Key Words: Gritting Version: V1 Adopted by: Quality Assurance Committee Date adopted: 22 January 2013 Name of originator/author: Estates and Facilities Name of responsible committee: Health and Safety Committee Date issued for publication: December 2012 Review date: June 2014 Expiry date: December 2014 Target audience: All Staff Type of Policy (tick appropriate box) Clinical Non Clinical √ NHSLA Risk Management Standards if applicable: State Relevant CQC Standards: 10 Gritting Procedure
16
Embed
Gritting Procedure - Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust … · Page 6 of 16 Gritting Procedure November 2012 Equality Statement Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) aims to
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Key Words: Gritting
Version: V1
Adopted by: Quality Assurance Committee
Date adopted: 22 January 2013
Name of originator/author:
Estates and Facilities
Name of responsible committee:
Health and Safety Committee
Date issued for publication:
December 2012
Review date: June 2014
Expiry date: December 2014
Target audience: All Staff
Type of Policy (tick appropriate box)
Clinical
Non Clinical √
NHSLA Risk Management Standards if applicable:
State Relevant CQC Standards:
10
Gritting Procedure
CONTRIBUTION LIST
Key individuals involved in developing the document
Name Designation
Estates and Facilities Team
Samantha Roost Health and Safety Advisor
Circulated to the following individuals for comments
Name Designation
Members of Health and Safety Committee
Agreeing Committee
Members of the Divisional Health, Safety and Security Action Groups
Sub-groups of the Agreeing Committee
Contents
Version Control 4
Definitions that apply to this policy 5
Equality Statement 6
1 Introduction 6
2 Policy Statement 6
3 Responsibilities 3.1 Estates and Facilities Services 7 3.2 Grounds and Garden Contractor 7 3.3 Appropriate Person 7 3.4 Estates and Facilities 7 3.5 Staff 8 4 Inclement Weather Procedure 8 5 Site Procedures 8 6 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 9 7 Equipment 9 8 Signage 9 9 Monitoring and Review 10 Appendices Appendix A Gritting Procedure within LPT 11 Appendix B Adverse Weather Log 13 Appendix C Safe System of Work to be Implemented 15 Appendix D Site Gritting Information 16
Page 4 of 16 Gritting Procedure November 2012
Version Control and Summary of Changes
Version number
Date
Comments (description change and amendments)
1
January 2012 Harmonisation of former procedures
All LPT Policies can be provided in large print or Braille formats, if requested, and an interpreting service is available to individuals of different nationalities who require them. Did you print this document yourself? Please be advised that the Trust discourages the retention of hard copies of policies and can only guarantee that the policy on the Trust website is the most up-to-date version. For further information contact:
Estates and Facilities 0116 225 3770
Page 5 of 16 Gritting Procedure November 2012
Definitions that apply to this Policy
All procedural documents should have a definition of terms to ensure staff have clarity of purpose (refer to Policy for Policies for assistance)
Gritting Applying treatment to a surface
Appropriate Person
Identified person on site who has received the necessary information, instruction and training. NB: Please note not all sites have an Appropriate Person.
Contractor Organisation employed to undertake the work
Inclement Weather
Ground frost, ice or snow
Due Regard Having due regard for advancing equality involves: • Removing or minimising disadvantages suffered by people due to
their protected characteristics. • Taking steps to meet the needs of people from protected groups
where these are different from the needs of other people. • Encouraging people from protected groups to participate in public
life or in other activities where their participation is disproportionately low.
Page 6 of 16 Gritting Procedure November 2012
Equality Statement Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) aims to design and implement policy documents that meet the diverse needs of our service, population and workforce, ensuring that none are placed at a disadvantage over others. It takes into account the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 and advances equal opportunities for all. This document has been assessed to ensure that no one receives less favourable treatment on the protected characteristics of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex (gender) or sexual orientation. In carrying out its functions, LPT must have due regard to the different needs of different protected equality groups in their area. This applies to all the activities for which LPT is responsible, including policy development, review and implementation. 1. Introduction
It is recognised that LPT has a duty to clear obstructions such as those arising from the accumulation of snow and to take reasonable steps to prevent the formation of ice, or to deal with ice promptly after it did form in order to maintain safe access and egress to all LPT premise, in line with current legislation. The common duty of care owed in conjunction with the Occupiers Liability Act 1995 and also the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in relation to Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare regulations 1992, regulation 12 - Condition of Floors and Traffic Routes. Specifically with regards to the ACOP “Arrangements should be made to minimise risks from snow and ice. This may involve gritting, snow clearing and closure of some routes, particularly outside stairs, ladders, walkways on roofs and any other identified risk area(s)”. LPT have a Grounds and Gardens Contract which includes the provision of a gritting service which extends to most sites. LPT will be able to demonstrate through this procedure that all has been done as far as reasonably practicable to avoid injury to staff/patients/visitors/contactors through slips/trips and fall in adverse weather conditions. It would be prudent to acknowledge that following implementation of local procedures the trained, competent person required to complete initial gritting of designated areas would still be at risk of a slip, trip or fall. Whilst this staff member is carrying out their duties LPT would be vicariously liable for this person’s actions. However, for the safety of the majority, this risk should be an accepted risk.
2. Policy Statement
LPT is committed to demonstrate that all was done as far as reasonably practicable to avoid injury to staff, patients, visitors, contractors through slips, trips and falls in adverse weather conditions within LPT premise.
Page 7 of 16 Gritting Procedure November 2012
3. Responsibilities
3.1 Estates and Facilities Services
Estates and Facilities are ultimately responsible for ensuring a thorough and safe gritting service is provided, which includes the appropriate management of any sub-contractors engaged to perform gritting duties. Where staff are engaged to perform adhoc gritting duties a risk assessment will be undertaken to ensure that appropriate controls are put in place prior to the staff member performing these duties.
3.2 Grounds and Gardens Contractor
In the event of inclement weather i.e. ground frost, ice or snow the grounds contractor will through their extensive weather monitoring systems inform Estates and Facilities of the likely need to grit. Where Estates and Facilities deem that gritting may be necessary and the grounds contractor has not informed Estates and Facilities of their intent to grit,. Estates and Facilities will contact the grounds contractor with an instruction to undertake a gritting service. All gritting will commence at the earliest opportunity.
3.3 Appropriate Person to Carryout Initial Gritting
Where an Appropriate Person to undertake initial gritting has been identified as necessary due to the inability for the grounds contractor to attend sites in an appropriate manner the Appropriate Person based on site will:
Be up to date on manual handling training and that this is documented;
Be trained in the use of the equipment to complete gritting task and to be deemed competent to do so;
Be aware of the areas to be gritted within their remit;
Be aware of their obligation to wear the provided personnel protective equipment.
3.4 Estates and Facilities
To support the safe access and egress from sites Estates and Facilities will:
Provide and place appropriate signage in an obvious position to warn staff, patients, visitors, contractors of the slippery surface and impending dangers;
Comply with the safe system of work. (appendix C);
Page 8 of 16 Gritting Procedure November 2012
Complete the adverse weather log recording the time of completion of gritting in the designated areas (appendix B);
Observe the stock levels of grit and notify their manager when stocks become low;
Take reasonable care of themselves whilst carrying out their duties in inclement weather.
3.5 Staff Where No Appropriate Person has been identified
In the absence of an Appropriate Person, any member of staff encountering a situation where the spreading of grit will prevent injury or harm, staff are encouraged to take immediate steps to use the self-help (grit bins) strategically placed on sites to ensure safe access and egress to premises. PPE as identified within the gritting products manufacturers Safety Data Sheet should be available for use. All staff would be supported by the Trust for any proactive action they take.
4. Inclement Weather Procedure In the event of inclement weather i.e. ground frost, ice or snow in the first instance: -
The grounds contractor will notify Estates and Facilities of the intention to grit, where this has not been done Estates and Facilities will instruct the grounds provider to grit areas;
Gritting should commence to allocated areas as soon as the temperature is forecast to fall below 0 degrees centigrade and at the earliest opportunity so far as is reasonably practicable;
Localised Estates and Facilities staff will evaluate the need for site based gritting, should the grounds provider not attend site in a reasonable timeframe;
Appropriate signage should be placed in an obvious eye view position to warn of the slippery surface and impending dangers to staff/patients/visitors/contractors;
The appropriate person should complete the adverse weather log (see appendix B).
5. Site Procedures
Each premises will have its own site based gritting procedure which is based on a risk assessment that has been undertaken which identifies areas for gritting on a priority basis, prior to grounds contractor attending site. The grounds contractor will attend sites based on the priority order agreed at Appendix A. Each site will be gritted based on the pre-agreed priority order, which will look to the treatment of pedestrian routes – footways and
Page 9 of 16 Gritting Procedure November 2012
pavements before car parks. These will include at the very least clearance or gritting of: -
Entrance to the hospital/clinic/surgery
A 1.5-metre width pathway from the highway path to the entrance of the facility;
Steep slopes within the site, where a foreseeable risk may be created due to its incline;
Where resources are available minimal levels of gritting shall be carried out to car parks;
To assist with gritting, appropriate stores will be kept at sites in order that initial / emergency gritting may be undertaken, should the grounds contractor be unable to attend site in an appropriate timeframe.
6. Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE)
Where staff are designated as the Appropriate Person to undertake site based gritting PPE as identified within the gritting products manufacturers Safety Data Sheet should be available for use. This may include:
Toe-tector wellington boots;
Gloves;
Goggles;
Reflective outdoor waterproof coat;
Hat (if requested).
7. Equipment Where staff are designated as the Appropriate Person to undertake site based gritting they should be provided with the following equipment: -
Suitable spreading kit, this may in the cases of larger sites include the provision of gritting spreaders;
Gritting containers should be accessible, lockable and safe;
Keys to grit containers to be secured as per site procedure
Bags of grit to be of an acceptable weight and stored in an appropriate environment to protect against theft or spoil.
All grit bins and associated equipment on LPT owned sites will be checked and refilled where necessary in mid October each year (PPM).
8. Signage When gritting is being undertaken the grounds contractor will ensure that appropriate signage is available to notify all that gritting is in progress. Signage information will include, but not limited to:
Gritting in process;
Beware of ice;
Slippery Surface (where appropriate)
Wet floor signs (where appropriate)
Page 10 of 16 Gritting Procedure November 2012
Where the use of gritting vehicles is used, then all motorised vehicles will display a flashing amber warning light and will travel at minimum speeds throughout the site to ensure an even coverage and to ensure that all areas are gritted in a safe manner.
9. Monitoring and Review This procedure has been developed in line with current regulations and guidance from both the Trusts Solicitors and the current best practice undertaken by other public sector partners. The procedure will be monitored and reviewed through the Health and Safety Committee.
Page 11 of 16 Gritting Procedure November 2012
Appendix A
Gritting Procedure within LPT A Contractor provides our grounds and gardens maintenance and the gritting procedure is applied as part of this contract and is detailed below:- 1) The Contractor will monitor the weather forecast on a daily basis from October
to March using the Met Office website. If the Met Office forecast temperatures of 0 (zero) degrees the contractor will grit the site as per the priority list as shown.
2) Gritting will be carried out pre-emptively by monitoring the Met Office
forecasts. Pre-emptive gritting will be carried out between 8.00 am – 4.00 pm, Monday – Friday.
3) To ensure sites on the priority list are gritted prior to snowfall, night-time or
daytime, dependent on when the snow is forecast, a midnight start to be implemented if snow is forecast as being more than 5cm.
4) Due to time constraints and priority demands, areas defined as secondary
routes may not be treated in the initial visit. Secondary routes include paths, entrances and areas which are not the main routes and entrances into the building, but are deemed to be less critical than the primary routes.
5) Grit bins to be located on key sites and appropriately filled.
Page 12 of 16 Gritting Procedure November 2012
Priority Lists
Team Site Order
North Melton Mowbray
North Ashby Hospital
North Coalville Community Hospital
North Whitwick Health Centre
North Loughborough Community Hospital
North Hinckley & Bosworth Community hospital
North Hinckley & District Hospital
North Hinckley Health Centre
North Orchard Resource Centre
Team Site Order
South Evington Centre
South Gwendolen House
South Rutland Memorial Hospital
South Feilding Palmer Hospital
South Market Harborough and District Hospital
South St Lukes Hospital
South Kibworth Health Centre
South Narborough Health Centre
South Stewart House
South Lakeside House
South Fosse House
South OSL House
Team Site Order
Central New Parks Health Centre
Central Leicester Frith/Glenfield Hospital Sites
Central Valentine Centre
Central Beaumont Leys Health Centre
Central Rushey Mead Health Centre
Central Oakham House
Central Francis Dixon Lodge
Central Jasmine Centre
Central Towers (George Hine House & Daisy Peake)
Central The Willows
Central Uppingham Road Health Centre
Central Westcotes Health Centre
Central Westcotes House & Tanglewood
Central Winstanley Drive Health Centre
Central St Peter’s Health Centre
Central Prince Philip House
Page 13 of 16 Gritting Procedure November 2012
Central Paget House
Central Rothesay
Central Switherland House
Central Springfield Road Health Centre
Central Humberstone Medical Centre (ad-hoc)
Central Merlyn Vaz (ad-hoc)
Central Merridale Health Centre (ad-hoc)
Team Site Order
Central P Shepshed Health Centre
Central P Walk in Centre Loughborough
Central P Barrow Health Centre
Central P Charnwood Mill, Barrow on Soar
CentralP Dental Access
Central P Pasley Road Health Centre
Central P Hedges medical Practice
Central P Oadby Health Centre
Central P The Cedar Centre
Central P South Wigston Health Centre
Central P Overton House, Blaby
Page 14 of 16 Gritting Procedure November 2012
Appendix B – Adverse Weather Log
DATE TIME GRITTING
COMPLETED
PRINT
NAME
SIGNATURE
Page 15 of 16 Gritting Procedure November 2012
Appendix C - Safe System of Work to be implemented Lifting and Carrying Employees have a duty of care to take reasonable care of their own Health & Safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work. To this end, employees should correctly use all work items and procedures provided, in accordance with their training and the instructions they receive. Activity Opening a bag of grit and transferring the grit into a grit spreader and distributing grit to areas that require gritting i.e. pavement - this is a lifting, pushing and carrying activity. Hazards Identified
Potential to cause a musculoskeletal injury by failure to observe correct techniques to lift and carry.
Spillage of grit contents.
Potential slip, trip, fall factor due to adverse weather conditions
Thermal discomfort - cold Safe System of Work Lifting grit bag to empty contents into grit spreader Observe correct lifting technique, when lifting grit bag to empty contents into grit spreader which is as follows:-
Feet, slightly apart and firmly on the floor.
Knees bent
Back straight
Measured lift, keep close to the trunk
If close approach to the grit bag is not possible slide it towards you before trying to lift
Lift smoothly, keeping control of the grit bag
Do not twist the trunk when turning to the side
Do not over reach or over stretch
Transfer the contents of the bag into the grit spreader
Manoeuvre grit spreader and distribute grit to ground PPE The following PPE should be provided as a minimum for the undertaking of gritting by Appropriate Person:
Thermal lined, toe-tector Wellington boots;
Safety goggles;
Reflective outdoor waterproof coat;
Thermal gloves;
Thermal hat (if requested).
Page 16 of 16 Gritting Procedure November 2012
Appendix D
Site: ___________________________________________________ Person Responsible for Gritting: Contractor: Yes / No*
If yes, details: _______________________________________ Appropriate Person: Yes / No*
If yes, details: _______________________________________ Staff Self-help: Yes / No* Total Number of Grit Bins: _____________________________ Location of Grit Bins: