2.7 Protecting the Building Environment
When a contractor or Eureka Tower employee is working near existing equipment precautions should be taken to prevent any contamination. When any drilling, cutting or activity takes place where debris, shavings or contamination may result, controls should be put in place to avoid the release of these items into the atmosphere, areas surrounding and into or on nearby equipment.
Any persons carrying out works on or near existing occupied apartments need to manage the activities they are undertaking. Contractors working in any controlled or sensitive space should eliminate all contaminates where possible eg::
- Unpack equipment and leave packaging outside the controlled or sensitive environment.
- Drill or cut materials outside the controlled or sensitive environment where practical.
- Clean footwear, clothing, tools and equipment.
- Where drilling or cutting activities can not be carried out outside the controlled or sensitive environment:
- Turn off any controlled environment systems they could be affected by the activity.
- Use power tools that have inbuilt vacuum or dust control functions.
- Use vacuum appliances as close to the work area as possible during and after the activity eg place the vacuum nozzle at the drilling point whilst drilling into gyprock to eliminate dust immediately.
- Shield equipment from exposure whilst working, where practical.
And most importantly clean the work area continually during work activities and before leaving site not just at the end of the job.
All contractor work method statements shall reflect the above requirements for working near existing equipment. Also the daily Job Safety Analysis or Risk Assessments should also reflect such requirements.
If the contractor does not have these requirements listed as a hazard and with a suitable control measure work shall not commence until this requirement is fulfilled.
It is the responsibility of the Eureka tower person who engaged the contractor to carry out this work or nominated Eureka Tower personnel to supervise that the above requirements are adhered to.
If Eureka Tower personnel are carrying out the works near existing equipment they have an obligation to adhere to these requirements.