Bell Telecommunication

Philippines, Inc.

Modular RAN Site Specification

06

Health and Safety Specifications

Revision:
Creator:
Reviewer:
Approver:
Date approved:
Function:

Rev 1.0 17th of June, 2010

CME Department
P. Kovanen
Engineering Services

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REVISION SHEET
Revision
Date:

Revision
No:

Revision
Approved By:

Change Description (Chapter, page No and

description of the changed item)

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Table of Contents

1. Purpose...................................................................................................................................... 4
2. Scope......................................................................................................................................... 4
3. General ...................................................................................................................................... 4
3.1
General Safety ....................................................................................................................... 4
4. Access to Site ............................................................................................................................ 5
4.1
Access to Greenfield Sites..................................................................................................... 5
4.1.1
Minimum criteria for ladders............................................................................................... 5
4.1.2
Minimum criteria for working platforms / rest stations ........................................................ 6
4.1.3
Hoisting / erecting notes..................................................................................................... 6
4.1.4
Climbing certificates ........................................................................................................... 6
4.2
Access to Rooftop and Equipment......................................................................................... 6
4.2.1
Access to the site/roof........................................................................................................ 7
4.2.2
Walkways ........................................................................................................................... 7
4.2.3
Potential hazards ............................................................................................................... 7
4.2.4
Lighting .............................................................................................................................. 8
4.2.5
Hoisting .............................................................................................................................. 8
4.2.6
Access hatch...................................................................................................................... 8
4.3
Access to Antennas ............................................................................................................... 8
4.3.1
Walkways ........................................................................................................................... 8
4.3.2
Rooftop structure wall mounted antennas.......................................................................... 8
4.3.3
Antennas mounted at the edge of the rooftop.................................................................... 8
4.3.4
Antennas mounted on the facade ...................................................................................... 9
5. Electrical Work ........................................................................................................................... 9
6. Safety Equipment....................................................................................................................... 9
6.1
Access to Antennas ............................................................................................................... 9
6.2
Bosuns Chair ........................................................................................................................ 9
6.3
Caution Signs......................................................................................................................... 9
6.4
Fire Protection........................................................................................................................ 9
7. Environmental Conditions .......................................................................................................... 9
7.1
Environmental Factors ......................................................................................................... 10
7.1.1
Wind ................................................................................................................................. 10
7.1.2
Rain:................................................................................................................................. 10
7.1.3
Lightning: ......................................................................................................................... 10
8. Health and Safety Policy.......................................................................................................... 10

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1.

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide basic specifications for Health and Safety for Bell
Telecommunication Philippines, Inc. (BellTel) Radio Access Network (RAN) implementation
projects.
This document is intended for use by both site designers and builders to provide safe access and a
safe work environment for personnel doing construction work and subsequent maintenance of the
base stations.

2.

Scope

This Greenfield Site Specification is a part of the following list of CME Specifications:

01 - General Civil Works Specifications

02 - Antenna Support Structure Specifications

03 - Rooftop Site Specifications

04 - Greenfield Site Specifications

05 - Electrical , Earthing and Lightning Protection Specifications

06 - Health and Safety Specifications

Where operations or methods differ from or are not covered by the above CME specifications, the
specifications for those items shall be stated in the site specific designs and documents. Additional
requirements may also be specified elsewhere in the tender documents or delivery contract.

3.

General

This document covers safety aspects and on-site requirements that should be taken into
consideration at the planning stage to ensure a safe working environment for site works,
maintenance or upgrade work. It is not the intention of this document to point out the specifics for
individual health and safety in the work environment; rather an overview as to what issues may be
addressed prior to roll-out.
Local regulations for Health and Safety such as Occupational Health and Safety Standard as
amended by DOLE shall always be followed; both during site works and the subsequent
maintenance and upgrade work.
Unless stated otherwise, all recommendations contained in this document are BellTels policy, and
will be considered the "minimum requirement" unless local regulations stipulate otherwise.
3.1

General Safety

When working on site, always remember the following:

Wear personal protective equipment as required by local health and safety standards
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4.

Minimum two-person work teams

Proper working attire (overalls, tool belts, proper climbing shoes/boots etc.)

Safety belts shall be hooked onto the rail whenever climbing ladders, or working close to
the edge of roofs

Before every ascent/descent, visually inspect all safety belts, harnesses and carriages to
make sure that equipment is not damaged. Additionally, profiles and fixed construction
shall be checked during use for possible damage, corrosion, loose bolts etc. Any faults
shall be repaired immediately

The physical condition of the site must be according to safety regulations

Any potential hazards shall be identified and/or neutralised if possible (i.e., flammable,
caustic and explosive materials, electrical wiring, other hazardous material etc.)

Clear working area

The working area must be enclosed and secured to prevent intruders and bystanders
from entering

Access to Site

These specifications are to be considered the minimum criteria if no other relevant local
requirements are specified.
4.1

Access to Greenfield Sites

This includes all installation and maintenance work involving, Monopoles and towers.
Requirements include, but are not limited to following:

Non-skid/slip surfaces on ladders and work platforms

The safety climbing equipment for towers and monopoles

Access security; protection against vandalism and unauthorised access

General accessibility (equipment deliveries, worker mobility etc.)

Hoisting/erecting

Potential hazards (overhead cables, radio antennas etc.)

Access Road condition for heavy traffic

4.1.1

Minimum criteria for ladders

The towers, guyed masts and monopoles shall be equipped with hot dip galvanised climbing
ladders including an approved safety rail system (fall arrest system). Alternatively the ladder
shall be equipped with a safety cage where fall arrest system is not installed.
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The width of the climbing ladder shall be at least 400 mm. The spacing of the step rungs shall
be 300 mm.
To prevent unauthorised persons climbing the mast, it shall be equipped with an anti-climbing
device including a lockable hatch. It shall be installed at the height of 3 - 6m from the base.
A permanent anti-climbing device is not installed if there is a fence around the site area. A
temporary anti-climbing device shall be installed until the fence around the site area is finished.
4.1.2

Minimum criteria for working platforms / rest stations

One working platform located below the antennas level shall be supplied to provide easy
access to the antennas.
Intermediate or rest platforms shall be supplied as required by local building and/or health and
safety codes.
As minimum requirement, lattice towers shall have an intermediate or rest platform fitted. This
platform must be installed halfway between equipment and top work platform (+_ 3 m) for
towers that exceed 30 m in height.
4.1.3

Hoisting / erecting notes

Possible point of placement for a mobile crane for material lifts shall be marked on the site
drawings or mentioned in the access descriptions. This point is for material lifts only and the
lifting point for access to antennas via a cherry picker or man lift shall be marked separately if
applicable.
When hoisting/erecting is ongoing, safety areas and exclusion zones shall be clearly indicated.
4.1.4

Climbing certificates

It is the contractors responsibility to ensure all personnel working at heights has necessary
training and certificates in place as required by local health and safety regulations.
4.2

Access to Rooftop and Equipment

This includes all site works, maintenance or similar work involving rooftops and elevated working
sites.
Requirements include, but are not limited to following:

Safety barriers

Non slip/trip surfaces

Working platforms

Access security; protection against vandalism and unauthorised access

General accessibility (equipment deliveries, worker mobility etc.)

Potential hazards (overhead cables, radio antennas etc.)

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4.2.1

Access to the site/roof

Access to the roof and cabinets shall, where possible, be via existing lift(s) and/or staircase(s).
Where existing access is not available, a permanent or removable ladder shall be installed.
If existing permanent ladders are to be used to gain access to maintenance facilities, the
following items should be considered:

Compliance with safety standards (pitch, rung spacing, stringers etc)

Structural Engineers report

What the extent of remedial work is to be carried out

Where stairway installation is not practicable, the installation of new ladders will be required for
access to the container/cabinet.
A permanent rung ladder fixed at a slope of 70 - 75 degrees (to the horizontal), and satisfying
the local requirements shall be provided. Where it is not practicable to have a ladder fixed at 70
- 75 degrees a ladder keeper shall be installed for use with a portable ladder. Alternatively a
permanent vertical ladder may be installed.
When a ladder is required to be rested against a brittle or fragile surface, the top end of the
stiles is to be modified to protect these surfaces.
4.2.2

Walkways

On sites with complex access routes, the site designer shall indicate the access route on the
site drawings, from the point of entry onto the roof to the Equipment Cabinet/Transmission
Equipment.
The width of the walkway is specific to every project and shall be taken into consideration. The
safety distance from the walkway to an unprotected roof/platform edge shall be defined in
accordance with local standards.
Where personnel are required to access the site within the fall zone, protection shall be
provided by installing a handrail. Where a handrail is not practicable, a fall arrest device shall be
installed.
Where personnel are required to access across sloping roofs, non-slip proprietary walkways
shall be provided, if the existing walkways are inadequate
4.2.3

Potential hazards

Obstacles in site walkway areas such as cable trays, existing service frames, electrical wires
etc., shall be marked with self-adhesive reflecting tape or reflective paint. If the obstacle is an
existing/permanent part of the physical site, a cover or a ramp structure shall be provided.
On site access walkways where clear head height of 2m is not possible through openings or
due to obstacles such as existing ductwork or other services, such head obstructions shall also
be clearly indicated with self adhesive hazard tape or paint and padded where necessary.
Floor and wall openings shall be clearly marked, and if practicable, will be covered or barred.
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4.2.4

Lighting

Outdoor cabinets shall be equipped with one permanent exterior light with switch if sufficient
lighting does not exist.
On a site-specific basis existing building with complex access routing will need emergency
lighting. Further, it is recommended that equipment rooms or shelters that are not immediately
adjacent to access points have a light switch installed at the point of entry. This has to be
agreed to on a site by site basis with BellTel.
4.2.5

Hoisting

Possible point of placement for a mobile crane for material lifts shall be marked on the site
drawings or mentioned in the access description. This point is for material lifts only and the
lifting point for access to antennas via a cherry picker shall be marked separately if applicable.
When hoisting/erecting is ongoing, safety areas and exclusion zones shall be clearly indicated.
4.2.6

Access hatch

Where access to the rooftop is arranged through a horizontal hatch via ladder, a handrail is
recommended to be installed above the hatch. In some circumstances it may be necessary to
replace the existing roof hatch. New roof hatches shall be equipped with a proper hinge system
to prevent wind from blowing the hatch open or closed during egress or ingress.
4.3

Access to Antennas
4.3.1

Walkways

The walkways to the antenna poles shall be marked on the site drawings.
When possible the access to the antennas should be from the rear side of the antennas.
4.3.2

Rooftop structure wall mounted antennas

Access can usually be handled safely with a portable ladder if there is no inherent fall risk. If
there is a potential fall risk, a permanent ladder with safety system shall be installed.
Working in a two-person team is a general rule of thumb whereby one worker can support the
ladder of access for another worker. The ladder has to be of good quality according to local
requirements.
4.3.3

Antennas mounted at the edge of the rooftop

Poles with a height less than 6 m shall be equipped with step irons or a removable ladder
system. Some form of attachment point for safety belt/harness shall be installed.
Poles or rooftop towers higher than 6 m are to be considered as masts or towers and the
requirements shall be applied accordingly.

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4.3.4

Antennas mounted on the facade

Antennas that are mounted on the face of a building, or above a lower roof enabling ladder
access from below (and cannot be accessed via a cherry picker or man lift from below) are to
be accessed using rope abseiling and Bosun's chair.
This procedure necessitates the provision of two fall arrest anchors (one for a working line, one
for a safety line) at the rooftop location from which access down the face is required.
Where antennas are to be mounted on the face of a building and there is sufficient area to allow
an elevated work platform (i.e. cherry picker) to provide access from street level, consideration
shall be given to this form of antenna access.
Approval shall be sought from the BellTel prior to selecting this means of antenna access.

5.

Electrical Work

All electrical work should be carried out by personnel who are familiar with the safety guidelines
and regulations of that country. Under no circumstance shall any nonqualified project personnel
attempt any electrical repairs to the equipment and or site facilities whatsoever.
Any electrical work shall be done by personnel who have been certified by the local authorities.

6.

Safety Equipment

6.1

Access to Antennas

For access to towers, the climbing ladder shall be equipped with an approved safety climbing
system (fall arrestor system). The safety climbing system shall be installed according to the
installation instruction of the safety climbing system supplier.
The safety belt, harness and straps, with their hooks and adjustments shall be approved by the
local authorities. Before usage of the safety climbing system the user shall be trained and made
familiar with the usage of the safety equipment.
6.2

Bosuns Chair

Bosuns Chair shall only be used by educated abseiling riggers.

6.3

Caution Signs

The need for caution signs has to be evaluated case by case and agreed with BellTel.
6.4

Fire Protection

Fire Extinguishers shall be provided at Rooftop and Greenfield sites as advised by BellTel.

7.

Environmental Conditions

Environmental conditions at the site shall always be taken into consideration. The most senior
project member on site will have the final decision on whether the environmental conditions are
within safety guidelines or not.
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7.1

Environmental Factors
7.1.1

Wind

If wind velocity is greater than 15m/sec, climbing, hoisting and erecting is prohibited.
7.1.2

Rain:

Work on masts/towers is prohibited in moderate or heavier continuous rain.

Temperature: Local regulations shall apply as to minimum and maximum working temperatures.
7.1.3

Lightning:

Outdoor work, especially on elevated sites is forbidden.

Lighting conditions are not an environmental condition per se; however, adequate lighting shall be
available on site without compromising the safety of personnel.

8.

Health and Safety Policy

Contractor shall have Health and Safety Policy and it should be applied for Contractors employees,
Consultants, Subcontractors and suppliers working at sites or supervising or visiting sites for other
reasons.

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