Guide for Safety at; Work Gleansinglof Buildings . Bay Workers carrying out building cleansing work face various hazards such as those arising from working-at-height, operating mechanical installations and electrical equipment, and using chemicals and hand tools, etc.. Employers and employees should comply with the "Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance" and the “Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance" as well as their subsidiary regulations and codes of practices. While employers should take suitable measures to ensure the safety and health of their workers, the occupiers of the buildings, such as owners / incorporated owners' committees, estate management companies and tenants, also have responsibilities to prevent accidents in cleansing work. This guide only outlines some key safety and health precautions to be taken in cleansing work. The practitioners in the trade should make reference to the legislation, as well as the relevant publications published by the Occupational Safety and Health Branch of the Labour Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Council eu Labour Department Zz y Occupational Satoty and Heath Branch (Occupanona Sarery & Hiaure Councn,Safety Measures for Working-at-Height Suspended Working Platforms * Cary out installations, erections / re-erections, relocations, dismantiing and alterations under the supervision of a competent person (who have had the proper training and experience) and in accordance with the safety instructions of the manufacturer + Install all the anchorages, automatic safety devices and safety ropes * Appoint a competent examiner (a registered professional engineer in a relevant discialine with adequate experience) to - ~ carry out thorough examination and load test, and sign the safety, certificates - - after a suspended working platform has undergone installation, erection’ re-erection, relocation, or substantial repair - periodically, atleast once every 12 months ~ carry out thorough examination at least once every 6 months and sign the safely certificate * Appoint a competent person to - ~ carry out an inspection at least once every week and sign the safety certificates ~ inspect all the suspension ropes and safety ropes everyday before the suspended working platform is operated * Beat least 18 years old * Having been trained in the operation of the relevant model(s) of suspended working platforms and awarded with the certificates * Display notices stating the safe working load, the maximum number of persons allowed to be carried, and the rules on safe operations of the suspended working platforms * Donot overload + Ensure that workers wear safety helmets and safety belts, with each safety belt attached to an independent lifeline or a suitable anchorage with fittings, at a safe place designated for the purpose before they gain access to a suspended working platform + Prohibit workers from overstepping the working platform orits guard-rils ‘Maintenance * Regularly inspect and immediately repair / replace the ropes or accessories that are rusting, twisted or damaged * Camry out thorough examination and load test and obtain the safety certificate after substantial repair and before re-use Record Keeping Ensure that all records of thorough examinations, load tests, inspections, maintenanoe and repairs are documented and properly keptElevated Platforms Installation / Erection, etc * Choose elevated platforms suitable for the workplace and nature of work ‘+ Carty out instalations, erections / e-erections or dismantling under the supervision of a competent person and in accordance with the safety instructions of the manufacturer ‘+ Set the plant on a level and fim ground, and at a safe distance from any instalation / electrical equipment / potentially hazardous locations * Install all safety devices and full extend all out-riggers or supports Examinations, testing and inspections. * Carry out periodic examinations, testing and inspections in accordance with the manufacturer's design and safety instructions * Ensure that all parts and devices are thoroughly inspected by a ‘competent person before operation Workers' qualification ‘+ Having been trained in the operation of the relevant models) of elevated platforms with certificates awarded Use + Take measures to prevent other persons from being endangered * Display notices stating the safe working load, the maximum number of persons allowed to be carried, and the rules on safe operations of the elevated platform * Do not extend the height and operating angle / working radius of the ‘elevated platform beyond the range set in the design by the manufacturer * Donot overload + Ensure that workers wear personal protective equioment required by the law and recommended by the manufacturer * Ensure that workers do not overstep the area designated for standing / staying on the elevated platform * Do not move an elevated platform carrying workers unless this is allowed by the manufacturer's design or instructions Maintenance + Immediately replace any parts found rusting, distorted or damaged + Carry out examinations, testing and inspections in accordance with the manufacturer's design and safety instructions after substantial repair of the plant and before re-use Record Keeping Ensure that all records of examinations, tests, inspections, maintenance and repairs are documented and properly keptWorking Platforms on Scaffolds Installation/ Erection, ete * Ensure that installations, erections, extensions and dismantling are carried out by trained workers with adequate experience in accordance with the engineer's design and the manufacturer's safety instruction / technical standards and under the supervision of a competent person + Ensure that the ratio of the height of the erected scaffold to the shortest distance between the external anchors does not exceed 8.5 : 1 for indoor locations, and 3 : 1 for outdoor locations, and the scaffold is ‘securely anchored to prevent ting / falling * Provide the scaffold with safe means of access and egress * Provide working platforms with top guard-rails (200mm to 1150mm in height), intermediate guardrails (450mm to 600mm in height), and toe-boards (200mm in height) Inspections + Ensure that inspections are carried out by a competent person and the scaffold and working platform are certified tobe in safe working condition - ~before the scaffold is used for the first time after its erection, and within 14 days before each use ~ after its extension, partial dismantiing or alteration after exposute to inclement weather likely to affect its strength and stabilty ~ after the scaffold has been relocated Use * Ensure that workers use the designated route and method for gaining acoess to and egress from the scaffold. Do not climb scaffold members in any improper way to avoid affecting the stability of the scaffold {especially a mobile scaffold) + Ensure that each worker wears a safety belt and anchors the safety belt to an independent lifeline or a suitable anchorage with fittings * Donot relocate any mobile scaffold with worker(s) on it Maintenance * Carry out regular and special maintenance. immediately replace damaged parts to ensure the safety and stability of the scaffold Record Keeping ‘+ Ensure that all inspection reports and maintenancg records are properly kept at the place where the scaffold is usedLadders Selection / Erection, etc * Do not stand and work on a ladder under the following circumstances - ~ standing at a height of 2m or more on a ladder ~ standing at a height below 2m on a ladder when - the worker's foothold is ata level less than 200mm in height measured from the top of the adjacent wall or guard-rail at edges of building adjacent to the ladder's position, making it possible for the worker to fall a height of 2m or more - the condition on the ground and the surroundings impose a high risk of serious injury f the worker falls from the ladder - long working hours is required, or work of a complicated nature has to be carried out - holding or moving heavy objects on the ladder is required - using vertical ladder (including extendable ladders) designed for climbing only * Do consider other safe means of access and egtess in the fist place before using ladders * Do select “folding step-ladders* with wide stepping rungs when the use of ladders is appropriate in the workplace Inspections / Examinations ‘+ Inspect the workplace to determine whether using ladders is suitable ‘+ Inspect thoroughly the ladder to ensure itis suitable for the job and without defects Training * Train workers in the proper selection and safe use of ladders Use + Fasten the ladder to a seoure fitting or hold it manually by another worker to ensure its stability * Set vertical ladders (for ascending or descending purpose) at an angle of 76 degrees * Provide ladders with sufficient length so that the upper ends are about ‘Im above the upper landing places Maintenance * Carry out regular inspections and record the results of the inspections. + Repair damaged ladders and remove immediately those wooden ladders with cracks and other defective ladders that are beyond repair. This prevents other people from using them by mistake * To facilitate inspections, do not cover the surface of wooden ladders with paint Record Keeping + Keep property a list of types of ladciers on site and records of their inspections and maintenance ATTENTION : Unless there are compelling reasons and adequate safety precautions have been taken, employers should not assign employees to carry out outdoor work at heights where safety is affected by inclement weather conditionsSafety Precautions on Use of Chemicals (Including Cleansing Agents) Train workers on the hazards, proper storage and safe use of chemicals, Post labels stating clearly the nature, hazards and safety precautions on the containers and at the workplace where chemicals are stored or used Provide as far as possible local exhaust ventilation to remove toxic air impurities Ensure that workers put on suitable personal protective equipment, such as eye goggles, gloves, aprons, breathing apparatus and footwear Do not mix chemicals that are incompatible, e.g, bleaching agents with acids, or oxidizing agents with acids. They should be independently stored in different places with supply and use under tight control Do not add water to concentrated acids, strong alkalis or caustic powders Prohibit the use of naked flames, sources of heat or smoking when using inflammable chemicals to avoid fire or explosionSafe Use of Electricity * Electrical equipment should be of sound construction and safe for use, and regularly inspected / maintained by qualified electricians / technicians * Electrical equipment should be provided with proper earthing or have a double-insulation design * Each socket should only provide power supply to a single electrical equipment and be connected by a plug of proper construction, Do not connect wires of a cable into the pin holes of the socket directly * Electrical supply should not bypass the circuit breakers of the electrical supply circuit * Any triggering of fuses / circuit breakers during operation of electrical installations should be checked by a qualified electrician to identify the causes and take appropriate remedial actions * Electrical equipment should be checked before use; defective electrical equipment should be prohibited from use and be checked and repaired by qualified electrician / technician * Use of ordinary electrical equipment in wet conditions should be prohibited; do not operate electrical equipment or plant with wet hands Safe Use of Hand Tools * Select hand tools that are appropriate to the work; do not abuse * Inspect hand tools before use, and replace damaged ones * Use hand tools at a safe distance from electrical conductors * Do not point sharp hand tools to yourself or other people Note whether the handle of the hand tool is too long such that the operator might lose his balance when swinging the tool, or the tool becomes difficult to control with risk of injuring other persons in the vicinity ‘+ When working-at-height is in progress, take steps to prevent hand tools from losing grip and injure other persons * Store hand tools properly and systematically in tool racks or tool boxes after use; guard the sharp points and edges of the tools with protective shieldsRelevant Publications Published by Labour Department * Code of Practice for Safe Use and Operation of Suspended Working Platforms. Working-at-height . satety Hints on Operation of Suspended Working Platforms * Code of Practice for Metal Scaffolding Safety | * Cleansing workers : Safe Use of Chemicals Use of Chemicals * Hazards During Chemicals in Use and Safety Guidelines Use of Electricity + Guide for Safety at Work - Safe Use of Electric Plugs Use of Hand Tools * Working Safely with Hand Tools * Five Steps to Risk Assessment Others * Guide on Safety at Work in Times of Inclement Weather Useful Information For enquiries about the contents of this guide or advice on occupational safety and health, you can contact the Occupational Safety and Health Branch of the Labour Department through : Telephone : 2559 2297 (auto-recording after office hours) Fax: 2915 1410 E-mail : enquiry@labour.gov.hk For information on the services offered by the Labour Department and on major labour legislation, please visit http://www. labour gov.hk Information on the services offered by the Occupational Safety and Health Council can be obtained through hotline 2739 9000. Complaints If you have any complaints about unsafe workplaces and practices, please call the Labour Department's occupational safety and health complaint hotline at 2542 2172 Published by the Occupational Safety and Health Branch, Labour Department Printed by the Government Logistics Department (Printed with environmentally tend ink on paper made trom woodpulp derived from sustainable forests) 8/2005-1-L80