Penetration, Coring & Concrete Cutting Baseline Safety Standards

Penetration, Coring & Concrete Cutting

Minimum Requirements
Permit
Coring Permit Isolation Permit
Competencies
*Isolations Construction WHS Induction Training in SWMS
Risk Management
Project Risk Register SWMS High Risk Workshop Service Scan
PPE Mandatory
PPE Additional

Penetrations, coring and concrete cutting are construction and demolition activities used to remove or modify structures
Context

Penetrations, coring and concrete cutting activities is high risk construction work

  • Penetration in the construction industry typically refers to creating openings or holes required in the building design

  • Coring involves the extraction of cylindrical cores or samples from structures. This method is commonly used to obtain samples for testing and create openings installations of services

  • Concrete cutting encompasses various methods of removing or altering concrete structures Prior to commencing works consideration must be given to the potential existence of hidden services, structural reinforcement and post tensioning cables

  • If the risk is identified works penetrating 50mm in depth or more, e.g., drilling, coring or cutting based activities into any planned work areas such as existing slab in grounds, suspended slabs and precast walls must require a penetration, coring and concrete cutting permit to be completed.

Process
Step 1 Pre-construction planning

The risks arising from penetration, coring and concrete cutting activities are to be identified, assessed and controlled in the Project Risk Register, in accordance with the hierarchy of controls

If required relevant engineers have been consulted regarding the size of worked area and potential affected areas

Identify all areas where coring/concrete cutting will penetrate surface 50mm or more

Consider hazmat testing, DBYD and service scans have been completed to identify services and depths of services in ground, overhead or in wall/ structures

Step 2 Contractor Requirements

All coring/concrete cutting contractors must identify all risks activities within their scope of work, evidence of experience carrying out these activities, provision for full time supervision where required, relevant licenses and competencies of supervisor and workers

All contractors are required to develop and submit, a specific safe system of work, e.g. SWMS, for this High Risk activity to the Baseline site representative for approval (7days) prior to commencing works

This MUST include an Emergency Procedure / Rescue Plan, evidence that supervisors and workers are trained in the procedure

The Baseline expectation is that our contractors will follow all safety requirements listed within our standards

Note: Service scans should be provided by Baseline prior to penetrating surfaces

Step 3 Pre-activity review

Proposed methodology to be reviewed by Project Team and assess for need to conduct activity specific High Risk Workshop.

(If required) High Risk Workshop to be conducted with contractor undertaking activity and Baseline Project Team

Service scans to be reviewed with services marked up on surface

Engineer approval confirmed where required

Methodology, competencies and timing MUST be confirmed and agreed with all stakeholders

Step 4 Work activity approval

Prior to commencing coring or cutting a Baseline coring/cutting Permit must be submitted by the subcontractor supervisor and approved by the Baseline site manager.

Services requiring to be isolated are confirmed as isolated by relevant contractor and permit is reviewed

Equipment being used has been maintained, is tested and tagged, and will control slurry run offs

Exclusion zones must be set up and confirmed as adequate and include drop zone of cores and slurry

Where large or complex concrete cutting is being carried out a toolbox talk is to be conducted by a Baseline project team member immediately prior to commencing works, and must include all workers involved in the activity.

The TBT should include emergency procedure

Step 5 Work activity monitoring

Baseline site manager / supervisor must monitor the coring/cutting activity periodically, checking exclusion zones and isolations until the work activity has been completed.

A Task Observation should be conducted by a Baseline Project Team member to record the works being carried out as per approved SWMS and required PPE nis being worn

The Subcontractor Supervisor should be present at all times to ensure the permit is being adhered to and exclusion zones is maintained for the duration of the works.

Step 6 Completion of work activity

At the end of the activity the subcontractor supervisor must confirm the work is completed, the area is clean, dry, slurry removed and safe to enter and request to close out permit

The Baseline site manager / supervisor must confirm the area has been made safe and close out the coring/cutting permit

Controls
Elimination Physically remove the hazard

  • Look to re-design to avoid the need to penetrate, core or concrete cut

  • Plan work to avoid existing services, check as built drawings and request information from asset owners

  • Relocate services to divert from planned penetration, cored or concrete cutting works

  • Conduct service scans to identify live services encased in concrete slabs and walls to avoid cutting into services, reinforcement and post tensioning cables

Substitution Replace the hazard

  • Utilisation of fixed plant to penetrate, core or concrete cut rather than handheld equipment

Isolation Isolate people from the hazard

  • Penetration, coring and concrete cutting areas shall be controlled through signage, barricades, fences

  • Energy sources are identified and verified as being isolated before commencing work

  • Lock out/tag out processes are in place for all isolations, including plant and equipment not in use

Engineering Replace the hazard

  • Utilisation of supporting devices to assist with cutting and coring equipment to avoid awkward working positions and to reduce forces

  • Utilisation of fitted extraction devices to eliminate dust production

  • Remove slurry before it dries to prevent dried material from generating dust

  • Service scanner has a current calibrated certificate. This calibrated certificate shall be uploaded onto HammerTech

  • Utilisation of motorised trolley with anchored guide tracks

  • If required, relevant engineers have been consulted regarding the size of worked area and potential affected areas

Administration Change the way people work

  • Prior to penetrations, coring and concrete cutting activities ensure that hazmat testing has been completed

  • Ensure DBYD and service scans have been completed to identify services and depths of services

  • Penetration, coring and/ or concrete cutting Permit has been completed, reviewed and approved by a Baseline representative

  • If possible, all services to be marked up on the ground/ wall surface prior to works to ensure services are identified

  • Penetration, coring and/ or concrete cutting contractors are competent to operate equipment

  • If required, ensure air monitoring is occurring internally

  • Ensure that SWMS are provided, reviewed and approved by a Baseline representative prior to works

PPE Protect the worker with PPE

PE shall be worn as required, including respirators, safety glasses, hard hats, gloves and hearing protection

Notes

Prior to commencing work that will be greater than a 50mm Penetrations, coring and concrete cutting activities a permit must be submitted and approved by a Baseline representative and can remain valid for up to seven consecutive working days, with the condition of daily reviews of control measures

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