Operate an overground spoil removal conveyor

This standard is about operating an overground spoil removal conveyor to remove the excavated spoil from tunnelling operations to storage, extraction, or transport locations. It includes operating the conveyor, installing, and dismantling, the day-to-day pre-work routine inspection, and maintenance activity, to ensure the conveyor is safe to operate and continuous monitoring whilst the spoil removal conveyor is in operation.

Operatives working to this standard will be able to demonstrate and understand safe, healthy, and environmentally responsible work practices, select, and use materials, components, tools, and equipment, in accordance with organisational requirements which comply with current legislation and standards.

This standard is for people working in the occupational area of overground conveyor operations and can be used by operatives, supervisors, and managers.

Interpretation of information
P1 interpret the information relating to the work and resources to confirm its relevance for the following:

• drawings
• task briefings
• risk assessments
• method statements
• manufacturer’s information

Safe work practices
P2 comply with the current legislation and standards to carry out the work, and maintain safe systems of work relating to the following:

• methods of work
• safe use of health and safety control equipment
• safe use of access equipment or systems
• safe use of tunnel access and egress systems
• safe use, storage, and handling of materials, plant, tools, and equipment
• specific risks to occupational health and wellbeing, including mental health

Selection of resources
P3 select the correct quantity and quality of the following resources for the methods of work:

• materials, components, and fixings
• plant, tools, and equipment

Minimise the risk of damage
P4 comply with organisational procedures to minimise the risk of damage to the work and environment by:

• protecting the work
• maintaining a safe, clear, and tidy, work space
• disposing of waste in accordance with current legislation
• using dust suppression methods
• using noise reduction methods

Meet the methods of work
P5 comply with the method statement to operate an overground spoil removal conveyor to the required specification by:

• demonstrating work skills to:
  • measure
  • inspect
  • install
  • adjust
  • operate
  • monitor
  • start up
  • shut down
  • safe mechanical isolation
  • dismantle
  • clean
• using and maintaining plant, tools, and equipment
• carrying out pre-start checks
• carrying out daily routine visual checks and reporting potential issues or defects
• carrying out daily routine maintenance activities (cleaning, clearing, lubricating, tensioning)
• operating and monitoring a spoil removal conveyor to working instructions
• closing down at the end of the working day
  
  

Allocated time
P6 complete the work within the estimated and allocated time, in accordance with organisational procedures, the programme of work, and to meet the needs of other occupations and the client

P1 Interpretation of information
K1 why organisational procedures have been developed and how they are implemented
K2 the importance of reporting and rectifying inappropriate information
K3 types of information, their source and how they are interpreted in relation to:

• drawings
• task briefings
• risk assessments
• method statements
• manufacturer’s information
• standards
• organisational procedures
• current legislation

P2 Safe work practices
K4 information for current legislation and standards and how it is applied
K5 the different types of fire safety equipment
K6 the risks and causes of fires, in and around spoil removal conveyor equipment
K7 how to raise the alarm in the event of fire or smoke being seen around spoil removal conveyor equipment
K8 how emergencies should be responded to in accordance with organisational authorisation, and personal skills, including but not limited to the following:

• fires, spillages, injuries
• emergencies relating to occupational activities
• identification and reporting of hazardous substances

K9 the organisational procedures relating to security of plant, tools, equipment, and personal belongings, in relation to:

• workforce
• site
• workplace
• company
• vehicles
• the general public

K10 how to report risks and hazards relating to the following:

• methods of work
• risk assessment
• personal risk assessment
• dealing with unsafe situations
• manufacturer’s technical information
• task and tool box talks
• statutory regulations
• standards

K11 the incident reporting procedures and who is responsible for making the report
K12 why, when, and how health and safety control equipment, identified by the principles of prevention should be used, in relation to:

• collective protective measures
• personal protective equipment (PPE)
• respiratory protective equipment (RPE)

K13 how to comply with environmentally responsible work practices to meet current legislation and standards
K14 the organisational procedures when dealing with potential incidents, safety hazards, health hazards, and the environmental impact, whilst working:

• in the workplace
• in confined spaces
• at height
• with temporary works
• with plant, tools, and equipment
• with materials and substances
• with the movement and lifting of materials and equipment by mechanical and manual means
• with the safe handling and storing of materials

P3 Selection of resources
K15 why the limitations, quality, and sustainability, of resources is important and how defects should be rectified
K16 why the resources have been selected and how they are used
K17 how to confirm the resources conform with the specified task
K18 how the resources should be used and how any problems associated with the resources are reported in relation to:

• spoil removal systems
• audible and visual safety devices
• weighing systems
• fittings
• fixings
• plant, tools, and equipment

K19 how to identify the hazards associated with the resources, and methods of work, and how they are controlled

P4 Minimise the risk of damage
K20 how to protect work, its surrounding area and the environment from damage, and the purpose of protection from general workplace activities, and other occupations
K21 why and how, the safe disposal of waste must be carried out in accordance with the following:

• environmental responsibilities
• organisational procedures
• manufacturer’s information
• statutory regulations
• standards

K22 why it is important to maintain a safe, clear, and tidy, work space
K23 the importance of managing noise from conveyor equipment, including but not limited to the following:

• risks to operators
• causes of excessive noise being produced by conveyor equipment
• noise nuisance to those who may live or work in close proximity to the conveyor equipment
• mitigating the risk of noise
• recording and reporting noise issues

K24 the importance of managing dust risks around conveyor equipment, including but not limited to the following:

• risks to operators
• causes of excessive dust being produced by conveyor equipment
• dust nuisance to those who may live or work in close proximity to the conveyor equipment
• mitigating the dust produced by the conveyor equipment
• recording and reporting dust issues

P5 Meet the methods of work
K25 how to comply with the method statement in relation to the following:

• how to inspect and identify defects
• how to operate and monitor a spoil removal conveyor
• how to carry out planned preventative maintenance (PPM)
• how to mechanically isolate spoil removal conveyor systems
• why it is important to report issues with spoil removal conveyor safety systems
• how to carry out start up and shut down procedures
• how to carry out emergency shut down and restart procedures
• how to clean the spoil removal conveyor and equipment to maintain working order
• how to monitor and report issues with mechanical and vulcanised joints
• how to deal with hazardous energy sources including but not limited to:
  • electricity
  • compressed air
  • hydraulics
  • pressurised liquids
  • equipment under tension
• why it is important to recognise and determine when specialist skills and knowledge are required and report accordingly
• the limits of your own authority
• how to work with, around and in close proximity to plant and machinery
• the risks of working at height and how they are managed
• how to use plant, tools, and equipment
• how and why operative care and maintenance of plant, tools, and equipment is carried out

K26 the importance of team work and communication, and using communication systems
K27 the importance of occupational health and wellbeing, including mental health
K28 the importance of applying Fairness, Inclusion, and Respect (FIR), when dealing with others

P6 Allocated time
K29 the programme of work to be carried out including the estimated and allocated time, and why deadlines should be kept