SUP 14: Floor laying. Unified procedures for use within NHS Scotland

Transcription

1 Unified procedures for use within NHS Scotland May 2015

2 Contents page Acknowledgements Introduction Control of Contractors Procedure Checklists Records... 5 Appendix... 6 Disclaimer The contents of this document are provided by way of general guidance only at the time of its publication. Any party making any use thereof or placing any reliance thereon shall do so only upon exercise of that party s own judgement as to the adequacy of the contents in the particular circumstances of its use and application. No warranty is given as to the accuracy, relevance or completeness of the contents of this document and Health Facilities Scotland, a Division of NHS National Services Scotland, shall have no responsibility for any errors in or omissions therefrom, or any use made of, or reliance placed upon, any of the contents of this document. Draft Version 0.05: May 2015 Page 2 of 6

3 Acknowledgements This unified procedures guidance has been produced for NHS Boards to adopt or adapt and incorporates information made available by NHS Lothian which is gratefully acknowledged. Draft Version 0.05: May 2015 Page 3 of 6

4 1. Introduction 1.1 It is the responsibility of the owners and occupiers of properties, NHS Board Chief Executive Officers and Managers to ensure that their premises comply with all statutory requirements. 1.2 Employers have a duty under the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure the health and safety of employees, residents and visitors to their premises. It is incumbent upon both owners and occupiers of premises to ensure that there is a management regime in place for the proper operational and risk management of buildings, plant, equipment and systems. 1.3 All personnel should be made fully aware of their safety responsibilities, as required by statute and they should be given the necessary information and training properly to understand and carry them out. This also applies to organisations and individuals to whom work has been contracted. 1.4 The task of floor laying using vinyls, linoleum and marmoleum usually requires the use of a heat source to seal the joints between lengths of these materials. 1.5 Comprehensive information on Estates Operating Procedures relating to hot working can be found in the Unified Procedures guidance document Issuing hot work permits. However, the procedure for floor laying and heat sealing joints is seen to produce very low risks. Control of Contractors 1.6 The NHS Board s Control of Contractors procedures requirements must be applied to all persons engaged in maintenance and remedial work associated with laying of floor coverings. (Refer to Unified Procedures document SUP 01 Control of Contractors ) Draft Version 0.05: May 2015 Page 4 of 6

5 2. Procedure Checklists 2.1 Notwithstanding the low risks associated with heat sealing of the joints in the floor covering materials, the Checklist contained in the Appendix of this Unified Procedure must be completed to record that NHS Board managers have taken into account potential risks. 2.2 The completed checklist must be signed and dated with the area noted. (This record must be retained at management level, Team Leaders can be assumed to be in management team). 2.3 This process must be followed instead of the need to issue a Permit for this activity. Records 2.4 Risk Assessment must be issued to Contractor every time. 2.5 There is still a requirement to keep a record of the work in the Permit-to-Work issued logbook and in the remarks column note the unified procedure and risk assessment followed. (The risk assessment reference should be appended). Note: If during the assessment of area of work, it is determined that the control measures outlined in the unified procedures checklist set out in the Appendix will not be sufficient to reduce the risk, then the Permit-to-Work system must be used and a suitable risk assessment put in place. Draft Version 0.05: May 2015 Page 5 of 6

6 Appendix a. The area has been cordoned off (if required). b. The location has been inspected for combustible materials. c. There are no combustible liquids, vapours, gases or dusts present. Check Yes/No Comments d. If combustible materials are present, they are suitably protected. e. A suitable fire extinguisher is available. f. Fire detectors are isolated in the vicinity of the work. g. Operatives have been instructed in the NHS Board s fire procedures. h. It is now safe for this activity/task to commence. i. The completed work area has been inspected and 30 minutes has elapsed before fire detectors were re-instated. Area of work..... Authorising Manager Date Contractor... Draft Version 0.05: May 2015 Page 6 of 6