Welding and Cutting hazards and control measures at a construction site

 

Welding and Cutting Safety

Introduction

Welding and cutting are essential industrial activities that involve fusing and separating pieces of metal, respectively. However, these activities come with several hazards, including fire, explosion, toxic fumes, electrical hazards, and eye injuries. Therefore, it is crucial to take appropriate preventive measures to control these hazards and ensure the safety of personnel and property.

Hot Works

Hot work is a term used to describe any work activity that produces or may have a chance of producing sparks, such as welding, cutting, grinding, and blasting. Hot work must be controlled using a Permit to Work system, and the permit should be considered closed before one hour of the leaving time. The area must also be inspected before leaving the workplace, and the permit closed accordingly.

Hazards Involved

To ensure safety during welding and cutting activities, it is essential to understand the hazards involved. For instance, exposure to prolonged light from welding and cutting can cause eye injuries, while the heat of an arc, molten slag, sparks, hot objects, and others can lead to burns, fires, and explosions. Additionally, the speed of mechanical parts, toxic fumes released during welding/cutting, and mishandling of gas cylinders, especially acetylene, are other potential hazards.

Control Measures

To control these hazards, several measures must be taken, starting with ensuring that all personnel directly involved in welding and cutting wear suitable flame-resistant protective clothing, including leather jackets, gauntlets/gloves, and flame-proof or flame-retardant overalls or welding aprons. The use of contact lenses during welding and cutting operations is prohibited, and approved eye protection must be worn, such as face shields and adequate lenses. The area should also be cordoned off, and a screen erected to protect other workers working around the area.

Other Hazards

Electric shock is another hazard associated with welding and cutting activities. To prevent electric shocks, all welding machines and generators must be earthed, and welding earths connected to the workplace as close as possible. Welding cables must be kept dry and free from grease to prevent insulation breakdown, and damaged cables must be replaced or discarded immediately. Oxygen/acetylene hoses and gauges must also be kept free from oil or grease contaminants, and welding cables should preferably be one continuous length or joined with approved connectors.

Toxic fumes and respiratory protection are also critical safety considerations during welding and cutting activities. Adequate exhaust ventilation must be provided to protect personnel from inhalation of toxic fumes or vapors, and mechanical air purifiers can be used to limit and purify the smoke generated during welding. In locations where adequate exhaust ventilation is not possible, welding and cutting can be carried out safely by personnel wearing suitable respiratory protection. Dust or fume masks do not provide adequate protection.

Controls Measure for Cutting activity

To ensure safety during cutting activities, competent operators should be used, and equipment like power tools, grinders, and welding machines must be inspected before use on-site. Third-party inspections are required to ensure that the machines are in good working condition. All gas cylinders used in the workplace, including oxygen, acetylene, or propane, must have approved flashback arrestors fitted to the gauge of the cylinders. Gas torches should also be ignited using flint guns, while gas cylinder valves should be closed, and valve protection caps put in place when cylinders are not in use.

Conclusion

Welding and cutting activities are essential industrial processes that come with several hazards. However, these hazards can be controlled using appropriate preventive measures such as wearing suitable protective clothing, providing adequate ventilation, ensuring equipment is inspected before use, and using competent operators. Employers and employees must take these measures seriously to ensure the safety of all personnel and property during welding and cutting activities.

 

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Working at Roof hazards and control measures includes all the precautionary measures

 

Working at Roof Safety

A type of work at height is to work on a roof so almost all the control measures which we apply on work at height will be used with this activity.

 

First step is preparing the work area at the roof. This will include safe access/egress and edge protection systems needs to install and safety harness is available specifically at the entrance which could be at access/egress point.

Training for the personal related to their job safety and safe system of work to be conducted and ensure it is understood.

Establish exclusion zone to avoid the unauthorized entry to that area with adequate signs. 

Rescue team is assigned and rescue arrangements are in place. This is most important thing to consider because if a worker fall and if we don’t have emergency rescue arrangements it will hang for a long time and blood circulation may stop because of body weight to safety harness.

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Excavation hazards and control measures on a work place

                                 Excavation Safety on a work place

Introduction

Excavation is the process of removing earth, rocks, or other materials from a site to create a hole, trench, or foundation. It is a common practice in construction and civil engineering. Excavation can be a dangerous activity, and proper safety measures must be taken to prevent accidents and injuries. In this article, we will explore the various types of excavation, the equipment used, and the safety measures that must be taken to ensure safe excavation practices.

Types of Excavation

There are several types of excavation, each with its own purpose and method. The following are the most common types of excavation:

Trench Excavation

Trench excavation is used to create a narrow and deep hole in the ground. It is often used in utility installation, such as water and sewer lines. Trenches are typically dug using an excavator or backhoe.

Basement Excavation

Basement excavation is used to create a space below ground level that can be used for a basement. This type of excavation requires careful planning and must take into consideration the soil composition and groundwater level.

Topsoil Excavation

Topsoil excavation involves the removal of the top layer of soil. This type of excavation is often used in landscaping and agricultural projects.

Equipment Used for Excavation

Excavation requires specialized equipment to be performed safely and efficiently. The following are the most common pieces of equipment used for excavation:

Excavator

An excavator is a large machine that is used for digging and moving earth. It is equipped with a bucket that can be used to remove soil, rocks, and other materials.

Backhoe

A backhoe is a smaller machine that is used for digging and moving earth. It is equipped with a bucket and a digging arm that can be used to remove soil, rocks, and other materials.

Bulldozer

A bulldozer is a heavy machine that is used to push earth and other materials. It is often used in larger excavation projects, such as road construction.

Skid Steer Loader

A skid steer loader is a small machine that is used for digging and moving earth. It is equipped with a bucket that can be used to remove soil, rocks, and other materials.

Safety Measures for Excavation

Excavation can be a dangerous activity, and proper safety measures must be taken to prevent accidents and injuries. The following are some of the safety measures that must be taken for safe excavation practices:

Site Inspection

Before excavation begins, the site must be inspected to identify potential hazards. This may include underground utilities, unstable soil, or other obstructions that could cause accidents or injuries. The site inspection must be conducted by a qualified professional who has experience in excavation and can identify potential hazards.

Protective Gear / PPE

All workers involved in excavation must wear appropriate protective gear. This includes hard hats, safety glasses, steel-toed boots, and high-visibility clothing. The protective gear must be worn at all times during excavation activities to prevent injuries.

Training

All workers involved in excavation must be properly trained on the equipment and safety procedures. This includes proper operation of the equipment, proper use of safety gear, and emergency procedures. Workers must be trained on how to recognize hazards and what to do in case of an emergency.

Equipment

Excavation requires specialized equipment to be performed safely and efficiently. The equipment must be inspected before each use to ensure that it is in good working condition. Any damaged equipment must be repaired or replaced before it can be used.

Safety Barriers

Safety barriers must be used to prevent workers and equipment from falling into the excavation site. The barriers must be installed around the perimeter of the excavation site and must be clearly marked to ensure that workers are aware of their location.

Sloping and Benching

Sloping and benching are two methods used to stabilize the sides of the excavation site. Sloping involves excavating at an angle to reduce the risk of collapse, while benching involves creating a series of steps to stabilize the sides of the excavation site. The slope or bench angle must be determined by a qualified professional and must be based on the soil type and other site conditions.

Shoring

Shoring involves installing temporary support systems to prevent the sides of the excavation site from collapsing. Shoring systems must be designed and installed by a qualified professional and must be inspected before each use to ensure that they are in good working condition.

Trench Boxes

Trench boxes are used to protect workers from cave-ins and to stabilize the sides of the excavation site. Trench boxes must be designed and installed by a qualified professional and must be inspected before each use to ensure that they are in good working condition.

Utility Locating

Before excavation begins, all underground utilities must be located and marked to prevent damage to the utilities and to prevent injuries to workers. Utility locating must be conducted by a qualified professional who has experience in utility locating.

Conclusion

Excavation can be a hazardous activity, and proper safety measures must be taken to prevent accidents and injuries. The safety measures discussed in this article are essential for ensuring safe excavation practices. It is important to remember that excavation safety is the responsibility of everyone involved in the excavation process, from the workers to the supervisors and managers. By following proper safety procedures and using the appropriate equipment, excavation can be performed safely and efficiently.

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