SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RECOVERY OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
With the entry into force of the various laws relating to land contamination, both statewide and in the Basque Autonomous Community - the "Royal Decree 9 / 2005, adopted on January 14 in the English Parliament and the Law on Prevention and Correction of Soil Pollution", adopted on February 4 in Parliament Basque management of contaminated soil has a new impetus for all those involved in industrial soils liabilities. Are varied situations of implementation of new laws and, therefore, the need to address decontamination studies and actions, so that this activity has taken a very important role among the companies environmental field, and although already developed from For over a decade, are professional teams that address today, with projections to continue this growth.
Research and contaminated soil remediation includes, or can understand, from a general perspective, a lot of types of works performed, also, to a variety of places. In each and every one of these jobs must be guaranteed effective protection of safety and health at work. Although many of the tasks in this type of work dealt with are common to those developed in other fields of industry, much of the dangers they pose are specific tasks from the point of view of safety. Above all, the possible existence of uncontrolled hazardous substances at sites which conducts the research or recovery marks a clear distinguishing feature from the point of view of prevention of occupational hazards.
This uncertainty about the presence of pollutants, their characteristics, what is the state and its spatial distribution is that given nature of the proper management and planning of safety and health of workers, as well as derivatives for the environment. in the investigation and remediation of contaminated soils attend a series of circumstances that can complicate the management and security planning and health if not used to this, a rational approach. In contrast to many other activities, the intrinsic characteristics of work and the conditions under which it develops varies considerably. This change particularly affects firms engineering and consulting they do (or can do), themselves or through contractors and subcontractors, a wide variety of jobs. Suffice as an example, consider:
➠ The drafting of projects and studies. ➠
Performing cartographic, topographic, etc.. ➠
inspection and surface inspection. ➠
execution of drilling, tasting, sampling of soil, water and gas, testing, etc. ➠
Direct measurement of flow, level, quality and hydrochemical parameters, etc. ➠
Testing and laboratory analysis of samples, including the transport of such samples.
➠ The construction and installation of a wide range of works, structures and elements, comprising many types of civil works, electromechanical assemblies, etc.
Each and every one of these projects can be developed, in turn, under a wide variety of conditions, not only weather, but mainly concerning the environment or place where you make ✘ Technical Office. ✘
natural land: mountains, rivers, valleys, etc. ✘
Industries of every type and condition. ✘
active mine workings or abandoned. ✘
controlled and uncontrolled landfills.
To this we must add the diversity of reform and recovery techniques of soil to be tapped, differentiated decontamination techniques and containment:
➠ soil ventilation. ➠
biorestoration. ➠
groundwater pumping. ➠
Heat treatment. ➠
ventilation. ➠
Installation of gas treatment. ➠
polluted water treatment ...
The question that arises from a standpoint of business organization, is to face the necessary and required planning, management and safety and health if each activity is different from the above, for the type of work, or where it develops.
SAFETY MANAGEMENT
general principles must take into account the safety management and occupational health in the work of investigation and remediation of contaminated soil are Avoid ✘
risks. ✘
assessing the risks that can not be avoided. ✘
Combating risks at source. ✘
adapt work to the person. ✘
management Incorporate the development of preventive technique. Replace ✘
risk factors with smaller or no risk. ✘
Planning prevention in a coherent whole. ✘
Take measures that put the collective protection of the individual. ✘
Train and inform workers. The
Security Plan is a specific document to be produced every time you rush a research / recovery of contaminated soils, once accomplished the work plan to implement on the site. It must collect: Background ➠
relevant site safety. ➠
Description of the work program to carry out. ➠
Risk Assessment. ➠
Staff Organization.
➠ Spatial organization. ➠
collective security measures. ➠
protective equipment. ➠
specific training. ➠
Working Procedures. ➠
instructions and materials handling equipment. ➠
decontamination procedures. ➠
Control and monitoring of environmental conditions. ➠
action plan in emergency situations. ➠
medical review program.
separate risk factor
Among the various types of risks in this type of work are particularly significant environmental factors that are associated to environmental conditions that develop research and recovery of contaminated soils. These are the main differentiation from similar work carried out at locations not contaminated and therefore they should pay particular attention to the safety analysis.
These vary greatly depending on if performed in an open, closed, in an industrial site in one asset or liability and are divided into:
✘ Physical: energy derivatives in different ways. Can be mechanical (fall), thermal (fire, heat, cold), electrical (from live electrical installations) radiaciones….
✘ Químicos: asociados a sustancias químicas de efectos perjudiciales, que son por lo general los causantes de la contaminación, y que pueden encontrarse en cualquier estado físico. Se pueden clasificar e identificar según la vía de contacto con el cuerpo humano: dérmico, ocular, ingestión, inhalación..
✘ Biológicos, asociados a presencia de microorganismos que pueden originar afecciones a la salud. Son frecuentes en cierto tipo de emplazamientos, cuyo ambiente es favorable para su desarrollo, como por ejemplo, los vertederos con mucha presencia de materia orgánica.
La evaluación de riesgos se realiza metodológicamente across the following detailed information on each project: ➠ The identification of the work situations. ➠
Identification of relevant risk factors specific to each one of them. ➠
Risk Assessment for each work situation, both the personnel involved, the foreign staff, goods, materials or environmental resources. ➠
Development of diagnostic safety. ➠
protection measures and equipment resulting from this (personal, collective, organizational, for the use of equipment and machinery to specific risks ...).
SAFETY PLAN. polls and surveys
All this is included in the security plan, which should collect the minimum preventive measures in conducting the research and recovery from underground, and in which a priori we analyze the risks of accidents, occupational diseases and damage to third parties in order to integrate them into a single framework for each tender document or project.
Although we have discussed the diversity of dependent variables in each case, suffice as a practical example of this approach which is detailed below in connection with surveys and soil and water samples, standard procedures in soil research contaminated.
polls and piezometers this unit are included in the work necessary to carry out research surveys for soil sampling and installation of piezometers for sampling groundwater, including operations drilling, pipe fittings, measurements of explosive atmospheres / flammable ...
Procedure:
✘ Prior to the commencement of work, you should follow the guidelines of the procedure for coordinating business activities. ✘
Before the start of work will study the terrain and detect possible water pipes, gas, electricity, telephone and amenities of the sites that may exist to prevent the occurrence of unforeseen situations. ✘
The head of the sites will be informed of the location of the probes prior to its execution, as well as incidents that may occur during the drilling. ✘
Care should be taken that the machine, equipment and tools used are in perfect condition and maintenance. To do this, there is verification checklist before the start of work, during implementation and upon completion thereof. ✘
Before the survey shall be marked properly the work area, not hinder the normal functioning of the sites. ✘
Whenever drilling machine is running, an operator must remain with the same controls. ✘
maneuvers All vehicles will be guided by a person and their transit in the area of \u200b\u200bwork will seek for ways to be constant and previously studied. ✘
traffic is prohibited or unauthorized stay within range of the machine. ✘ extinguishers should be located near the drilling machine to put out any fire that originated on the machine or drill metal pipes or tanks with a flammable substance. ✘
be monitored carefully for the existence of gas during drilling, by, if necessary, measurement of explosion by Explosimeter, to prevent possible explosions. ✘
During the execution of these works are non-smoking. ✘
The movement of the machine operator will carefully monitor the possible existence of overhead power lines nearby. In case of contact with an electric line operator in the cabin will not move until there is tension in the line or contact has been broken. If absolutely necessary to leave the cabin, it will jump as far as possible with feet together. ✘
The movement of the machine operator will monitor the possible existence of aerial telephone lines nearby.
Hazard Identification:
➠ Stepping on objects. ➠
noise and vibration. ➠
shocks and beatings. ➠
Overexertion. ➠
Falls on the same level. ➠
Falls at different level. ➠
projection materials. ➠
trapped by overturning of machines. ➠
Inhalation of dust. ➠
pollutant exposure chemicals. ➠
Exposure to biological contaminants. ➠
Fire, explosion. ➠
Electrocution.
Precautions:
Group:
✘ work areas at all times be kept clean and free of debris and tidy. ✘
The work area will remain marked for execution of work. ✘
Respect the power lines, both aerial and underground. Before taking the survey, their presence should be known. When in doubt, you should use a detector of electric lines. ✘
before drilling and during the hole must be measured the level of explosiveness, to avoid possible explosions.
✘ All machines and tools provided with the appropriate protections, the compressed air hoses and electrical cords are in good condition without splices or defects in insulation and hookup and commissioning will not pose a danger to third. ✘ should not be any operator within the range of the machine. ✘
If the operator does not have good visibility, must be guided with a sign positioned so that it dominates the area and the driver's position. ✘
must be checked that the land on which sits the machine is stable. ✘
No food should be eaten in the work area. ✘
prevent smoking in the work area.
✘ Do not use flammable materials. ✘
Given the risk of electrocution, it will check the minimum distance between the line and the top of the unit positioned in maximum length. ✘
If there are overhead telephone lines near the site of work, have physical barriers such as caps on the ground to avoid contact with them.
Singles: before entering the workplace should be determined appropriate protective equipment, according to the RD 773/97 on PPE. ➠
safety helmet. ➠
Gloves. ➠
goggles. ➠
safety shoes. ➠
Hearing protectors. ➠
masks, etc..
water and soil sampling
Procedure:
Once the poll, witnesses soil different extracted samples will be selected for further analysis, to be entered into the appropriate containers. The other witnesses will be placed on order in boxes with dividers for conservation.
will avoid any contamination cross through the use of disposable latex gloves.
Likewise, if the samples are too dry will prevent inhalation of dust through the use of masks.
For taking water samples were used, first, a submersible pump to remove 3.5 times the volume piezometer water to remove impurities and traces of the survey, to then proceed to take the sample with a sampler . Be avoided at all times carry out these tasks when operating machinery or vehicles in the area. Hazard Identification:
✘ Falls on the same level.
✘ Falls at different level. ✘
Inhalation of dust. ✘
splash. ✘
Exposure to chemical contaminants. ✘
Exposure to biological contaminants. ✘
Where do the sampling and / or measurements of piezometers between vehicles, possible attacks and strokes. Precautions
Group:
✘ work areas at all times be kept clean and free of debris and tidy. ✘
The work area where the samples are deposited will remain marked for execution of work. ✘
To avoid cross contamination and possible contact with toxic substances are used latex gloves. ✘
If soil samples are very dry and give off dust when handled, disposable masks are used to avoid inhalation. ✘ During the sampling of water use goggles to prevent eye splashes.
✘ All machines and tools provided with the appropriate protections, the electrical cables are in good condition without splices or defects in insulation and their connection and operation will not pose a danger to third. ✘
No food should be eaten in the work area. ✘
prevent smoking in the work area.
✘ Do not use flammable materials. ✘
After handling any sample or chemical, should wash exposed body areas with soap and water. ✘
disposable material, after use, is stored in a separate place for their proper management. ✘
liquid spills must comply with municipal standards for discharges to sewage networks. Has to be monitored periodically for hydrocarbon phase is discharged and not concentrated vapors in confined spaces ducts evacuation. ✘
Implement measures to prevent inadvertent access of children to the point of discharge, which could go butts or other objects with ignition power to areas of potential accumulation of flammable compounds.
Singles: personal protective apparel
➠ be approved protective masks. ➠
Disposable gloves. ➠
goggles. ➠
safety shoes. ➠
chemical protective clothing. ➠
workwear high visibility according to the UNE-EN-471 on clothes High visibility (for measurement in areas of passing vehicles.)
In the same procedure, detailing the remaining work to be done, according to circumstances and specific conditions of each job, and that effective preventive action regarding the risks can only be done through planning, implementation, monitoring and control the health and safety measures built into the various phases of production.
* Sources: Technical Guide to Security for investigation and remediation of contaminated soils, Published by Ihobe.
Elixabete Idoiaga Uribe, head of GIS (Integrated Management System) from Terra Nova, SL
Alfonso García de Cortázar, technical director and CEO of Terra Nova Prevention, SL
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APESSLA
Strengthening the Quality of Life of its Associates.
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