01 35 26 Safety Standards_636-26-305.docx

11-01-23

SECTION 01 35 26

Safety REQUIREMENTS for MaJoR Projects

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 01 35 26

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR Major Projects

1.1 APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS:

A. Latest publications listed below form part of this Article to extent referenced. Publications are referenced in text by basic designations only.

B. American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP):

C. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM):

E84-2013 Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials D. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

E. U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):

F. US Army Corps of Engineers Safety and Health Requirements Publication No. EM 385-1-1, 2014 edition

1.2 DEFINITIONS:

A. Critical Lift. A lift with the hoisted load exceeding 75% of the crane’s maximum capacity; lifts made out of the view of the operator (blind picks); lifts involving two or more cranes; personnel being hoisted; and special hazards such as lifts over occupied facilities, loads lifted close to power-lines, and lifts in high winds or where other adverse environmental conditions exist; and any lift which the crane operator believes is critical.

B. OSHA “Competent Person” (CP). One who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings and working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous to employees, and who has the authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them (see 29 CFR 1926.32(f)).

C. Competent Person, Confined Space The CP, Confined Space, is a person meeting the competent person requirements as defined EM 385-1-1 Appendix Q, with thorough knowledge of OSHA’s Confined Space Standard, 29 CFR 1910.146, and designated in writing to be responsible for the immediate supervision, implementation and monitoring of the confined space program, who through training, knowledge and experience in confined space entry is capable of identifying, evaluating and addressing existing and potential confined space hazards and, who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures with regard to such hazards.

D. Competent Person, Cranes and Rigging.

The CP, Cranes and Rigging, as defined in EM 385-1-1 Appendix Q, is a person meeting the competent person, who has been designated in writing to be responsible for the immediate supervision, implementation and monitoring of the Crane and Rigging Program, who through training, knowledge and experience in crane and rigging is capable of identifying, evaluating and addressing existing and potential hazards and, who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures regarding such hazards.

E. Competent Person, Excavation/Trenching.

A CP, Excavation/Trenching, is a person meeting the competent person requirements as defined in EM 385-1-1 Appendix Q and 29 CFR 1926, who has been designated in writing to be responsible for the immediate supervision, implementation and monitoring of the excavation/trenching program, who through training, knowledge and experience in excavation/trenching is capable of identifying, evaluating and addressing existing and potential hazards and, who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures with regard to such hazards.

F. Competent Person, Fall Protection The CP, Fall Protection, is a person meeting the competent person requirements as defined in EM 385-1-1 Appendix Q and in accordance with ASSE/SAFE Z359.0, who has been designated in writing by the employer to be responsible for immediate supervising, implementing and monitoring of the fall protection program, who through training, knowledge and experience in fall protection and rescue systems and equipment, is capable of identifying, evaluating and addressing existing and potential fall hazards and, who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures with regard to such hazards.

G. Competent Person, Scaffolding The CP, Scaffolding is a person meeting the competent person requirements in EM 385-1-1 Appendix Q and designated in writing by the employer to be responsible for immediate supervising, implementing and monitoring of the scaffolding program. The CP for Scaffolding has enough training, knowledge and experience in scaffolding to correctly identify, evaluate and address existing and potential hazards and has the authority to take prompt corrective measures with regard to these hazards. CP qualifications must be documented and include experience on the specific scaffolding systems/types being used, assessment of the base material that the scaffold will be erected upon, load calculations for materials and personnel, and erection and dismantling. The CP for scaffolding must have a documented, minimum of 8-hours of scaffold training to include training on the specific type of scaffold being used (e.g. mast-climbing, adjustable, tubular frame), in accordance with EM 385-1-1 Section 22.B.02.

H. Competent Person (CP) Trainer A competent person trainer as defined in EM 385-1-1 Appendix Q, who is qualified in the material presented, and who possesses a working knowledge of applicable technical regulations, standards, equipment and systems related to the subject matter on which they are training Competent Persons. A competent person trainer must be familiar with the typical hazards and the equipment used in the industry they are instructing. The training provided by the competent person trainer must be appropriate to that specific industry. The competent person trainer must evaluate the knowledge and skills of the competent persons as part of the training process.

I. High Risk Activities High Risk Activities are activities that involve work at heights, crane and rigging, excavations and trenching, scaffolding, electrical work, and confined space entry.

J. "Qualified Person" means one who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training and experience, has successfully demonstrated his ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.

K. Qualified Person, Fall Protection (QP for FP) A QP for FP is a person meeting the requirements of EM 385-1-1 Appendix Q, and ASSE/SAFE Z359.0, with a recognized degree or professional certificate and with extensive knowledge, training and experience in the fall protection and rescue field who is capable of designing, analyzing, and evaluating and specifying fall protection and rescue systems.

L. USACE Property and Equipment Interpret "USACE" property and equipment specified in USACE EM 385-1-1 as Government property and equipment.

M. High Visibility Accident. Any mishap which may generate publicity or high visibility.

N. Mishap: Mishap in this specification is defined according to the EM 385-1-1. A mishap is any unplanned, undesired event that occurs during the course of work being performed. This includes accidents, incidents, and near misses.

O. Mishap Criticality Categories

1. No impact/Near-Miss – near miss incidents that shall be investigated and reported to the VA within 24 hours.

2. Minor incident/impact – incidents that require first aid or result in minor equipment damage (less than $5000). These incidents must be investigated and reported to the VA within 24 hours.

3. Moderate incident/impact – Any work-related injury or illness that results in:

a. Days away from work (any time lost after day of injury/illness onset);

b. Restricted work;

c. Transfer to another job;

d. Medical treatment beyond first aid;

e. Loss of consciousness;

f. A significant injury or illness diagnosed by a physician or other licensed health care professional, even if it did not result in (1) through (5) above or,

g. any incident that leads to major equipment damage (greater than $5000).These incidents must be investigated and are required to be reported to the VA within 2 hours.

h. Major incident/impact – Any mishap that leads to fatalities, hospitalizations, amputations, and losses of an eye as a result of contractors’ activities. Or any incident which leads to major property damage (greater than $20,000) and/or may generate publicity or high visibility. These incidents must be investigated and are required to be reported to the VA as soon as practical, but not later than 2 hours after the incident.

P. Load Handling Equipment (LHE) LHE is a term used to describe cranes, hoists and all other hoisting equipment (hoisting equipment means equipment, including crane, derricks, hoists and power operated equipment used with rigging to raise, lower or horizontally move a load).

Q. Medical Treatment. Treatment administered by a physician or by registered professional personnel under the standing orders of a physician. Medical treatment does not include first aid treatment even through provided by physician or registered personnel.

1.3 SUBMITTAL REQUIRMENTS:

Government approval is required for submittals with a "G" designation; submittals not having a "G" designation are submitted for information only.

A. Preconstruction Submittals

1. Accident Prevention Plan (APP); G

C. Work Plans

1. Standard Lift Plan; G

2. Critical Lift Plan; G

3. Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA)

4. Confined Space Entry Permit

5. Hot Work Permit

6. Radiography Operation Planning Work Sheet; G

7. Portable Gauge Operations Planning Worksheet; G D. Certificates

1. Contractor Safety Self-Evaluation Checklist

2. Crane Operators/Riggers Certifications G

3. Certificate of Compliance

4. Mobile Cranes Inspection Certificate

5. License Certificates

6. Machinery & Mechanized Equipment Certification Form

1.4 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS:

A. In addition to the detailed requirements included in the provisions of this contract, comply with the most recent edition of USACE EM 385-1-1, comply with 29 CFR 1926, comply with 29 CFR 1910 as incorporated by reference within 29 CFR 1926, comply with ASSP A10.34, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, criteria, rules and regulations. Submit matters of interpretation of standards for resolution before starting work. Where the requirements of this specification, applicable laws, criteria, ordinances, regulations, and referenced documents vary, the most stringent requirements govern except with specific approval and acceptance by the Resident Engineer// Regional Safety Engineer or Contracting Officer Representative or Government Designated Authority.

1.5 ACCIDENT PREVENTION PLAN (APP):

A. The APP (aka Construction Safety & Health Plan) shall interface with the Contractor's overall safety and health program. Include any portions of the Contractor's overall safety and health program referenced in the APP in the applicable APP element and ensure it is site-specific. The Government considers the Prime Contractor to be the "controlling authority" for all worksite safety and health of each subcontractor(s). Contractors are responsible for informing their subcontractors of the safety provisions under the terms of the contract and the penalties for noncompliance, coordinating the work to prevent one craft from interfering with or creating hazardous working conditions for other crafts, and inspecting subcontractor operations to ensure that Mishap prevention responsibilities are being carried out.

B. The APP shall be prepared as follows:

1. Written in English by a qualified person who is employed by the Prime Contractor articulating the specific work and hazards pertaining to the contract. Specifically articulating the safety requirements found within these VA contract safety specifications and the United States Army Corps of Engineers – Safety and Health Requirements Manual - EM 385-1-1-2014. Model language and format can be found in Appendix A of the EM 385-1-1-2014 Manual

2. Address both the Prime Contractors and the subcontractors work operations.

3. State measures to be taken to control hazards associated with materials, services, or equipment provided by suppliers.

4. Address all the elements/sub-elements and in order as follows:

a. SIGNATURE SHEET. Title, signature, and phone number of the following:

1) The APP shall include identify person(s) responsible to provide the following to the Resident Engineer // Contracting Officer Representative // Government Designated Authority :

28) Public (Mandatory compliance with ANSI/ASSP A10.34-2012).

1.6 ACTIVITY HAZARD ANALYSES (AHAs):

A. AHAs are also known as Job Hazard Analyses, Job Safety Analyses, and Activity Safety Analyses. Before beginning each work activity involving a type of work presenting hazards not experienced in previous project operations or where a new work crew or sub-contractor is to perform the work, the Contractor(s) performing that work activity shall prepare an AHA (Example electronic AHA forms can be found on the US Army Corps of Engineers web site) B. AHAs shall define the activities being performed and identify the work sequences, the specific anticipated hazards, site conditions, equipment, materials, and the control measures to be implemented to eliminate or reduce each hazard to an acceptable level of risk.

C. Work shall not begin until the AHA for the work activity has been accepted by the Resident Engineer, Contracting Officer Representative or Government Designated Authority and discussed with all engaged in the activity, including the Contractor, subcontractor(s), and Government on-site representatives at preparatory and initial control phase meetings.

1.7 PRECONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE:

1.8 SAFETY MEETINGS:

Conduct safety meetings to review past activities, plan for new or changed operations, review pertinent aspects of appropriate AHA (by trade), establish safe working procedures for anticipated hazards, and provide pertinent Safety and Occupational Health (SOH) training and motivation. Conduct meetings at least once a month for all supervisors on the project location. The SSHO, supervisors, foremen, or CDSOs must conduct meetings at least once a week for the trade workers. Document meeting minutes to include the date, persons in attendance, subjects discussed, and names of individual(s) who conducted the meeting. Maintain documentation on-site and furnish copies to the Contracting Officer on request. Notify the Contracting Officer of all scheduled meetings 7 calendar days in advance.

1.9 “SITE SAFETY AND HEALTH OFFICER” (SSHO) and “COMPETENT PERSON” (CP):

A. The Prime Contractor shall provide a Safety oversight team that includes a minimum of one (1) person at each project site, for each shift, to function as the Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO), and an Alternate Safety Officer. The Prime Contractor shall provide a minimum of one “Full-Time” SSHO at each project site, for each shift (the SSHO shall not have collateral duties except that they may also perform duties as the Quality Control officer provided they have qualifications as defined in these specifications) that holds as current, a professional safety certification with at least 3 years of dedicated construction safety related experience. The SSHO shall ensure that the requirements of the VA and of 29 CFR 1926.16 are met for the project. The SSHO must be at the work site at all times, during construction activities, to implement and administer the Contractor's safety program and government-accepted Accident Prevention Plan. If the SSHO is off-site for a period longer than 8 hours, or one shift, and not exceeding 40 hours, or 5 shifts, a qualified Alternate Safety Officer shall be provided and shall fulfill the same roles and responsibilities as the primary SSHO. The Alternate Safety Officer shall have the required training, experience, and qualifications in accordance with EM 385-1-1 Section 01.A.17, and all associated sub-paragraphs. When the Primary SSHO is temporarily (not to exceed 8 hours) off-site, a Designated Representative (DR) from the Prime Contractors’ staff, as identified in the AHA may be used in lieu of an Alternate Safety Officer and shall be on the project site, at all times, when work is being performed. Note that the DR is a collateral duty safety position, with safety duties in addition to their full-time occupation. Each subcontractor shall designate a minimum of one CP in compliance with 29 CFR 1926.20 (b)(2) that will be identified as a CP to administer their individual safety programs.

B. Further, all specialized Competent Persons for the work crews will be supplied by the respective contractor as required by 29 CFR 1926 (i.e. Asbestos, Electrical, Cranes, & Derricks, Demolition, Fall Protection, Fire Safety/Life Safety, Ladder, Rigging, Scaffolds, and Trenches/Excavations).

C. These Competent Persons can have collateral duties as the subcontractor’s superintendent and/or work crew lead persons as well as fill more than one specialized CP role (i.e. Asbestos, Electrical, Cranes, & Derricks, Demolition, Fall Protection, Fire Safety/Life Safety, Ladder, Rigging, Scaffolds, and Trenches/Excavations). However, the SSHO has be a separate qualified individual from the Prime Contractor’s Superintendent and/or Quality Control Manager with duties only as the SSHO D. The SSHO or an equally qualified Designated Representative/alternate will maintain a presence on the site during construction operations in accordance with FAR Clause 52.236-6: Superintendence by the Contractor. CPs will maintain presence during their construction activities in accordance with above mentioned clause. A listing of the designated SSHO and all known CPs shall be submitted prior to the start of work as part of the APP with the training documentation and/or AHA as listed in Section 1.8 below.

E. The repeated presence of uncontrolled hazards during a contractor’s work operations will result in the designated CP as being deemed incompetent and result in the required removal of the employee in accordance with FAR Clause 52.236-5: Material and Workmanship, Paragraph (c).

1.10 TRAINING:

A. The designated Prime Contractor SSHO must meet the requirements of all applicable OSHA standards and be capable (through training, experience, and qualifications) of ensuring that the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.16 and other appropriate Federal, State and local requirements are met for the project.

B. As a minimum the SSHO must have completed the OSHA 30-hour Construction Safety Outreach class within the past five (5) years and:

C. The Alternate Safety Officer shall meet, at a minimum, the requirements of EM 385-1-1 Section 1 and have five (5) years of construction industry safety experience If the SSHO does not have a current certification, certification must be obtained within 90 days, maximum, of contract award.

1.11 INSPECTIONS:

1.12 MISHAPS, OSHA 300 LOGS, AND MAN-HOURS:

1.13 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE):

A. PPE is governed in all areas by the nature of the work the employee is performing. For example, specific PPE required for performing work on electrical equipment is identified in NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.

B. Any PPE above and beyond the Mandatory PPE identified below and determined by the Contracting Officer or their Representative to be necessary in the performance of the Governments duties relative to this contract, shall be provided to the Government upon written notification by the Contracting Officer and at no additional expense to the Government. All PPE provided to the Government shall also be accompanied by any relevant or required training necessary to ensure its proper use.

C. Mandatory Minimum PPE includes:

1.14 Pre-construction Risk Assessment

A. Control of all construction-associated hazards that affect VA medical facilities, their occupants, services and mission-essential functions and capabilities is critical in all medical center facilities. VHA Pre-Construction Risk Assessments (PCRAs) for construction, renovation and maintenance projects are included with this contract solicitation with required mitigations of identified hazards. VHA-PCRAs will be re-validated and updated as needed based on but not limited to changes from original designs, affected individuals, areas/locations, scope, contractor means and methods, safety requirements, phasing, contractor competencies and capabilities.

B. Infection Prevention and Control is critical in all medical center facilities. Interior construction activities causing disturbance of existing dust, or creating new dust, must be conducted within ventilation-controlled areas that minimize the flow of airborne particles into patient areas. A detailed analysis of potential risks for infectious disease transmission affecting the care, treatment or services of patients or residents has been conducted. VHA Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRAs) are included with this contract solicitation with required mitigation actions/activities. VHA-ICRAs will be re-validated and updated as needed based on changes in original designs, affected individuals, area(s) or location(s), scope, contractor means and methods, infection prevention and control requirements, differing site conditions, phasing, contractor competencies and capabilities, and infectious disease outbreaks.

C. Products and Materials: NOT USED, EXTERIOR WORK

1.15 INFECTION CONTROL

A. Infection Control is critical in all medical center facilities. Interior construction activities causing disturbance of existing dust, or creating new dust, must be conducted within ventilation-controlled areas that minimize the flow of airborne particles into patient areas. Exterior construction activities causing disturbance of soil or creates dust in some other manner must be controlled.

B. For work occurring at a VA medical facility, coordinate with the facility Safety Manager/Officer, as several aspects of this section directly relate to infection control risk assessments required in or adjacent to construction affecting occupied buildings accredited by The Joint Commission.

C. An AHA associated with infection control will be performed by VA personnel in accordance with FGI Guidelines (i.e. Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA)). The ICRA procedure found on the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) website will be utilized. Risk classifications of Class II or lower will require approval by the Contracting Officer Representative or Government Designated Authority before beginning any construction work. Risk classifications of Class III or higher will require a permit before beginning any construction work. Infection Control permits will be issued by the COR. The Infection Control Permits will maintained by the Superintendent. More than one permit may be issued for a construction project if the work is located in separate areas requiring separate classes.

D. Before any construction on site begins, all contractor personnel involved in the construction or renovation activity shall be educated and trained in infection prevention measures established by the medical center.

E. Exterior Construction

1.16 TUBERCULOSIS SCREENING NOT USED

1.17 FIRE SAFETY

A. Fire Safety Plan: Establish and maintain a site-specific fire protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1926. Prior to start of work, prepare a plan detailing project-specific fire safety measures, including periodic status reports, and submit to Contracting Officer Representative or Government Designated Authority // for review for compliance with contract requirements in accordance with Section 01 33 23, SHOP DRAWINGS, PRODUCT DATA AND SAMPLES. This plan may be an element of the Accident Prevention Plan.

B. Site and Building Access: Maintain free and unobstructed access to facility emergency services and for fire, police and other emergency response forces in accordance with NFPA 241.

C. For work occurring at a VA medical facility, coordinate with the facility Safety Manager/Officer, as several aspects of this section directly relate to interim life safety measures required in or adjacent to construction affecting occupied buildings accredited by The Joint Commission.

D. Separate temporary facilities, such as trailers, storage sheds, and dumpsters, from existing buildings and new construction by distances in accordance with NFPA 241. For small facilities with less than 6 m (20 feet) exposing overall length, separate by 3m (10 feet).

1.18 ELECTRICAL

1.19 FALL PROTECTION