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Nuclear Safe Work Practice 6.7
Safety Signs/Tapes/Ropes/Chains and Tags
1.0 PURPOSE/SCOPE
To provide consistent standards for using safety signs, tapes, ropes and chains (barriers) to communicate existing or potential hazards and / or provide specific safe work practice direction.
2.0 RESPONSIBILITIES
• Each station group or section is responsible for ensuring their areas of responsibility (operational control, system expert, component expert and material condition areas) are labeled in accordance with this work practice.
• Any person finding a hazard labeling deficiency and / or discrepancy is responsible for initiating corrective action to resolve the labeling concern in accordance with the requirements of NSD 503, Station Labeling Standards.
• Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) shall be responsible for maintaining this NSWP and providing technical guidance.
3.0 Sections
1. Safety Color Recognition 2. Safety Signs
3. Tapes/Ropes/Chains (barriers) 4. Safety Tags
SECTION 1. SAFETY COLOR RECOGNITION
• Employees and vendors who work at the nuclear stations are expected to use this work practice as guidance in labeling hazards and recognizing important safety color codes.
This color… Communicates…
Red An immediate hazard and requires special precautions (generally used to indicate serious hazards)
Orange
A potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death, serious injury or major equipment damage
Yellow A potential hazard and requires special precautions
VERIFY HARD COPY AGAINST WEB SITE IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO USE Green General safety instructions
Blue
Information other than for identification. May include unusual operational characteristics, special conditions, location, etc.
Note: RP may use yellow and magenta signs or have other colors, as appropriate, to
designate radiological hazards. RP signs are not incorporated and are outside the scope of this NSWP.
Section 2. Safety Signs
1. When a known potential hazard exists, workers should make signs readily visible at all times; promptly remove (or cover) when the hazard no longer exists.
Sign Appearance Use
Upper panel is predominantly red;
lower panel, for additional sign wording, is white; border is black.
To designate an immediate hazard with a high probability of producing irreversible injury or death and the necessary special precautions
Predominant color is orange; upper panel is orange with “Warning”
written in black; lower panel, for additional sign wording, is white;
additional wording is in black.
To warn of a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death, serious injury
Predominant color is yellow; upper panel is black with “Caution” written in yellow; lower panel, for additional sign wording, is yellow; additional wording is in black.
To warn of potential hazards or to caution about possible unsafe practices capable of minor or moderate but not irreversible injury
Predominant color is white; upper panel is green with white letters.
To communicate general instructions and suggestions relative to safety
Upper panel is blue with “Notice”
written in white; lower panel, for additional sign wording, is white;
additional wording is in black.
Information other than for identification. May include unusual operational characteristics, special conditions, location, etc.
VERIFY HARD COPY AGAINST WEB SITE IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO USE 2. Use signs (material) that can withstand their environment (i.e., heat, cold, sunlight, etc.).
3. Personnel safety concerns that require a permanent sign should be addressed through the PIP process.
4. When station personnel determine a need for ordering signs, complete the appropriate form in NSD 503 Station Labeling Standards and submit to the Site Labeling Coordinator. Refer to NSD 503, Station Labeling Standards.
5. When hanging signs, use attachment devices capable of withstanding their environment (i.e., heat, cold, sunlight, etc.) Refer to NSD 503 Station Labeling Standards for guidance on installing signs.
6. The following is a list of specific posting requirements, but is not all-inclusive.
• When site roads must be closed or lanes redirected (where employees are exposed to traffic flow), refer to NSWP 4.1, Work Zone Safety.
• A “Biohazard” sign shall be posted where the actual or potential presence of a biohazard exists in a room, equipment, materials, containers, or a combination that may contain, or are contaminated with viable hazardous agents. (e.g., at heat exchanger tube shooting operations, door into cooling towers.)
• In hydrogen storage areas, signs shall be posted that state “Danger - Hydrogen – Flammable Gas – No Smoking – No Open Flames” or equivalent.
• In oxygen storage areas, signs shall be posted that state “Danger - Oxygen – No Smoking – No Open Flames” or equivalent.
• “Danger - No Smoking - No Open Flames” signs shall be posted in all spray painting areas, paint storage rooms, in areas used for fueling, receiving or dispensing flammable or combustible liquids, and in the vicinity of dip tanks containing flammable or
combustible liquids.
• Flammable storage cabinets containing flammable liquids, such as gasoline, must be posted with "Flammable – Keep Fire Away" signs or labels.
• “Caution – Wear Hearing Protection” signs shall be posted in areas where noise levels make conversation difficult. Contact Safety to evaluate areas where hearing protection requirements cannot be easily determined.
• “Warning Out of Order” signs shall be posted on overhead or gantry cranes and on the floor beneath or on the hook so that it is visible from the floor before making
adjustments or repairs.
• Exits must be clearly visible or exits conspicuously marked to show the direction and complete path of escape from any point.
• Temporary electrical panel boxes shall be marked “Danger – Keep Out” or equivalent and be marked with voltage levels that are present.
• Pull and junction boxes for systems over 600 volts shall be clearly marked “Danger – High Voltage” on the cover.
• Areas protected by fixed extinguishing systems, which use agents known to be hazardous to employee safety and health, shall be posted at the entrance and inside,
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with a hazard warning (i.e., “Warning - This area protected by Cardox Fire Suppression, If Alarm Sounds, Exit Area Immediately”).
• “Danger – Asbestos – Cancer and Lung Disease Hazard – Authorized Personnel Only”
signs shall be posted wherever asbestos work is taking place, or to mark a pipe insulation spill area.
• “Danger – Lead Work Area – Poison – No Smoking or Eating” signs shall be posted where welding, cutting, or grinding on lead containing coatings is taking place.
• “Caution – Wet Floor” signs shall be set up where a slip hazard exists due to water on the floor. These self-standing signs are available in spill cabinets in the plant and in janitor supply closets.
• “Danger – Hot Pipe” signs should be posted on piping systems with operating
temperatures above 130° F and within 7’ of the floor or within a personnel access area that cannot be insulated. Reference NSD 503, Station Labeling Standards.
• Laboratories shall be posted with "Caution – Safety Glasses Required in this Area."
• Battery rooms shall be posted with signs that state there is an electrical hazard present, list the voltage of the hazard, and explain entry requirements. Include wording to
indicate that the room / area contains a dangerous electrical hazard due to the presence of battery terminals and is to be accessed by authorized personnel only.
Section 3 Tapes, Ropes and Chains (barriers)
1. Plastic barrier tape cannot be used in any outdoor applications. Plastic chain or rope should be used instead.
2. Use a red barrier to warn of immediate hazards. Locate barrier at such distance to restrict access from the hazard so that persons cannot accidentally come into contact with the hazard.
3. Use a yellow barrier to designate potential hazard areas. Locate the barrier so as to set up a sufficient boundary to the area, but minimize the impact on plant operations.
4. The use of hazard tape is intended for short-term applications or situations.
5. For each area using a barrier, attach a tag or sign stating the reason for the barrier, date, responsible work group, and how to contact them when used to mark an area that is to be unattended.
6. Neatly install the barrier and keep it intact as long as the hazard exists. Attach barrier so that it will stay in place (i.e., not to hot pipe, not dragging the ground, etc.) Promptly remove the barrier when the condition is corrected.
7. No part of a person's body may cross any barrier without permission for the barrier's owner.
This permission may be expressly displayed on signage.
a. Barriers should only be accessed at designated entry and exit points.
8. Do not lean on standard rails or guardrails.
9. If a barrier is used to warn of a floor opening or hole, ensure someone is continuously stationed at the opening to prevent accidental entry until standard rails can be installed.
VERIFY HARD COPY AGAINST WEB SITE IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO USE 10. Use a fall prevention system to safeguard against fall hazards greater than 4 feet when
personnel are not continuously stationed at the opening by using:
• Guardrails • Temporary guardrails/physical barriers
• Travel restriction systems • Hole covers
• Restraint line systems • Safety net systems
11. Where a potential for employee / public injury exists on site roads or parking lots, refer to NSWP 4.1, Work zone Safety and do the following as a minimum.
a. Mark the exposure area with yellow hazard barrier.
b. Use a reflective sign, barrier, or flashing strobe light to help visibility.
c. Orange safety cones should also be used to identify hazard areas. Orange safety cones are available from Tool Issue or the warehouse.
d. Rope or unyielding hazard tape (i.e., heavy-duty nylon or fiberglass) that may cause personnel injury if contact is made shall not be used.
12. The following hazard designation tape is available in the warehouse or tool rooms.
Part 1- Tapes and descriptions CAUTION CAUTION
(3" black lettering on a yellow background)
Entry is permitted into areas marked by this tape if workers know the potential hazard, but extreme caution must be exercised.
DANGER ASBESTOS DUST HAZARD (3" black lettering on yellow background)or (3” black and red lettering on white
background)
Entry is not permitted into areas marked by this tape except for employees directly involved in the work in progress or emergency personnel.
*All persons engaged in activities within the tape boundary shall utilize appropriate personal protective equipment.
DANGER - DO NOT ENTER
(3" black lettering on a red background)
Entry is not permitted into areas marked by this tape except for employees directly involved in the work in progress or emergency personnel.
Permission to enter shall be obtained from the group responsible for hanging the boundary.
Boundary must be removed by owning group prior to entry.
*At no time will any employee not involved in the work activity be allowed to enter the “Danger Zone.”
*All persons engaged in activities within the tape boundary shall utilize appropriate personal
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DANGER HIGH VOLTAGE
(3" black lettering on a red background)
Note: Solid red tape (no lettering) is used by traveling teams who work on transformers indicating a high voltage / electrical hazard.
Entry is not permitted into areas marked by this tape except for employees directly involved in the work in progress or emergency personnel.
Permission to enter shall be obtained from the group responsible for hanging the tape.
* All persons engaged in activities within the tape boundary shall utilize appropriate personal protective equipment.
1.1 HOUSEKEEPING ZONE (3" black lettering on green background)
Used to designate specific work activities in progress. No eating, drinking or use of tobacco products is permitted in areas marked by this tape.
Part 2- Ropes and Chains descriptions
RED Entry is not permitted into areas marked by this
tape except for employees directly involved in the work in progress or emergency personnel.
Permission to enter shall be obtained from the group responsible for hanging the boundary.
Boundary must be removed by owning group prior to entry.
*At no time will any employee not involved in the work activity be allowed to enter the “Danger Zone.”
*All persons engaged in activities within the tape boundary shall utilize appropriate personal protective equipment.
BLACK AND YELLOW Entry is permitted into areas marked by this tape but extreme caution must be exercised with regard to indicated hazard.
YELLOW Entry is permitted into areas marked by this tape but extreme caution must be exercised with regard to indicated hazard.
GREEN Areas marked by this tape is designated as a housekeeping area.
PINK This tape is used to control foreign material(s) from entering pipes, tanks, etc. (FME)
Section 4. Tags
1. Tags associated with safety at Nuclear Sites fall into these categories:
Type of Tag Color Use
Red Tags Red For locking out equipment or protecting workers during maintenance activities. Reference NSD 500, Red Tags /
VERIFY HARD COPY AGAINST WEB SITE IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO USE Configuration Control Tags and/or Operations Management Procedure (OMP) 2-18 for additional information.
White Tags White Used for configuration control. White Tags shall not be used for personnel protection. Reference NSD 500, Red Tags / Configuration Control Tags and or Operations Management Procedure (OMP) 2-18 for additional information.
Non-serviceable Tag Yellow For personnel safety, available from tool issue counters, attach to any defective operating tools or equipment that could cause injury. Reference NSD 410, Equipment / Tool Tracking and Control for additional information.
Housekeeping Tags Green Used to identify supplies or equipment, or on tape that demarcates an area that is to be unattended. Reference NSD 104, Housekeeping, Materiel Condition, and Foreign Material Exclusion.
Plant Deficiency Tags Orange Used to identify plant equipment for which a work order has been generated for repairs. Reference Work Process Manual (WPM) 401 for additional information.
Scaffold Tags Green/
Yellow/
White
Used to identify specific requirements for each scaffold.
The scaffold builder attaches the tags. Reference the Duke Energy Scaffold Manual for additional information.
2. When attaching tags, use attachment devices capable of withstanding their environment (i.e., heat, cold, sunlight, etc.).
3. Do not operate or use any equipment that has a red tag attached. Red tags are owned by the operational group of the system they are hung on. Never hang, remove, or clear a red tag unless the tag has been approved by a supervisor assigned to the station group that owns the equipment being tagged.
4. Do not use housekeeping tags as a substitute for permanent signs.
