Essential Safety Measures for Confined Spaces, Blasting, Tunneling, Ladders, and Scaffolding

Posted on Dec 17, 2024 in Other subjects

Confined Space Safety Precautions

Avoidance of Entry: Where possible, avoid entering confined spaces. Determine if the work can be performed in a manner that eliminates the need for entry.

Safe System of Work: If entry into a confined space is unavoidable, establish a safe system of work and ensure all necessary precautions are in place. Emergency procedures must be prepared and ready before work begins. A comprehensive risk assessment will help identify potential hazards and determine appropriate safety measures.

Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation within the confined space. This may require introducing temporary ventilation systems to maintain safe working conditions.

Isolation: Isolate local utilities such as gas, water, and electricity to create a safe environment for employees working in the confined space.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Provide employees with suitable protective gear, including:

• Head, hand, and foot protection
• Eye and hearing protection
• Waterproof and thermal clothing
• Respirators and breathing apparatus

Safety Precautions Before Blasting

• The blasting operations shall be carried out under an authorized blasting engineer.
• The position of boreholes for blasting using dynamites should be marked in circles with white paint.
• The size of the borehole should be such that it facilitates easy passage of the cartridge.
• Boreholes shall be cleaned thoroughly before insertion of the cartridge.
• The fuses of the required length shall be cut and inserted into the holes.
• Fuses shall be free of joints. If unavoidable, a semi-circular notch shall be cut off from one piece of fuse at the end and inserted into the notch of the other fuse.
• A maximum of 8 boreholes shall be loaded and fired at one go.
• The charges may not be fired simultaneously.
• Warning signs shall be given, and it must be ensured that workers have retired to a safe place.
• After charged boreholes are exploded, the engineer shall inspect the site for anomalies.

Safety Precautions While Blasting

• Red flags shall be prominently displayed around the area where blasting operations are carried out.
• An audio warning by blowing a whistle shall be given before igniting the fuse.
• Blasting should be carried out under the supervision of trained personnel.
• All workers shall withdraw to a safe distance of at least 200m from the blasting site.
• All procedures and safety measures for explosives, drilling, and loading of explosives before and after firing should be carried out.

Tunneling

• The process of constructing an underground passageway beneath the earth’s surface.
• It can also be constructed underwater.
• It is a horizontal underground passageway created via excavation processes.
• Tunnels can be used for roadways, railways, and waterways.
• Different construction techniques used for tunneling:

1. Bored and tunnel method
2. Shaft method
3. Pipe jacking method
4. Cut and cover method

Safety Precautions in Tunneling

• The floor of the tunnel should be kept dry and clean.
• Open flames and electric short circuits should be avoided.
• Medical equipment and doctors should always be available at the site.
• Machinery tools that are unusable should be avoided in the store.
• All machine tools should be well-maintained.
• Lighting and electrical lines should be entirely secured and insulated.
• Proper ventilation systems should be provided in the tunnel as required.
• Proper drainage must be ensured.
• Safety signboards should be installed.
• A double power supply should be provided.

Ladder Safety Guidelines

Quality Materials: Ladders should be made from durable materials and be free of defects.

Check for Defects: Avoid using ladders with missing or damaged rungs or those supported solely by nails or spikes.

Avoid Painting Wooden Ladders: Painting can conceal defects, making wooden ladders unsafe.

Height Requirements: Provide a ladder or stairway for platforms 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) or higher.

Intermediate Landing: Ladders taller than 9 meters (about 30 feet) should have intermediate landings with guardrails.

Tools and Materials: Use ropes to lift tools and materials instead of carrying them on a ladder.

Stable Base: Avoid placing ladders on unstable objects like boxes or barrels.

Prevent Slipping: Ensure ladders are stable and secure, especially on smooth or vibrating surfaces.

Proper Height: The ladder should extend at least 1 meter (about 3.3 feet) above the landing area for a secure hand-hold.

Climbing and Descending: Always face the ladder while climbing or descending.

Limit Loads: Minimize carrying materials on ladders. They are for access, not for transporting heavy or bulky items.

Inspection: Regularly inspect ladders for safety and stability.

Portable Ladders: Ensure portable ladders are securely positioned before use.

Assistance at the Base: If needed, have someone hold the ladder at the base to prevent slipping.

Avoid Slippery Surfaces: Do not place ladders on slippery or oily surfaces unless secured or held by someone.

Footwear: Avoid wearing slippery shoes or boots when using ladders.

Limit Users: Only one person should be on a ladder at a time.

Avoid Metal Ladders Near Electricity: Do not use metal ladders near exposed live wires.

Safety Precautions for Scaffolding

Proper Base Support: Ensure that the base of the scaffold is stable and rests on solid, level ground. Use base plates and adjustable screws for uniform load distribution.

Use of Guard Rails and Toe Boards: Guard rails (minimum height of 1 meter) and toe boards (minimum height of 150 mm) should be installed to prevent falls and falling objects.

Secure Anchorage: Securely fasten the scaffold to the building or structure using ties or braces to prevent sway or collapse.

Regular Inspections: Inspect scaffolding at least once every 7 days and after exposure to adverse weather conditions. Check alignment, bracing, couplers, planks, and platform security.

Lateral Bracing: Provide horizontal and diagonal bracing to enhance lateral stability and prevent buckling under vertical loads.

Proper Plank Placement: Use uniform, secure, and closely laid planks for platforms to avoid gaps or irregularities. Ensure planks are of adequate thickness and strength.

Overhead Protection: Provide overhead covering when work is performed above a scaffold to protect workers below from falling materials.

Safe Ladder Access: Provide secure ladders or built-in staircases for safe access to platforms. Ensure ladders are firmly attached and do not interfere with the scaffold’s stability.

Blasting Safety Precautions

1. Area Demarcation:

• Use red flags and keep workers/bystanders 200 meters away.

• Provide audible warnings (e.g., whistle blast) and conduct operations under supervision.

• Avoid blasting within 200 meters of structures unless approved by an engineer.

• Follow government-approved methods and store explosives safely.

Demolition Safety Precautions

1. Pre-Demolition Survey:

• Conduct site surveys and ensure stability for nearby buildings.

• Shut off gas, water, and power before demolition.

• Secure the site with fences and segregate hazardous debris.

• Suppress dust and monitor noise levels, providing protective gear.

• Use stable scaffolding and prevent unintended structural collapse.

Tunneling Safety Precautions

1. Worksite Hygiene & Maintenance:

• Keep tunnels clean and check platforms for hazards.

• Use insulated equipment and secure power lines.

• Ensure medical and firefighting equipment is available.

• Use helmets, gloves, and train workers on safety procedures.

• Install ventilation and maintain clear communication systems.

• Regularly inspect the structure and display safety signs.

National Building Code (NBC)

1. Basement Safety

• Minimum height of 2.5 meters, proper ventilation, waterproof walls, and floors.
• Drainage should not enter the basement.
• Access through the main entrance or staircase only.

2. Exit and Emergency Evacuation Safety

• Buildings must have safe, clearly marked exits.
• Staircases should allow continuous evacuation.
• Lifts and revolving doors are not considered exits.

3. Fire Safety

• Automatic fire detection systems are mandatory in large buildings.
• Fire extinguishers, sprinklers, and wet risers must meet NBC standards.
• Staircases must allow quick evacuation.

4. Staircase Safety

• Staircases in low-rise buildings should be at least 0.9 meters wide.
• Stairways should be non-combustible, with handrails 100 cm high.
• No combustible materials or decorations on staircases.

5. Structural Integrity

• Structures should handle loads safely and prevent failure.
• Reinforcements and supports should meet NBC material strength standards.

Other Important Construction Safety Provisions:

6. General Safety Guidelines

• Focus on preventing accidents by ensuring structural stability.
• Protect public health through standards for materials and practices.

7. Kitchen Safety

• Kitchens must have drainage and proper ventilation.
• Floors should be impermeable, with no chutes in buildings above 15 meters.

8. Bathroom Safety

• Must have ventilation and watertight floors.
• Bathrooms should prevent water leakage using non-absorbent materials.

9. Loft Safety

• Lofts are allowed in residential buildings but should cover less than 25% of the area.
• The minimum height requirement is 1.75 meters.