Work safely in the Utilities Environment Legacy
Overview
This standard covers working safely in the Utilities Environment. It can be applied to any environment within the Energy and Utilities Sector.
To meet this standard you will be able to:
- work with people from other trades to complete activities
- communicate with colleagues and customers
- reduce risks through monitoring, checking information and complying with relevant rules and regulations.
You will be expected to work with minimal supervision, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work carried out.
This standard is suitable for anyone working in the Utilities Sector.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- identify the location of the work using available information
- communicate the planned work activity to all affected parties in accordance with organisational policies and procedures
- select, inspect and wear relevant personal protective equipment for completing work activities in line with organisational procedures
- carry out a site specific risk assessment of the work, identifying hazards and the required control measures
- apply the control measures necessary to meet safety requirements for the work activity, where appropriate
- carry out a pre-use inspection of the tools and equipment to be used, checking condition and service information
- work safely at all times in accordance with relevant industry standards, legislation, regulations and advisory safety signs and labels
- maintain a tidy workplace with exits, gangways free from obstruction
- follow suppliers and manufacturers instructions for the safe use of equipment, materials and products
- report unavailable or defective tools, equipment and resources, where appropriate
- handle and dispose of waste materials in accordance with legislative and organisational procedures, where appropriate
- use safe and correct lifting and carrying techniques when moving tools equipment or materials
store tools and equipment safely and securely, leaving the work area in a safe condition in accordance with organisational procedures
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the principles of health and safety in the workplace, environmental legislation and relevant regulations
- the organisation’s safety rules, policies, procedures and authorisation processes in relation to working safely
- the organisations safety documents and procedures that apply to work in the utilities environment
- the sources of relevant health and safety information and who to contact when assistance is needed
- how to carry out a risk assessment, identify hazards and assess risks of the site and proposed activity
- the control measures that can be used to eliminate and reduce hazards
- the hazards associated with work on or near electrical systems and equipment and how to deal with them
- the relevant warning signs and seven main groups of hazardous substances defined by Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Dangerous Substances Regulations
- how to select, inspect and use personal protective equipment for the work
- the dangers of gas and electricity and how an electric shock can be received including: direct contact, induced voltage and arcing
- how to respond in the event of an emergency situation in the workplace including; the first aid facilities that exit, alarm sounding procedures and evacuation procedure
- how to update, report and record information in accordance with organisational procedures
- when to act on your own initiative and when to seek help and advice from others
- what constitutes dangerous occurrences and hazardous malfunctions and the procedures to be followed
- how to identify the potential dangers of existing electrical installation and faulty electrical tools and equipment
- how to identify appropriate measures to be taken when working at heights in accordance with organisational procedures
- the appropriate measures to be taken when working in confined spaces in accordance with organisational procedures
- how to handle and dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous waste materials
- how to leave the work area secure and the importance of doing so
Scope/range
**The Range related to the Performance Criteria
**
work safely: All of the following must be covered:
- environment
- materials and substances
- use of tools and equipment
sector working practices
The Range related to the Knowledge and Understanding
*how to identify the *potential dangers of existing electrical installations and faulty electrical tools and equipment. ALL of the following must be covered:common electrical dangers on construction sites, in business and private properties
- signs of damaged or worn electrical cables, power tools and property hard wiring systems
- signs of visual faults in electrical components
- trailing cables
- proximity of cables to any service pipework and meter installation
- buried and hidden cables
- avoidance of cables under wooden floors