Construction Safety Handout.doc

Safety, Security, Environmental & Infection

Control Handbook for

Contractors

September 2016

COR: ___________________________________________________

Phone Number: 307-675____________________________________

Cell Number: _____________________________________________

FOR EMERGENCIES: 911

Handbook for Contractors

THE ROLE OF THE

CONTRACTOR

Contract workers are an important part of our Medical Center. They provide services in virtually all areas of the Medical Center from time to time. Some contract workers work in direct contact with patients; others work in office areas without direct contact. Regardless of where they work, their activities support the health care and environment of our patients.

It is critically important, therefore, that you, the contract worker, know about the Medical Center, its patients, its rules and regulations, and ways in which your safety and that of our valuable patients and employees can be insured.

The management, patients, and employees of this health care system appreciate your efforts to help us improve our facility and service to our veterans; however, safety must be stressed at all times.

Please take a moment to review this handbook with all of your employees and make sure everyone is familiar with the safety and infection control requirements. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the VA COR that is overseeing your project.

Thank you.

Security and Identification

Security is a cooperative effort. VA Police enforce federal and local laws and regulations to protect patients, contract workers, volunteers, staff, and visitors. They also protect government and private property and preserve a peaceful and secure environment at the Medical Center 24 hours a day.

All contract workers are required to obey traffic, parking, and security laws and regulations. It is also necessary for everyone to use common sense, cooperate with the police and, of course, keep personal possessions in a safe and secure place.

If you see a suspicious person or any act that may be suspicious and/or criminal, notify the Police by calling 675-3333 or 911 if an emergency, and/or report your suspicion to a VA employee or your supervisor.

All contractors are required to obtain and wear an identification badge. The identification badge must be visibly displayed on a shirt or jacket at all times while working at this Medical Center.

The Medical Center and its surrounding grounds are Federal property.

The following items are forbidden in the Medical Center buildings or on the grounds:

Alcoholic Beverages

Firearms

Knives with blades over three (3) inches*

Pepper Spray

Stun guns or Tasers

Ammunition, Explosives and Fireworks

* excludes any tools of the trade

Environmental Rules and Regulations

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· National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)

· National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA)

· Clean Air Act (CAA)

· Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)

· Endangered Species Act (ESA)

· Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

· Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

· Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

· Clean Water Act (CWA)

· Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA/Superfund)

· Pollution Prevention Act

· Federal Facilities Compliance Act

Contractors must abide by all SHERIDAN VAHCS environmental permit requirements.

Hazardous waste generated by the contractor is property of the contractor and must be labeled, stored and disposed of in accordance with all federal, state and local regulations.

The SHERIDAN VAHCS has a Storm Water Permit and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). All contractors with materials or work outside the facility will be supplied with a copy of the plan. The requirements of the SWPPP and Permit are:

· All contractors and sub contractors must read and abide by the SWPPP as well as sign the certification statement BEFORE conducting any service on site.

· Includes all short-term contractors and sub-contractors coming on-site. This makes the signatory a co-permittee.

· The signed certification is incorporated into the SWPPP in accordance with the WYDEQ General Permit. Please give the signed certification to your COR to be incorporated into the SWPPP plan.

· Non-function controls shall be repaired, replaced or supplemented with functional controls within 24 hours of discovery or as soon as field conditions allow.

· Disturbed areas shall be inspected :

· Once every 14 days

· Within 24 hours of the end of a rainfall event of ½ inch or greater.

· The contractor will complete the inspection form as required and include it in the project file. Completed forms must be maintained as part of the SWPPP until the project is terminated. Once the project is completed, the contractor will turn over the forms to the COR. I’m not sure if we have this but engineering could check or maybe Dale would know Any spills or environmental contamination must be immediately cleaned up by the contractor in a manner appropriate for the nature of the chemical spilled. All environmental incidents must be reported immediately to the COR who will notify the GEMS Manager, Safety Chief, and Associate Director.

Questions regarding environmental issues are to be directed to the COR. The GEMS Coordinator will make periodic unannounced compliance rounds. Issues needing attention will be discussed and corrected as soon as possible.

All contractors are encouraged to read the EPA Myer’s Guide prior to start of construction. This guide can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/assistance/sectors/constructmyer/myerguide.pdf Basic Safety

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All construction barriers shall meet the facility construction barrier rating of at least one hour unless a two hour barrier is required. Plastic barriers allowed on a case by case basis, and are dependent upon construction activities.

All construction areas shall be secure at all times, do not leave the door temporarily unlocked for any reason.

All supplies and other deliveries must be stored in a predetermined location, not left on the floor, and not left unattended.

Use only grounded UL-listed extension/flexible cords. Do not allow extension cords to cross a walkway or corridor, creating a trip hazard. Cords shall not be run through walls, ceilings, or floors, through doorways, or concealed behind doors, ceilings, floors, etc. Cords should be used in continuous lengths without splicing or tape and be visually checked prior to each use.

All cord and plug connect equipment, e.g., sump pumps, hand-held motor operated tools, and appliances used outside that operate on greater than or equal to 120 volts, or likely to be used in a wet environment, shall be grounded and equipped with a Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI). Listed or labeled portable tools and appliances, protected by an approved UL system of double insulation or its equivalent, need to be grounded; however, GFI protection must still be used.

All energized parts of more than 24 volts must be guarded against accidental exposure. These may be guarded by a locked room accessible only to qualified persons, elevation to a height of over 10 feet above the floor, or by guards/cabinets that are inaccessible to unqualified workers, staff, patients, etc.

All energized parts should be de-energized prior to work being performed in the part or in the near vicinity of that part according to OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1926.417 Control of Hazardous Energy Sources Lockout/Tagout).

Do not leave any tools or equipment unattended.

Scaffolding shall be erected in accordance with 1926.451. Employers who erect, disassemble, move, operate, repair, maintain or inspect a scaffold shall be trained by a competent person. Each employee who performs work on a scaffold shall be trained by a person qualified to recognize the hazards associated with the type of scaffold used and to understand the procedures to control or minimize these hazards.

Be careful and observe your surroundings while walking and working.

If you see a “Wet Floor” sign, do not walk in the area until the sign is removed.

If you spill something, clean it up immediately. Caution others to stay clear of the area until it is cleaned up. Notify the COR.

If you see a spill in an area that you are not working in and you do not know what it is, notify your supervisor or a VA employee nearby. Do not clean it up yourself.

If you see any safety hazards, report them to the COR overseeing your project.

Be aware of patient and wheelchair traffic. Use caution and pull carts, as opposed to pushing carts, around a blind corner.

Do not open any window without approval from the COR.

The contractor is responsible for meeting all requirements of the applicable OSHA regulations and any other requirements as set forth by this Medical Center.

Use dust barriers and wear personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, when appropriate.

Clean up your work area. Dispose of all debris on a daily basis in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations including Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), etc.

Do not leave the construction area unattended at any time unless the area is secure and locked.

In performing work, if any contractor encounters what is believed to be Asbestos Containing Materials, they are to stop and notify their supervisor and the COR overseeing the project.

If working in a known asbestos area, all applicable OSHA regulations should be followed. Contact the COR or the VA Industrial Hygienist for additional information.

Fall Protection

The walls and faces of trenches five (5) feet or more deep, and all excavations in which employees are exposed to changes from moving ground or cave-in, shall be guarded by a shoring system, sloping of the ground, or by providing proper shielding.

Trench and Excavation Safety Requirements

The walls and faces of trenches five (5) feet or more deep, and all excavations in which employees are exposed to changes from moving ground or cave-in, shall be guarded by a shoring system, sloping of the ground, or by providing proper shielding.

The portable trench shields may be used for the protection of personnel in lieu of shoring system or sloping.

The portable trench shield should be designed for type “C” soil and be maintained in a manner which will provide protection equal to or greater than the sheeting or shoring required for the trench.

Trenches four (4) feet or more deep shall have an adequate means of exit such as ladders, steps, or ramps located so as to require no more than 25 feet of lateral travel. Ladders must be secured and must extend 36 inches above the landing.

In excavations which employees may be required to enter, excavated or other material shall be effectively stored and retained at least two (2) feet or more from the edge of the excavations.

Employees shall be protected with personal protective equipment for the protection of the head, eyes, respiratory tract, feet, and other body parts as required. Hard hats will be required for all employees working in the area unless otherwise directed by the VA Safety Office.

Unattended excavations or trenches will be effectively guarded against unauthorized entry by fences, warning lights, signs, and any other means necessary.

Prior to opening an excavation, steps will be taken to determine whether underground utilities; i.e., sewer, telephone, water, fuel, electrical line, etc., will be encountered.

Prior to entry, a competent person from your company should inspect the excavation or trench to determine if it is safe and in compliance with 29 CFR 1926 subpart P. If the possibility of cave-in, slides, or any other safety problem is evident, all work will stop until the unsafe conditions are abated.

Contractor Notification of the Permit Required Confined Space Entry Program

The Medical Center has in place a confined space entry and safety program that is in effect for contractors as well as employees of this facility. This includes, but is not limited to entry permits, required training, personal protective equipment, and other safety requirements.

This facility contains numerous identified permit-required spaces including, but not limited to, manholes, boilers, connecting tunnels, ductwork, and crawl spaces.

All entrants, attendants, and supervisors must have documented training, meeting OSHA regulations, for each position.

Contractors shall check with the COR prior to entry into any permit-required space. The COR will contact the VA Safety Office. The contractor will then be briefed as to the recognized hazards of the space, as well as any safety issues that need to be addressed prior to entry, including safety issues that will be created by the contractor as a result of the work being performed.

Attendant duties shall be the responsibility of the contractor. There shall always be a trained contractor representative outside of the space to monitor the status and safety of the entrants.

Prior to entry into any permit-required space, and upon completion of the entry, the COR shall be notified.

The contractor shall advise the VA Safety Office and the Engineering Section of any hazards that will be created or confronted by the contractor during the entry.

Medical Center employees and contractors entering the same space are required to coordinate with each other so as not to endanger the other during the entry.

Fire Safety

Our Medical Center uses the local Fire Department. If you happen to be where a fire breaks out, pull the nearest fire alarm box. The fire alarm is located near the exits.

FIRE PROCEDURES:

Make sure you look for and become familiar with the locations of the area where you are working and always maintain a clear exit path.

In order to maintain a safe and healthy environment, smoking is prohibited in the facility’s buildings, entrances/exits, stairwells, attics, closets, offices, etc. Should you choose to smoke; you may smoke only in designated areas.

R – Rescue all people from immediate danger

A – Alarm, Pull alarm box or call 911

C – Confine the fire; close all doors

E – Extinguish/Evacuate

FIRE EXTINGUISHER USE:

P – Pull the pin on the extinguisher

A – Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire

S – Squeeze the handle

S – Sweep the nozzle from side to side across the base of the fire

Contractors must report all discharges of VA fire extinguishers to the COR.

Working in Patient Areas

Information concerning patients and their records should be considered CONFIDENTIAL.

Speak softly while on the wards, in the library, in the hospital corridors, and in any other areas where people are working or patients are resting.

If patients ask you for help or advice, refer them to a VA employee for assistance.

Do not sit on any patient beds or handle any medical or patient equipment unless you are specifically assigned to do so as a contract worker. Also, do not use the nursing counters. Do not leave any tools or electrical cords unattended.

Contract workers should not enter a room that is posted “ISOLATION” or “NO VISITORS,” the Medical Unit, or ambulatory care area, unless asked to do so by your supervisor. If your supervisor has asked you to enter, confer with the nurse manager in charge of the floor or area before entering. She/he will give you instructions to protect yourself and our patients.

For all “CODES” or emergencies, stand clear of the hallways so that emergency personnel and equipment can move freely.

Do not move or touch a patient. Inform the nursing staff of all patient requests.

Infection Prevention and Control

1. Construction personnel will use a designated entry and exit site.

2. Only authorized personnel should enter the construction area.

3. Doorways and walkways must be kept free of debris.

4. The construction permit and construction class* will be posted at the site until completion of the project.

5. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as goggles for eye protection, face mask or shield, shoe covers, and clean gown or TyVek™ suit, will be worn upon entering the site.

6. All PPE must be removed at the site of exit to prevent carrying dust to other areas within the facility. Clothes and shoes should be free of loose sand or debris once PPE has been removed.

7. Walk-off mats must be placed at any entry/exit and must be changed frequently (checked at least twice daily) to prevent tracking of dust/debris into clean areas.

8. Contractors are responsible for keeping the construction entrance/exit zones clean. This may include wet mopping and/or vacuuming with HEPA filtered vacuum at the end of each work day.

9. The Infection Control Practitioner will make periodic unannounced compliance rounds. Issues needing attention will be discussed and corrected as soon as possible.

10. No food or beverages should be taken into the construction area.

11. During demolition, dust will be vented to the outside of the building or personnel must use a HEPA-equipped air filtration unit 24 hours/day.

12. Proper containment of construction waste, i.e., using a tightly covered container, is mandatory.

13. The shortest exit route to the outside should be taken when construction waste is being transported, unless otherwise approved by the facility.

14. Appropriate barrier systems for dust control must be in place before any construction starts.

15. It may be necessary to isolate the HVAC system in the area where work is being done to prevent contamination of the duct systems.

16. Once the project has been completed, Infection Control needs to do a walk-thru inspection to ensure cleanliness in the area.

17. Conduct a preconstruction risk assessment for the transmission of TB to the contracted construction workers based on the construction site location, patient population, hospital layout, and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) defined risk as outlined in the “CDC Guidelines for preventing the transmission of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Health-Care Setting, 2005.”

18. We offer our construction workers free TB screening before the project starts and again after completion. NOTE: This is for the construction worker’s benefit but is not mandatory.

19. An Infection Control Practitioner is available Monday-Friday (except holidays), 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM for consultation at 675-3391.

* Class I includes inspection and non-invasive activities, e.g., minor trim work.

* Class 2 includes small scale, short duration activities that create minimal dust, e.g. installation of telephone or computer cables.

* Class 3 includes any work which generates a moderate to high level of dust or requires demolition or removal of any fixed components or assemblies, e.g., removal of floor coverings.

* Class 4 includes major demolition and construction projects.

Other Issues Clarification of other issues can be obtained from the COR for your project.

The VA complies with all federal and state environ�mental regulations. As such, all contractors working on VA property are expected to comply with all applicable environmental regulations. These include, but are not limited to:

Do not block hallways, passageways, or exits.