Standard Operating Procedure

Safety

Safety

Safety First

The person or persons doing the tasks contained in this document must be qualified in accordance with local regulations and requirements. It is the duty of all personnel involved in doing the tasks to read and understand the machine-specific Safety, Operation, Maintenance, and Isolation manuals and any other documentation specifically referenced in this document before starting any work on the machine.

The instructions include specific safety messages that are marked with Danger, Warning, Caution, Notice, or Note. Give extra attention to these messages, as they contain additional information to the instruction text. Comply with any local safety rules that are specific to the work location.

Use this instruction in conjunction with a local Job Safety and Environmental Analysis (or equivalent) to identify and manage hazards.

Job Safety and Environmental Analysis (JSEA)

Job Safety and Environmental Analysis provides job hazard identification, potential risk assessment, and suggested controls for the tasks that are described in this instruction. All persons involved in the task must create a JSEA for the job or task on the physical objects in front of them, and consider any local conditions, environmental hazards, and risks.

Remove or minimize all of the hazards that are identified before you begin work.

If hazards cannot be reduced to an acceptable level of risk, do a complete review of the site-specific JSEA.

NOTE

Refer to local or site-specific regulations and the JSEA or equivalent type of job-risk-assessment documentation.

Risk Factors

  • Mast obstructions

  • Stored energy

  • Residual pressure

  • Environmental contaminant

  • Hot fluids or components

  • Electrical current

  • Suspended load

  • Pinch point hazard

  • Crushing hazard

Safety Precautions Before and During the Work

NOTE

Obey all warning statements in this procedure.

  1. 1.
    Before you start welding, flame cutting, and grinding operations, clean the machine and the surrounding area from dust and other flammable substances with a nonflammable cleaner. Make sure that the premises are adequately ventilated (risk of explosion).
  2. 2.
    Attach safety locks and tags to the battery disconnect switch when you work on the electrical system or when welding on the machine.
  3. 3.
    Do not make any modifications to the machine which can affect safety without having the approval of the manufacturer. These modifications apply to the installation and adjustment of safety devices and valves, and to you weld work on load bearing elements.
  4. 4.
    Welding, flame cutting, and grinding work on the machine must be done only if expressly authorized, as there can be a risk of explosion and fire.
  5. 5.
    All fuels and most lubricants are flammable. Handle with care. Before you weld or use a torch on the equipment, clean the work area first.
  6. 6.
    Be careful when you attach and secure lifting devices to individual parts or to large assemblies that are being moved for replacement purposes. Make sure that the lifting device is in perfect condition and has an adequate lifting capacity. Do not work or stand below suspended loads.
  7. 7.
    After you repair or replace cylinders, especially the feed or mast raising cylinders, release all of the air out of each end of the cylinder before you connect it to the machine. Air in one end can cause the mast or the rotary head to fall and cause an accident.

Personal Protection Equipment

Make sure that all necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) is available and properly used when doing this procedure, including:

  • Head - Hard hat

  • Ears - Hearing protection

  • Eyes - Safety glasses

  • Face - Welding mask

  • Hands - Applicable gloves

  • Feet - Safety shoes with steel toes

  • Body - Fall protection straps

  • Body - Welding clothing

  • Safety devices

Obey all site-specific standard PPE requirements, mandatory area PPE regulations, and any other PPE requirements that are identified in the risk assessment.