A Risk Assessment for Installation and Cable Pulling identifies hazards associated with laying and installing cables, such as manual handling, electrical risks, and trip hazards. It evaluates potential impacts, defines safety measures like proper PPE, training, and equipment handling, and ensures compliance with safety standards. This document promotes a safe work environment by mitigating risks during cable pulling in industrial or construction settings.
1.0. HAZARDS
1.1. Cable pulling through containment system
1.2. Contact with the live electrical conductor
1.3. Accidental or unauthorized livening of the circuit
2.0. RISKS & CONSEQUENCES
2.1. Overexertion or Improper Manual Handling
2.2. Workers may lift or pull cables in awkward postures or exceed safe handling limits.
2.3. This can lead to musculoskeletal injuries like back pain, muscle strains, or joint damage, resulting in downtime or long-term health issues.
2.4. Cable Damage
2.5. Risk: Excessive pulling force or improper techniques (e.g., sharp bends or improper pulling tools) can damage the cables' insulation or cores.
2.6. This can lead to electrical failures, short circuits, or even fire hazards during operation.
2.7. Slips, Trips, and Falls
2.8. Unsecured cables, tools, or debris may create tripping hazards in the work area.
2.9. Workers may suffer injuries like fractures, sprains, or head trauma, potentially delaying project timelines.
2.10. Equipment Failure
2.11. Cable-pulling equipment, such as winches or rollers, may fail due to overloading or poor maintenance.
2.12. This could result in uncontrolled cable movement, striking nearby workers, or causing equipment damage.
2.13. Confined Space Hazards
2.14. Cable pulling in confined spaces (e.g., ducts or trenches) can expose workers to limited ventilation or hazardous substances.
2.15. Workers may experience heat stress, hypoxia, or exposure to toxic gases, leading to severe health issues or fatalities.
2.16. Electric Shock
2.17. Direct contact with a live conductor may cau se an electric shock.
2.18. Can result in muscle contractions, severe burns, respiratory failure, or cardiac arrest, potentially leading to death.
2.19. Burns and Tissue Damage
2.20. Arcing or prolonged contact with a live conductor can generate intense heat.
2.21. Severe thermal and electrical burns, permanent tissue damage, and scarring.
2.22. Fire Hazard
2.23. Electrical sparks from live conductors can ignite flammable materials nearby.
2.24. Property damage, loss of assets, and risk to human lives due to fire spread.
2.25. Secondary Injuries
2.26. Reflexive movement or muscle spasm during an electric shock can cause falls or collisions.
2.27. Fractures, head injuries, or other trauma resulting from a fall or abrupt movement.
2.28. Equipment Damage and Downtime
2.29. Contact with a live conductor may cause a short circuit or equipment failure.
2.30. Equipment damage, operational downtime, and financial losses due to repair or replacement costs.
2.31. Electric Shock
2.32. An individual may come into contact with live wires or equipment while assuming the circuit is de-energized.
2.33. Severe injuries or fatalities due to electric shock, including burns, cardiac arrest, or respiratory failure.
2.34. Arc Flash Incident
2.35. Accidental livening of a circuit during maintenance or repair can lead to an electrical arc.
2.36. Intense heat and light can cause severe burns, eye injuries, or ignition of nearby flammable materials.
2.37. Damage to Equipment
2.38. Energizing the circuit prematurely can overload or short-circuit electrical components.
2.39. Permanent damage to equipment, increased downtime, and costly repairs.
2.40. Fire Hazard
2.41. Unauthorized energization in areas with faulty wiring or flammable materials.
2.42. Electrical fires could spread quickly, endangering lives and property.
2.43. Interruption of Critical Operations
2.44. Livening circuits connected to essential systems without proper checks.
2.45. Disruption of critical operations, including life support systems, data loss, or compromised safety measures.
3.0. EXISTING RISK CONTROL MEASURES
3.1. Operatives are to ensure the cable runs smoothly in the cable containment system. Position to provide a straight pull.
3.2. Mechanical means of lifting for heavy SWA cables are to be utilized if possible. If mechanical means are not appropriate, only suitably fit operatives instructed in manual handling techniques to carry out this task. The team pulling to be coordinated and controlled.
3.3. Work to be carried out within an exclusion zone. Where practical, the electrician is to be the sole key holder to the room of installation.
3.4. Sign the work area as live once made live.
3.5. Prior to making a board live, the zone must be checked to ensure there is no cable work being undertaken.
3.6. Only trained [COMPANY] electricians or competent sub-contractors
3.7. Work on access routes to be restricted to others and be subject to permit to work / entry system.
3.8. All circuit boards within the panel are to be isolated at the main distribution board isolators and locked off with a pin and padlock, (before the Energy management panel is energized). Start with everything dead.
3.9. Once the unit is energized, test each distribution board for the zone with lamps to ensure that they are dead.
4.0. ADDITIONAL RISK CONTROLS
4.1. [COMPANY] Supervisor to ensure suitable gloves are provided and worn.
4.2. Supervisor to ensure only suitably trained personnel carry out this undertaking.
4.3. [COMPANY] Supervisor to ensure the route is blocked off to other site users for the duration of the works.
4.4. [COMPANY] Supervisor to monitor locking off and testing procedure.
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