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Consulate General of the United States 2 Reddam Ave, Steenberg Estate, Cape Town, 7945, South Africa

CLIENT HEALTH AND SAFETY SPECIFICATIONS

BACKGROUND

The Consulate wants to ensure all contractors and subcontractors are conducting their duties safely and healthfully. This guidance aims to ensure compliance with current safety regulations as well as the health and safety of personnel, avoiding any damage or injury. The Contractor will accept all legal requirements or regulations currently enforced concerning safety for staff, technicians, and other workers and the public whom the work may directly or indirectly impact.

Take Note:

• The Contractor MUST submit a detailed, site-specific health and safety plan with tender documents, addressing hazard mitigation and control methods.

• A site-specific Health and Safety file must be submitted to the POSHO via the COR at least three days before the start of the work project.

GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

• The Contractor must demonstrate an understanding of their responsibilities related to the safety and health requirements by addressing hazards in their health and safety plan.

• During the site visit, the Contractor must review the work site and identify hazards that may occur while performing the work project.

• The Contractor is expected to provide a “competent person” to implement the site safety and health plan and oversee its strict compliance. A competent person is an individual who, by way of training and/or experience, is knowledgeable of applicable standards, capable of identifying workplace hazards related to the specific operation, is designated by the employer, and has the authority to take appropriate actions.

• The Contractor will conduct a safety briefing before starting daily work.

• Any Contractor personnel who show signs of intoxication will be denied entry into the work area.

• The Contractor shall ensure personnel working at the site are trained and aware of potential hazards. The Contractor shall unequivocally ensure that personnel have proper safety equipment to prevent accidental injury per the contract's requirements.

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• The Contractor must accept the safety and health standards established by the U.S.

Embassy.

• All workers shall remove any chains, rings, watches, bracelets, and other jewelry during the execution of the work project. Medical bracelets are excluded.

• Smoking is strictly prohibited at the work site, and personnel will only use areas identified as “designated smoking areas.” The consumption of marijuana or similar recreational substances is strictly prohibited on U.S. government-held properties.

• The Contractor will report accidents and near misses to the COR, who will pass the proper data to the POSHO.

• Good housekeeping and proper waste disposal must be maintained at all times.

TASK-SPECIFIC SAFETY PROCEDURES

• Lockout/Tagout:

Lockout/tagout procedures must be followed before any work on electrical systems or disconnecting power sources. Main power must be locked out and disconnected before tightening supply lugs or performing electrical maintenance.

• Confined Space Entry:

If any maintenance requires entry into confined spaces (e.g., chiller shells, pits), follow confined space entry procedures, including atmospheric testing, continuous monitoring, and standby personnel.

• Hazardous Materials Handling:

o Only new, unused, and OEM-approved parts and materials may be used.

o Reclaimed refrigerants may only be used if not contaminated and must be stored in clearly labeled containers.

o All chemicals and refrigerants must be handled and stored per MSDS and manufacturer’s instructions.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

• The Contractor shall fully comply with the Department of State standards related to electrical safety work practices and work de-energized to prevent any incident that may impact the safety and health of personnel or any electrical systems in U.S. government-held properties.

• It is Departmental policy that energized or “live” parts to which an employee may be exposed must be de-energized before the employee works on or near them. If de-energizing “live” parts introduce or increases hazards or otherwise makes the work unfeasible, the Contractor must notify the COR to report such a situation and await further guidance.

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• All personnel conducting electrical work shall be sufficiently trained and considered competent before performing such work.

• The Contractor should identify all potential sources of electrical energy likely to cause death, injury, or serious physical harm.

• The Contractor shall ensure all work follows all applicable local regulations, U.S.

standards, and international codes.

• The Contractor must provide the appropriate equipment and tools for the work in compliance with the contract requirements.

• The Contractor shall ensure non-conductive (fiberglass) ladders are used for electrical work or work near electrical hazards.

HIGH-RISK WORK

• The Contractor shall submit training certificates for each employee conducting the task and these certificates must be in the safety file.

• The execution of high-risk activities will be carried out with at least two employees present. Both employees must be capable of performing duties as spotters for unseen hazards and as buddy persons who can render first aid or give notice in case of emergency.

HAND & POWER TOOL SAFETY

• The Contractor must ensure the safety of all tools and equipment its employees use.

• All hand and power tools must be inspected regularly and maintained in good condition per the manufacturer's specifications. Tools that are damaged must be removed from service.

• The Contractor shall ensure that all tools are used only for their intended purposes.

FALL PROTECTION

According to U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) standards, all work performed at more than 1.22 meters (4 feet) in general industry workplaces and 1.83 meters (6 feet) at construction sites is considered “work at heights.” The Contractor must strictly comply with the following requirements when working at heights:

• All equipment at elevated surfaces must meet ANSI Z359.1 standards or the international equivalent.

• All ladders and stepladders must have two locking spreaders and have a minimum weight rating of 250 lbs. (113.4 kg). All ladders must be inspected by a competent person before use and immediately remove noncompliant ladders from service.

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• All Contractor personnel using equipment for work at heights must follow the instructions and warnings associated with such equipment.

• Use dielectric ladders to work with electricity and in areas with electrical influence.

• Standing on or above the second top rung of ladders is forbidden.

BARRICADING AND WARNING SIGNS

The Contractor must place provisional barricades and warning signs to maintain a safe and accessible path of travel for all pedestrians, including those with disabilities, to avoid accidents with third parties. Barricades alert others about hazards created by construction activities and should be used to control vehicular traffic around the work site. The Contractor shall:

• Erect and maintain proper barricades for the duration of the contract, including fencing material, traffic cones, caution tape, and temporary curb rams, complying with all applicable access codes and regulations.

• Ensure that no materials are stored and/or positioned in the path of travel.

• Maintain the barriers in a sound, neat, and clean condition.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• All Contractor personnel must use the PPE required per the contracted work.

• The Contractor must inspect and maintain spare PPE in case of equipment damage, deterioration, or loss.

• The PPE must meet the technical specifications required by local and international standards.

• All sharp cutting tools must be carried in tool-carrying cases. Under no circumstances shall they be carried in uniform pockets.

LIFTING LOADS, USE OF CRANES, OR ELEVATING WORK PLATFORMS SAFETY

• The Contractor shall submit certificates (load test and service records) of the equipment used for the work to the POSHO via the COR before the start of any task. This includes forklifts, cranes, elevating platforms, and the like.

• The Contractor shall submit certificates for all slings, chains, shackles, or other elements used for lifting loads to the POSHO via the COR.

• The Contractor shall submit valid competence certificates of all personnel performing the task to the POSHO via the COR.

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SAFETY INSPECTIONS

• All tools, equipment, and machinery used in executing the contracted work must be inspected by a competent person before starting the project.

• COR and/or safety representatives of the U.S. Consulate may inspect the Contractor's equipment, tools, machinery and the entire work area at any time and request a change if necessary.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

• In case of an emergency within U.S. government facilities or during the execution of contracted work on behalf of the U.S. government, all Contractor personnel must follow the instructions given by the USG representative who is supervising the work or the POSHO and/or the Regional Security Officer.

• The Contractor shall ensure that a fully serviced fire extinguisher and first aid kit are readily available on-site for the work project.

• The Contractor must not obstruct emergency response equipment such as first aid kits, fire extinguishers, fire cabinets, eye wash stations, or safety signage.

ENFORCEMENT

• Failure to comply with these specifications may result in work stoppage, removal from the site, or contract termination at the discretion of the Department of State.

COMPLETION OF WORKS AND CLOSE OUT

• The Contractor shall ensure that the necessary and applicable resources remain available towards the end of the project.