Geofabric Installation Safe Work Method Statement

Safe manual handling limits for geofabric rolls depend on multiple factors including roll weight, carrying distance, terrain, and team coordination. General guidance from Safe Work Australia suggests maximum individual lifts of 16kg for repetitive work or 23kg for occasional lifts, with reductions required for awkward postures, extended reaches, or carrying distances exceeding 2 metres. For geofabric rolls handled by teams, calculate load per person - a 100kg roll carried by 4-person team means 25kg per person which exceeds safe limits particularly when carrying over uneven ground or slopes. As specific rule: rolls exceeding 50kg should use mechanical handling (excavator, forklift, or specialized laying equipment) rather than manual team lifts. Rolls 30-50kg can use 3-4 person team lift provided carrying distance short (under 5 metres), ground is level and firm, and team coordinates lift properly. Rolls under 30kg can use 2-person carry. However, these are guidelines only - actual safe limits depend on individual worker capabilities, fitness levels, and site conditions. Older workers, those with previous back injuries, or those of smaller stature may have lower safe limits. Additional factors requiring mechanical handling: wet fabric increases weight 20-30%, long carrying distances over rough terrain, repetitive handling throughout day creating cumulative strain, working on slopes requiring awkward postures. For projects involving significant geofabric installation (hundreds or thousands of square metres), investing in mechanical handling equipment including fabric laying attachments for excavators is cost-effective preventing injury and improving productivity. These specialized machines mount fabric roll on boom, allowing operator to position and unroll fabric from cab while traveling maintaining perfect alignment. Brief crews on manual handling risks during induction emphasizing that requesting mechanical assistance is positive safety culture not sign of weakness.

Fall protection requirements for slope installation depend on slope gradient and fall distance following WHS regulation hierarchy. For slopes 1:2.5 or flatter (approximately 22 degrees), fall protection generally not required provided surface provides adequate footing and workers can maintain balance. Workers should still use caution, wear appropriate footwear with good grip, and avoid carrying loads that impair balance. For slopes between 1:2.5 and 1:2 (22-26 degrees), conduct risk assessment considering slope height, surface conditions, and worker capabilities. If fall distance exceeds 2 metres or surface is slippery, implement fall protection or access controls. Options include: passive protection such as installing temporary fencing at slope edges preventing falls, work positioning systems including safety harnesses connected to secure anchor points allowing workers to lean against slope while working, or access platforms including scaffolding or MEWPs allowing work from secure platform rather than directly on slope. For slopes steeper than 1:2 (26 degrees), fall protection is mandatory under most circumstances. Implement active fall arrest system including: temporary anchor points at slope top using driven stakes or ground anchors rated for fall arrest loads (minimum 15 kN), full-body harnesses with dorsal D-ring attachment points worn by all workers on slopes, shock-absorbing lanyards connecting harnesses to anchor points limiting fall distance and forces, rescue equipment and trained rescue personnel able to retrieve fallen workers. For slopes steeper than 1:1.5 (35 degrees), consider rope access methods using specialized rope techniques, requiring workers to hold rope access qualification including working at heights training, rope rescue capability, and continuous supervision. All fall protection equipment must be inspected before each use checking for damage, current tagged inspection status, and proper function. Workers using fall protection require specific training in harness donning, connection procedures, fall limitations, and emergency response. Alternative approaches avoiding slope work entirely: deploy fabric from slope top allowing gravity to assist, use remote-controlled equipment, or modify design using different installation sequence. Safe Work Australia guidance emphasizes hierarchy of control - eliminate fall risk by designing-out slope work where possible before relying on fall protection as last resort.

Preventing skin cancer from occupational UV exposure requires comprehensive sun protection program implementing multiple control layers following hierarchy of control. Elimination/substitution controls: schedule high-UV work for early morning (before 10am) or late afternoon (after 3pm) avoiding peak UV period between 10am-3pm when 60% of daily UV exposure occurs. Rotate workers between outdoor installation and indoor/shaded tasks limiting cumulative UV exposure. Engineering controls: provide portable shade structures for breaks allowing recovery from UV exposure between work periods, select work methods minimizing exposure duration such as mechanized fabric laying reducing installation time. Administrative controls: implement mandatory sun protection policy requiring UV-protective clothing and sunscreen use during high-UV months (September-April in most of Australia or whenever UV index exceeds 3). Check daily UV index adjusting work schedules if extreme levels forecast (UV index 11+). Provide sun protection training during induction explaining skin cancer risks, cumulative damage from repeated exposure, and proper protection techniques. Schedule regular skin checks encouraging workers to see doctor annually for professional examination detecting early skin cancers when most treatable. PPE controls: provide long-sleeved shirts made from UPF 50+ fabric providing excellent UV protection (blocks 98% of UV), require long pants or trousers protecting legs, supply wide-brimmed hats (minimum 7.5cm brim) protecting face, neck, and ears, provide UV-protective sunglasses rated to AS/NZS 1067 protecting eyes from UV damage causing pterygium or cataracts, supply SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen protecting against both UVA and UVB radiation. Sunscreen application: apply sunscreen 20 minutes before sun exposure allowing absorption, use generous amounts (approximately 35ml for full body application), reapply every 2 hours or immediately after sweating heavily or swimming, apply to all exposed skin including often-missed areas like ears, neck, backs of hands, and lips. Cultural factors: lead by example with supervisors and managers consistently using sun protection demonstrating expected standards, recognize and reward good sun protection practices rather than stigmatizing workers who protect themselves, avoid 'tough' culture where sun protection seen as weakness. Long-term commitment: skin cancer develops from cumulative UV exposure over career - consistent protection required throughout working life not just when remembered. UV damage is irreversible but can be prevented through diligent protection practices.

Cutting heavy-duty woven geotextile requires proper tools, techniques, and workplace setup preventing laceration injuries. Tool selection: use heavy-duty utility knives with retractable blades and ergonomic handles providing secure grip, ensure knives have blade guards preventing hand contact with blade edge, provide multiple knives allowing blade changes when dull rather than forcing cuts with blunt blades, or use fabric shears or scissors with protective guards for workers preferring shears. Blade maintenance: replace blades frequently (daily or after every 20-30 metres of cutting) as fabric cuts dull blades rapidly, sharp blades cut easily with controlled force while dull blades require excessive force increasing slip risk, maintain supply of replacement blades on site preventing work delays encouraging use of blunt blades. Cutting technique: secure fabric before cutting using weights, clamps, or have helper hold preventing movement during cut, mark cut line clearly using chalk or marker ensuring visibility of intended path, position body safely with cut line away from legs, torso, and free hand, hold knife firmly with fingers away from blade path, cut with controlled smooth strokes maintaining constant force, avoid sudden jabbing or sawing motions that reduce control, make multiple light passes for thick fabric rather than attempting single heavy cut forcing blade through, always cut away from body directing force toward stable surface not toward yourself. Workplace setup: establish designated cutting station on firm flat surface rather than cutting in awkward positions on slopes, provide cutting mat or board protecting ground surface and knife blade, ensure adequate lighting particularly for early morning or late afternoon work when natural light poor, maintain clean organized cutting area free from trip hazards. Special situations: for service penetrations requiring precise cuts, use template or measure carefully before cutting preventing errors requiring re-cutting, for cutting around irregular boundaries, create trial template from cardboard first verifying fit before cutting expensive fabric, when cutting multiple layers for overlaps, separate and cut individually as cutting stacked layers requires excessive force. After cutting: immediately retract or sheath blade preventing accidental contact during storage or transport, store cutting tools in designated locations not loose in toolboxes or pockets, provide cut-resistant gloves for non-knife hand protecting from accidental slips while holding fabric. First aid: ensure first aid kit readily accessible including supplies for treating cuts (sterile dressings, adhesive closures, antiseptic), train workers in basic first aid for lacerations, seek medical attention for deep cuts potentially requiring stitches or if concerns about infection particularly from soil-contaminated blades.

Installing geofabric safely during wind requires weather monitoring, deployment procedure modifications, and willingness to suspend work when conditions exceed safe limits. Pre-work planning: check weather forecast noting predicted wind speeds and timing, plan installation for periods with lowest predicted winds typically early morning before thermal winds develop, assess work area for wind exposure considering whether sheltered or fully exposed affecting local wind speeds. Wind monitoring: use handheld anemometer or weather app providing real-time wind speed measurements, measure wind at site not relying solely on forecast as local conditions vary significantly, monitor both sustained wind speed and gust speeds as gusts create sudden control challenges. Operational limits: establish clear wind speed limits for work suspension - typical limits are sustained winds 30 km/h or gusts 40 km/h but adjust based on fabric size and crew experience, implement graduated response not arbitrary go/no-go decision allowing work to continue with modifications up to limits, communicate limits clearly to crew during briefing ensuring everyone understands when to stop. Deployment modifications: reduce section size deploying smaller lengths (10-15 metres) before securing rather than unrolling 30+ metres, assign additional personnel for fabric control in moderate wind - minimum 4 workers for fabric widths over 3 metres in any wind, minimum 6 workers if winds 20-30 km/h, secure fabric edges immediately during deployment not after entire section deployed, work from downwind edge toward upwind so wind presses fabric to ground rather than lifting, anchor at closer intervals (every 2 metres rather than 3-4 metres) providing more resistance to wind uplift. Weighting and anchoring: have sandbags or weights pre-positioned along deployment path for immediate use, use heavy-gauge fabric pins or stakes for anchoring not lightweight pins easily pulled out, weight fabric edges using soil spoil immediately after deployment as temporary measure until permanent anchoring completed, if temporary weighting insufficient and fabric begins lifting, add additional weights immediately rather than waiting for problem to worsen. Team communication: establish clear hand signals for crew communication as verbal communication difficult in wind, assign team leader coordinating deployment decisions and calling stops if needed, maintain visual contact between all crew members particularly when spread across large areas. Emergency procedures: if fabric suddenly becomes airborne during deployment, release immediately and move clear rather than attempting to hold against wind force preventing being pulled or wrapped, establish exclusion zones downwind preventing personnel being struck by wind-blown fabric, if fabric wraps around worker creating entanglement or suffocation risk, remain calm and carefully unwrap starting from head if covered. Post-wind event inspection: after completing installation in windy conditions, conduct additional inspection checking all anchors holding securely and fabric hasn't displaced, add supplementary anchoring if any areas show signs of movement. Ultimately, no project schedule justifies risking worker safety attempting installation in unsafe wind conditions - suspending work and waiting for conditions to improve is prudent decision.