CORONAVIRUS - 03.09.2020

Getting back to work

The HSE has published some insightful guidance to help manufacturers manage the knock-on health and safety effects of an extended shutdown and reopening. What does it say?

Sector-specific advice

The HSE’s advice is set out on its website and is full of practical tips (see The next step ). It considers: (1) machinery hazards caused by a period of disuse; (2) the possibility that your usual contractors may be unavailable; (3) the safety of buildings; and (4)  how to protect staff from coronavirus. The risks you need to consider are in two parts. One of those is the risk of the virus being transmitted amongst the workforce, and the other is a less obvious but potentially very serious concern relating to buildings, equipment and materials which have been left unused.

Equipped to cope

As the HSE points out, where machinery has not been used for weeks, or possibly months, it’s not wise to walk in and start everything up. An extended period of inactivity could have caused degradation of machines, or the process fluids which run through them. Parts may have seized, fluids might have solidified and settings might have moved out of calibration. As a result you could find that your staff are stretched dealing with blockages and other unplanned interventions. It’s when fixes are improvised to make the best of such situations that accidents happen. It’s far better to be prepared and prevent the mayhem from occurring in the first place.

Tip. Write a structured recommissioning plan for each machine recognising the inspection and maintenance tasks which will be required before you get going.

Tip. Include a detailed visual inspection of accessible parts of machinery and production lines before anything is switched on. Check for signs of rust, deformation, delayering, etc.

Tip. When all looks well, the first run of the machine should be a controlled functional test, looking and listening for any indications that the moving parts are in distress.

Tip. Consider how you will deal with the first products off the line such as plastic or textile sheet material which may be spoilt or sub-quality. As there may be higher volumes than usual, ensure you have a plan for safe storage and transport.

Tip. Check the condition of building services and that any essential maintenance, inspection and testing is up to date. Include in this process a review of ventilation, fire protection, water, air, electricity, and fume extraction.

The virus

You’ll need to undertake a coronavirus risk assessment (see The next step ).

Tip. Apply the HSE’s advice to reduce transmission risk in your factory, e.g. allocate fixed shift teams, use partitions to segregate teams or individuals, limit the numbers permitted to use lifts and other small spaces, introduce extra cleaning for mobile plant, and supervise to ensure any coronavirus rules are followed.

Tip. Meetings, including handovers between shifts, can utilise telephones and remote working tools,to minimise the need for physical interaction.

For a link to the HSE’s guidance for manufacturers and for an example coronavirus risk assessment, visit http://tipsandadvice-healthandsafety.co.uk/download (HS 18.22.03).

It’s recommended that in addition to your coronavirus risk assessment you write down a recommissioning plan. Equipment, facilities and materials may have deteriorated, so visually inspect, implement essential maintenance and then restart in a slow and controlled manner.

© Indicator - FL Memo Ltd

Tel.: (01233) 653500 • Fax: (01233) 647100

subscriptions@indicator-flm.co.ukwww.indicator-flm.co.uk

Calgarth House, 39-41 Bank Street, Ashford, Kent TN23 1DQ

VAT GB 726 598 394 • Registered in England • Company Registration No. 3599719