excavations to commence until a permit
to dig has been issued and all services have been located. When reversing wagons
a banksman should be in attendance at all times. All excavation will be fenced off at
all times. Ladders used only for access and egress. Only trained operatives are to
enter a confined space.




                                                                            ST030/2008
Mirfield Groundworks Ltd



METHOD STATEMENT                                                    No. 030

SITE:

TASK: Working in inspection chambers

LOCATION:

DURATION:




Guarding excavations

Where necessary, to prevent danger to any person, suitable steps must be taken to
prevent any person, vehicle, plant or equipment, or any accumulation of earth or
other materials, from falling into an excavation. Where a person may fall 2 metres or
more, barriers must be erected. This is a requirement under the Construction
(Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996, but it is good practice to erect
barriers for any excavations where people could fall and injure themselves.
Reference The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996,
Regulations 6 and 12. Any structure forming a guard-rail or barrier must be of
sufficient strength and suitable for the purpose for which it is being used. The main
guard-rail should be at least 910 mm above the edge of the excavation with a
second or intermediate guard-rail so positioned that there is no gap greater than
470 mm between the edge of the excavation and the mid-guard-rail or the mid-
guard-rail and the top or main guard-rail. Reference The Construction (Health,
Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996, Schedule 1

A spoil heap can form an effective barrier

Barriers should also serve to keep materials, plant and equipment away from the
edges of an excavation. Barriers may be removed to permit access of personnel,
plant and equipment, etc., but should be replaced as soon as possible. During
darkness, the edges of an excavation should be marked with lights, especially where
they are close to public thoroughfares. Oil- or battery-operated traffic lamps placed at
suitable intervals are usually sufficient. Where excavation work is carried out on the
highway, local authority approval is necessary and appropriate barricades and
warning notices erected to comply with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General
Direction 1981 and the Traffic Signs Manual, Chapter 8. Adequate hazard warning
lighting is also required during the hours of darkness and fog.




Signed:                                              Date:




                                                                            ST030/2008