WELCOME BACK! Safety and Assurance Bulletin. INSIST ON SAFETY January 2018 CONTENTS

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1 Safety and Assurance Bulletin INSIST ON SAFETY January 2018 WELCOME BACK! Happy New Year and welcome to I hope that everyone is refreshed after a well-deserved break. n To start the New Year, on behalf of the Board, I would like to begin by thanking everyone who works for and on behalf of Tilhill Forestry for their hard work during It was a challenging year but I have been impressed by your response to unexpected and unplanned outcomes. Our employees and contractors have faced both the good times and the bad times with professionalism and dignity. Foremost in our minds is the tragic death of young Kayla along with the serious injury to Caitlin back in July. This has inevitably had a terrible impact on her family, friends and all those involved in the incident. While this matter is still under investigation by the HSE we have initiated our project on public awareness of safety in the forest. Last year we recorded a small increase in incidents requiring medical treatment and first aid for both Tilhill employees and contractors. There was also a small increase in specified injuries such as fractures. The picture is mixed and these incidents can be viewed as both positive and negative. The positive side is that everyone is comfortable reporting incidents and recognise that an incident is not a black mark against them. This was a particular message in our January 2017 Safety & Assurance Bulletin and so I m very pleased to see that this has been taken on board. The negative, of course, is that people continue to be injured at work and we are committed to the principal that all accidents are preventable. Following the Christmas break we need to get back into the swing of things and focus on the task at hand. It is essential that we all re-establish our safety habits and continue to INSIST ON SAFETY. The record shows that there is generally an increase in safety accidents and violations when people return to work after a break. Large and small things that you should remember can in fact be lost from memory. That can include safety procedures and how to follow them. When you return to work it is vital that you reassess your work environment and refresh your knowledge of the safety procedures that apply to you and your colleagues. Check if anything has changed during your break. At this time of year there may have been adverse weather that has caused your working environment to change. There may be an increased risk of slips, trips and falls, or perhaps machine overturn due to slippery slopes or maybe diffuse pollution. Before starting work it is important to take 5 minutes to consider the following guidance: BE SEEN: Wear a clean Hi-Viz in good condition and take care around moving vehicles and machinery. KEEP WARM: Follow the guidance on keeping warm detailed in this Bulletin. SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS: Take extra care when walking on site due to slippery or icy conditions. REVIEW: Review all of your paperwork before starting to ensure it is relevant. Review the site to make sure nothing has changed. If something has changed ensure you review your risk assessments and working methods. When you return to work during January please ensure that you INSIST ON SAFETY. George McRobbie Managing Director CONTENTS Starting the year on a positive note Management of deadwood Being prepared when working outdoors

2 Starting the year on a positive note It s good to start the New Year on a positive note and celebrate the fact that we do get things right the majority of the time. n Looking back at 2017 we ve seen similar levels of environmental incidents with previous years however, there was a significant positive shift in the latter quarter of the year with fewer diffuse pollution events despite the usual heavy rainfall which in some areas was accompanied by flooding. SEPA s Senior Environment Protection Officer, John Gorman, who supports us to deliver our diffuse pollution training has historically collected information from SEPA s inspections of forestry operations. Of the forestry sites that they visit they see nearly 75% compliance with management of risk to the water environment. The benefits of compliance and getting it right will have a huge impact on some of our rarest protected species. The Fresh Water Pearl Mussel is an example. It is increasingly rare and pollution plays a part in this. This fresh water mussel has an incredible lifecycle, with a period where its larvae attach themselves to the gills of young trout or salmon before dropping off into the river bed. washed into watercourses and rivers has a hugely negative effect on its survival because of its complicated lifecycle. With that in mind we must make sure we are planning and thinking ahead to the spring and early summer. Back in 2016 many sites were caught with insufficient controls in place on site to deal with high rainfall in May. Let s keep the positive trend going and remain on top of site controls to prevent diffuse pollution, in the hope that we can retain some of our most threatened and historic species. Much coveted its pearls adorn the Scottish Crown Jewels, but it is now absent in many Scottish rivers and has joined the list of the world s most endangered species. Silt and soil being Above: Diffuse pollution events. 2016/17 comparison with 2017/2018? THINK ENVIRONMENT YEARS TO CREATE, SECONDS TO DESTROY 2 SAFETY & ASSURANCE BULLETIN

3 Management of deadwood As mentioned in the December Safety & Assurance Bulletin, the value of deadwood in our forests is well understood but it can also be a hazard if not planned for with the correct controls in place for people working in or visiting our forests. n The recently revised UK Forestry Standard retains a General Forestry Practice Guidance on the need to accumulate deadwood throughout the forest with specific focus on locations of highest biodiversity value. For managers of UKWAS certified forests the accumulation and development of deadwood is a requirement for certification. Tilhill Forestry certifies over 220k ha of forests and our experience over the last 16 years has highlighted the benefits of certain practices and the drawbacks of others. The new UKWAS, to be published in the first half of 2018, moves away from a prescriptive quantitative approach to the development of deadwood and allows forest managers to take a more holistic whole-forest view of the most beneficial and safest locations to retain and develop deadwood. Managers will be required to identify and map the locations where deadwood (both standing and fallen) will be of most biodiversity value and ensure that deadwood retention doesn t pose a hazard to workers or visitors. The biodiversity map is the most logical place to identify where deadwood accumulation should be focused this will allow easy communication to harvesting contractors and allow managers to monitor the success or otherwise of developing anticipated deadwood and adjust plans accordingly. The secret to success is simplicity in terms of planning and communication make sure that as a machine operator, you understand what it is you are trying to achieve and why and ensure that the necessary working space for ground preparation, planting and maintenance is maintained. SAFETY & ASSURANCE BULLETIN 3

4 Being prepared when working outdoors Working outdoors in winter. n Working outdoors in the wintertime means you must make sure you re dressed properly, have adequate food and liquids, and keep an eye on your team members. Never travel and work on your own unless someone knows your route and estimated time of return. Even if you are only heading out for a few hours, the proper emergency equipment is still essential. Ask yourself the following questions before you set out to your work site: 1. Have you been issued with an Emergency Response Card? 2. Are the Postcode and Grid Reference correct for the location you are working today? 3. Would you be able to direct the emergency services to your location? 4. Do you carry a personal First Aid Kit? 5. When was the last time you checked your First Aid Kit? Important items Foil blanket, large wound dressing, eye wash. 6. Do you have an Emergency Kit in your vehicle? Suggestions: Spare warm/waterproof clothing; additional food and drink (energy bars); spare battery for phone (charged); fully charged torch. Working outdoors requires your body to produce heat to keep you warm. Due to the extreme conditions it s best to take in your calories steadily over the day. Six to eight snacks are far better than two heavy meals. Fifty per cent of your nutritional intake should be from carbohydrates such as bread and bagels. Cheese, butter, and meats add a valuable fat content to help keep your body warm. Q. Is your working clothing suitable for the task you are undertaking? A. While working outdoors, winter clothing is your single most important resource to keep warm. It s essential to dress in loose-fitting layers which trap heat easily and allow you to adjust clothing as your activities change throughout the day. If overdressed, you ll work up a sweat as the day progresses. When you re less active, sweat starts to cool your body down, so it s important to wear enough layers to keep warm, but not so hot as to sweat excessively. If you are sweating profusely you may be overexerting yourself; work activities and hydration should be adjusted accordingly. Be sure to add layers of clothing as your activity level decreases. Layers should be made of fabrics that retain warmth when wet such as wool, polyester fleece, and polypropylene (often found in synthetic long-johns). Cotton is quite possibly the worst fabric to wear for warmth in winter. Once it gets wet from rain, snow or sweat, the cotton will start to extract heat out of the body. The effects are especially noticeable in cotton socks, underwear, or if a cotton T-shirt is the first layer next to skin. Goose down is an excellent insulator when dry, but because it loses almost all its insulating power when wet, it is best to avoid during winter months. Layering Systems To work comfortably outside, a layering system should be applied to trousers, socks, jackets, gloves and hats. It starts with a wicking layer to remove moisture from skin. From there it builds into heavier and more durable fabric to keep you warm. Wicking Layer: This is the layer next to your skin. To avoid your body cooling down due to sweat, this layer should remove moisture from the skin and transfer it to the next layer. Recommended layers are synthetic or polypropylene long johns, tops and socks no cotton! Light Insulating Layer: This goes on after the wicking layer. A light fleece or thin wool sweater is an excellent light insulating layer. Heavy Insulating Layer: A heavier fleece or wool sweater begins to trap heat in the body. continued 4 SAFETY & ASSURANCE BULLETIN

5 Being prepared when working outdoors continued Windproof-Waterproof Layer: This protects your body from a variety of weather conditions, from wind to rain or wet snow. Hats: Thirty to 50 per cent of body heat is lost through the head. A winter hat adds as much warmth as all your layers. Balaclavas are excellent for protecting facial tissue from frostbite. Where it is mandatory to wear a hard hat, make sure that if you wear a hat under your hard hat you have adjusted the cradle and that your hat sits securely on your head. Wearing a hoodie under your hard hat can restrict your vision. 3 7 There are also manufacturer approved head warmers that can be fitted and worn under your safety helmet. This will ensure you receive the best possible fit for your safety helmet without compromising on safety Gloves and Mitts: Mitts are warmer than gloves but not always practical for work that requires detail. To help with this problem, a thin glove can be worn inside a mitt. This will allow you to remove your mitts for more technical work while not exposing bare skin to the cold. However, when using chemicals, the COSHH assessment must be adhered to. Once work is completed, return your gloved hands promptly to your mitts. Also, mitts with separate index finger are very useful for certain applications. Socks and Gaiters: A two-layer sock system is most recommended for winter travel. A thin polypropylene sock with a wool sock over top allows moisture to be wicked from the feet and wool will stay warm even when wet. Boot size is also important your toes need wiggle room avoid a tight fit that restricts circulation. Some workers prefer a single pair of loose-fitting wool and/or synthetic material socks in an insulated boot, and bring a spare pair just in case. Avoid caffeine and alcohol Hydration is very important for winter work. On average, you should drink about four litres of water or fluids a day. If you only have a one-litre water bottle with you during the day, make sure to consume lots of hot drinks at breakfast and dinner. Drinks with caffeine, or alcohol should be avoided. Caffeine and alcohol restrict blood vessels, impeding the body s ability to heat itself. In the cold, water bottles will need to be insulated to prevent freezing. Cold air is dryer than warm air and you can easily dehydrate during strenuous activity. The buddy system: Check for signs of hypothermia If someone in your team has begun shivering, they have mild hypothermia. Hypothermia is easiest to treat at this stage, so you should immediately take steps towards a warm drink, warm food and staying active all of which are quick sources of treatment. A hot drink or meal can do a lot to add heat to the body. As well, an extra layer and a hat or balaclava can help prevent more heat from leaving the body. Keeping an eye on each other is the best way to ensure that mild cases of hypothermia are nipped in the bud and don t have the chance to progress to moderate or severe hypothermia. For those with moderate hypothermia, minimising movement is recommended along with foil blankets. Severe hypothermia can include confusion, lethargy, slurred speech, and loss of consciousness. ACCIDENTS AT WORK CAN CHANGE LIVES IN AN INSTANT SAFETY & ASSURANCE BULLETIN 5

6 January 2018 Safety & Assurance Bulletin briefing I have been personally briefed in the contents of this Safety & Assurance Bulletin. Please add any questions relating to this briefing or any other health, safety and environmental matters you wish to raise: Please add any suggestions on health, safety and environmental matters: I have been briefed by: My District is: I understand that I am encouraged to submit comment and contribution from this bulletin. ORIGINAL sheet to be held at District. Send a COPY to: Head of Safety, Tilhill Forestry, Kings Park House, Laurelhill, Stirling, FK7 9NS. Fax: ios@tilhill.com Contractors: If you would like your own copy of this Safety & Assurance Bulletin please contact your local office and ask to be included on the mailing list. 6 SAFETY & ASSURANCE BULLETIN