CONTRACTOR WHS HAZARD STANDARD LASER SAFETY EXTERNAL USE ONLY

Transcription

1 CONTRACTOR WHS HAZARD STANDARD LASER SAFETY EXTERNAL USE ONLY

2 Principles in the Optus Contractor WHS management process CONTRACTOR MANAGEMENT STAGES PRINCIPLES THIS STANDARD REQUISITION Requisition WHS hazard areas are a key consideration in the selection of the appropriate procurement channel. PROCUREMENT CHANNEL SELECTION SPECIFICATION EVALUATION APPROVAL AND RELEASE Specification Hazard areas and Optus expectations in relation to these are communicated to potential providers in relevant project / task requirements (e.g. tenders, statement of works, purchase orders). Appropriate WHS specifications are included in the tender / statement of work conditions / purchase order (if required) and are reflective of Optus role (e.g. principal contractor). Evaluation The contractor submission suggests they are competent to manage the task and WHS risks of their workplace. ENGAGEMENT Engagement All parties have a consistent understanding of their mutual accountabilities as they relate to WHS risk management. Appropriate WHS specifications and obligations are included in the relevant contracts negotiated and signed by Optus. MONITORING Monitoring Relevant WHS controls are implemented and monitored at the workplace to manage the specific conditions and WHS risks of that workplace. SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE? HANDOVER CLOSE AND REVIEW Handover Customers (internal and external) are made aware of potential risk areas and legislative expectations at handover. Close and review Contractor WHS performance is assessed and considered when using the contractor in future. Project feedback is captured and used to enhance the contractor WHS management process.

3 IMPORTANT NOTE THIS CONTRACTOR WORKPLACE HEALTH SAFETY (WHS) STANDARD HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO ASSIST OPTUS CONTRACTORS IN THE EXECUTION OF OPTUS CONTRACTED WORKS. THE STANDARD MUST BE ENACTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER APPLICABLE OPTUS CONTRACT CONDITIONS REGARDING WHS AND THE GOVERNING LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. WHILE THIS STANDARD HAS BEEN DEVELOPED IN CONSIDERATION OF THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS IT IS NOTED THAT WHERE ANY LEGAL REQUIREMENT EXCEEDS THIS STANDARD THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT SHALL TAKE PRECEDENCE. Purpose and scope This Contractor WHS Standard (Standard) Laser Safety aims to ensure the minimum WHS requirements are met by Optus Contractors for the use of lasers (i.e. for alignment, levelling, control, survey and inspection tasks), laser products and Optical Fibre Systems / Amplifier work. In addition, this Standard supports the Commonwealth WHS Act 2011 (Act) where a duty is imposed (under the Act) on a person to ensure health and safety, it requires the person to eliminate so far as is reasonably practicable, and if it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate risks to health and safety, to minimise those risks so far as is reasonably practicable to workers. Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (Laser), means any device which can be made to produce or amplify electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range from 100 nanometres (nm) to 1 millimetre (wave- length of the laser radiation can range from the invisible ultraviolet, through the visible, to the invisible infra-red of the electromagnetic spectrum) primarily by the process of controlled stimulated emission. The main sources of laser information considered in the development of this Standard were: Australian Standard AS 2397:1993 Safe use of lasers in the building and construction industry. Australian New Zealand Standard AS/NZS IEC :2011 Safety of Laser Products - A User Guide. Australian New Zealand Standard AS/NZS IEC :2011 Safety of Laser Products - Equipment Classification and Requirements. This Standard applies to entities contracted by Optus where working with lasers, laser products, Optical Fibre Systems / amplifiers and associated equipment is a part of their scope of works. Roles and responsibilities Optus Contractors, so far as is reasonably practicable, are generally responsible for: Complying with all contractual obligations for ensuring workplace health and safety. Reviewing Optus risk management processes such as Risk Register(s) and this Standard and to factor this information into their safe systems of work. Establishing accountability and authorities for the safe management of lasers and associated equipment for workers, supervisors and Laser Safety Officers. Conducting a risk assessment and documenting the outcome as a Safe Work Method Statement or similar, for lasers and associated equipment and in accordance with applicable legislative requirements. Providing communication and consultation to workers and their representatives, as related to lasers and associated equipment.

4 Ensuring relevant persons have the required certification, licencing, training (e.g. laser and fibre safety awareness) and competencies for Class 2, Class 3A, Class 3R or Class 3B Restricted lasers. Conducting inspections of laser work and associated operations to ensure compliance with safe systems of work and making such reviews / records available to Optus where and as requested. Developing emergency preparedness and response provisions for laser work and associated operations that may include plans and procedures, communications and response hardware. Keeping and maintaining a SWMS after the completion of work or where a notifiable incident occurs, a copy of the SWMS for a period of 2 years. Investigating and reporting of events such as incidents, accidents, dangerous occurrences and serious illness, within the required contractual period to Optus and where required, to the applicable Regulator. In addition to the above, Optus Contractors, so far as is reasonably practicable, are specifically responsible for: The provision of safe access and egress to areas where laser work is in operation. Ensuring that lasers are installed or commissioned by competent persons. Identify a person and the required competencies to act as a Laser Safety Officer where Class 2, Class 3A, Class 3R or Class 3B Restricted lasers are being used. Ensuring personal protective equipment selected is suitable, used and maintained. Work planning Work planning includes, but is not limited to: Identifying a risk management process in order to manage the hazards and risks associated with laser work and associated operations. Ensuring the risk management process is carried out by a competent person(s). Identifying the required licences, certification, training and / or competencies for persons managing and working with laser work and associated operations including as required a Laser Safety and Radiation Safety Officer. Identifying all Commonwealth, State, Territory and local statutory requirements for laser work and associated operations. Procuring the appropriate type of laser and associated test equipment for the works. Verifying that laser equipment intended for use on plant is designed and constructed so as to prevent accidental irradiation of any person. Verifying that laser equipment intended for use on plant will be protected so that any operator of the plant or other person is not exposed to direct radiation, radiation produced by reflection or diffusion or secondary radiation. Identifying the requirements for the validation of, and / or inspection, testing and auditing of, laser work and associated equipment. Planning for all potential emergency preparedness and response procedures appropriate for the particular circumstance. Document control Uncontrolled when Printed. Control Source: Optus Document System: Document CWHSS_H_St26_OM38097_V1F_19 th June Authorised / Owner: Optus WHS Team.

5 Implement work planning In order to establish a safe workplace, the implementation of the above Work Planning, may include, but not be limited to the following: No SAMPLE - WORK PLANNING CHECKLIST YES NO NA Develop, approve, communicate, adjust and review the risk assessment prior to and during operation. Appoint a Laser Safety Officer at a workplace where Class 2, Class 3A, Class 3R or Class 3B Restricted laser is being used. Verify licences and competencies of person(s) who undertake the use of lasers for alignment, levelling, control and survey tasks. Note: The extent of training will be dependent on the complexity of the works associated with lasers. Operator training is recommended for Class 2, Class 3A or Class 3B Restricted lasers. Ensure workers who work on Optical Fibre Communications Systems, Class 3A and above, have eye testing performed in accordance with AS/NZS IEC :2011- Clause 11. Note: Testing should be carried out before commencing in the position, on termination of employment, following suspected Laser exposure in excess of the maximum permissible limit, or following any serious injury or illness of the eye. Ensure workers acknowledge all fibres are live unless proven otherwise by way of disconnection, power reduction, shut-offs or interlocks. Note: Never use direct viewing aids on live systems and always check fibres with a Video Inspection Scope, Optical Power Meter or Optical Fibre Identifier to check if the fibre is dark. If found to be live, the Laser must be shut off or the source disconnected. Ensure the users of lasers check the classification marking (labelling - permanently fixed, legible, and clearly visible) on lasers to ensure each laser is classified as Class 1, Class 2, Class 3A, Class 3R or Class 3B Restricted. Ensure the relevant and approved type of signage is appropriately located for the use of Class 2, Class 3A, Class 3R or Class 3B Restricted lasers. Ensure that Class 3A, Class 3R or Class 3B Restricted lasers have their beams blocked at the source when the laser is unattended and power on. Ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that Class 3A, Class 3R or Class 3B Restricted lasers beams are located well above or below eye level when in use. Ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that Class 2, Class 3A, Class 3R or Class 3B Restricted stationary lasers are terminated by beam stops. Ensure no worker looks directly at the end of a fibre or at the aperture of any optical devices that is capable of transmitting laser energy. Note: Optical Amplifiers are optical devices that amplify light appearing at their input. In transmission systems they are used to boost optical signals to extend the distance between regenerators and terminals. Either single or multiple channels / wavelengths can be amplified. Total output powers can reach Class 3B levels (with APR in the event of a fibre break). Depending on the application, these devices may emit light in both directions (upstream and downstream), so their output and input must be treated with equal levels of care. Ensure the removal of unnecessary objects from the vicinity of the laser as to prevent unwanted reflections of the laser beam from these objects. Ensuring that laser equipment intended for use on plant is installed so as to prevent accidental irradiation of any person. Ensuring that laser equipment on plant is protected so that any operator of the plant or other person is not exposed to direct radiation, radiation produced by reflection or diffusion or secondary radiation. Ensure that the visual equipment used for the observation or adjustment of laser equipment on plant does not cause a risk to health or safety from laser rays. Inspect and / or arrange for inspection, in accordance with their inspection and testing frequencies, legal and manufacturer s requirements, lasers. Ensure lasers are calibrated and labeled in accordance with their design limits and as specified by the manufacturer and AS/NZS IEC :2011. Ensure defective lasers are isolated, and a prominent and approved tag (e.g. Do Not Use / "Out of Service Tag") is fitted to the laser prior to maintenance, repair, installation and / or cleaning. Ensure new laser equipment or modifications thereof to existing laser equipment, those particulars of this equipment are entered on a register of laser equipment. Ensure the risk assessment is verified / audited at specified intervals and records kept. Provide protective equipment (i.e. approved laser safety eye glasses / goggles, suitable clothing with long sleeves, etc.) to persons who work with lasers, laser products and Optical Fibre Systems while ensuring the protective equipment is fit for purpose, used correctly, maintained, repaired and / or replaced where damaged (i.e. optical chips, pits, scratches and / or cracks).

6 In the event of an apparent or suspected laser exposure such as an injury to the eye, the laser emission is terminated, and medical attention is sought such as an examination by a qualified ophthalmologist (within 24 hours of the event). Ensure emergency preparedness and response provisions such as plans, procedures and hardware (fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kit etc.) are in place prior to the commencement of works involving lasers and associated equipment and they are scheduled for testing at regular intervals.