GERT8000-HB7 Iss 9

This handbook is for those personnel who have the general duties of a controller of site safety (COSS).

The requirements concerning walking on or near the line were generic and took no account of the varying levels of competency among the intended audience. There were differing interpretations as to what was intended to be permitted.

To address this, new sections two and five have been added to: 

• provide a clear definition within the Rule Book of when walking on or near the line is permitted and for what reasons
• define the extent to which walking can be permitted
• define the permitted arrangements for crossing lines open to traffic when walking.

Section four (formerly section three in issue eight) and section six (formerly section four in issue eight) have been revised to remove obsolete references to safe work leader (SWL). 
In section 3.2, the wording ‘must not rely on these arrangements’ has been amended to ‘must not use these arrangements’ as this conveys the meaning in a more easily understandable way.

Noise from work that is being carried out can prevent any member of a group from hearing any warning that is given when the safe system of work in use is either equipment or lookout warning. New instructions have been included in sections 6.7 and 6.8 to say that the COSS must not use equipment or lookout warning if this would be the case.

The changes to this handbook contribute to reducing safety risks in a critical and high-profile area. In doing so, there are expected to be benefits to reliability of operations and efficiency of engineering activity. 

Optional reading and resources:

Standards quarterly webinar - September 2024