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Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 055

J Brown – 21 September 2007

Checking deliveries

We recently had a near miss on a petrol filling station
involving an Xmo Veritas electrician and a Heras fencing
panel. If it was not for the fact that he was wearing his
safety glasses, as specified in our site rules, he could have
been blinded in one eye.

Whilst setting out the barriers that were left stacked against
the container he picked up one of the fence panels and
protruding from the panel was a single piece of wire mesh
which caught him on the lens of his safety glasses;
compliance with our site rules ensured that he was unhurt
and only the safety glasses were scratched.

The circumstances surrounding the near miss were fully
investigated and as a result all site operatives have been
given a TBT on checking deliveries and checking
equipment that may be subject to vandal damage when left
overnight.

It is very important that we all learn from this and pay extra attention to all plant and materials
delivered to site or left overnight, never presuming that it will always be 100% perfect or in good
working order. If we follow a few simple rules then we can reduce the risk of accident or incident
involving ourselves, site staff or the general public.

Guidelines as follows:-

Fully inspect all Heras fencing panels for loose or broken mesh or twisted and damaged frames. If it’s
damaged reject it. After you have inspected all components i.e. Panels, feet, clips then sign the delivery
note writing on the note the name, quantity and reason the items have been rejected ……do not take the
risk! When you return after having left the site, do the same again.

If a MEWP is delivered to site you must carry out all the function and safety checks in accordance with
IPAF regulations and Xmo site safety rules. If you find a defect / fault then inform your supervisor
immediately of what the defect / fault is; ask the driver to wait until you have done so and an
instruction is given. If the MEWP is already on site when you arrive then carry out all checks
immediately and inform your supervisor of any faults/defects found. When site works are completed
and MEWP is off-hired, please ensure it is left in a safe place that does not obstruct the site or any of its
facilities, making sure that the work area is clear of any rubbish or debris.