Health Safety and Environmental Alerts February...

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Grontmij Ltd, Grove House, Mansion Gate Drive, Leeds, LS7 4DN WWW.grontmij.co.uk 0113 2620000 MAKE IT SAFER In January 2015, the Highways Agency received crown censure from HSE, following the tragic death of one of its traffic officers in 2012. This safety alert is published with the intention of sharing the key lessons learnt. It applies to anyone who may be working on the strategic road network and is aimed at ensuring broader lessons can be applied as required. Investigation/findings: 1) Always aim to spend as little time as practicable on the hard shoulder, or in/near live traffic conditions. Look to find a place of safety as far away from the live traffic as possible. Where ever possible, stand on the non-traffic side of a nearside barrier and at a safe distance to allow for a barrier strike (at least 1.2 metres if achievable). Consider your surroundings. Stop and think about dangers that may prevail behind a barrier, like ditches, uneven surfaces, fences, cabling, abandoned items, and debris. Where the section of road is elevated, other places of safety will need to be sought. 2) Supervision is an extremely important activity to enable managers to support their people and ensure the safe systems of work in the organisation are being followed. This gives managers and their teams the chance work together to ensure individual performance meets the standards required for the task. It also provides the opportunity to record supervisory activities take place, and provides an auditable record that we are following good management practice. 3) Understanding why H&S is important is fundamental in ensuring people follow the systems introduced for their own safety, rather than merely because the process exists. Good leaders will juggle the often conflicting demands and do not let these detract from the responsibility to look after others, as well as yourself. New drug drive legislation comes into force from 2 March 2015 in England and Wales. So long as you are following the advice of a healthcare professional and your driving isn’t impaired you can continue to drive as usual and aren’t at risk of arrest. Incident Details It’s illegal to drive if either: You’re unfit to do so because you’re on legal or illegal drugs You have certain levels of illegal drugs in your blood (even if they haven’t affected your driving) Legal drugs are prescription or over-the-counter medicines. If you’re taking them and not sure if you should drive, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional. If the Police believe you’re unfit to drive because of taking drugs, you’ll be arrested and will have to take a blood or urine test at a police station. You could be charged with a crime if the test shows you’ve taken drugs. Health Safety and Environmental Alerts February Newsletter Grontmij would like to thank all the clients and contractors (listed on the back page of this report) who regularly send us safety alerts/updates which we use to compile this newsletter; this however in no way implies that any of these companies were involved in any of the events reported. New legislation – Drug Driving Working on the hard shoulder

Transcript of Health Safety and Environmental Alerts February...

Grontmij Ltd, Grove House, Mansion Gate Drive, Leeds, LS7 4DN

WWW.grontmij.co.uk 0113 2620000

MAKE IT SAFER

In January 2015, the Highways Agency received crown censure from HSE, following the tragic death of one of its traffic officers in 2012. This safety alert is published with the intention of sharing the key lessons learnt. It applies to anyone who may be working on the strategic road network and is aimed at ensuring broader lessons can be applied as required. Investigation/findings:

1) Always aim to spend as little time as practicable on the hard shoulder, or in/near live traffic conditions. Look to find a place of safety as far away from the live traffic as possible. Where ever possible, stand on the non-traffic side of a nearside barrier and at a safe distance to allow for a barrier strike (at least 1.2 metres if achievable). Consider your surroundings. Stop and think about dangers that may prevail behind a barrier, like ditches, uneven surfaces, fences, cabling, abandoned items, and debris. Where the section of road is elevated, other places of safety will need to be sought.

2) Supervision is an extremely important activity to enable managers to support their people and ensure the safe

systems of work in the organisation are being followed. This gives managers and their teams the chance work together to ensure individual performance meets the standards required for the task. It also provides the opportunity to record supervisory activities take place, and provides an auditable record that we are following good management practice.

3) Understanding why H&S is important is fundamental in ensuring people follow the systems introduced for their own safety, rather than merely because the process exists. Good leaders will juggle the often conflicting demands and do not let these detract from the responsibility to look after others, as well as yourself.

New drug drive legislation comes into force from 2 March 2015 in England and Wales. So long as you are following the advice of a healthcare professional and your driving isn’t impaired you can continue to drive as usual and aren’t at risk of arrest. Incident Details It’s illegal to drive if either:

You’re unfit to do so because you’re on legal or illegal drugs

You have certain levels of illegal drugs in your blood (even if they haven’t affected your driving)

Legal drugs are prescription or over-the-counter medicines. If you’re taking them and not sure if you should drive, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional. If the Police believe you’re unfit to drive because of taking drugs, you’ll be arrested and will have to take a blood or urine test at a police station. You could be charged with a crime if the test shows you’ve taken drugs.

Health Safety and Environmental

Alerts February Newsletter

Grontmij would like to thank all the clients and contractors (listed on the back page of this report)

who regularly send us safety alerts/updates which we use to compile this newsletter; this however in

no way implies that any of these companies were involved in any of the events reported.

New legislation – Drug Driving

Working on the hard shoulder

Health Safety & Environmental Alerts

Grontmij Ltd, Grove House, Mansion Gate Drive, Leeds, LS7 4DN WWW.grontmij.co.uk 0113 2620000

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Prescription medicines It’s illegal in England and Wales to drive with legal drugs in your blood if it impairs your driving. It’s an offence to drive if you have over the specified limits of certain drugs in your blood and you haven’t been prescribed them. Talk to your doctor about whether you should drive if you’ve been prescribed any of the following drugs: Table of drugs and limits

‘Illegal’ drugs (‘accidental exposure’ – zero tolerance approach) Threshold limit in blood (micrograms per litre)

Benzoylecgonine 50µg/L

Cocaine 10µg/L

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol (cannabis) 2µg/L

ketamine 20µg/L

Lysergic acid diethylamide 1µg/L

Methylamphetamine 10µg/L

MDMA 10µg/L

6-monoacetylmorphine (heroin) 5µg/L

‘Medicinal’ drugs (road safety risk based approach) Threshold limit in blood (micrograms per litre)

Amphetamine (regulations were recently laid with the proposed limit and expected to come into force after 2 March 2015)

250µg/L

Clonazepam 50µg/L

Diazepam 550µg/L

Flunitrazepam 300µg/L

Lorazepam 100µg/L

Methadone 500µg/L

Morphine 80µg/L

Oxazepam 300µg/L

Temazepam 1,000µg/L

For more information please visist Government Website - drug/driving information How will the new laws affect you if you’re taking prescription medicines? You should continue to take your medicine(s) as advised by your doctor or healthcare professional, or according to the patient information leaflet that comes with the medicine. The new law will give the police powers to test and arrest drivers who are suspected of driving having taken certain controlled drugs in excess of specified levels. Unlike the existing ‘impairment’ offence, the new law provides a medical defence if you’re taking your medicine in accordance with instructions – either from a healthcare professional or printed in the accompanying leaflet – provided, of course, you’re not impaired. If you’re driving and you’re on prescription medicine, it may therefore be helpful for you to keep some evidence of this with you in case you’re stopped by the police. Consequence Driving under the influence of drugs is extremely dangerous and can affect driving skills in a number of ways. Drug drivers can suffer from slower reaction times, erratic and aggressive behaviour, and inability to concentrate properly, nausea, hallucinations, panic attacks, paranoia, tremors (or ‘the shakes’), dizziness and fatigue. Additionally, during the phase whilst the effects of drugs are wearing off the taker may feel fatigued – affecting concentration levels.

Health Safety & Environmental Alerts

Grontmij Ltd, Grove House, Mansion Gate Drive, Leeds, LS7 4DN WWW.grontmij.co.uk 0113 2620000

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In such conditions it is a bad idea to be behind the wheel of a car, for the driver and their passengers as well as for other road users. Driving in any of these conditions could result in an incident injuring not just for the driver their passengers and other road users. Penalties for drug driving If you’re convicted of drug driving you may receive:

A minimum 1 year driving ban

A fine of up to £5,000

Up to 6 months in prison

A criminal record Your driving licence will also show you’ve been convicted for drug driving. This will last for 11 years. The penalty for causing death by dangerous driving under the influence of drugs is a prison sentence of up to 14 years. The building and joining firm and its owner were sentenced yesterday (3 February 2015) at Preston Crown Court, following an incident in 2011 where a man died after falling through a fragile roof. The firm, Peter Mawson Ltd, was fined £200,000 after pleading guilty (in December 2014) to a charge of corporate manslaughter under the Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act 2007, and £20,000 to a charge of failing to ensure the safety of his employees under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Peter Mawson, owner of the company, also pleaded guilty to a the same breach under the 1974 Act and was sentenced today to: eight months imprisonment; 2 year suspension; 200 hours unpaid work; a publicity order to advertise what happened on the company website for a set period of time and on half page spread in the local newspaper; and, pay costs of £31,504.77. On Tuesday 25 October 2011, emergency services attended West Cumberland Farmers LTD, Lindal, Ulverston, following a report that a man had fallen through a roof. The 42 year old employee had been working on the roof and had fallen through the skylight from a height of approximately 7.6 meters onto a concrete floor. He was taken to Furness General Hospital where he died a short time later. Chris Hatton, the investigating inspector at HSE, added: “Jason tragically lost his life because the company that employed him did nothing to make sure he was safe while he worked on a fragile roof. Peter Mawson knew the clear panels on the roof weren’t safe to walk on but neither he nor his company provided any equipment to prevent workers falling to their death. If scaffolding or netting had been fitted under the fragile panels, or covers had been fitted over them, then Jason would still be here today.”

Poor cable management on site presents hazards such as slips, trips and falls as well as the possibility of temporary supplies being damaged by machinery tracking or driving over them. When temporary supplies are installed above ground consideration must be given to the route and proximity to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Would the grass cutters spot this service? Only trained and competent people should install a temporary supply. Cables must be kept out of walkways and trafficked routes. Include cable routes as part of the daily visual and weekly recorded inspections.

Cable Management

Corporate Manslaughter Charge

Health Safety & Environmental Alerts

Grontmij Ltd, Grove House, Mansion Gate Drive, Leeds, LS7 4DN WWW.grontmij.co.uk 0113 2620000

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Issues regarding the ID marking of critical safety equipment have again been raised recently. The pictures below illustrate the current marking arrangements that are causing ongoing problems when being inspected for the required re-certification.

Harnesses and lanyards can be marked with indelible marker pen “in a non-load bearing area not liable to contamination.” This can be easily achieved by marking on the rear of the manufacturers labels or by using an additional tag. Suitable tags are available from the project stores. Manufacturers confirm that the use of indelible marker pens directly onto load bearing webbing straps is not an acceptable method as it is likely to cause structural deterioration, and that marking in this manner would result in recertification being denied.

This equipment is issued for the critical safety of personnel, please respect this equipment, it will save your life if used and maintained correctly.

The basket handrail of a HTT MEWP snapped when a linesman leant on it. The machine was quarantined and returned to the maintenance depot where it was identified that a section of steel tubing forming part of the basket handrail framework fractured at its upper and lower weld joint. There are eight of these machines in the UK. They have all had non-destructive testing (NDT) undertaken using penetrative dye, the results of which show no risk of further incident.

Immediate Actions Handrails are a safety feature and must not be used to support loads. All staff must report immediately any events that have or may have caused damage to the structural integrity of the basket so that a detailed examination can be undertaken by the plant maintenance department. Remember, both the things we do and the things we omit to do have a potential to impact upon the safety of ourselves and also our colleagues.

An operative recently sustained a signifcaint injury when he received a kick back from a chainsaw. The injuries comprised of deep lacerations and a cheekbone fracture to the left hand side of his face. This fairly straightforward task resulted in distressing consequences for the individual. The icident occurred when the individual was cutting vines positioned at head height along the existing fence line on site.

Facial Injuries from chainsaw

Inspection of Harnesses and Lanyards

Broken handrail

Health Safety & Environmental Alerts

Grontmij Ltd, Grove House, Mansion Gate Drive, Leeds, LS7 4DN WWW.grontmij.co.uk 0113 2620000

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In doing so, his chainsaw came into contact with an adjacent metal chain link fence which subsequently kicked it back towards his face with his mesh visor taking the direct impact. This resulted in significant facial injuries which required immediate first aid on site and surgery at hospital.

Intial Findings Complacency – the operative was experienced and competent howerver on this occasion he didn’t take sufficient time to fully assess his surroundings for obstacles with the potential to cause kickback i.e. the close location of the chain link fence in relation to the vines. This particular chainsaw had two handles on it due to the position of the angle the operative was using it at (head height), it didn’t provide sufficient control to counter kickback. Reminder to all staff who use chainsaws on how to avoid kickback Kickback is the sudden uncontrolled upward and backward movement of the chain and guide bar towards the operator. This can happen when the saw chain at the nose of the guide bar hits an object. Kickback is responsible for a significant proportion of chainsaw accidents, many of which are to the face and parts of the upper body where it is difficult to provide protection. A properly maintained chain brake and use of low kickback chains (safety chains) reduces the effect, but cannot entirely prevent it. Make sure operators use the saw in a way which avoids kickback by:

Not allowing the nose of the guide bar to accidentally come into contact with any obstruction, eg branches, logs, stumps;

Not over-reaching;

Keeping the saw below chest height;

Keeping the thumb of the left hand around the back of the front handle;

Using the appropriate chain speed for the material being cut. For the attention of principal contractors, designers and contractors who are involved in the design and planning and those working in the vicinity of electrical equipment.

On Monday 26 January 2015 two operatives were involved in the installation of a metal lighting column, which was being lifted into place with an excavator. The 8m column was supported in a vertical position by the excavator whilst one of the operatives guided it into a pre-installed ground spigot. As the column was manoeuvred into position the top of the column came into contact with energised third party 11kV overhead cables. The operative guiding the column received an electric shock, suffering serious burns to the knees, one hand and their neck. The second operative also received an electric shock when they pulled the operative away from the lighting column. The picture shows the column continuing to arc after the event.

For the attention of: All Principal Contractors and Contractors who are involved in the planning or working in the vicinity of electrical equipment.

Workers suffer electric shock from 11kv overhead cables

Worker suffers electric shock from DC third rail

Health Safety & Environmental Alerts

Grontmij Ltd, Grove House, Mansion Gate Drive, Leeds, LS7 4DN WWW.grontmij.co.uk 0113 2620000

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During possession works a Strapman was requested to move a short circuit strap they had previously attached to the conductor rail at the boundary of a third rail isolation. The operative removed the short circuit strap and went to reapply it on the other side of an insulated block joint. When they re-attached the short circuit strap to the third rail there was a flash and they suffered serious burns to their hands and legs. The operative was taken to hospital for treatment.

The following steps are designed to keep staff using short circuiting devices safe. Is anything preventing you from being able to follow these steps? What can you do to overcome any problems?

Always wear approved rubber gauntlets – these will be marked class 0 and should be tested prior to use with an approved tester.

Always test the conductor rail using an approved live line tester – this must include using an approved Proving Unit to verify that the tester is working correctly BEFORE and AFTER testing the conductor rail.

Always apply a short circuiting bar AFTER you have confirmed that the conductor rail is not live.

Always clean the rails using a wire brush.

Always then apply the short circuiting straps. The scope of work included hand pitting of fifty one borehole locations in preparation for drilling using a Membrane

Interface Probe (MIP)-equipped drilling rig.It was agreed with Site Management that equipment used by the subcontractor hand pitting crew could be stored in an unused building. Pedestrian access to the Chiller Room is via a metal door within a large roller shutter. In order to allow equipment access to the Chiller Room, it was necessary for Site Management to modify the larger door by removing the connection with the pedestrian door so the roller shutter could be raised. Once the modification was made, the roller shutter could be raised and lowered

using a chain on the inside of the door. Prior to proceeding with the work:

A Safe Work Plan (SWP) was prepared specifically for the project.

A Subcontractor evaluation was performed and client approvals were obtained.

An initial hazard evaluation was completed and discussions were held that morning about the tasks to be performed that day.

On the morning of the 4th of February, the Field engineer communicated with the Site Representative and obtained a safe work permit prior to beginning the works.

Falling object near miss

Health Safety & Environmental Alerts

Grontmij Ltd, Grove House, Mansion Gate Drive, Leeds, LS7 4DN WWW.grontmij.co.uk 0113 2620000

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The subcontractor hand pitting crew sought to gain access to their equipment stored in the Chiller Room via the roller shutter. This door had been used several times during the previous week following the modification by the client without incident. Whilst one crew member operated the chain to raise the roller shutter from inside the Chiller Room, a second crew member stood on the opposite side of the shutter. Whilst the shutter was being raised, an L-Shaped section of metal cladding which was originally on the underside of the roller shutter doorway became partially detached and swung across the front of the shutter before detaching completely and falling approximately 0.5 m away from the second crew member who was standing on the outside of the shutter. Subsequent observations suggested that the shutter was not completely taut whilst being raised causing it to rub against the metal cladding as it moved upwards.

The Field Engineer was informed soon after the event occurred by the subcontracted crew. He immediately stopped work and undertook a new hazard assessment of the area with the subcontract crew. The location where the piece of metal had originated was clearly evident and the team did not identify any other potentially unsecured parts of the shutter door.

The Project Manager (PM) was informed during their lunchtime update call, who requested that the Field Engineer should report the event promptly. The Field Engineer was unable to locate the Site Representative on two occasions (before and after permit surrender) when he visited the site office. As a result, the event was not reported to the site EH&S team until the following morning (approximately 24 hours after the event). What Went Right?

The AECOM field staff had obtained prior approval from site personnel to allow them to use the Chiller Room for the temporary storage of project equipment.

Subcontractors were formally evaluated and approved for the works following all applicable procedures.

The field team recognised the significance of the event, stopped work, assessed the condition of the door, concluded that it was safe to use, and continued work.

The event was reported to the PM, the site EH&S team and logged on’ H&S Database. What Went Wrong? - Contributory Causes

It was not possible to clearly observe the roller shutter contacting the cladding when raising the door thus the unsafe issues regarding the structural deficiencies of the roller shutter were not known (could not be known) by the work crew.

The Field Engineer tried to locate the Site Representative on two occasions at the site office to communicate the event but he was unable to make a timely connection.

The Field Engineer did not promptly notify the Site Representative or EH&S team of the unplanned event or seek their approval that it was safe to continue work. Instead he relied on his own and his team’s judgment to make that assessment.

Root Causes

Human: the potential significance of the unplanned event was not fully recognised by the Field Engineer nor by the subcontractors.

System/Human: incomplete understanding of site communication procedures.

Health Safety & Environmental Alerts

Grontmij Ltd, Grove House, Mansion Gate Drive, Leeds, LS7 4DN WWW.grontmij.co.uk 0113 2620000

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Lessons Learned

Work should always be stopped following any unplanned event so an appropriate hazard assessment involving all appropriate stakeholders can be undertaken.

Third Party or client equipment or structures may require inspection by appropriately trained and authorized individuals to confirm that it is safe to operate.

The use of fixed blade knives on site, and at home, can result in serious injury. In most cases, the blade is pulled towards the body and then slips, coming into contact with the user’s other hand or leg. This type of injury would be eliminated by correct tool selection. Fixed blade knives are not all-purpose tools. There are often safer and more efficient alternatives:

The snips have a rounded end and eliminate the potential of a puncture wound. They can be used for opening band ties or cutting cable ties.

The ‘Reakta’ safety knife can be used as an alternative to standard fixed blades. The blade is revealed on application of pressure and retracts automatically. The Reakta can be used to cut geo-textiles.

The ‘Hook’ eliminates the possibility of a finger or hand contacting the blade. Can be used for opening bags and parcels.

There have been two recent cases where the integrity of flanged joints has been called into question recently. In both cases this has occurred on PN25 pipework systems, where the maximum operating pressure is 18bar. It is normal practice for the contractor to sub-contract the detailed design and installation of such pipework systems. In both of these cases it was decided to procure pipework, flange gaskets and bolts separately, with another sub-contractor carrying out the installation. This is acceptable provided the contractor understands the consequences of this route.

In the first instance, the suitability of the design of the system was questioned just before installation and because of the non-availability of verifying technical information the work had to be postponed. In this case the contractor’s civil sub-contractor was undertaking the installation and the contractor had placed separate orders for:

DI Pipework

Steel Pipework

Flexible flange adaptor couplings

Gaskets

Nuts, bolts & washers

Just prior to starting installation the civil sub-contractor queried the grade of bolts that had been supplied for PN25 flanges. This was checked by the contractor’s designer and in doing so the designer reviewed other components including the gasket material. The gasket supplier informed the contractor that although the contractor had specified PN25 flanges and the gaskets had been cut to match PN25 flange bolt holes, the gasket material supplied was only suitable for pressures up to 10bar. It appears that there had been inadequate specification of the gasket material because key information, to be supplied by the purchaser concerning operating conditions had not been provided to the supplier in this case.

Pipework – Flanged Joints

Fixed Blade Knives

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In the second case, pipework had been installed and was found to leak at the flanges during pressure testing. It was considered that the gasket material utilised was not suitable for the pressure rating, however there are also concerns relating to the installation methodology.

It is apparent when procuring the complete design and supply package of pipework from the likes of Saint-Gobain, that the purchaser is provided installation instructions, including bolt tightening torques for given pressures.

For all projects where the contractor has a design responsibility for such installations it is recommended pipework flange gaskets and bolt sets shall always be procured as a complete set from one supplier and shall not be split up into separate orders. The order shall include a requirement for the supplier to take consideration of information about operating conditions provided and to provide the bolt tightening torques for each application.

Unless there is a very good reason not to do so, the detailed design and installation of above ground pipework should be one sub-contract package. The supply and installation of below ground pipework should be included within the civil sub-contract package. Professionals must take care to ensure they do not split the packages in order to procure items separately without understanding the full interface consequences. Where it is necessary to procure flange gasket/bolt sets separately a flanged joints installation method statement shall be provided by the contractors designers to the installer including tightening sequence and torques.

While the contractor continues investigations with the supplier of the gaskets, no orders for gaskets are being placed with that supplier until the outcome of the investigations is known and any corrective action has been agreed and addressed. Personnel were jacking up the Platform with a 160tonne jack, 700bar hoses and an electric hydraulic power pack. At approx. 320 bar pressure the hydraulic hose burst releasing a small quantity of oil into the caisson below. The hose was very new and rated to 700bar. Lessons Learned

The supplier suggested that the damage may have been caused when a heavy weight has been applied to the hose.

When working with hydraulics all components should be inspected prior to use and any damage should be reported.

If planned jacking pressures are near the hose working pressure then a pre – pressure test of the hose using just the pump and hose should be completed regularly in a controlled environment.

If a hose is seen to be leaking do not place any part of your body in the way of the leaking oil to prevent ‘hydraulic injection”.

It’s that time of year again, the time when you start hearing coughing and sneezing throughout the office and a box of tissues is placed conveniently near your computer keyboard. The cold and flu season typically runs from November – April. Readily spread when people are indoors, cold and flu viruses are often passed along from person to person and surface to surface in the workplace. Most people are most contagious during the first 2-3 days of contracting a cold and almost immediately and for about 5 days thereafter after being infected with the flu – even before symptoms develop. However, there are many actions you can take to prevent the spread of cold and flu viruses at work.

Wash Your Hands for at least 15-20 seconds with soap many times a day or sanitize with an alcohol-gel hand sanitizer, especially following contact with potentially contaminated surfaces:

Hydraulic hose failure

Colds & flu prevention in the workplace

Health Safety & Environmental Alerts

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- Hands or face of others – including handshakes - Doorknob or handle (including microwave and refrigerator) - Copier machine buttons or parts - Another person’s keyboard or phone - Kettle pot handle - Countertop - Food or food container handled by others - Shared books or other office materials - Shared hand or power tools

Following washing, turn off the faucet with a paper towel

Dry your hands with an air dryer or a clean paper towel

Use a paper towel to open the bathroom door and dispose of paper towel in a trash bin outside of door

Use a hand sanitizer between washing

Avoid touching your face, eyes, or rubbing your nose

Clean shared items such as phones, keyboards, handles and door knobs with alcohol wipes or other sanitizer- type wipes

Avoid close contact with anyone who has a cold or flu

Sneeze and cough into a tissue, throw the tissue away, and then wash your hands. If you don’t have a tissue cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than your hand

Drink plenty of clear fluids, but do not consume caffeine drinks

Get lots of fresh air

Exercise regularly and frequently

Eat healthy foods such as whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables

Don’t smoke and decrease alcohol consumption

Relax – stress can decrease immunity

Prevention Myths According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases there are some common myths about preventing and treating colds and flu. Myth 1: Take antibiotics Fact: Antibiotics only act on bacterial infections, and they do not work against viruses, including cold and flu viruses. Myth 2: Starve a cold and feed a fever/flu. Fact: There is no conclusive evidence for withholding or increasing food or drink intake to reduce the symptoms or duration of a cold. The body needs adequate nutrition and fluids, especially during stress, to maintain body functions. Myth 3: Vaccines prevent colds Fact: Vaccines only work against the specific type of influenza virus for which it was designed and there are no effective universal vaccines against the common cold viruses. Myth 4: Take Vitamin C to prevent or stop colds. Fact: Vitamin C trials have shown encouraging results for reducing some cold symptoms and reducing the duration of illness; however, it hasn’t been proven to cure or prevent infection. Myth 5: Dress warmly or you’ll catch a cold. Fact: While it’s important to keep warm, colds are spread person-to-person or from contact with a contaminated surface. Treating a cold or flu

If you do get sick, stay at home if you can

Health Safety & Environmental Alerts

Grontmij Ltd, Grove House, Mansion Gate Drive, Leeds, LS7 4DN WWW.grontmij.co.uk 0113 2620000

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Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water or juices – between 9-13 cups per day)

De-stress and avoid strenuous activity – physical, emotional, or mental stress can be major drains on the immune system

Get plenty of rest – most people need seven to nine hours of sleep each night

Drink green tea or ginger tea each stimulate the immune system to fight off infections

Ask your GP about over the counter drugs which may alleviate symptoms Here’s wishing you well, and if you find yourself down with a cold or flu, keep it to yourself and don’t share.

Health Safety & Environmental Alerts

Grontmij Ltd, Grove House, Mansion Gate Drive, Leeds, LS7 4DN WWW.grontmij.co.uk 0113 2620000

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Listed below are the Clients and Contractors who regularly contribute to this report.

Aecom May Gurney

Anglian Water Morgan Sindall

Balfour Beatty MVB

Barhale WSP National Grid

Black & Veach Network Rail

Carillion NMC Nomenca

Coast to Coast (C2C) North Midland Construction

Costain Northumbria Water

Environment Agency Plowman Craven

Forkers Ltd Scottish & Southern Energy

Galiford Try Scottish Power Utilities

Gammon Construction Scottish Water Solutions

GBM Severn Trent Water

Halcrow Group Speedy

Health & Safety Executive Thames Water

Highways Agency Structural Safety Ltd

J Brown Construction The Construction Plant Hire Association

Jacobs United Utilities

Magnox Ltd Wessex Water

Morrison Construction Yorkshire Water