Safety Policy

Some of the sections of the policy may not apply to your role.

Also, please note you will receive professional training before climbing towers

Corporate Statement

In pursuit of our commitment, Roehampton will develop, implement and enforce such policies and procedures that promote and provide a healthier, safer work environment. In fulfilling this commitment to protect people, management will provide and maintain a safe and healthy work environment, in accordance with industry standards and in compliance with legislative requirements. We will strive to eliminate any foreseeable hazards which may result in accidents, personal injury/illness and property damage.

We recognize that the responsibilities for health and safety must be shared to effectively maximize our efforts. Active employee involvement is encouraged and in conjunction with good management will help to control the potential for accidents.

Please join us in making a personal commitment to make safety a way of life.

Training

Employees will be provided with appropriate training to allow them to perform their necessary job tasks satisfactorily and in a safe and healthy manner.   

All employees whose job duties include working on heights must successfully complete Fall Protection:  Working at Heights and Aerial Rescue or Rooftop Safety training prior to perform field projects involving work at heights.     

Retraining

Retraining will occur if:

1.      It is determined that employees already trained do not have the necessary understanding or skills

2.      if an employee feels that they require further training. In such case the employee will notify their supervisor immediately.

3.      If there will be changes in workplace, fall protection system or equipment that render previous training obsolete.

Training records will be completed during the training sessions and kept on file by the Employer.  Employees will sign in on the training record.

Working on Heights

Fall Protection is required any time a worker is greater than 6 feet above the next permanent level and is at risk of falling.

ROOFTOP SAFETY

The following document outlines procedures for all employees that access rooftop sites.

Pre-access

·        Contact the building owner/representative and client project manager to review any specific instruction or requirements pertaining to the scope of work.  Where possible, have owner / representative or client forward any pertinent information regarding access and/or roof work i.e. design, procedures, rooftop requirements. 

·        When lightning is imminent, do not work on rooftop when deemed a hazard.

·        Determine, with respect to route of travel:

o   Presence of other antennas emitting RF/Microwave

o   Roof openings (location of skylights etc )

o   Any impeding construction activity

o   Trip, slip hazards

o   If the roof is equipped with a parapet wall 

o   Potential work location as it relates to the edge of the roof

·        Presence of fixed ladder.  Contact OH&S Department if ladder is more than 22 steps

·        Have building owner /representative provide information as to how fall protection is typically applied on their roof and/or if it is required given the specific  location of  equipment to be installed or serviced

·        If need be, survey the roof preferably with the building owner/representative to determine the location of adequate anchor points as they relate to the potential work site and edge of the roof.  

·        If no fall protection anchor points available, always be aware of where you are in relation to the roof edge

Walking on Roof

·        Remain at least 6 ft from edge of roof increasing this distance according to weather, pitch, surface type etc

·        Do not improvise; be sure to bring the fall protection equipment required to perform the job safely

·        Use

·        Hardhats are not necessarily required on a roof, unless the work to be performed presents a hazard to the head.  If a hard hat is to be worn it must be of the ratchet type and tightened to the point where it will not blow off. 

·        Walk your pre-determined route of travel taking into account the hazards identified in the pre-job planning stage.

·        Stay away from roof’s edge unless the roof is equipped with a parapet wall, serving as a fall protection safeguard

·        Where work site is closer than 6ft to roof’s edge, use travel restraint fall protection system

·        Consider assigning a second person as a safety monitor if the specific work location is at or close to 6 ft to the edge of the roof

·        Never walk backwards on a roof

·        Pay attention to RF danger or caution signage posted around antenna(s) microwaves on entrances/exist

·        Do not walk in front of or in close proximity to RF sources (antennas or microwaves).   Do not  work in front of an antenna or microwave.

Leaving the roof

Ensure that nothing is left behind that is not secured to the roof or equipment

Close doors and latch to prevent other unauthorized people for gaining access to roof

TOWER SAFETY

Safety Notes:

Job Planning

Identify existing and potential hazards

Ensure communication in the work crew

Tailgate Meeting

Must be held at the beginning of each job

Discuss what work is to be carried out, the hazards at each step and methods taken to overcome the hazards and the work responsibility of every member of the crew for that job

Safety Equipment

Each individual is responsible to inspect their personal safety equipment (harness) daily for possible wear of fabric, nicks, cuts etc.

Any piece of equipment found to exhibit excessive wear must be discarded and new equipment used.

Employees working at heights require a full set of Fall Arrest equipment that includes full body harness and shock absorbing lanyards

Employees should also have a Work Positioning System including body belt and pole strap

Hard hats and safety boots must be worn at all times

This procedure provides methods and principles that should be used when climbing a tower.  These will apply to most situations encountered by employees who work on telecommunication towers.  Due to various tower designs and work situations, there may be conditions that this procedure does not cover. 

General Procedures:

The tower climber should ensure that the fall protection harness is in good working order, and properly adjusted for comfort and safety.

The climber should always maintain three points of contact with the structure; either two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand.

When transferring from one fall protection system to another, the climber must connect to the next system before disconnecting from the current one

The climber should rest before becoming tired during a climb

The climber should be aware of potential hazards including weather, fatigue, animals, damage to the structure, and falling objects

CLIMBING PROCEDURES

1.   Tower With Fall Arrest System

Safety Rail

Climbing ladder and safety rail should be inspected before use to ensure it is safe.

The proper rail trolley must be selected to match the tower safety rail.

The rail trolley should be inspected before use to ensure it is in good working order.

Install the trolley on the rail in the proper orientation.

The trolley must be attached to the front D-ring of the harness, at a distance of no more than 9 inches (23 cm).

Before disconnecting from the safety rail, a lanyard must be attached to an appropriate tower member.

Cable Grab

Climbing ladder and fall arrest cable should be inspected before use to ensure it is safe.

The proper size cable grab must be selected to match the tower safety cable.

The cable grab should be inspected before use to ensure it is in good working order.

Install the cable grab on the cable in the proper orientation.

The cable grab may be attached to the front D-ring of the harness, at a distance of no more than 9 inches (23 cm), or to the fall arrest lanyard attached to the back D-ring of the safety harness

Before disconnecting from the safety cable, a lanyard must be attached to an appropriate tower member.

Rope Grab

Climbing ladder and lifeline should be inspected before use to ensure it is safe.

The proper size rope grab must be selected to match the lifeline.

The rope grab should be inspected before use to ensure it is in good working order.

Install the rope grab on the lifeline in the proper orientation.

The rope grab must be attached to the fall arrest lanyard on the back D-ring of the safety harness

Before disconnecting from the lifeline, a lanyard must be attached to an appropriate tower member.

Only one climber is permitted to climb the lifeline at a time.

The climber must not hold the rope grab while climbing or descending.

2.  Tower Without Fall Arrest System

Tower with climbing ladder

Double hook, or Y-lanyards will be used during the climb.

Climbing ladder should be inspected before use to ensure it is safe.

Only one tail of the lanyard may be disconnected at a time.

While climbing, the lanyards will be used in a leapfrog type fashion, ensure that the upper lanyard is firmly attached before disconnecting the lower one.  This procedure is reversed when descending the tower.

Tower without climbing ladder

Double hook, or Y-lanyards will be used during the climb.

Special care should be taken to inspect the tower before climbing, to ensure that the structure can be climbed safely.

Only one tail of the lanyard may be disconnected at a time.

While climbing, the lanyards will be used in a leapfrog type fashion, ensure that the upper lanyard is firmly attached before disconnecting the lower one.  This procedure is reversed when descending the tower.

Depending on the construction of the tower, the pelican hook on the lanyard may not safely clip around a tower member.  In this case, the lanyard should be hooked to a sling which is attached to an appropriate tower member.  The free end of the lanyard must never be choked back on itself unless specified by the manufacturer.

PROCEDURES FOR WORKING WITH HANDS FREE AT HEIGHT

·        When the climber has reached a location where they require hands free to perform work, a body belt in conjunction with a pole strap can be used to maintain position.

·        A fall arrest lanyard attached to the back D-ring of the harness must be attached to an appropriate tower member before disconnecting from the tower fall protection system.

·        Depending on the construction of the tower, the pelican hook on the lanyard may not safely clip around a tower member.  In this case, the lanyard should be hooked to a sling which is attached to an appropriate tower member.  The free end of the lanyard must never be choked back on itself unless specified by the manufacturer.

·        The pole strap and body belt are only part of a Work Positioning System, not a Fall Protection System, thus a fall protection lanyard must remain attached to the tower when using the pole strap.

·        The pole strap should be attached to the waist D-rings of the safety harness or body belt.

·        When using the pole strap choose the attachment point to minimize the distance the climber can fall in case of lost footing.

·        Replace the pole strap when excessively worn.  This is shown by the coloured wear indicator in the core of the webbing.

Equipment Inspection

Safety equipment is only as good as its weakest part and only as good as the person who puts it on.

Fall-Protection equipment is the most common at Roehampton.

Remember: Fall Protection systems can only prevent fatal falls if they are used properly!            

Correct use includes inspection.

Your life depends on it.

Equipment used in a fall protection system must be

(a) inspected daily by a qualified person before use

(b) kept free from substances and conditions that could contribute to its deterioration, and

(c) maintained in good working order.

Removal from service

(1) After a fall protection system has arrested the fall of a worker, it must

(a) be removed from service, and

(b) not be returned to service until it has been inspected and recertified as safe for use by the manufacturer or its authorized agent, or by a professional engineer.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), subsection (1) (b) does not apply to a personal fall protection system designed and intended for reuse by a performer in the entertainment industry for conducting a planned fall sequence.

(3) The following conditions must be met before a personal fall protection system described in subsection (2) will be exempt from subsection (1) (b):

(a) the system must be designed and used in accordance with a standard acceptable to the Board;

(b) each use of the system must be carried out in accordance with the plan for the conduct of the fall;

(c) the peak arrest forces generated in the system during each use must be at or below both the planned limits and the maximum forces allowed for the system;

(d) after each use of the system no part of the system, including the anchorage, may be reused until a qualified person has inspected it and determined it is in serviceable condition and safe for reuse.

RF/MW Exposure

The RF/MW Exposure policy is to provide measures to protect the health and safety or, and minimize the risk to, any employee or any other person who may become exposed to RF radiation during the course of work with Roehampton Communications Ltd.

All Roehampton employees that may become exposed to radiation due to work being performed will receive appropriate training regarding the specific risks of radiation, as well as steps to be taken to prevent said exposure. This includes but is not limited to:

Risks:

·        The nature and the degree of the health effects of overexposure of RF/MW fields depends on the frequency and intensity of the fields, the duration of exposure, the distance from the source, and other factors.

·        The main effect of exposure is heating of body tissue as energy from the fields is absorbed by the body. Localized heating may lead to heat damage and burns to internal tissue.

·        Other hazards include contact shocks and RF burns.

Controls:

·        RF exposure risk analysis must be included in rooftop and tower tailgate meetings

·        Needless exposures should be avoided

·        Exposure times should be kept as short as possible

·        RF/MW exposure should not exceed recommended exposer limits

·        Areas where exposure of RF/MW radiation is suspected to exceed recommended code 6 limits must be surveyed to determine the exposure levels

·        To access area where proximity of the antennas where RF energy is above code 6 limits Roehampton employees must follow the instructions from the frequency owner to coordinate transmitter shut down.

Hazard and Reporting

All employees are responsible for reporting any accident hazardous acts or conditions that may exist in the workplace to their managers or the owners immediately.  The workplace supervisor is responsible for responding to the employee’s concern and ensuring the hazardous condition is resolved.

If you discover a hazardous situation:

1.      The employee will report the hazardous act or condition to their Manager immediately.

2.      The Manager is expected to deal with the matter promptly, consult with others as needed, and advise the employee of the plan to resolve the matter.

3.      If the Manager is unable to resolve the concern, he/she will bring it to the attention of the Principals.

4.      The Principles and the employee’s Manager are responsible for ensuring the employee is informed of the steps taken to resolve the concern.

5.      The Hazard Reporting Form can be found on the Roehampton server in Human Resource fine under Forms and Templates. Form can be submitted anonymously if desired.  

 Workplace Accident

Roehampton will comply with all required Federal and Provincial regulations, legislation and workplace compliance issues regarding Health and Safety, the correct reporting and investigating of any workplace injuries, and will strive to prevent any potential workplace injuries through the implementation of health and safety policies, procedures and programs.

The Workplace Accident Reporting Policy is intended to provide the correct reporting and investigatory procedures in the event of a workplace accident/incident.  The creation of complete documentation, proper reports and investigations of workplace accidents/incidents will increase our overall readiness to identify and resolve workplace safety issues and minimize a risk of workplace injuries.

Response to Accidents Resulting Injuries Requiring Medical Attention

First response:

1.                Check the surroundings

2.                Call 911

3.                Care for the injured person

Later:

4.            Contact the Manager and Health & Safety Representative so that a joint investigation can be conducted (even if the injured worker is not available).  Gather all available information such as:

•             Accident details

•             Medical assistance offered

•             Names of witnesses.

•             Objects, equipment, parts, or substances involved in accident.

•             Maintenance records.

•             Is there a safe work procedure for the work being performed?

•             Was procedure being followed?

•             Did worker receive safety training for work being performed?

5.           Complete an accident reporting form and provide copies to manager and the Health & Safety    Representative.

6.            The Supervisor or other designated member of management will call report the critical injury to the         appropriate board (M.O.L in Ontario 1-877-202-0008) within 48 hours.

7.            Identify causes of the accident/incident.

8.            Determine and implement temporary or, if possible, long term corrective measures to address root       causes before re-starting the process.

9.            Schedule follow-up review to review effectiveness of the temporary and long term corrective           measures implemented.

 Working Alone 

For the purposes of this policy, "to work alone" means to work alone at a work site in circumstances where assistance is not readily available in the event of emergency. 

Working Alone Safely

Whenever an employee is required to work alone, Roehampton Communications Ltd. shall:

• Establish an effective means of communication (telephone, radio, etc.) between the worker and persons capable of responding to their needs;

• Determine the methods of communication that are available.  In the event that an effective means of communication is not practicable or available at the worksite Check-in procedure must be established to ensure ongoing communication

Check-In Procedure

• Any Roehampton Communications Ltd. employee that must work alone shall check-in using a pre-planned communication.

• Identify an employee to act as the main point of contact for the employee working alone.

• Develop an emergency action plan to be followed in the event that the employee working alone does not check-in on schedule.

Personal Protective Equipment

The purpose of the Personal Protective Equipment Policies is to protect the employees of Roehampton Communications from exposure to work place hazards and the risk of injury through the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). 

Personal protective equipment will be provided, used, and maintained when it has been determined that its use is required to ensure the safety and health of our employees and that such use will lessen the likelihood of occupational injury and/or illness.

Management have the primary responsibility for implementing and enforcing PPE use and policies in their work area.  This involves:

1.      Providing appropriate PPE and making it available to employees.

2.      Ensuring that employees are trained on the proper use, care, and cleaning of PPE.

3.      Making necessary adjustments when new hazards are introduced or when processes are added or changed

4.      Ensuring that defective or damaged PPE is immediately disposed of and replaced

Employees are responsible for:

1.      Properly wearing PPE as required.

2.      Attending required training sessions.

3.      Properly caring for, cleaning, maintaining, and inspecting PPE as required.

4.      Informing the supervisor of the need to repair or replace PPE.

FALL PROTECTION

The wearing of a safety harness is mandatory for all workers exposed to falls of over 3 m from their work stations, except if a worker is protected by some other device that ensures equivalent safety.

HEAD PROTECTION

The wearing of a safety hat complying with CAN/CSA Standards is mandatory for all workers exposed to head injuries.

BODY PROTECTION/ HAND PROTECTION

Employees at risk or weather related problems must wear protective equipment such as warm clothes and gloves.

PROTECTIVE FOOTWEAR

The wearing of protective shoes in compliance with CAN/CSA Standards is mandatory for all workers exposed to foot injuries