SWP: Controlled Burning of Contaminated Wood

Ref No: POS_SWP 06_Controlled Burning of

Contaminated Wood

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Date: 05/07/21

Key Hazards

Risks

Personal Protective Equipment

• Fire

• Smoke

• Burns

• Smoke inhalation

• Explosions

Do

• Hot Work permit to be completed for all hot works and signed by Port Control prior to commencement of this activity.

• Ensure that others in the Port are aware that this activity is going to commence.

• Ensure there are means to raise the alarm and summon assistance quickly. An airhorn to warn those nearby of a potential issue and a radio/phone to summon assistance.

• All loose combustible material must be removed from working area. Good housekeeping practices must be maintained around the working area always.

• The pile to burn should be visually inspected before fire starts to ensure that only wood is to be burnt.

• The wind direction needs to be considered before each controlled burn. Wind direction should be away from Port activities and the roadways.

• Staff, visitors and contractors should be prevented from being near this activity.

• A suitable means to extinguish the fire should be available. Water from hose would be sufficient.

• Operatives should position themselves far enough away from the fire to prevent smoke inhalation and contact with materials which may come from fire.

• Fire must be extinguished at the end of the activity.

• The hot work area must be thoroughly examined one hour after the work has finished ensuring that there are no signs of burning or smouldering.

Do Not

 Never start the controlled burn if the wood pile is contaminated with other materials I.e., waste material, oil drums, cannisters, aerosols etc.

 Do not carry out this activity when alone in the Port.

 Do not attempt to add or remove items once the control burn has started.

 Do not carry undertake the control burn adjacent to buildings or other activities which can be impacted by fire. There must be a minimum distance of 10 Metres between a property and controlled burn

Specific Training Requirements:

• Fire Awareness Training

Risk Assessments:

• POS 05_Slips & Trips

• POS 06_Manual Handling

• POS 09_First Aid

• POS 11_Operating Plant and Machinery

• POS 13_Inclement or Extreme Weather

• POS 14_COSHH General

• POS 16_Controlled Burning

SWPs:

•  POS 06_Manual Handling