GBT OPERATIONS PROCEDURES

Number: SAFE-01

Title: Visitor Safety Briefing

Last Revision: 27 Mar 01

Warning

Adherence to all safety policies, rules, and warning are mandatory

Safety Briefing Actions

STEP

ACTION

1

Determine area(s) to be visited, duration, and name of guide. Update this information on access logs.

2

Select applicable topics from the tables below.

3

Provide a briefing tailored to the visit.
    Mandatory Basic Topics

CHECK

TOPIC AREAS

 

Posted Off-Limit Areas

 

Requirement to follow directions of the duty operator and guide

 

Adherence to posted safety warnings

 

Use of safety protection devices:

  • Shoes (leather, no exposed toes)

  • Laser Eye protection (required if lasers in use)

  • Hearing protection (required vicinity compressors, generators, and HVAC systems in operation)

 

Location of safety equipment (first aid kits, emergency lights, phones)

 

Hazards associated with the following:

  • Mechanical devices (hoists, moving gears, drive trucks, etc.)

  • Electrical (high voltage areas, static discharge)

  • Laser operations

  • Falling objects (debris, snow, or ice coming off the telescope)

 

Actions required in the event of an emergency:

  • Proceeding to designated safe area

  • Preferred ground egress routes away from the telescope structure

  • Use of emergency communications devices (dialing 9-911)
    Additional Topics Applicable to Antenna Structure Access

CHECK

TOPIC AREAS

 

Specific Hazards:

  • Mechanical devices (manlifts, elevation gear)

  • Electrical (high voltage areas)

  • High noise areas (vicinity compressors, generator rooms, motors, etc.)

  • Hazardous materials (chemicals, lubricants, and gases) used on the GBT

  • Toxic vapors associated escaping gases

 

Use of fall protection:

  • Areas requiring fall protection

  • Authorized tie-off points

  • Two-person rule

 

Situations prompting an abort of the structure:

  • Operator or management discretion

  • Fire

  • Structural failure

  • Falling object (actual or potential)

  • Emergency situation on or vicinity the structure

  • Medical emergency

  • Severe weather
    Additional Topics Applicable to GBT Maintenance Building Work Areas

CHECK

TOPIC AREAS

 

Specific Hazards:

  • Mechanical devices (hoists, machinery, power tools, etc.)

  • Electrical (high voltage areas)

  • High noise areas (vicinity compressors, power tools, etc.)

  • Hazardous materials (chemicals, solvents, lubricants, gases, and flammables)

  • Toxic vapors associated with the materials above or their combinations (in use or escaping)

 

Prepared by: Dave Rose

Last Revised: 27 MAR 01