Risk Assessment for Cable Pulling

Contract
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Number:
Name: Position: Date:
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Description Of Work: General cable pulling operations

Residual
Risk
Risk
Task / Job Component Hazard Persons at risk Rating Controls / Precautions to Reduce Risk
Rating
L/M/H
L/M/H
 Provide work platforms (scaffolds or MEWPS) and
harnesses to be worn and secured (when guard rails
are removed).
Falls from height Installers, Other workers, client’s  All scaffolds to be tagged and inspected every 7 days
Cable Pulling H L
Fragile surfaces personnel, general public, visitors by a competent person.
 Install temporary covers to fragile surfaces. Provide
signs and barriers where ducts are left open and
unattended.
 Provide sufficient numbers of well supervised
operatives to share the manual handling and include
training in suitable techniques when the method
statement is explained.
 Use all possible mechanical aids and methods to move
and assist pulling, e.g. prior cleaning of ducts, cable
Manual handling Installers, Other workers. H L
pulling lubricant, cable drum and laying trailer, cable
pushers.
 Slide rollers on bends and hoop rollers along straight
sections, bell mouths fitted to duct entry ways.
 One person designated to control the pull to ensure all
cable pullers are working as a team and share the load.
Injury from contact with winches, Installers, Other workers, client’s H  Suitably maintained drum roller frames, jacks, rollers L
pulleys and cable personnel, general public, visitors and operatives controlled to ensure hands are clear
when cable is moving.
Cable Pulling  Awareness of maximum permitted cable pulling
tensions and minimum bending radii.
 Inspection of a cable prior to pulling for damage.
 Cable drums stored on level stable surfaces.

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 Risk Assessment for Cable Pulling

 Cable drum movement only to be carried out with

purpose-made slewing bars.
 Inspection of all pulling equipment prior to use.
 Pulling from the top of the drum only.
 Removal of nails from drums.
 Fitting of swivel eyes and a lead in roller.
 Use of a dynamometer or adjustable tension switch to
ensure safe working loads are not exceeded.
 Winches with automatic max pull cut off.
Injury from parting of overstressed
Installers, Other workers, client’s  Survey of route prior to work commencing to ensure
cables and contract with moving M L
personnel, general public, visitors route is clear of obstacles.
cables
 Observing the “roll this way” signs on the drum.
 Drums never to exceed 30º to the trench.
 Checking the trench line for line to ensure it is level and
clear of debris.
 Staff posted at the drum end to monitor rotation.
Contact with live electrical services  Operation of a permit to work by an authorised person
(some may be uninsulated busbars) to ensure additional risks are managed.
 No live electrical work to take place.
Installers, Other workers, client’s
Injury from contact with moving H  Hearing protection to be worn in environments that L
personnel, general public, visitors
cables exposure the workers to 85dB (A) or above.
 Gloves and heavy duty clothing to be worn to protect
Noise induced hearing loss against abrasion.
Injury from contact with moving  Provide suitable heavy duty (abrasive resistant) gloves
Installers, Other workers, client’s
Cable Pulling cables M L
personnel, general public, visitors

 Job rotation for the winch operation and provision of

Installers, Other workers, client’s
Noise induced hearing loss M suitable hearing protection when above 85dB(A) (may L
personnel, general public, visitors
need to incorporate radio communication).
 Asbestos awareness training for all operatives Client
enquiry and sight of asbestos register/management
Installers, Other workers, client’s plan.
Exposure to asbestos H L
personnel, general public, visitors  Emergency procedure for the accidental exposure.
 All operatives to suspend work if a suspected asbestos
containing material is found.

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 Risk Assessment for Cable Pulling

Site-specific Activities Additional Site–specific Hazards Persons at risk Additional Controls Required

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Risk Assessment for Cable Pulling

Likelihood
How often could the hazard occur? Consider the task, frequency,
duration, method of work, employees involved.

Severity
How serious would the hazard’s effects be if
realised? Consider the type of hazard, biological, ergonomic, physical
and chemical.

Risk = Likelihood x Severity

E.g. Likelihood (4) X Severity (3) = 12 HIGH RISK

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