Resuming work after the National Day holiday | The first safety lesson

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Returning to work after National Day | First Safety Lesson 2016-10-08 I. Main risk factors upon returning to work after the holiday 1. Post-holiday syndrome: Having just spent the happy and lively National Day, people are now returning to the construction sites one after another. However, many are still immersed in the festive atmosphere; their daily routines have not yet adjusted, and they lack focus. This is manifested as fatigue and emotional instability. Although they are physically at their posts, their minds are still at home, and they cannot concentrate properly. This is the post-holiday syndrome, a dangerous hazard that can easily lead to accidents. 2. Hidden dangers on site: Some of the machinery, equipment, protective facilities, scaffolding, and electrical devices at the site have been out of use for long periods of time, which affects their safety. If they are not inspected, repaired, or reinforced, they will become sources of hidden danger and can lead to accidents. II. Key safety management measures for resuming work 1. Safety training (orientation meetings, emphasis on on-site safety rules) 2. Identification of potential hazards: Dedicated safety officers and managers must strengthen safety inspections during construction, looking for potential hazards, violations of rules, inadequate protection measures, and improper operations; any issues found must be addressed immediately. Thorough inspections are carried out on key components such as the foundation of the scaffolding and formwork support systems, wall connectors, diagonal bracing and shear braces, as well as fastener bolts, to ensure proper connection of the structure, tight fixation of the members, and stability of the scaffold’s foundation. Thorough inspections are carried out on key components such as the foundation of lifting machinery, the connection between the machinery and its foundation, as well as safety and limit devices, to ensure that the equipment remains stable, responsive, reliable, and secure, thereby guaranteeing the safety of the operating machinery. Before using electricity, a professional electrician must inspect all wiring and electrical equipment one by one to ensure that the wiring and equipment are in good condition, and that the circuit breakers are sensitive and reliable. 3. Plans and briefings: Safety production plans are formulated based on the nature of the work, the working environment, and the identification of potential hazards. Thorough safety technical briefings are conducted to enhance the safety awareness of operators, help them recognize potential safety risks, ensure proper operation, and prevent any illegal or unsafe practices. 4. After assessing the workload for the task plan, it is necessary to formulate the plan promptly so that each task can be carried out safely and in an orderly manner. The following principles should be followed when formulating a work plan: avoid overlap, ensure safety, focus on key aspects, define clear start and end points, and specify responsibilities in detail. Before formulating a plan, the working environment should be carefully observed to ensure that the plan is practical and feasible. When formulating plans, cross-tasking should be avoided to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment ； The tasks are numerous and varied; when assigning them, it is necessary to group the personnel together so that they can protect one another ； It is essential to specify when each task starts and ends, even down to the hour; this facilitates supervision ； Depending on the specific circumstances, managers will further divide the tasks, assigning responsibilities based on work areas or specialties, so that each task has a designated person in charge. 5. Improve the emergency rescue mechanism – in the event of an accident, every second counts when it comes to the life of the victims. If the construction workers on site can carry out proper emergency measures in a timely manner before medical personnel arrive, the chances of the injured person surviving increase. Therefore, it is very important for construction workers to learn some basic knowledge about how to handle accidents properly and the rescue methods involved. At the very least, they should do the following: (1) Call the police and report the accident. When reporting, it is necessary to clarify the location of the accident, its type, the number of casualties, as well as the road and route taken. (2) Master basic first-aid knowledge. Such as fires, electric shocks, poisoning and asphyxiation, falls from heights, heatstroke, etc. (3) Learn to save yourself and escape. Stay calm and don’t panic. III. Safety requirements during construction after resuming work
1. General requirements
(1) All personnel entering the construction site must wear work uniforms, safety shoes, and safety helmets. (2) Strictly abide by the access control regulations, enter the factory using a card, and voluntarily submit to security checks. (3) It is strictly prohibited to work while under the influence of alcohol, to engage in fighting or brawling, or to climb over walls. (4) Smoking while moving around the site is prohibited. (5) It is strictly prohibited to damage safety warning signs, protective facilities, fire-fighting equipment, or to tamper with pipeline valves and electrical instrument switches. (6) No one shall enter the restricted areas for hazardous operations such as lifting, erection and dismantling of scaffolding, radiographic inspection, pressure testing, and purging. (7) It is strictly prohibited for workers performing work at heights to fail to wear safety belts as required and to throw objects from heights. (8) It is strictly prohibited to carry out hazardous operations without obtaining an operation permit. (9) It is strictly prohibited to engage in special operations without a license. (10) The speed limit for vehicles on the main roads in the construction area is 30 km/h; speeding is strictly prohibited. 2. Work at heights: 1. Before starting work, it is necessary to conduct a thorough and careful inspection of scaffolds, platforms, walkways, protective railings, and covers for openings, in order to eliminate any potential hazards ； 2. When working, wear tight-fitting work clothes, anti-slip shoes, a safety helmet, and fasten the safety belt ； 3. All kinds of materials should be lowered to the ground using ropes or sliding methods; tools that are not in use temporarily must be placed in tool bags, and materials must not be thrown downward ； 4. Workers must not play or fight with each other to avoid falling accidents. 5. When working in overlapping vertical areas, do not work on the same vertical plane; if it is necessary to work within the range where objects above might fall, a protective barrier should be installed between the upper and lower levels ； 6. When working or walking on a scaffold, be careful of the protruding planks under your feet ； 7. It is prohibited to rest below work at heights, as well as beside edges, at the edges of openings, or against temporary guardrails ； 8. Stop working at heights in case of heavy fog, heavy rain, or winds of force 6 or above. 3. Power for construction work: (1) Strengthen the thorough inspection of temporary electrical facilities, including floor distribution boxes, switch boxes, cables, leakage protection devices, and all electrical circuits, and address any potential hazards promptly. Do not store any items inside distribution boxes or switchboxes to prevent electric shock. Sufficient space and passageways for two people to operate simultaneously should be left around, and no clutter that could hinder operation shall be piled up. Persons who are not electricians shall not repair various types of switchgear. Regularly check whether the lighting in the floor passages and basements meets the requirements; any damaged lighting fixtures should be replaced promptly. When using power tools, it is necessary to use those that have been inspected by qualified electricians. Do not use a power tool if its casing or handle is damaged, if the power cord is broken, or if the plug is damaged; in such cases, it should be replaced immediately. (2) Before using electric tools that have not been used for a long time or have become damp, a professional electrician should first check whether the insulation resistance meets the required standards. (3) When using power tools, do not remove or replace the original plugs of those tools; it is prohibited to insert the cable wires directly into power sockets. When using hand-held power tools, check first whether they are equipped with a leakage protector. Such tools should be regularly maintained, and after completing the work, turn off the power and lock up the switch box and distribution box. (4) It is prohibited to connect wires illegally in the temporary dormitories, as well as to use high-power electrical appliances such as electric water heaters and iodine-tungsten lamps without permission. Wires must not be hung haphazardly, nor should clothes be dried on them. 4. Hot work (1) For hot work at construction sites, a fire permit must be obtained first. Such permits are allowed to be used only at designated locations and within specified time frames. The person carrying out the hot work and the person overseeing it must match those specified on the permit. (2) Flammable materials in the surrounding area must be removed before carrying out hot work; a dedicated person should be assigned to monitor the fire, and an inspection should be conducted after the work is completed. (3) In case of a fire at the construction site, fire extinguishers must be used promptly and correctly. Electrical fires must not be extinguished with water or foam fire extinguishers to prevent electric shock accidents. (4) The safety distance between gas cylinders must meet the regulatory requirements: 5 meters between acetylene and oxygen cylinders, and 10 meters from open flames. (5) The acetylene cylinder outlet must be equipped with a flashback arrester; the tape used must not be aged or leaking, and it must be secured in place with clips. (6) Hot work shall not be carried out concurrently or intermingled with painting, coating, or cable laying operations. Welding on containers containing flammable substances is strictly prohibited. (7) Fire-fighting equipment should only be used in case of a fire, and must not be moved around casually at ordinary times. 5. Lifting operations (1) A safety perimeter must be established around areas where lifting operations take place; it is strictly prohibited for people to walk or stay under the lifted objects ； (2) Drivers, crane operators, riggers, and supervisors must hold valid certificates; supervisors must wear identification clothing ； (3) The rigging, lifting equipment, limit devices, and control systems must be inspected and verified before operation. (4) Lifting operations must not be carried out in conditions of strong winds, heavy fog, sandstorms, or rain and snow. (5) The crane arm and the load must maintain a safety distance of at least 2 meters from the edges of overhead power lines. (6) If a power outage occurs suddenly during lifting, all controls of the crane should be immediately returned to their zero position, the main switch should be turned off, and then other safety measures should be taken. 6. Safety in working in confined spaces (1) A dedicated supervisor must be assigned for work in confined spaces ； (2) A labeling system must be implemented for personnel working in confined spaces ； (3) There must be backup emergency measures (fire fighting, first aid) ； (4) The oxygen content inside must be checked in advance ； Ensure the oxygen level is within the range of 19-23% ； (5) Good ventilation should be maintained ； (6) Use safe voltage and explosion-proof lighting ； (7) Workers must be equipped with gas masks or oxygen respirators. 7. Safety during purging, pressure testing, and commissioning: (1) Barriers must be set up for pressure testing, commissioning, and debugging, and these activities should take place in designated areas. (2) When purging the steam pipeline system, the entire system must be securely fixed ； If the purge pipeline is not insulated, clear markings must be installed and a dedicated person must be assigned to monitor it to prevent burns to people ； (3) The purge port must be designed to prevent any harm to people; when the discharge outlet is located at a low height above the ground, it must be positioned upwards. A safety zone must be established around the discharge outlet to prevent unauthorized access. (4) After the pressure testing is completed, it is prohibited to discharge the water used for testing on site; it must be routed through pipes or trenches to the designated drainage system. (5) The chemical water used for cleaning pipes and equipment must be chemically treated to meet discharge requirements, and it must be discharged into designated discharge areas. 8. During demolition work, it is essential to properly implement safety protection measures, ensure safety during the use of construction equipment, handle the recycling of materials, and take appropriate safety precautions when demolishing temporary structures. To create favorable conditions for completion and operation, eliminate non-construction-related hazards, and provide a clean working environment for construction, excess construction equipment and materials on site should be removed promptly. This includes flammable and explosive items such as welding machines, vertical transportation equipment, oxygen cylinders, acetylene cylinders, and paint, as well as steel scraps. Unused temporary power sources, construction distribution boxes, and electrical equipment must also be removed. The supervision department and the construction department should urge the contracting unit to effectively implement safety measures during and after the removal process. Precautions for demolition work: 1. Safety measures must be explained before starting the demolition work, so that every worker is aware of the safety procedures and precautions involved in the task. 2. Each assignment must be carried out within the planned scope; individual work is not allowed, and supervision is necessary. When carrying out demolition work at heights, barriers should be set up to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the work area. 3. Work must be carried out in accordance with the demolition sequence, starting from top to bottom (such as with scaffolding) ； Second, remove the safety protections such as railings and lifelines at the end ； Third, it is completed in one go, without leaving any potential hazards (such as temporary power use) ； Fourth, the removed materials should be cleaned up promptly. 4. When removing safety devices at the end, effective safety precautions must be taken (such as wearing safety belts and installing safety nets on the ground).