Technocover Duty of Care

The combination of meeting the criteria for “Duty of Care” and achieving an accurate “Risk Assessment Security Level” is truly a genuine investment. The process can be quite challenging, however, especially as an obligation now exists to assess the risk of potential injury to those entering the site without authority.

The cost of selection of the correct access solution will be repaid many times over in both increased efficiency and the reassurance that operations personnel are protected from injury during unsociable hours and in all weather conditions.

If you wish to view our environmental policy in detail, you can download it here.

ESTABLISHING YOUR SECURITY/DUTY OF CARE REQUIREMENTS

1. The Designer shall ensure that due consideration is given to the Specifiers responsibility to Duty of Care “Product Responsibility” – Minimum Features for Safe Operation and Protection of Operatives. These requirements should be checked against each specific application. In addition, Duty of Care “Site Responsibility” - Potential Injury to Vandals and Minors and Environmental Impact must be taken into account.

Every effort must be made to:
(a) Guard against potential injury to persons not in the employ of the site owner.
(b) Secure the site against acts of vandalism or extortion which might impact upon the environment with specific attention to the potential of untreated sewage being introduced into the water course.

2. The Designer shall ensure that adequate consideration is given to site specific variable risks such as site location and history of previous incidents. (Please see the Technocover Risk Assessment Guide for assistance.) (link)

3. Levels of security shall be measurable against a recognised security standard.

Guide to appropriate levels of security

All our products have been given a ‘level of security‘ rating using the guide below.

RISK ASSESSMENT LEVEL 2 SECURITY - LOW RISK
Yellow Level 2

Typical rural situations with minor risk of vandalism. Not for areas of a high security nature. Products designed in accordance with LPCB Security Rating 2 where identified.

RISK ASSESSMENT LEVEL 3 SECURITY - MEDIUM RISK
Blue Level 3

Typical rural location with major risk or urban situation with minor risk of vandalism. Increased level of security to deter vandals. Products designed in accordance with LPCB Security Rating 3 where identified.

RISK ASSESSMENT LEVEL 4 SECURITY - HIGH RISK
Green Level 4

Typical urban sites and locations with a history of serious vandalism. High level of security. Products designed in accordance with LPCB Security Rating 4 where identified.

RISK ASSESSMENT LEVEL 5 SECURITY - EXTREME RISK
Red Level 5

Products for use on specifically selected locations, designed to maximise the protection of sensitive sites. Products approved for terrorist/extortionist sites i.e. V.P. (Vulnerable Points) sites.

Our highly experienced consultancy team is available to make recommendations on choosing the correct, “fit for purpose,” access products by quantifying actual operational health and safety benefits and then applying the appropriate risk assessment security level. Email our Technical Consultants here – techadvice@technocover.co.uk.

We also recognise the need for improvement, not just with regard to security and duty of care issues, and actively take steps toward achieving best practice solutions to the various problems encountered on site.

Technocover Risk Assessment Guide

This has been created using our own Risk Assessment Level coding system which is also shown on the applicable PDF for every product shown on this website. Definitions for our Level 2, 3 , 4 and 5 risk assessment can be found above.

Definition of site	Risk Assessment Level Requirement for Sites
RURAL Locations
Secure perimiter – No history of vandalism	✓	✓
Open Access – No history of vandalism	✓	✓
Secure perimiter – Minor history of vandalism	✓	✓
Open Access – Minor history of vandalism		✓	✓
Secure perimiter – Major history of vandalism			✓	✓
Open Access – Major history of vandalism			✓	✓
URBAN Locations
Secure perimiter – No history of vandalism	✓	✓
Open Access – No history of vandalism	✓	✓
Secure perimiter – Minor history of vandalism		✓	✓
Open Access – Minor history of vandalism		✓	✓
Secure perimiter – Major history of vandalism			✓	✓
Open Access – Major history of vandalism			✓	✓
DESIGNATED VULNERABLE POINTS (typical examples)
Government Locations			✓	✓
Ministry of Defence Establishments			✓	✓
Hospitals			✓	✓
Power Stations			✓	✓
Gas Pumping Stations			✓	✓
Fuel Refineries			✓	✓
Airports			✓	✓
Ferry Terminals			✓	✓
Environmentally Sensitive Areas			✓	✓

CDM PRODUCT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SPECIFIER

DUTY OF CARE MINIMUM FEATURES FOR SAFE OPERATION AND PROTECTION

PRODUCT DESIGN CHECKLIST

Fixed minimum requirements for safety. The designer must check the following minimum requirements against the specific application:-

DRY WELL ACCESS COVERS

• Where possible frames shall be upstanding to provide integral kick plate.
• Covers shall be hinged and spring assisted to a maximum opening/closing force of 25 kg.
• All manual handling compliant access covers shall include provision for padlocking-appropriate to the application.
• Covers shall include self-engaging safety stay.
• Flush fitting covers shall be designed to EN124 load classes.
• Fall protection may be necessary on Dry Well covers where there is risk of injury from falling, due to chamber depth or from falling onto mechanical plant housed within the chamber. N.B. - Risk Assessments should be carried out at design stage for new build work and at survey stage for refurbishment.
• Design of multileaf covers shall minimise unnecessary lifting of any support beams during routine maintenance or inspection.
• All dry well assemblies must include a minimum of one manual handling compliant access point for routine maintenance - an additional access point may also be required in the opposite corner for light and ventilation.

WET WELL ACCESS COVERS

Requirements as listed for dry well assemblies plus the following:-

• All assemblies shall include integral fall protection (please select from available options when specifying).
  Fall protection shall be hinged, where possible, and designed to suit the function of the chamber e.g. pump maintenance, inspection of chambers or feeding a flexible pipe into the chamber without being exposed to the risk of falling.
• Safety grids may be either ladder style or walk-on, dependant upon the size of the chamber.
• Wet Well Cover hinges shall be arranged appropriate to the application e.g. in-line opposite davit sockets for safe davit slew.
• Multileaf covers shall open/lock independently.
• Access for float inspection and tanker crew hose shall be possible without opening safety grids.
• Odour control shall be integral within design and be designed to reduce risk of damage in service.
• Submersible pump removal shall normally be possible without removing support beams.

DUTY OF CARE POTENTIAL INJURY TO VANDALS & MINORS - SITE SECURITY

DUTY OF CARE - VARIABLE RISK

The designer shall, as far as is reasonably practicable, ensure that every effort is
made, during product design, to guard against potential injury to persons not in the employment of the site owner.

DUTY OF CARE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT - SITE SECURITY

DUTY OF CARE - VARIABLE RISK

The designer shall assess the potential environmental impact as a result of acts of
vandalism and/or extortion to water treatment plant with specific attention to potential for the introduction of untreated sewage into the water course.