Health & Safety

1. Organisation & Responsibility

1.1 Overall Responsibility

Overall responsibility for QPI’s Policy on health and safety rests with the Managing Director, Mr Jon Grimmett & as such he will: Ensure suitable resources are made available (financial, time, manpower, etc.) for the provision of complying with health & safety obligations and regulations. Actively promote a positive attitude towards health & safety within the company, monitor and assess risk to all from health and safety issues. Understand the company policy for health & safety and ensure it is readily available for all employees. Set a personal example when visiting customer’s site’s by wearing appropriate protective equipment as required. Actively promote at all levels the company’s commitment to effective health and safety management.

1.2 Health & Safety Co-ordinator / Representative

Responsibility for Health and Safety implementation and management has been delegated to the Service Team Manager and Health & safety Representative, Adrian Harrold. The Health and Safety Representative will undertake and be responsible for: Providing appropriate information & instruction to employees. Ensuring that staff at all levels receive appropriate training. Monitoring & assessing risk to all from health & safety issues. Ensuring work is planned to take into account health & safety issues. Monitoring the implementation of the health and safety policy throughout the company and reviewing its appropriateness by regular safety audits/inspections carried out both at QPI’s works & with the necessary permission on client’s sites. Investigating accidents, incidents or near misses and implementing corrective action. Reviewing health and safety legislation and implementing any new requirements relevant to the company’s line of business. Liaising with senior staff, employees, client’s safety personnel & specialists as and when appropriate. Collating and reporting any accidents reportable under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (R.I.D.D.O.R.) 2013.

1.3 Employees

Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states the following:

It shall be the duty of every employee while at work:

a. to take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other persons who may be

affected by his own acts or omissions at work.

b. As regards any duty or requirement imposed on his employer or any other person by or under

any of the relevant statutory provisions, to co-operate with him so far as is necessary to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with. In order for all employees to comply with their legal duties they must: Read and understand QPI’s company health and safety policy and carry out their work safely and in accordance with its requirements. Take reasonable care of themselves and other persons that may be affected by their acts or omissions at work. Co-operate with QPI to allow compliance with all statutory duties affecting health and safety. Not intentionally misuse or recklessly interfere with anything provided for health and safety. Not carry out any operations for which they do not have authorisation or the relevant training and experience. Report without delay any defects in plant, equipment or systems of work which they consider to be hazardous. Ensure that any equipment or system of work provided for reasons of health and safety is used correctly in accordance with the information, instruction or training given. Report promptly any accidents, incidents or near misses, whether or not injury was involved. Wear appropriate safety equipment, as required for hazardous tasks. Ensure that equipment is maintained and any defects are reported immediately. Co-operate with any investigation, which may be undertaken with the objective of preventing reoccurrence of any accidents/incidents.

2. Communication & Consultation

In order to meet the legal requirements of the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations and the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations, QPI will communicate and consult with all employees on the following issues:

a. The content of this policy

b. Any rules specific to a site or job

c. Changes in legislation or best working practice

d. The planning of Health and Safety training

e. The introduction or alteration of new work equipment or technology

This communication & consultation will take place directly with the employees via regular safety meetings, tool-box talks, pre-job briefings & memos posted on the QPI Announcements WhatsApp group and staff notice boards. For reference at any time by staff, an up-to-date copy of this policy will be available both in the office & with other QPI literature in the staff canteen.

3. Training

All employees are given training appropriate to their responsibilities in accordance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Training will typically be provided to cover the following:

a. QPI induction training for new employees (Health and safety awareness, company procedures,

manual handling, risk assessment, etc.)

b. A relevant industry approved Health & Safety passport scheme (MPQC/SPA quarry passport)

c. Any site tasks where suitable specific training is available (Lifting & slinging, Slinger/Signaller, IPAF

Harness, PASMA Access equipment, Working at Height, etc.)

d. The safe use of machinery/plant used both on site & at QPI’s works (AITT forklift/ telehandler, IPAF

3A+3B - MEWP & scissor lift, winch & belt winders, etc.)

e. The introduction or modification of new/existing machinery or technology

f.

A change in any employee’s position/work activity or responsibility

Additional training is also provided for manual handling, safe use of Stanley knives, working with hazardous substances & the correct usage of PPE. Any training provided by QPI will be formally recorded on the training matrix with a hard copy certificate kept on file. A programme of refresher training will be undertaken to keep employees up to date with current legislation & industry best practices.

4. Fire Safety & Emergencies

As detailed in QPI’s Fire safety policy, the company takes seriously fire hazards in the workplace. All employees have a duty to conduct their operations in such a way as to minimise the risk of fire both on site and at QPI’s works. This involves compliance with the Company & Client’s site’s no smoking policies, keeping combustible materials separate from sources of ignition, good housekeeping and avoiding unnecessary accumulation of combustible materials. An assessment of possible fire risks will be undertaken and reviewed by an external Health & Safety Fire consultant to ensure that effective measures are in place for their control. The procedure and frequency of the Fire Risk Assessment will be that prescribed by HSE Guidance at the time of assessment. Fire precautionary systems will be regularly checked & should include: ensuring all escape routes are unimpeded and clearly identified, annual examination of firefighting equipment, weekly tests of fire alarms

and bi-annual evacuation drills. All employees will be given instruction and training in these systems both during QPI’s induction and at appropriate intervals thereafter. Any hot work, burning or welding will normally take place within a designated area in QPI’s works. In other areas or when on site proper regard must be given to additional precautions that may be required for this type of work – A specific site relevant action plan must be agreed with site contact’s and a suitable & sufficient risk assessment carried out prior to any hot work commencing. It is QPI’s belief that all on site hot work should require site issuing a permit to work before any such work commences Any hot work carried out on site must have a fire watcher/lookout with suitable fire extinguisher present for the duration of the work itself and for a minimum period of 30 minutes after the work has been completed or timescale as specified by site contact if greater QPI service engineers are responsible for keeping their work area’s safe from fire at all times, ensuring they are familiar with site specific fire prevention practices and emergency procedures.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN UPON DISCOVERING A FIRE

1. Do not try to tackle the fire yourself (unless trained to do so).

2. Activate the nearest fire alarm to raise the alarm.

3. Leave the building/area by the nearest fire exit and proceed to the assembly point.

4. Raise the alarm with site management or call 999 yourself once it is safe to do so.

5. Do not re-enter the building/area for any reason until the all clear has been given.

ACTION UPON HEARING THE FIRE ALARM

1. Stop working and calmly leave the building/work area by the nearest fire exit.

2. Go directly to the assembly point next to the main gate and await instructions.

3. Do not leave the assembly point until the all clear is given.

4. Do not re-enter the building for any purpose until the all clear is given.

When working on site, in the event of a fire or emergency incident, all QPI service engineers will make themselves familiar and comply with site’s specific emergency procedures Any incident on QPI sites should be dealt with as outlined above and in accordance with the relevant QPI Emergency Response Plan for the that site.

5. First Aid & Reporting of Accidents

5.1 First Aid

QPI recognises the importance of correctly and promptly administered first aid towards saving lives and minimising the effects of injury. Adequate first aid provision (First aid boxes & eye wash facilities) will be made available at QPI’s works and for every service vehicle or site cabin owned and operated by the Company – These will be checked on a regular basis & replenished or replaced when necessary. Each first aid box shall be suitably marked and be easily accessible to all employees at all times whilst they are at work. Additionally, QPI will provide such allocation of time, resources and information as is reasonably practicable and will train employees in first aid so that the requirements of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 are fully complied with. Adequate numbers of service team & office personnel who have volunteered and are considered suitable will receive regular EFAW training and examination by an appropriate external training body. At QPI’s works – A list of first aid trained staff will be displayed at various points around the works. On Site work – Site specific first aid/incident procedures must be followed as instructed during site inductions, wherever possible arrangements are usually in place with clients to use their first aid personnel & facilities also wherever possible all service teams will contain at least one EFAW trained first aider.

5.2 Reporting of Accidents & Incidents

All incidents, accidents & near misses MUST be reported to a member of QPI’s management team & the details recorded either by the completion of a Near Miss/Hazard Alert form (located in corridor next to staff canteen) or in the relevant accident book (held in QPI’s office). Serious accidents where hospital treatment is required must be reported to QPI’s Health and Safety representative or management team immediately or as soon as it is safe to do so after the incident. If an accident/incident occurs whilst on a clients site, the site contact must be informed immediately, and records be made in site’s own accident book as well as QPI’s where necessary. Site’s own accident/incident procedure must be adhered to at all times as instructed during site specific induction

5.3 Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations

(R.I.D.D.O.R.): Under RIDDOR regulations certain accidents are reportable to the HSE’s Incident Contact Centre. The HSE must be notified as soon as practicable should a work-related fatality including an act of physical violence in the workplace occur or following any incident causing the following injuries:

- Any work-related injury that leads to an employee being absent from work for more than 7 working days

- Any fracture other than to fingers, thumbs or toes

- Any Amputation

- A dislocation of the shoulder, hip, knee or spine

- Any loss of sight (temporary or permanent)

- A chemical or hot metal burn to the eye or any penetrating injury to the eye

- Any injury resulting from an electric shock or electrical burn leading to unconsciousness or requiring resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours.

- Any other injury leading to hypothermia, heat-induced illness or unconsciousness or requiring resuscitation or requiring admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours.

All accidents, incidents & near misses will be investigated by QPI management and/or QPI’s Health & Safety Representative immediately or as soon as possible after the occurrence with the following objectives; To determine the cause(s) with a view to preventing a recurrence To gather information for use in any criminal or civil proceedings

To confirm or refute a claim for industrial injury benefit

To prepare notification to be made to the Health and Safety Executive The degree & depth of investigation will be dependent on the seriousness of the accident. The aim of the investigation will be to seek to answer the following questions;

- WHAT caused the accident?

- WHO was involved?

- WHEN did it occur?

- WHY did it occur?

- HOW could it have been prevented?

- HOW can a recurrence be prevented?

Additionally, if the accident, incident or near miss occurs whilst on site, QPI will cooperate fully with any & All investigations carried out by site’s own Health & safety/management team or HSE representatives.

6. Risk Assessment

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, requires that employers & employees must undertake a suitable and sufficient Risk Assessment (RA) before undertaking any task with the potential to cause harm. For tasks being carried out in QPI’s works or yard, a specific risk assessment will be carried out by QPI’s health & safety representative, from this and discussions with key staff members that carry out such tasks regularly, a Safe System of Work (SSoW) will be agreed & established.

These SSoW’s and associated RA will then be implemented by means of written documents to be read & signed by all individuals involved in the task, along with toolbox talks & in-house training where necessary. Any on site work, wherever possible, will have a specific Risk Assessment created for it following a visit by either QPI’s health & safety representative or by a suitably competent service engineer to site prior to the day of said work. All QPI site engineers have undergone risk assessment training & are competent in completing/writing risk assessment & method statements. Where it has not been possible to attend site before the day of the job, i.e., in the case of a breakdown, work being carried out at short notice or at considerable distance from QPI’s works then a suitable & sufficient RA will be provided taken from QPI’s RAMS database and posted out via QPI’s Big Change Job Management system. These will have sections within them that need completing after inspecting the task in hand and prior to starting work on site. In almost all cases the site Risk Assessment (RA) will be supplemented with a Method Statement (MS) to explain the approach, tasks and safe working procedures to be employed – Thereby creating a RAMS document for the task being undertaken. These site RAMS must be prepared, completed and then approved with the site contact before the work commences. The RAMS must also be reviewed should the job itself, the hazards, working conditions or risks change with any amendments made to it agreed with site before continuing the task. Wherever high risks are identified during the risk assessment, additional control measures must be agreed with site and implemented prior to any work commencing Electronic copies of any risk assessment & method statements (RAMS) will automatically be sent on to the customer as well as to QPI’s office once they have been signed by the QPI staff completing the task and by the clients site contact – these will be kept on file by QPI for a period of 5 years. Additionally, sites may issue a Permission to proceed type document and/or a Permit to work for some kinds of tasks, this subject will be approached during pre-job discussions with clients/site contacts and during any site specific inductions. It is the responsibility of all QPI staff working on site to ascertain if Permission to proceed and/or Permit to Work documents are required and if so obtain them before commencing work

7. Isolation Procedures

It is the responsibility of each, and every person employed by QPI to ensure their safety and the safety of others by adhering to these procedures. Before commencing any work on any item of plant it must be made safe to do so. Depending on the type of work and the hazards involved, this may require a simple isolation, using a single isolation lock. However, multiple forms of isolation maybe involved using control or permit locks, multiple personnel locks and possibly a Permit to work. All of these options will depend on the complexity of plant and hazards involved and upon sites own isolation procedure. The following forms of isolation should be considered for every task undertaken:

- Electrical isolation

- Pneumatic isolation

- Hydraulic isolation

- Stored energy

Isolation procedures differ from site to site but normally involve isolation of relevant plant by persons authorised to do so by the site manager e.g., electricians, managers or maintenance supervisors. The site contact in charge of the work and the authorised person will decide & agree on the correct method of isolation. The authorised person will then ensure that the isolation is carried out correctly and, if necessary, issue an isolation certificate. Only when the correct plant items have been identified and isolated by sites authorised person using permit or control locks should QPI service staff then apply their own single keyed personal isolation locks & ID cards as required by site and in accordance with each site specific LOTOTO procedure.

Remember:

Emergency stops, pull wires or any other control device must never be used as a means of isolation The relevant isolated item/s of plant, should wherever possible, be test started before work commences to ensure that the isolation is indeed correct and effective Only after plant isolation has been tested for effectiveness should QPI staff apply personal locks & ID cards before then commencing work All QPI service engineers in charge of work being carried out MUST ensure all guards, covers and safety devices are back in place following completion of the work. Only then can QPI staff remove their personal locks, site’s authorised person can remove all permit/control locks and finally clear any permits or isolation certificates issued. All QPI staff are responsible for the safe keeping of personal isolation locks and ID cards issued to them by QPI’s health & Safety representative or management team

8. Working at Height

8.1 The Regulations

The Working at Height regulations 2005 lay down the safety requirements for work at height. All QPI staff should ensure that the client/customer is aware of these regulations and has complied with them as a lack of compliance would likely place QPI staff and others at risk of injury. The legal requirements governing work at height are:

- Work at height must be avoided where possible

- All work at height must be properly planned and organised

- Those involved in work at height are trained & competent

- The risks from working at height are assessed and appropriate work equipment is selected and used

- The risks from working on fragile surfaces are properly controlled

- Any equipment used for work at height is correctly inspected and maintained

8.2 Planning

These responsibilities mean QPI management & staff must, with the aid of clients & customers where applicable:

- Ensure that no work is undertaken at height if it is safe and reasonably practicable to do it other than at height

- When work at height is unavoidable, use the safest existing location or most appropriate working platform available

- Where the risk of a fall cannot be eliminated entirely, the right type of equipment must be used to minimise the distance and consequences of any fall from height

- Carry out a suitable & sufficient risk assessment as stated in Regulation 3 of the Management of

Health and Safety at Work Regulations

- Ensure that the work is properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in the safest way possible

- Plan for emergencies and rescue i.e. create a mutually agreed Rescue Plan before starting any work at height

When deciding on type of access equipment to use, QPI staff must assess overall job requirements, task duration and importantly the location of the task to ensure the most appropriate means of working at height is chosen

8.3 Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP)

If a mobile elevated working platform is selected, then staff must ensure the following:

- Maintenance and test records (dated within the last 6 months) of the equipment are available for inspection prior to use of the equipment

- Prior to operating the machine, the relevant pre-use checks are completed in accordance with the machine manufacturers recommendations

- All ground controls & emergency descent systems are tested prior to use

- Only suitably IPAF trained & competent persons to operate the MEWP

- That suitable fall arrest equipment is worn & used by the person or persons inside the platform – With the exception of a scissor lift type machine unless specified in sites rules

- Where possible, hand tools are secured to the platform with safety cords to prevent them falling should they be dropped

- A suitable means of descent from the platform is agreed with site in case of an emergency

If staff need to exit the work platform at height for any reason at all, then an additional IPAF specific risk assessment must be completed and agreed with QPI staff undertaking the task, a member of sites management or SHE team and QPI management team prior to this action taking place

8.4 Fixed Scaffolding systems

If fixed scaffolding is selected, then staff must ensure the following:

- That it has been designed, erected or altered only by competent scaffolding personnel

- It is only erected on a firm foundation that is capable of taking the weight of the scaffold and any potential loads and personnel operating upon it

- It is braced and tied to a permanent structure or otherwise stabilised

- If it is to hold additional kit or load, then it must be appropriately constructed or altered to withstand the extra load weight

- That platforms are fully boarded and wide enough for work and access

- That scaffold boards are properly supported and do not overhang excessively i.e. More than four times its thickness

- That there are safe ladders or other means of access to & from the platform. If a ladder is used it must be tied off and extend at least one metre above the platform to provide a safe handhold

- It is regularly inspected, has a valid in date Scaf-tag & formal detailed inspections are made at least every 7 days or sooner if something occurs that may affect its strength or stability

8.5 Mobile scaffold towers

If a mobile scaffolding tower is selected, then staff must ensure the following:

- It has been erected by a suitably PASMA trained and competent individual

- The relevant components show no signs of corrosion, damage or distortion

- A suitable means of access is provided inside the tower

- Toe boards and guard rails are provided at the suitable heights (Toe board 150mm, intermediate guard rail 470mm and the top guard rail 950mm)

- That weather and ground conditions are properly considered as these may adversely affect the stability of the tower and also its suitability for the task

- Manufacturers’ guidelines are followed in relation to the height to base width ratio

- That a pre-use inspection has been completed by a suitably competent person before anyone uses or accesses the tower

8.6 Ladders

It is not illegal to use a ladder to work at height but other means of access such as those previously mentioned should always be considered and used where reasonably practicable before relying on ladders. Ideally ladders should be used for inspection purposes only and anyone using one should have first undertaken the iHasco Ladder Safety e-learning course or other similar basic training. Additionally, QPI service staff must seek permission from their site contact before considering using a ladder on site. If staff are considering using a ladder, they must make sure that:

- It is suitable to do the task e.g., BS EN 131 – Professional compliant & has been visually inspected prior to use

- The work is of short duration and involves only light work

- Three points of contact can be maintained at all times

- The work only requires one hand to be used

- The work can be reached without stretching or overreaching

- The ladder can be fixed by either footing, tying off or ideally both to prevent slipping

- A good handhold is always available

If using QPI’s ladders check that it has passed its most recent inspection and the sheet has been completed prior to use. If using site’s ladders, then firstly make sure you have been granted permission to use them by an authorised person, site will likely have its own inspection regime in place to ensure the ladder remains safe at all times – If this cannot be shown then staff should find alternative means of access.

8.7 Hop-ups

Hop-ups should be used when needed for low level access only or inspection. If staff are considering using a hop-up they must make sure that:

- It is suitable to do the task e.g., Class 1 Industrial or EN131 Trade class

- It is free from defect or damage

- All safety catches are in place and in good working order

- The working load limit is clearly displayed on the hop-up and never exceeded during use

If using QPI’s hop-ups then they must be visually inspected prior to use but if using site’s own hop-ups, then sites should have their own inspection regime in place to ensure the hop-up remains safe to use at all times.

8.8 Working at Height equipment & PPE

Where there is no option but to work at height then it is highly likely that suitable working at height equipment & PPE will be required. QPI will provide as necessary Fall prevention or Fall protection equipment such as harnesses, assorted lanyards, Grillon’s and karabiners, etc to staff members once they have received the correct training. Following which staff must ensure they comply with the following:

- Carry out a visual pre-use check of all equipment prior to use

- Immediately remove from service, tag and report any damaged, faulty or out of certification equipment

- Check the equipment (unless brand new), has an in date Thorough Examination certificate and displays the correct colour cable tie for that testing period as displayed in the lifting kit stores

- Only use the equipment as per the training they’ve received and in accordance with any manufacturers guidelines

- Correctly store and care for the equipment

- Supply the equipment for retest in accordance with QPI’s 6 monthly LOLER retesting schedule

QPI staff must not commence any work at height unless it has been properly planned, a suitable risk assessment has been carried out & control measures including a rescue plan, where required, have been agreed with a site contact and implemented accordingly

9. Manual Handling

QPI will endeavour to eliminate manual handling operations both within our works & on client’s sites as far as is reasonably practicable by providing cranes, telehandler/forklifts, lifting equipment and other manual handling aids with any remaining risks being controlled by:

- Reducing weights involved

- Reducing the frequency of any manual handling

- The use of additional manpower when needed

- The provision of suitable specialist equipment to assist in the operation when necessary

- The selection of persons to carry out manual handling or lifting tasks will be based on the training given, age, physique etc.

Manual handling operations will be risk assessed to determine suitable control measures for the management of risk in compliance with The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992.

All QPI staff will undertake manual handling training provided by our external training consultants and follow up refresher training at suitable intervals via the iHasco e-learning platform Additionally, all staff are reminded to refer back to the HSE chart detailed below for guidance.

Manual handling guidance chart shown in the policy:

Women:

- Shoulder height: 3kg at arm's length / 7kg close to body

- Elbow height: 7kg at arm's length / 13kg close to body

- Knuckle height: 10kg at arm's length / 16kg close to body

- Mid lower leg height: 7kg at arm's length / 13kg close to body

- Floor level: 3kg at arm's length / 7kg close to body

Men:

- Shoulder height: 5kg at arm's length / 10kg close to body

- Elbow height: 10kg at arm's length / 20kg close to body

- Knuckle height: 15kg at arm's length / 25kg close to body

- Mid lower leg height: 10kg at arm's length / 20kg close to body

- Floor level: 5kg at arm's length / 10kg close to body

Staff should always remember to ask for assistance if the object to be moved is too heavy for one person and wherever reasonably practicable use mechanical assistance when available rather than relying on manual handling.

10. Confined Spaces

A confined space is an enclosed space where there is a risk of death or serious injury from hazardous substances or dangerous conditions (e.g., lack of oxygen, flooding, movement of free flowing items, etc). A confined space normally has one or more of the following characteristics:

- Limited access or egress

- The space contains known or potentially hazardous substances and/or atmospheres

- The space is not intended for continuous working

- Conditions of engulfment or entrapment may exist or develop

Some confined spaces are obvious such as storage tanks, silos, enclosed drains and sewers. However, others may be less obvious, such as vats, ductwork, unventilated / poorly ventilated rooms and open topped chambers. Before commencing work in such a confined space, QPI staff in conjunction with their site contact or a member of sites management or SHE team, should ensure the space is safe by conducting a suitably sufficient risk assessment, together with the following checks:

10.1 Planning

- Test atmosphere prior to entering and continually monitor using suitable calibrated gas monitors where required

- Maintain contact with personnel outside the confined space area

- Ensure adequate resource arrangements & rescue plans are in place

10.2 Personnel

Ensure anyone partaking in work within a confined space are fit, healthy and suitably trained, in particular any persons with any of the following should NOT work in confined spaces:

- Those with a history of heart disorder

- Those with high blood pressure

- Those with asthma

- Those suffering from deafness, poor eyesight or a lack of a sense of smell

- Those suffering from claustrophobia

10.3 Permit to work

Any work in confined spaces should only be carried out after obtaining a specific Permit to work from an authorised site manager or supervisor. Any QPI staff required to carry out work in a confined space must have received suitable in date training from a recognised training organisation and have received authorisation from both QPI & site management before commencing work

11. Work & Lifting Equipment

All QPI work equipment (including electrical equipment) used either at QPI’s works or on client’s sites, should comply with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (P.U.W.E.R.) 1998. All QPI lifting equipment will be purchased, used & maintained in compliance with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER).

11.1 Work Equipment

All work equipment will be maintained and inspected at suitable intervals either by a competent designated member of QPI service team or by specialist external companies. The frequency of work equipment maintenance or inspection will be based on manufacturer’s guidance and industry best practice.

All maintenance/inspections undertaken on work equipment will be formally recorded on QPI’s vehicle or plant maintenance tracker. Any type of work equipment will only be used if it is in good order, with guards fitted where necessary & following a pre-use visual inspection by the person/s about to operate it. Mobile plant and larger machinery pre-use inspections are recorded electronically via QPI’s Big Change Management system.

11.2 Lifting Equipment

All lifting equipment must be suitably maintained & thoroughly examined by a competent person at intervals as specified under current LOLER regulations: o

6 monthly for lifting accessories/attachments & equipment used to lift people

- 6 monthly for lifting attachments & accessories

- 12 months for all other lifting or pulling/winching equipment

QPI currently ensures that all lifting equipment, attachments & accessories undergo Thorough Examination at 6 monthly intervals by Sunbelt Rental Ltd - Lifting division & all items are then electronically logged & appropriately colour coded. All tested lifting kit is tagged using coloured cable ties, signage is then displayed both within QPI works & in any lifting equipment storage container displaying the current in date colour code & due date of next retest. Any items failing the Thorough Examination are either scraped or placed into the lifting kit quarantine area and sent for repair then subsequent re-test when possible – these items will be replaced with new stock if available in the lifting kit store room. Access to QPI’s electronic lifting equipment register can be achieved via an online portal and Thorough Examination certificates can be created from this as & when required. Additionally, an Excel spreadsheet of all in date items can be supplied to any client or customer upon request.

11.3 Electrical Equipment

All electrical equipment will be routinely examined and tested in accordance with the PAT requirements to satisfy the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 by our own in-house competent electrical engineer and PAT testing team. QPI’s current examination intervals are: o o

All 110v & 415v equipment used at QPI works & on client’s sites

All office/works based 240v equipment

6 Monthly

24 monthly

PAT test certificates will be created and copies kept at QPI’s main Heather works which can then be made available to clients upon request. QPI will monitor current legislation for electrical safety testing and comply with any changes to these regulations as & when they occur.

All work & lifting equipment must be visually inspected prior to use to confirm it is fit for purpose Any lifting kit not displaying a Safe Working Load (SWL), a coloured cable tie or displaying the wrong-coloured cable tie must be taken out of service & placed into quarantine for inspection & subsequent re-test If a fault occurs, damage is found on any work/lifting equipment or if a safety device such as a guard is damaged or missing staff must immediately stop using the equipment. The item must be taken out of service, clearly marked/tagged “Do not use” then placed into the correct quarantine area where available and the item reported on QPI’s WhatApp Fault group

11.4 Grinders & Abrasive wheels

The use of hand-held grinders, bench grinders & other abrasive wheels is of particular importance due to the high risks involved in using these items both at QPI’s works & on customer’s sites. With this in mind, the following pre-use points should always be applied:

a. Pre-work risk assessment of the task to be carried out prior to starting work.

b. A permit to work may be required to proceed with any cutting & grinding work, check with your

site contact if you are unsure of site-specific rules regarding the type of grinders that can be used and the use of grinders on site.

c. Always inspect the grinder & cutting/grinding discs to ensure they are in good condition prior to

use – If you have any doubts or find any problem then immediately remove from use, report via the WhatsApp Fault reporting group and place in the electrical quarantine area having first tagged up the tool detailing its defect.

d. Check the machine’s rated speed against the recommended maximum safe operating speed

marked on the wheel or disc – The maximum speed on the disc should always be in excess of the grinder operating speed.

e. Under no circumstances should you remove a guard or operate a grinder that has had the

manufacturer fitted guards removed – All grinders should also have an auxiliary handle to allow adequate control of the grinder when in use. f.

If cables or electrical trunking are present in the work area locality then an alternative tool may be more suitable – if a grinder has to be used, the area with which the grinder is to be operated in should have these items removed where possible or suitably protected & wherever possible power supplies to the cables isolated whilst work takes place – on completion cables should be thoroughly checked, inspected & re-secured as found before re-energisation.

g. Clear any combustible materials away from any grinding area prior to starting work – sparks may

cause a fire risk – a competent person must remain on fire watch with a suitable extinguisher for a minimum of 30 minutes following completion of work if there is a risk of any spark igniting material.

Most customer sites will have their own safe procedures/use of grinders policies, QPI staff must make themselves familiar with this via their site contact and abide by its contents at all times.

Key points to remember:

1. Wear appropriate protective PPE at all times when operating grinders: close fitting eye

protection and a face shield, gloves, hearing protection, as well as standard safety footwear and suitable work wear or coveralls.

2. Respiratory protection may be required when cutting/grinding puts staff at risk of inhaling

harmful substances – Use of LEV’s may be required under certain circumstances.

3. Grinders should, where possible, be fitted with a Paddle or Deadman switch which stops the

grinder when released.

4. Where possible operators should not position their bodies behind the angle grinder when

working to avoid the effects of any possible kickback.

5. Ensure the grinder used is appropriate for the job – Use the smallest available grinder to

adequately carry out the task safely.

6. Only minimal pressure should be applied, letting the disc do the work, when using the grinder to

avoid any increased likelihood of kick back or disk break up.

7. Always ensure the angle grinder disc has completely stopped turning before putting it down.

8. Always consider others working in your vicinity and ensure a safe working distance is kept at all

times. As with all work equipment, the use of handheld and especially bench grinders must only be undertaken by staff suitably trained & competent to do so.

12. Hazardous Substances

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) provides the main legislative framework for the control of hazardous substances in the workplace. These regulations state that before any hazardous substances are used in the workplace, a material safety data sheet (MSDS) will be requested from the supplier and an appropriate COSHH assessment made detailing the risks present during the use of that substance. All assessments will be undertaken by QPI’s external Health and Safety consultant, in line with current COSHH regulations and reviewed on a regular basis to ensure they remain current and up to date. It is the responsibility of QPI’s Health & Safety representative to ensure that this is done for all existing and new substances. Control measures highlighted and implemented by the assessments must be sufficient and appropriate to effectively prevent, or where not reasonably practicable, to adequately control the risk to health of exposure to a hazardous substance. Prevention and control measures should be selected using the following guidelines:

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- Elimination

Substitution

Isolation

Enclosure

Local Exhaust Ventilation

General Ventilation

Good Housekeeping

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Minimising Exposure Time

Training

PPE

Welfare Facilities

Prior to handling any hazardous substance, all QPI staff will receive such information, instruction and training, as necessary, regarding handling, storage, use and disposal of that substance. An inventory of all MSDS datasheets & completed COSHH assessments (carried out by QPI’s external SHE consultants) will be kept at QPI’s works and copies placed in the relevant COSHH storage containers and made available to service teams or clients upon request. All new products will require assessment before any usage commences, therefore any new products sourced must be reported to QPI’s Health & Safety representative to allow MSDS sheets to be sourced and a COSHH assessment completed

12.1 Asbestos

Asbestos has its own regulations and is not covered by COSHH: The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2012. Currently QPI staff have no contact with Asbestos either at our works or on clients sites, if staff think they may have discovered or come into contact with Asbestos on site they must stop working & inform both their site contact & QPI management immediately for further advice

13. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

QPI will always use the most reasonably practicable means to control risk other than by the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). However, where other measures have not provided an adequate level of protection then PPE will be provided to ensure health and safety in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. QPI will therefore make readily available such PPE as is reasonably required and ensure all its employees are informed and trained as to its use. Training will be provided by either QPI or by its PPE supplier on the safe use, storage and maintenance of the relevant equipment before issue. A written record detailing what PPE has been issued will need to be signed by staff on receipt of the equipment – A copy of which will be held at QPI’s works. If required, a PPE assessment may need to be completed to determine the requirements for PPE & to identify suitable items of PPE taking into account compatibility between items worn simultaneously – A copy of the assessment will be held at QPI’s works. Users of PPE will be offered, where reasonably practicable, a choice of items of similar purpose to ensure good fit and comfort. They will be advised as to why PPE is being provided, the level of protection it affords and will receive training appropriate to its use. Where a need for safety eyewear has been identified and the employee normally wears prescription glasses, then QPI’s office team will ensure the company shall meet the cost of a basic pair of prescription

safety glasses. A retest will be offered every two years and fresh prescription of safety glasses issued as & if required.

13.1 Respiratory Protection

Certain substances and materials encountered by staff both in QPI works and whilst carrying out work on site, may require staff to wear respiratory protection. Staff should identify the level of protection required either by consultation with site contact as to any possible hazards faced or by identification of requirements from risk or COSHH Assessments prior to starting work. Probably the most serious cause for respiratory concern whilst working on site (apart from Asbestos) is Silica exposure and in particular the fine dust created when products containing Silica are cut or crushed, this fine dust is called respirable crystalline silica (RCS) & unprotected exposure to it beyond the Workplace Exposure Limit can bring serious health implications. Staff should check with their site contact prior to commencing work if there is a risk of RCS exposure at their working location & if so at what level the exposure maybe. Staff can then request the work be carried out in a different location if possible & if not suitable respiratory protective equipment (RPE) must be worn. QPI currently provides free of charge – the option of Centurion Concept, Pureflo PF3000 or 3M M-307 Versaflo air-fed helmet/visor respirators for all staff as well as assorted P3V disposable masks to provide protection for all our service team staff. Both of these types of respiratory protection offer excellent protection against RCS & are available free of charge from QPI’s PPE store room in the works unit or on request from QPI’s office team. QPI does not currently use supplied air respirators or self-contained breathing apparatus. At present, there is very little or no exposure risk to Silica or RCS for staff whilst working at QPI’s unit or on any current QPI premises.

Remember:

PPE is provided free of charge and will include means for its maintenance, cleaning and replacement as & when necessary All QPI staff have a legal duty to wear any & all PPE or RPE as specified in relevant site rules, risk assessments and method statements The wearing of high visibility clothing, safety helmets, safety footwear & suitable gloves is compulsory for all work carried out on site

14. Site Safety & Staff Welfare

14.1 Site Safety

When attending a client’s site to carry out work all QPI staff should, before proceeding on to site, attend any site inductions or site-specific guidance meetings provided by site. They should also request information on the client’s site conditions, safety rules & emergency procedures if not already made clear in any induction they may have been given.

Staff must ensure that these conditions or procedures are read and when on site, complied with in full, with particular reference to any site-specific hazards and risks. Issues to consider include:

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- Emergency & first aid procedures

Fire safety

Vehicle & pedestrian movements

Permission to proceed/Authorisation to start work & Permit to work requirements

Isolation & LOTOTO procedures

Plant safety

Working at height & Confined space rules

Dangerous substances

Hot work procedures

Accident & Incident policy

Noise issues

PPE requirements

Working time policy

Before commencing work on site, QPI staff must always comply with legal obligations by providing site with a suitable and sufficient risk assessment & method statement (see section 6) – this must be agreed with your site contact and signed by all persons involved with any amendments logged and agreed with site prior to continuing the task

14.2 Housekeeping

Good housekeeping practices are essential when working on site to allow people to move around freely with a reduced risk of injury. Therefore, the following simple rules should be complied with at all times:

a. Where possible stick to designated walkways

b. Keep walkways clear of debris & trailing cables wherever possible

c. If ground conditions are excessively uneven, muddy or slippery ask assistance from the site contact

or QPI management i.e., back blade & level with a machine when very uneven, lay stone down for mud or distribute grit to melt ice.

d. Ensure work areas are well lit – request temporary lighting or lighting towers when necessary

e. Place all waste in the correct designated skips & bins on site

By adhering to the principles of good housekeeping when working, not just on site but also at QPI’s works, many potential slips & trips accidents/incidents could and should be avoided.

14.3 Lone Working

QPI does not normally encourage the lone working of service team staff on site. On the occasions that our engineers do visit sites alone e.g., for the purpose of site inspections/surveys, they must sign in and out as normal and should consult their site contact for guidance on complying with sites lone working policy. If no

such policy exists and site cannot allocate a member of staff to accompany our engineer, then regular communication must be agreed and kept by mobile phone or radio with either site contact or QPI’s management team to ensure staff safety is maintained. Should an occasion arise where a staff member does have to work alone on site, then such work must be limited to low-risk activities only, such as minor adjustments or basic repairs, and regular contact kept with site or QPI’s management team as detailed above.

14.4 Staff Welfare

Whilst working on site it is normal practice for QPI staff to familiarise themselves with the location and availability of the client’s welfare facilities during any site issued inductions. Wherever possible, arrangements will be made with the client to facilitate the use of sites welfare facilities by staff whilst they are on site working. As a minimum, the following requirements must be adhered to: o

Toilet/washing facilities freely accessible on site

- Eating/rest facilities freely accessible on site

In the rare circumstances where these facilities cannot be provided by the client, the company will, where reasonably practicable, provide suitable welfare facilities for staff.

14.5 CDM Regulations

QPI understands its obligations as a duty holder under the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015. At present the company only undertakes work on CDM sites at the level of Contractor but as such QPI accepts our role/main duties under regulation 15 are to plan, manage and monitor the work under our control. The effort devoted to planning, managing and monitoring the work carried out by our staff will of course be proportionate to the size and complexity of the project and the nature of the risks involved but will consist normally of the following:

a. Plan & co-ordinate any activities or tasks only after consultation with Clients, principal contractors or

other contractors to ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, all work is carried out without risk to health & safety.

b. Confirm that the Client is aware of their duties under the CDM 2015 regulations.

c. Ensure compliance with any directions given by the Client, Principal contractor & any parts of the

projects phase plan that are relevant to QPI’s work on the project.

d. Use only staff that have been inducted, ideally by the principal contractor, are trained & competent

to carry out the tasks to which they have been assigned to do.

e. Supply when & where necessary proof of competence, knowledge, experience & suitable training

for staff involved on the project under QPI’s supervision.

f. Provide appropriate supervision, instruction & information to all workers & staff so that work can be

carried out, so far as is reasonably practicable, in a manner without risk to health & safety.

g. Ensure staff are aware of the risks present to themselves & other contractors prior to starting work

on site via creation & compliance with a suitable & adequate risk assessment & method statement.

h. Monitor work carried out on the project to ensure health & safety precautions are appropriate,

remain in place & are followed in practice for the duration of the work.

Report to the Client or Principal contractor & where necessary other contractors regularly throughout the duration of the work being carried out to keep parties informed of progress & to confirm compliance with the parts of the phase plan relevant to our work on the CDM site.

j. When appropriate, inform all relevant parties of the completion of our work on site & the departure

of our staff from site following approval of our work by either the Client or the Principal contractor. i.

QPI also acknowledges its duty to supply adequate welfare facilities for its staff when working on CDM site’s either by the provision of dedicated QPI facilities or via agreement with the Client or Principal contractor to supply similar facilities under their own duty.

15. Noise

It is QPI’s policy to tackle noise at source where possible & as such will consider noise emissions as an important criterion when evaluating new plant or machinery purchases and the implementing of safe systems of work at our works. For existing plant, all protective measures (enclosures, exhausts, etc.) will be properly maintained & modifications carried out, where reasonably practicable, to keep noise pollution to as low a level as possible. Where noise emissions rise above acceptable lower levels currently 80db(A) as defined in The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, QPI will supply, renew and provide instruction in the use of suitable ear protection – Where levels exceed the upper level of 85db(A) the wearing of personal hearing protection is mandatory both at QPI’s works & clients site alike. All staff will receive information, instruction & training relevant to their degree of noise exposure. If there is uncertainty with regards to the level of noise staff are being exposed to then QPI will carry out audiometric testing where appropriate & so far as is reasonably practicable to confirm levels. If noise levels are found to be above guidelines set out in the relevant regulations & these cannot be reduced to an acceptable level, then the wearing of adequate hearing protection will be made mandatory in that area. QPI service staff should be especially aware of excessive noise levels when working on client’s sites. On site, staff should be informed of any specific hearing protection zones in or around the area they are working by their site contact during any induction or pre-work briefings given. Staff should comply with any instructions given by clients to help prevent damage to hearing. All staff currently have access to both ear plugs & ear defenders both of which have SNR protection levels in excess of 25-35.

Remember:

Noise is a form of pollution; excessive noise can & will cause irreparable damage to hearing Levels of noise that do not damage hearing may still cause distraction, discomfort, irritation or stress To minimise these effects the following precautions will be applied:

- Use ear protection in noisy areas

- Ensure ear protection is suitable & relevant to the job

Any problems concerned with noise at work should be reported immediately to QPI’s health & safety representative or to your contact on site.

16. Mobile Plant & Company Motor Vehicles

16.1 Mobile Plant

Training – All staff must hold a current valid license for any piece of mobile plant e.g., Telehandler, Forklift, MEWP, etc that they plan to operate. QPI will provide adequate training for all staff needing to operate such machinery. Training and examination/certification will be provided by external plant training providers such as Certora/Mentor training Ltd or OMS Training who provide training in accordance with the requirements of the HSE Code of Practice for Rider Operated Lift Trucks or hold IPAF training accreditation. All mobile plant must be in good working order, inspected prior to use and have a valid thorough examination certificate. Additionally, a pre-use inspection checklist must be completed and logged via QPI’s Big Change Job Management system by the operator and any faults reported to QPI via the WhatsApp fault group and the site manager. In the case of a major fault the mobile plant must be immediately taken out of service, locked and the machine tagged “Do Not Use” until the fault can be rectified by a qualified technician. On site use – Any QPI staff wishing to drive or operate mobile plant on site must receive authorisation from their site contact/manager, ideally in writing, before proceeding to do so. The use of mobile phones is prohibited whilst operating mobile plant unless via hands free operation specifically agreed as part of the task RAMS in lieu of radio or walkie talkie availability – This must be approved by the site contact and be permitted under sites general health & safety rules

16.2 Company Motor Vehicles

Restrictions on Drivers

All QPI staff driving company vehicles must:

- Hold a current full UK driving license

- Be eighteen years of age or over unless given express permission to use a company vehicle by QPI management

- Have held a licence for more than twelve months unless authorised by QPI management

- Produce their driving licence annually to allow the company to keep an up-to-date copy on record

- Inform the company immediately of any illness/issue or endorsement that may affect that person’s ability to drive any vehicle safely

Accident Reporting

All accidents involving company vehicles, whether or not causing damage to the vehicle or injury to the driver or other persons, must be reported to the QPI management team immediately and an insurance company accident form completed as & if required.

Use of Mobile Telephones

It is Company Policy that mobile telephones or similar equipment such as satellite navigations systems should not be operated whilst driving – Mobile phone calls should only be answered when it is safe to do so & only using a fitted or Bluetooth hands-free device. QPI’s site staff should check & comply with each individual site’s rules on driving on site and for when & where the safe use of mobile phones is permitted All staff should be aware that smoking is prohibited in any QPI road or site vehicle at any time – Anyone caught doing so and fined will be liable to action under QPI’s disciplinary procedures and must pay any fines incurred themselves

17. Lighting

QPI recognizes that a major contributing factor in the cause of accidents can be poor lighting and lack of adequate illumination, therefore all lighting installed at QPI works e.g. internal fluorescent and external floodlighting must be used when needed to provide a safer working environment. For onsite work, QPI provides LED illumination in all vans, 110V floodlights for work areas and LED head torches for all staff. If necessary, any additional lighting required maybe requested from site or QPI’s management team to create a safe and well-lit work area. Any blown bulbs or faulty lighting equipment must be immediately removed from service, tagged “Do Not Use” & reported via the WhatsApp fault group to allow repair/replacement to be carried out as quickly as possible

18. Display Screen Equipment

It is recognised that problems that arise in the operation of VDU’s are essentially ergonomic and can be eliminated by suitable work practices. All VDU workstations within QPI will be assessed to ensure that they meet the required standards and if not, any remedial work necessary will be carried out to ensure they do. The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulation 1992 and other guidance set standards which, provided users of the equipment work in accordance with guidance and work station assessments, will ensure any risks to health can be reduced to an acceptable level. All staff recognised by QPI as users of DSE shall be provided with (on request) eye and eyesight tests. Staff have the opportunity to request an eye test during their DSE workstation assessment review or at any time by contacting the health & safety representative or any other member of QPI’s management team.

All staff operating DSE should complete a workstation assessment every two years or whenever any kind of significant change is made to their workstation to ensure the following is provided: o

Adequate lighting and contrast control

- Good posture

- Good legroom

- A height adjustable seat

- A suitable back rest support

- A footrest if requested by user

- The keyboard must be separate from the screen and be adjustable, screen must be stable and the work surface must be glare/reflection free

- Adequate work surface to ensure comfortable arm positioning is achieved

Work Routine

The daily work routine of DSE users should be planned in such a way as to incorporate periodic interruption by breaks or changes in activity. The effect must reduce total DSE work. Short frequent breaks are more satisfactory than longer infrequent ones. Whenever possible, breaks or changes of activity should be taken at the discretion of the user. In some circumstances, it may be necessary for the health & safety representative or QPI’s management team to enforce the taking of breaks.

19. Temperature

QPI understands that wherever possible a comfortable working environment should be maintained for all staff whilst in the workplace. QPI Works – Staff based at QPI’s office will not be expected to work in temperatures below 16°C as set out in The Workplace Regulations Act 1992. Extremely high temperatures should be overcome with the use of the air conditioning system and plenty of hydration by staff. On site Working – Staff required to work on site in extremes of temperature must have adequate welfare facilities and breaks to allow staff to keep warm when extremely cold or to cool down and rehydrate when extremely hot. If at all possible, work should be planned to avoid working in extreme weather conditions completely. Any such requirements should be ideally be addressed when the task specific risk assessment is carried out. QPI will supply free of charge suitable PPE to make working in extremes of temperature as comfortable as possible. Additional measures such as hand warmers, bottled water and extended or more frequent breaks will be provided as and where reasonably practicable.

20. Policy monitoring & review

This policy will be kept up to date, particularly as the business changes in nature and size. To ensure this, the policy and the way in which it is implemented will be monitored & reviewed each year. Reviews of Risk, COSHH & DSE assessments will take place annually or sooner if any changes occur. Additionally, QPI’s health & safety representative & management team will carry out in-house & onsite audits/inspections of its staff to ensure this policy is being implemented successfully.