abertis telecom

Prevention of occupational risks

Risks and preventive measures in technical centres

Below is a list of the specific risks present in the technical centres which people work in, the factors of associated risks and the measures to adopt to eliminate and/or minimise these risks.

These measures of prevention and protection must be complied with by all the workers and are complemented by an internal regulation prepared by Prevention of Occupational Risks and the legislation in force.

DANGERS		RISK FACTORS	RISK LEVEL	PREVENTIVE MEASURES
1.	Fall of people to a different level	Steps with slippery surfaces Access without protection to high points of the equipment and installations, especially towers and flat roofs. Deficient ladders and/or scaffolding and/or incorrect use of them. Access without protection to high points of the equipment and installations, especially towers and flat roofs, façades, etc. Gaps or openings in the floor (for example, entries to basements, gaps in the stairway, etc.).	MODERATE	On slippery steps, ensure footwear is worn with non-slip soles and, generally, avoid heels that are too high. Use suitable means of access to high points of the installations (Gamesystem system, Carabelli, Railbloc de Protecta, Haca system, Söll system, lifelines on the roofs...). If there is none then the use of double anchorage is obligatory. Any access to installations with risk of falling from height, especially on towers, must be undertaken by a team of at least 2 people, one of them always in support of the worker working at height. Work will be undertaken by personnel attached with anti-falling equipment attached to resistant points of the roofing, the structure or the lifeline, during the whole time that the movement and positioning for work lasts. Use suitable ladders correctly (attached or manual). Go up stairways without running, jumping or acting hastily, and using all the steps. Do not look away when using ladders. The scaffolding must be checked to ensure it is secure before climbing and that it has a flat and smooth surface for walking on. Personnel that have not received specific training cannot undertake work at heights. The mezzanines (or raised areas of work) must have suitable railings. The openings in the ground must also have suitable protections Maintenance and conservation of ladders
2.	Fall of people on the same level	Slippery and/or dirty surfaces on floors, platforms and stairs. Gaps and gradients. Uneven floors. Obstacles in the corridors or entrances.	TOLERABLE	Keep the work surfaces (floors, platforms and stairs) in suitable conditions of order and cleanliness. Keep the entrances and corridors free of obstacles. Avoid the presence of cables on the floor
3.	Fall of objects due to collapse or demolition	Unsuitable piling/positioning of pieces (boxes / equipment, etc.). Hoisting of materials and equipment.	TOLERABLE	Limit the heights of piling materials (boxes, equipment, etc.). Material will be gathered together so that it avoids slipping. Sling loads well.
4.	Fall of objects in handling	Work machinery, pieces, spare parts, etc.. Tops of crates and similar items.	TOLERABLE	Use mechanical means in handling heavy and/or voluminous objects. Use too-carrying bags. If necessary, make use of mobile auxiliary tables. Use hooks and other tools for handling covers of crates and similar items. Mark off and signpost the area of influence of hanging loads. Do not stand below them.
5.	Fall of objects falling away	Lumps of ice on exterior installations, equipment, materials, etc.	TOLERABLE	Maintenance of all elements susceptible to falling away.
6.	Knocks against immobile objects	Elements attached to the installations. Reduced distances between machinery. Access to towers. Doors open of panels, cupboards, etc.	TOLERABLE	Maximise the precautions in the entrance and/or areas saturated with work equipment, installations and/or structural elements. Use portable lamps or lighting if the general levels of lighting are not adequate. Always keep doors of panels, cupboards, etc. closed.
7.	Knocks against mobile objects	Machinery with accessible aggressive parts (electrogenic groups, ventilators, polishers, etc.).	TOLERABLE	Do not eliminate guards or protective devices that impede direct access to the operative areas of the mobile elements of the equipment. Use equipment with the CE mark. Do not stay in the angle of activity of moving parts of equipment and avoid contact with them. The operations of regulation, maintenance, repair, cleaning and conservation must be made when they are off.
8.	Knocks/cuts by objects or tools	Manipulation of various objects. Manual tools: unsuitable quality, unsuitable use, poor condition, incorrect use.	TOLERABLE	Tools: use the appropriate tool for each job; keep them in good conditions; carry them safely; keep them ordered and clean in a safe place.
9.	Projection of fragments or particles	Mechanised operations, polishing, cutting, chopping, welding, etc.	TOLERABLE	Guards or protective devices that limit the projection of fragments or particles.
10.	Trapped by or between objects	Equipment with accessible mobile parts (transmissions, electrogenic groups, ventilators, polishers, etc.).	MODERATE	Do not eliminate guards or protective devices that impede direct access to the operative areas of the mobile elements of the equipment. Do not stay in the angle of activity of moving parts of equipment and avoid contact with them. The operations of regulation, maintenance, repair, cleaning and conservation must be made when they are off.
11.	Overstrain	Manual manipulation of loads (machinery, pieces, spare parts, tools, etc.).	TOLERABLE	Avoid incorrect postures when handling loads. Decrease the weight of the loads To avoid risks deriving from the manual handling of loads, whenever possible use mechanical support. If necessary, handle the loads between more than one person.
12.	Exposure to extreme atmospheric temperatures	Adverse weather conditions in outdoor installations.	TOLERABLE	Limit the times of exposure to extreme atmospheric temperatures. Work should not be done at height when there is a wind blowing at more than 50 kph that may cause workers to fall and move materials that should be removed). Work will be suspended in bad weather due to rain, ice, snow or in the case of excessive heat.
13.	Thermal contacts	Exhaust conduits of gases in Electrogenic groups and similar. Welding operations. Metallic surfaces in the sun (i.e. towers).	TOLERABLE	Maximise precautions during the handling of equipment with hot surfaces (conduits of electrogenic groups, metallic structures in the sun, welding equipment, etc.).
14.	Electrical contacts	Operations on electronic equipment. Operations on auxiliary equipment. Operations on distribution panels. Operations on high voltage cells. Work close to high voltage electrical lines, aerial or underground.	MODERATE / IMPORTANT	Suitable maintenance of electrical installations and equipment. Generally, work on LV installations must always be done without voltage. Only in exceptional circumstances is it permitted to work with voltage, using the EPI necessary and the most suitable safety material in each case (voltage testers, insulation tools, signposting material, etc.). Moreover, only skilled and authorised personnel will be able to work in HV installations, following the “5 golden rules” in all cases. In handling HV disconnecting switches/switches, the necessary protection items will be used (pole, insulating gloves, bench, etc.). Any manoeuvre that involves a clear risk of electrical contact, especially at HV, will be done in the presence of 2 people. Adopt special safety measures when undertaking work close to high voltage electrical lines, aerial or underground.
15.	Contact with dangerous substances	Hypochlorite/chlorine in drinking water plants. Cleaning, disinfecting and/or insecticide products. Chemical products from batteries.	TOLERABLE	Maximise precautions during the handling of caustic and/or corrosive substances, following the instructions of the Safety Dossier or the product container.
16.	Exposure to non-ionising radiations	Electromagnetic radiation from radiant systems.	MODERATE	In work close to high power radiant elements, and with the aim of limiting occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields as a preventive measure the reduction of power should be requested for the duration of the work.
17.	Fires	Possible deficiencies in the maintenance of the fire detection and extinction methods. Possible deficiencies in the electrical installations. Electrical batteries. Accumulation of inflammable / combustible materials. Welding operations. Cigars, cigarettes, matches, etc.	MODERATE	Presence and regular suitable maintenance of the fire detection and extinction measures. Keep the emergency exits free of any obstacles. No smoking in the work areas. Keep the work area perfectly clean. Suitable maintenance of the electrical installations susceptible to causing fires. Battery room: suitable ventilation; keep apart from possible sources of ignition; protected electrical installation. Avoid the accumulation of inflammable / combustible materials. Maximise precautions during welding operations. In case of emergency, follow the course of action indicated at the end of the IP File: “Emergency measures”.
18.	Exposure to noise	Electrogenic groups, machinery rooms (Laeq,d < 80 dBA)	TOLERABLE	The use of hearing protection close to operating Electrogenic groups is recommended.
19.	Lighting	Insufficient levels of lighting outdoors and in certain areas of the inside of the centres.	-	Use lamps or portable lighting.
20.	Accidents caused by living beings.	Animal bites and stings	TOLERABLE	Animal bites and stings may contain different types of poison. Some of them are toxic for humans in general, but others are only dangerous for some people who may be allergic to a specific animal poison. Follow the first-aid advice with stings that feature on the emergency posters. Use of emergency kit for viper snakebites.
21.	Traffic accidents	Driving vehicles: Accidents in itinere (going to or coming from the workplace). For workers who travel during the working day (to their own or other centres)	MODERATE	Compliance with Highway Code and Road Safety Law. In journeys by vehicle to our own or clients’ centres, maximise precautions during driving, following the traffic rules strictly. In particular: Plan the route in advance. Inspect the vehicle inside and outside. Wear the safety belt at all times. Drive within the speed limits indicated. Keep calm and controlled at all times. Increase the safety distance in adverse conditions. Never follow a vehicle close up. Eliminate unnecessary distractions inside the car. Avoid the use of mobile phones while driving. Never drive the vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Follow the practical procedures for driving in the setting you are in, whether the city, motorway or road, or in rural areas. Similarly, in journeys on foot you should respect the signposting on the streets and maximise precautions.
22.	Accident	Work in centres with known difficulties of access or isolated centres.	MODERATE	Do not go alone to these centres, particularly if you are going to carry out jobs with risk (electrical jobs, jobs at height...). Check that there are adequate means of communication in case of emergency.