Risk Assessment & Safe Working Practice

RA Ref Number: 33b Revision: 3 Project/Job Number Reference Insert Job Number Approval Date: 30/03/2018
RA Description: Splicing of fibre optic cabling Next Review Date: 01/04/2019
Notes: Please refer to Safe Working Practices 33b for definitions of items in this assessment. Created by: Lee Davies
Risk Assessment The summary risk assessment is calculated as “Likelihood” x “Consequence” Issued by: Insert Name
Method & Scoring and categorised as follows; 1 to 6 = Low Risk – 7 to 16 = Medium Risk – 17 to 25 = High Risk Issue Date: Insert Date

TASK HAZARDS PERSONS INITIAL CONTROL MEASURES REVISED

AFFECTED RISK RISK LEVEL
LEVEL

Stripping of fibre Cuts from knives. Engineer Likelihood 4 • A self-retracting knife must be used to reduce the risk of injuries. Likelihood 1
optic cable Strains from bending / Severity 4 • Engineers move to stretch legs as they feel the need to. Severity 4
stooping to reach Total 16 • Engineers wear trousers with built in knee protection pads. Total 4
cables, Medium Risk • Engineers report all work related injuries, including aches and pains from Low Risk
Knee injuries from termination work, CDI operate a Health Management Programme to
kneeling on floor. constantly monitor engineers health.
Termination of Eye Injury from flying Engineer / Likelihood 4 • Engineers are trained to cut / strip fibre-optic cabling to reduce the risks of Likelihood 1
fibre-optic cabling glass particles passers by Severity 4 flying particles. Severity 4
Total 16 • Engineers are supplied with suitable PPE for the task / Gloves to EN 388 Eye Total 4
Medium Risk Goggle EN 166 Low Risk
• Engineers are provided with, and use a ‘sharps’ container into which to place
stripped cable ends.
• Engineers are trained to dispose of off cuts and sharps in line with CDI
environmental policy (Ref EMSP 2/1-01)

RA Number: 33b - Issue Revision: 3 Page 1 of 4

 Risk Assessment & Safe Working Practice

TASK HAZARDS PERSONS INITIAL CONTROL MEASURES REVISED

AFFECTED RISK RISK LEVEL
LEVEL

Termination of Isopropanol alcohol Engineer / Likelihood 4 • Only trained fibre optic termination engineers use Isopropanol alcohol also in Likelihood 1
fibre-optic cabling used for cleaning Passers-by. Severity 4 impregnated wipes Severity 4
Total 16 • Seek medical attention on excessive exposure to these levels. Call 999 and tell Total 4
Inhalation: Exposure to Medium Risk the operator that exposure to this substance has occurred. Low Risk
400ppm causes • Very small amounts of IA are used to clean fibre optic elements.
headaches, irritation, • PPE fingerless gloves to EN 388 will be used.
dizziness, weakness, • Must be used only in open well ventilated areas.
nausea and asphyxiation. • A wiping cloth is required to use/dispense IA.
• Always ensure that adequate ventilation is available in the areas where IA is to
Eye contact: Causes
be used.
irritation, redness,
• Use vent fans if required to increase ventilation through flow.
blurred sight.

Skin Contact: Causes

irritation, defeating of
skin, dermatitis

Termination of Eye injury from flying Engineer Likelihood 4 • Follow set-up and operating instructions for Splicer/Oven unit/ Likelihood 1
fibre- optic glass, burns from arc, Severity 4 • Only trained fibre optic termination engineers are to use a splicer. Severity 4
cabling with a temporary blindness Total 16 • Engineers are supplied with suitable PPE for the task / Gloves EN388 / Eye Total 4
splicer from arc. Burns from Medium Risk Goggle EN166 Low Risk
oven • Burns from arc are reduced due to the fact that the arc will only function once
the safety cover is in place.
• Burns from oven are reduced due to the fact that the oven will only function
once the safety catches are in place
Temporary blindness is greatly reduced to the fact that the arc will not function
until the safety cover is in place.

RA Number: 33b - Issue Revision: 3 Page 2 of 4

 Risk Assessment & Safe Working Practice

Safe Working Practice: 33b – Splicing of fibre optic cabling

1 PURPOSE: The purpose of this guide is to highlight safe working practices for: Splicing of fibre
optic cabling.

THIS MUST NOT BE TREATED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR TRAINING.

2 PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

Operators must wear

➢ PPE as directed by the Task Specific Risk Assessment.

➢ CDI issued work wear

3 BEFORE WORK.

➢ Follow the individual manufacturers instructions for termination.

➢ Follow Manufacturers operating instructions for Splicing & Curing
➢ Be aware of different manufacturers guidelines for termination practices.
➢ Manufacturers cabling systems installed by CDI include;
➢ Systimax
➢ AMP/TYCO
➢ ADC Krone / TE Connectivity
➢ Brand-Rex
➢ BICC
➢ HT Data
➢ Molex
➢ Connectix.
➢ Each system uses different types of individual component; all engineers should be familiar
with the system being installed. If in doubt….ASK.

4. DURING WORK

➢ The individual fibre optic elements are terminated in the cabinet and in some cases can be
terminated at the local end.

Patch Panel.

➢ The fibre optic cable will be installed into the appropriate fibre optic patch panel via the pre-
drilled entrance on the reverse of the patch panel. The fibre will be secured in place with a
compression gland for the purpose of the task.

➢ The fibre optic cable sheath will be stripped back in line with the relevant RA/SWP, a splice
sleeve will be installed to either the main fibre or the pigtail. Each individual element of fibre
will be stripped back and cleaned with Isopropanol Alcohol. Once the cleaning has took
place the bare fibres will be inserted into the cleave tool to allow it to be cut to the precise
length ready for splicing, again the fibres will be cleaned prior to being placed in the splicing
machine.

➢ Insert both fibres into the splicing machine (one from either end) and line them up as best as
the human eye can do. Once your happy with the alignment of the fibres close the fibre
holders and press the button that aligns the fibres.

RA Number: 33b - Issue Revision: 3 Page 3 of 4

 Risk Assessment & Safe Working Practice

4. DURING WORK continued

➢ Once your happy with the alignment and the cleaves, close the safety cover and press the
button to initiate the electrodes into performing the splice. This process takes no longer than
12 seconds, once 5 seconds has passed open the cover and slide the splice sleeve over the join
and place it into the oven. The oven can only be initiated once the lid has been closed and the
button pressed. This will take 1 minute to cook and 1 minute to cool.

➢ Once the oven has finished and cooled down remove the fibre from the oven and place it
carefully into the patch panel. The excess fibre will be coiled neatly into the cable
management within the patch panel. The splice sleeve will be place into the splice bridge.

➢ The process will be repeated until all fibres are complete. Once all fibres are completed the
patch panel will be rack mounted in the cabinet.

5 AFTER WORK

➢ Clear away all scrap materials, and ensure all patch panels are tightly fitted.
➢ Clean out the cabinet, and remove all waste etc.

CDI GROUP LTD PLACES GREAT IMPORTANCE ON EVERYONE'S SAFETY:

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE MAY RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY

ACTION

RA Number: 33b - Issue Revision: 3 Page 4 of 4