Maintain a safe and secure working environment in utilities network construction

This Standard is about making sure the working environment is safe to work in. It could apply to network construction operations for a single utility or in a multi-utility environment.

 This involves ongoing monitoring of safety and security during routine work and taking steps to make safe any situations, activities, techniques, procedures, use of equipment or plant or hazardous locations.  It involves identifying hazards or work practices and referring them to designated people, being alert to, and assessing, risk, hazardous conditions or security breaches and the need to wear safety clothing.

This Standard is for anyone who is involved with maintaining a safe and secure working environment in utilities network construction.

 

Performance criteria

 You must be able to:

  1. carry out a site specific risk assessment for your area of work and review in accordance with company procedures
  2. apply control measures identified in the site specific risk assessment
  3. work in a safe manner which ensures you do not endanger yourself, others or the environment
  4. select, check condition, use and store the appropriate PPE for the task
  5. follow company procedures immediately in the event of an emergency situation
  6. ensure plant and equipment is fit for purpose
  7. assemble, prepare and use plant and equipment in a safe manner
  8. maintain safe access and egress to and from work locations
  9. ensure health and safety equipment is in good condition and fit for purpose
  10. prevent unauthorised people accessing the work site in accordance with organisational procedures.
  11. maintain site safety through continuous monitoring
  12. apply approved procedures in the event of an emergency
  13. follow operational and organisational procedures for communicating information to other people
  14. maintain records in accordance with operational and organisational requirements
  15. check with designated people any circumstances where information appears incorrect
  16. use organisational information systems to record and store data and information
  17. exchange and record information in accordance with operational procedures
  18. report to designated people any situations which require additional intervention
  19. refer problems and conditions outside the responsibility of the job role to designated people using approved procedures 

 

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. the main responsibilities of the employer and employee under the Health   and Safety at Work Act and how to comply with them
  2. the main responsibilities of the employer and employee under environmental legislation
  3. how to carry out and review site-specific risk assessments
  4. working practices that may breach health and safety including activities, procedures, use of materials or equipment and working techniques used
  5. the company reporting lines, roles, responsibilities and levels of authority
  6. who the designated people are within work and health and safety procedures
  7. the identification and application of safe procedures for handling hazardous and non-hazardous materials
  8. organisational accident recording and reporting procedures
  9. the range and use of personal protective equipment for the work activity and procedures for checking PPE is fit for purpose
  10. statutory, organisational and emergency reporting procedures
  11. the current construction design and management regulations and how they impact on your area of work
  12. health and safety legislation and regulations for safe working practices for plant, equipment and the working environment
  13. how to ensure that plant and equipment is fit for purpose
  14. how to provide safe access and egress to and from work locations
  15. how to identify a confined space and where a work location has the potential to become a confined space, the hazards associated with it and the procedures to follow
  16. the importance of applying control measures to identified risks
  17. how to monitor site safety and security and respond to any unsafe behaviour
  18. organisational requirements for safe storage and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
  19. approved emergency procedures
  20. how to check and interpret information received for accuracy, validity and meaning and the importance of doing so
  21. the importance of interpreting and following instructions accurately
  22. the importance of confirming understanding of instructions received and given
  23. methods of recording verbal, written, and computerised information
  24. information which needs to be provided to others relating to the health, safety and security of the site
  25. information sources and how to access them
  26. the importance of supplying accurate information, in a fit-forpurpose format, and within identified timescales
  27. the purpose of data audit trails and how to use and maintain them
  28. the organisation's confidentiality policies