– Chapter 15

ADNEC EHSMS MANUAL
Chapter 15 – Standard Operating
Procedures and Forms
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ADNEC-EHSMS-RCoP-15-06
24 March 2014 | Version 1.0
Chapter 15 – Regulatory Codes of Practice
RCoP 06 – Portable Power Tools
Description
Name/Title
Prepared by
Adrian Finn
Signature
Date
24 March 2014
Farhan Ali
Reviewed by
1 April 2014
ADNEC EHSMS Technical
Committee Chairman
ADNEC EHSMS Executive
Committee Chairman
Approved by
9 April 2014
Amendment Record
Rev.
o
N
Rev.
Date
Page/
o
Section N
Amendment description
Approved by
Effective Date
Contents
1. Scope
2
2. Definitions
2
3. Professional Indemnity
4
4. Responsibilities
5
5. Training and Competency
6
6. General Requirements
6
7. Electrically Operated Portable Power Tools
7
8. Cartridge Operated / Powder Actuated Portable Power Tools
11
9. Compressed Air operated Portable Power Tools
11
10. Hydraulic Portable Power Tools
14
11. Inspection and Maintenance of Portable Power Tools
14
This document is the property of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company. This may not be reproduced in any way nor
distributed to third parties without the express written permission of ADNEC. Printed documents are uncontrolled and may
have become outdated.
ADNEC EHSMS MANUAL
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Chapter 15 – Standard Operating
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ADNEC-EHSMS-RCoP-15-06
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RCoP 06
Regulatory Code of Practice
RCoP 06 – Portable Power Tools
Scope
In addition to and notwithstanding the requirements prescribed in AD EHSMS Regulatory Framework, this
code shall be applied.
Consistent with ADNEC’s vision of a workplace free from injuries and incidents, this document defines
minimum acceptable standards to assure safety, and applies to all Abu Dhabi based ADNEC locations.
This document relates to establishing requirements and standards to be applied to ensure that the risks
associated with the use of portable power tools are adequately assessed, that appropriate control
measures are implemented and undertaken to prevent danger, injury or disease to persons who may be
exposed to risks arising from activities requiring the use of portable power tools.
This Code of Practice (RCoP) applies to all employers and employees involved in work related to the design,
specification, development, production, planning or control of elements for the purposes of exhibitions and
events at Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre.
Every effort has been made to ensure that this document does not conflict with existing federal or local laws
and regulations. In case of any such conflict, the requirements of federal and local laws and regulations shall
prevail and be brought to the attention of ADNEC for resolution.
ADNEC and Abu Dhabi EHSMS requirements are to be incorporated into all procedures.
Definitions
(a) ‘Competency’ as used in this RCoP means the ability of a person, with adequate and sufficient
training, skill and experience, to undertake works in an area of specific responsibility in a manner that
prevents Danger.
(b) ‘Danger’ as used in this RCoP means risk of personal injury, or damage to plant, equipment,
materials or the environment.
(c) ‘Events’ when used in this RCoP include, but are not limited to, a public gathering for the purposes of
entertainment, a private function for the purposes of a wedding, recognition and/or award ceremony, a
fashion show and any similar types of business, undertaking or organised activity.
(d) ‘Injury’ as used in this RCoP means death or personal injury resulting from any occurrence that may
be influenced by the design, construction, fit-out or use of a Temporary Structure related to exhibition
or event purposes.
(e) ‘Safe System of Work’ as used in this RCoP means a set of documented management and
operational processes and procedures based on identified hazards, designed, as far as reasonably
practicable, to prevent Danger.
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RCoP 06 – Portable Power Tools
(f) ‘Organiser’ as used in this RCoP means Exhibition or Event Licensees, Organisers, Co-ordinators or
other parties having control or direction of exhibitions or events at the Venue.
(g) ‘Client’ as used in this RCoP means the end user, stand holder, exhibitor or other such party
requiring or requesting the construction of a Temporary Structure for the purpose of use or display
related to exhibitions and events at the Venue.
(h) ‘Portable Power Tools’ as used in this RCoP is a general term referring to several types of power
tools utilising a variety of power sources that are designed to be re-locatable and easily transported
and shall include, but not be limited to, electrically powered tools (e.g Circular Saws, Drilling
Machines, Portable Compressors), pneumatically powered tools (e.g. Compressed air guns),
powder actuated tools (e.g. nail Guns), and hydraulically powered tools (e.g. Jacks)
(i) ‘Employer’ when used in this RCoP shall include Self Employed Persons
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RCoP 06 – Portable Power Tools
Professional Indemnity

ADNEC requires all partners, suppliers, organisers, stand holders, exhibitors, contractors, designers
or other parties concerned with the installation of elements associated with exhibitions or events at the
Venue to take ownership of and be fully accountable for all their activities in relation to their
undertakings at ADNEC.
This includes having an appropriate control framework in place for their relationship with ADNEC
incorporating such elements as their own EHSMS, risk management processes and insurance
coverage.

ADNEC will undertake robust investigations of any incident related to activities undertaken at the
Venue and will seek to establish root cause culpability.

ADNEC requires all partners, suppliers, organisers, stand holders, exhibitors, contractors, designers
or other parties concerned with the installation of elements associated with exhibitions or events at the
Venue, to have in place appropriate types and levels of insurance including, but not necessarily
restricted to;
o
Workmen’s Compensation,
o
Public Liability,
o
Contractors All Risk
o
Professional Indemnity
for their relationship with and their undertakings at ADNEC.

Any specifically identifiable requirements will be discussed, agreed and documented with each
stakeholder prior to each sales and supply contract.

In relation to portable power tools, any company using, demonstrating, exhibiting or having cause to
require the use of portable power tools, will be expected to hold an appropriate level of professional
indemnity insurance related to the services they provide.
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RCoP 06 – Portable Power Tools
Responsibilities

All Organisers shall ensure that all Contractors, Exhibitors and Participants are fully conversant with the
requirements of this RCoP and their responsibilities thereunder.

All designs for Temporary Structures for use related to exhibitions and events at the Venue are required
to satisfy the requirements of:
i.
“The UAE Fire & Life Safety Code of Practice.” (The Fire Code)
http://www.scribd.com/doc/69119381/Uae-Fire-and-Life-Safety-Code-of-Practice-without-Links-02
ii.
“The Abu Dhabi EHSMS Regulatory Framework”. (AD EHSMS)
http://www.oshad.ae/en/pages/home.aspx
with regard to considerations for the management of their design, layout, planning, maintenance of
stability, structural integrity and means and adequacy of emergency egress.

Supporting guidance is also drawn from the relevant section(s) of the “eGuide” issued by the
Association of Event Venues (AEV eGuide)
http://www.aev.org.uk/files/clean_with_amendment_2.pdf

All Organisers, Exhibitors, Participants and Employers, shall comply with their responsibilities for the
management of risk under AD EHSMS by ensuring that all items brought into the Venue by or for them,
or their Clients, are fit for purpose and avoids Danger or risk of Injury.
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RCoP 06 – Portable Power Tools
Training and Competency

All employers shall ensure that adequate and appropriate training is undertaken that complies with the
requirements of AD EHSMS and that such training and competency assessment for persons using
power Tools includes:
i.
Systems of work needed for the safe use of portable power tools
ii.
Type and selection of correct portable power tools
iii.
Care, maintenance and inspection of portable power tools

All employers shall conduct additional re-training whenever periodic inspection reveals, or there is
reason to believe, that there are deviations or inadequacies in the users knowledge of the correct use of
portable power tools or whenever safe operating procedures are not complied with.

All employers shall maintain a record of such training in line with the requirements of AD EHSMS
Regulatory Framework
General Requirements



Employers shall undertake their specific roles and responsibilities in line with the requirements of AD
EHSMS Regulatory Framework by ensuring that:
i.
Portable power tools are appropriate for the task for which they are to be used and maintained
in good working condition
ii.
All work involving the use of portable power tools is appropriately planned, organised and
supervised
iii.
Those involved in the use of portable power tools are appropriately trained and competent
iv.
All portable power tools are inspected and maintained to the manufacturers specifications on a
regular basis by a competent person
Employees and users of portable power tools, shall undertake their specific responsibilities in line with
the requirements of AD EHSMS Regulatory Framework by ensuring that:
i.
Portable power tools are inspected before use and any defect or activity relating to the power
tool which could reasonably be foreseen to present danger to themselves or another person is
reported
ii.
Safety devices provided with portable power tools are used in accordance with training,
instruction and manufacturer specifications
Employers are required to assess hazards and risks associated with the use and location of portable
power tools in line with their responsibilities for risk management under AD EHSMS Regulatory
Framework and ensure that safe systems of work and effective procedures and control measures are in
place to manage the use of portable power tools that avoids Danger or risk of Injury
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RCoP 06 – Portable Power Tools

When assessing risks associated with portable power tools, due consideration shall be given to all
reasonably foreseeable influences including, but not necessarily limited to:
i.
Risk of shock, burns and electrocution
ii.
Correct selection and use of appropriate personal protective equipment
iii.
Incorrect plugs or electrical connections resulting in earth protection continuity failure
iv.
Correct use of Residual Current Devices (RCDs)
v.
Risk of injury due to accidental release of hydraulic or pneumatic energy
vi.
Damage to portable power tool external casing
vii.
Vibration and/or noise hazards
viii.
Risk of burn or other injury from hot or high pressure oil discharge from hydraulic tools
Electrically Operated Portable Power Tools

Employers shall ensure that due consideration is given to the following hierarchy when planning thto
use electrically operated portable power tools;
i.
Use of battery or cordless low voltage tools in preference to;
ii.
Use of 110 volt tools using a step-down transformer in preference to;
iii.
Use of 240 volt tools protected with a 30mA RCD unit

Electrically operated hand-held portable power tools shall be fitted with a constant pressure switch
that requires constant pressure to energise the device

All electrically operated portable power tools shall comply with the requirements of AD EHSMS related
to electrical safety and also the requirements of ADNEC-EHSMS-RCoP-15-0, Temporary Electrical
Installations and Mains Supplies

Electrically operated portable power tools shall be of Class , double insulatedconstruction and shall
display the Class equipment symbol

Where battery or 110 volt portable power tools are not available or cannot reasonably be provided,
240 volt electrically operated portable power tools may be used only when protected by a 30mA RCD
unit
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
Industrial connectors, plugs and sockets shall be used for both 110v and 240v electrically operated
portable power tools.
Domestic 3 pin plugs and sockets are not to be used.
110 volt
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
Employers shall ensure that visual checks are carried out daily by users of electrically operated
portable power tools and that formal inspections are carried out weekly by a competent person.

Employers shall ensure that all electrically operated portable power tools undergo Portable Appliance
Testing (PAT) at a frequency determined by factors outlined in and compliant with the requirements of
AD EHSMS

Suspect or faulty equipment shall be withdrawn from use and labeled ‘DO NOT USE’ in compliance
with the requirements of AD EHSMS
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RCoP 06 – Portable Power Tools
Cartridge Operated / Powder Actuated Portable Power Tools

Cartridge operated or Powder actuated portable power tools are restricted from use on site for the
construction of temporary structures associated with exhibitions and events at Abu Dhabi National
Exhibitions Centre.
Compressed Air operated Portable Power Tools

Employers shall ensure that all compressed air tools and hoses are in good condition and
appropriately maintained.

Air compressors shall be operated and maintained in accordance with the original manufacturers
instructions.

Petrol operated air compressors are restricted from use within the Venue

Compressed air shall not be used for cleaning purposes except where the air pressure is reduced
below 30 p.s.i.

A shut off valve shall be fitted between the air hose and tool

The manufacturers safe operating pressure for hoses and tools shall not be exceeded.

Employers shall ensure that a maintenance program is implemented for compressors that complies
with the requirements of AD EHSMS and shall also ensure that regular inspection of compressors and
air powered tools is undertaken to include:

o
Daily checks for oil leaks and fitting of guards
o
Daily checks of for damage to tools, hoses, fittings and connections
o
Verification of correct operation of pressure relief valves
o
Periodic inspection of pressure vessels as prescribed in the manufacturers specifications
Air compressors shall be supervised by a competent person who will ensure that guards, hoses and
couplers are correctly fitted.
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RCoP 06 – Portable Power Tools
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RCoP 06 – Portable Power Tools
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ADNEC EHSMS MANUAL
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RCoP 06 – Portable Power Tools
Hydraulic Portable Power Tools

Employers shall ensure that all hydraulic power tools are in good condition, maintained in accordance
with the manufacturers specifications.

The manufacturers safe operating pressure for hoses, fittings, valves and other hydraulic system
components shall not be exceeded.

The fluid used in hydraulic power tools shall be an approved proprietary fire-resistant fluid which
retains its operating properties at the most extreme temperatures to which it will be exposed.

Only competent and suitably trained persons shall operate hydraulic power tool.

Before making or breaking any hydraulic connection, the hydraulic systems shall be de-pressurised

Hydraulic power tools shall be maintained by a competent person in accordance with the
manufacturers recommendations

Hydraulic jacks shall be tested in accordance with AD EHS RI CoP 34.0 Safe Use of Lifting Equipment
and Lifting Accessories
Inspection and Maintenance of Portable Power Tools



In addition to any specific inspection requirements detailed in the RCoP, employers shall ensure:
o
Visual checks are carried out by users before each use
o
Formal inspections are carried out by competent persons at regular intervals
In addition to any specific maintenance requirements detailed in this RCoP, employers shall ensure:
o
A schedule of all portable power tools is maintained as required under AD EHSMS
o
All portable power tools are included in a maintenance program which takes into account
1.
Type of tool and power source
2.
Manufacturers instructions and recommendations
3.
Age of the power tool
4.
Frequency of use and work cycle of the ppower tool
5.
Working environment in which the power tool is used and potential for damage
6.
Foreseeable misuse of the power tool
7.
The effects of modifications or repairs to the power tool
8.
Analysis of previous maintenance records
For the purposes of compliance with AD EHSMS, suitable records shall be maintained of formal
maintenance and inspection programs