One of the best techniques of preventing accidents at a large
project site is to let the contractor supervisors ponder over
the jobs to be done and then putting them down in writing. It's
a common fact that workers coming together in a large
construction project have different levels of experience and
training. The key persons for preventing accidents are the
supervisors. By getting the supervisors to put their work steps
and procedures in writing, safety personnel can use this method
to reduce incidents of workers taking shortcuts in safety. The
way to do this is to have a form for the supervisors to fill.
This is called the site incident prevention plan or SIPP. It's
just a form that informs the safety officers their work plan. A
good description of the work plan will include the following: 1.
A sequence of work that starts with informing the project
manager or supervisor before starting work. The work will then
have a description of the potential hazard if this was not
carried out. Having made aware of the potential hazard, the
person writing the work plan will also write down the
countermeasures that he will take to eliminate the hazard. An
example of this control measure will be seeking approval from
the safety officer and conducting tool box meeting with the
workers before starting work. 2. The next sequence will most
likely be mobilization of tools and materials to the work site.
The potential hazard could be personal injury or messing up of
the work area. To reduce the hazard, the supervisor may require
his workers to wear safety gears like helmet and safety shoes.
3. The job itself will also be stated in the work plan.
Depending on the location, the potential hazard could be
personal injury, falling from height, or possibly causing a
fire. So the supervisor will have to state all the control
measures that he will have to take. An example could be for the
workers to wear personal protective equipment, in this case,
safety harness to prevent falling from heights. Applying for hot
work permit could be another control measure. The hot work
permit itself is a separate form to be filled. This is
applicable for hot work that can possibly cause a fire at the
site. The hot work permit may require the applicant to make
ready fire extinguishers, remove combustibles, use torches and
burning equipment that are in good working order, etc... There
may be other control measures to be taken. It depends on the
job. One control measure might require that workers do not step
on the existing piping. Another control measure might be to
erect barricades... 4. The last item in the SIPP could be
housekeeping after the completion of the work. The potential
hazard could be fire or tripping hazard. The control measure -
cleaning up, removal of debris from the site and sweeping the
floor after work completion. In this work plan, the supervisor
will indicate his name, the location of his work, the company
name, and the work to be done. Depending on the complexity of
the form, he might include a site map with the location of his
work clearly marked out. When supervisors make the effort to
submit this SIPP work plan one day before the execution of the
work, they are able to control the work hazards to prevent
accidents. It all happens when thoughts are put into writing.
Make
About the author:
Many years of working experience in Marine, Facilities,
Construction has given the author material for writing e-books
and articles related to engineering, and management.
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