WORKING ON SLOPES TRAINING

Purpose
• To inform Nacap employees and sub-contractors of the
potential dangers of working on slopes, hills, mountains, etc.
• To inform Nacap employees and sub-contractors of Nacap’s
Procedures for working on steep terrain
 Scope
Many factors affect machine stability on slopes, such as
• Ground Conditions
• Winching
• Side boom machine length
• Type of load being carried
• Load overhang
• Operator experience
This training is meant as a road map towards safe work execution
 Key Responsibilities
Superintendents
• Be aware of potentially hazardous conditions that may arise during
slope work
• Assist field supervisors (leading hands) in the identification and
planning stages of slope work
• Ensure that all employees are trained on related safety topics
• Familiarize themselves with Nacap’s Slope Procedure
• Understand the importance of regularly scheduled maintenance for
continued safe operations of equipment
 Key Responsibilities
Supervisors
• Must be familiar with slope work activities
• Familiarize themselves with Nacap’s Slope Procedure
• Conduct / Coordinate job site inspection/evaluation
• Conduct a Prestart meeting and complete a SWMS prior to
beginning assigned tasks
• Stop work and complete a new SWMS and meeting if there are
unexpected changes to the site
• Ensure that good communications equipment is available
 Key Responsibilities
Crews
• Assist supervisory personnel in the initial and on-going assessment of
potential hazards at the work site
• Utilize their “Stop Work” responsibility and authority when a
potential danger arises
• Ensure equipment undergoes daily inspection prior to work
• Operators will utilize seat belts at all times when in equipment (No
Exceptions) To be confirmed by crew!
• Utilize good communication skills and feel free to ask questions
 Definitions
Competent Person

One who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in

the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary,
hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to
take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them
 Definitions
Stop Work Authority
The authority given to ALL employees regardless of position or
experience level to immediately stop work should they observe a
situation that may be an immediate danger to life or health or any
other situation where there is a concern for the health and well-being
of themselves or other co-workers.
No repercussions will result from supervision as a result of
utilizing this Stop Work Authority.
 Slope Identification Assessment
(SIA)
The SIA shall be conducted before and during the clearing
process

• To make an assessment of the slope and conditions

• To implement required control measures
• To secure the appropriate equipment & rigging; to develop
and establish procedures and methods for safe execution
 Slope Identification Assessment (SIA)

• Completed daily on ALL A, B, C Slopes

• Checklist of the slope to be worked on that day
• Focuses on
• Site Conditions
• Type of Slope
• Equipment to be used
• Winching Operations
• Communication Methods
Slope Forms
Slope Identification Assessment (SIA)

The SIA shall be performed by a Nacap supervisor or foreman

with the experience to recognize and mitigate slope hazards
(herein called the “Competent Person”)
Slope Identification Assessment (SIA)

The Competent Person considers the following general factors

during the risk assessment:
• Degree of slope that exists, as noted in topographical maps, fly
overs and/or job walks
• Length of slope present in relation to angle
• Soil conditions
• Experience of the operators on his/her crew
• Experience working in the same area or in similar conditions
Slope Identification Assessment (SIA)

• Roughness or irregularity of the terrain, including the presence

of boulders or stumps
• Client specific requirements
• The task to be undertaken
• The equipment to be used
• Environmental conditions
• Duration of exposure
• Assessment of proper type of equipment and rigging to be used
• Terrain and formations off ROW that may reveal underlying
ROW conditions
General SIA Risks/Controls

• Inspected before work each day and documented on the

SWMS
• When personnel are working down slope from equipment,
provide spotters, barriers, exclusion zones or reschedule work
• Seat belts worn at all times
• When exiting equipment, turn off and position it properly with
blades, loads, or buckets set on the ground
 General SIA Risks/Controls

• Use 3-points of contact when entering and exiting

equipment
• DO NOT jump off equipment
• Perform 360 Walk-A-Round equipment prior to entry
• Utilization of spotters when there are blind spots
• Spotter to confirm seat belt use by operator
• Safety department to conduct frequent audits of seatbelt use
• Adequate mobile and / or stationary winches with associated
rigging available when needed based on assessment
General SIA Risks/Controls
• Speed of travel should be reduced when working on slopes
• Avoid operating equipment across slope, operate equipment
up and down the slope when possible. When not, position the
equipment with the heavier side up
• Follow manufactures recommendations for maintenance of
equipment
Berms
All berms should be graded smooth prior to any equipment
traveling up or down slopes. Never cross a berm with
equipment on slope!
Communications
Signage
• Each classified hill will have corresponding signage
• The severity of the slope is reflected in a stop light colour
pattern
Communications
A-Slopes
Slopes considered by a Competent Person as requiring winch
lines for the full phase of the project shall have signage
identifying the slope as such. Said slopes will be given GPS
coordinates and responder information. Information shall be
posted on the sign along with a letter designation of “A” slope.
 Communications
B-Slopes
Slopes considered by a Competent Person as potential winch
line use, subject to change based on work performed, significant
changes to areas of the slope, weather conditions, etc. shall
have information posted on signage designating it as a “B” Slope
Communications
C-Slopes
Other slopes that typically would not need winch lines at all but
are subject to changes due to a significant change in ground
conditions during the scope of work shall have signage posted
as being a “C” Slope
Communications
• Cell or Sat phones should be made available to supervision
working on the slope
• Pre-work contact should be made with emergency services
along with a list of slopes with GPS coordinates
• Portable radios should be made available for personnel
working on slopes
Communications
• Identify radio calling for each employee at Prestart
meeting
• Inspect all equipment prior to work activities
• As work progresses, all employees should monitor work
areas for signs of cracking or fissuring of two-tone / side
hill work areas
• Conduct a daily SWMS and Prestart meeting prior to
work activities and repeat if significant changes occur
• Directions should be taken from the person in charge of
the site
Communications
• Personnel assigned to spot or watch must be equipped with
an air horn and to utilize the horn when hazards arise
• Employees must communicate to supervision when conditions
change
• Spotter is to communicate with operators regarding seatbelt
use
Dozers on Slopes
• Only experienced operators should be used
• Debris and loose rocks along dozer breaks should be stabilized
before personnel are allowed to work below them
• When cutting grade, dozers are to avoid travel cross slope at
less than a 45 degree angle. Positon of dozer shall be facing up
slope with blade positioned in the upslope orientation
Dozers on Slopes
• When restoring the ROW, dozers pushing soil downhill will
avoid working at a perpendicular angel to the fall line of the
slope. Ideally, the machine should work at a 45 degree angle
• If the machine slides sideways when working along a side
slope, the operator is to turn the rear of the machine downhill
and lower the blade
Dozers on Slopes
• The operator is to keep the dozer blade as close to the ground
as possible while traveling up a grade
• When it is necessary to travel down slope, keep the blade
elevated to avoid causing the corner of the blade to catch or
contact the surface of the ground. Back downhill on slopes
when possible
• Dozer blades should not be used as a brake for going down a
slope, except in emergencies
• Seatbelts are to be worn at all times
 Excavators on Slopes

• Experienced operators shall be used on identified slopes

• Excavators shall create a level area where they are excavating
along slope areas when possible
• Avoid travel across slopes when possible
• Drive up and down slopes
• Where turning is unavoidable or when ascending or
descending, turn the machine as gradually as possible to
maintain stability
• Seatbelts are to be worn at all times
Sidebooms on Slopes
• Experienced operators shall be used on identified slopes
• Before getting off a machine, position the equipment properly
in relation to the slope and the surroundings, set the load
down if possible, always turn the machine off and set the
brake
• Never get off equipment while under an active load being
worked on by employees on the ground
 Sidebooms on Slopes

• Operators must know their load. In multiple machine lifts,

understand the limits and capability of each machine
(Communications is the key)
• The operator is to carry their load as low as safely possible to
the ground
• The operator is to always carry their load as far out as
possible without impacting their side tipping point
• In multiple machine lifts, always take directions from the
signal person
• Signal person should always coordinate with all operators
before lift is made
Using Winches on Slopes
• Prior to each shift, inspect the winch and tractor making sure
they are in good working order
• Make sure that the winch and cable drum have sufficient
capacity for the load
• Inspect cable before use. If frayed, bird caged, kinked, etc., DO
NOT USE, replace as soon as possible
• Align the winch and tractor with the load
Using Winches on Slopes
• Ensure crew member hooking the cable up and all personnel
have cleared the danger zone before winching begins
• When using multiple winch tractors, operators are to be
informed of their designated name prior to staring operations
• Never winch if crew members are in the line of fire of falling
debris or equipment
• Never winch until the signal person gives the signal to start
the activity
Using Winches on Slopes
• Never let the winch tractor position get close enough to the
supported tractor to lift up on the tractor
• Never allow the cable to come in contact with surface rocks or
sharps that may cut the cable
Workers on ROW
• Uphill work will be coordinated to mitigate the hazards
associated with potential for objects rolling downhill into the
work areas
• Employees should NEVER cross over or under cables when
under a load
• All employees must know their designated radio call name /
number prior to work beginning
• Hazard mitigation to protect the employees from fall hazards
will be addressed as needed
Vehicles on ROW
• Wheeled vehicles may be prohibited along identified slopes,
depending on the conditions
• Vehicles and equipment are to be parked on level areas
whenever practicable. Emergency brakes shall be engaged,
vehicles left in park and the keys shall be removed from them
• Vehicles and equipment, when parked should be angled into
spoil and off the ROW in the event of brake failure
• Wheels must be chocked if left unoccupied
Auditing
Auditing of the Slope Identification Procedure and
Slope Work Plans will be performed and
documented by or at the direction of Nacap
Management or Nacap Head of Safety