Bridges Safety

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IMPORTANT MESSAGES

STOP Work Authority

Everyone at Bridges is empowered to STOP work if they feel the task they are being asked to perform is unsafe. If you are unhappy with the way you are being asked to work or feel unduly pressured, STOP and speak with your Supervisor, Manager or a member of the SHEQ Team. You will be fully supported by the Directors & congratulated for your proactive approach.

Dynamic Risk Assessment

STOP

Before you prepare for action, or make plans or a decision, you must stop long enough to think about what you are about to do.

THINK

Once you stop, you have the time to think so that you can make the best choice. What should you think about? The ABC's of responsible behaviour: That is:

A. What are my ALTERNATIVES or choices?

B. What is the BEHAVIOR that I will choose?

C. What might be the CONSEQUENCES of the action I am about to take?

ACT

Once you decide on your best choice, you must act upon it. Remember, you are making choices. You are acting. You are responsible for what you do.

REVIEW

After taking action, review what happened as a result. Ask yourself:

- did my actions get me closer to, or further from my goal?

- how did my actions get me closer to, or further from my goal?

BRIDGES LIFE SAVING RULES

Introduction

The Bridges Life-Saving Rules set out the critical behaviours and controls that must be followed when undertaking higher-risk activities. They are designed to help our people, contractors and delivery partners recognise situations where serious harm could occur and take the right action before work starts, while work is underway, and whenever conditions change.

These rules focus on key risk areas including dynamic risk assessment through STAR, energy isolation, ignition sources, situational awareness, lifting operations, working at height, underground services, confined spaces and driving. Each rule reinforces the need for proper planning, competence, authorisation, communication, control of hazards and the confidence to stop work where something is unsafe or uncontrolled.

They are important because they translate significant risks into clear expectations that everyone can understand and apply. By following the Life-Saving Rules consistently, we protect our people, our partners, our customers and the public, while supporting safe, healthy, environmentally responsible and quality-focused delivery across Bridges.

For further guidance, the rules should be used alongside the relevant Bridges Essential Standards, Electrical and Mechanical Safety Rules and advice from the SHEQ team

Scroll down for further information

BRIDGES LIFE SAFETY RULES EXPLAINED

Images explained

In the section above you will have see the graphic illustration of the 9 Live Saving Rules, a picture says a thousand words or so they say, to help tie image to detail, in the sections below the Life Saving Rules are explained

STAR - Stop, Think, Act, Review

STAR is a simple but powerful approach to dynamic risk assessment. Before starting a task, everyone is expected to stop and take time to review what they are about to do, consider the hazards present, confirm the controls are suitable, and decide whether it is safe to proceed. This is particularly important where conditions change, the task is unfamiliar, or something does not feel right.

At Bridges, everyone is empowered to stop work if they believe the task is unsafe, if they are not competent to carry it out, or if the planned controls are not adequate. This also includes the confidence to approach and stop someone else who may be working unsafely. STAR supports safe decision-making, personal responsibility and positive intervention before harm occurs.

Energy Isolation

Energy isolation is critical whenever work could expose people to electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, gravity or other stored energy sources. Before work begins, all sources of energy must be identified, isolated, locked, proven and tagged by people who are competent and authorised to do so.

Effective isolation is not complete until zero energy has been verified. This means checking that residual or stored energy has been safely released or controlled before anyone starts work. The purpose of this rule is to prevent unexpected energisation, release of stored energy, movement of plant or equipment, and other events that could result in serious or fatal injury.

Sources of Ignition or Harm

Sources of ignition and hidden causes of harm must be identified and controlled before work starts. This is especially important during hot work, work in areas where flammable materials may be present, and activities such as breaking ground where hidden services or other uncontrolled hazards may exist.

Before hot work begins, flammable materials must be removed, isolated or otherwise controlled, the work area must be confirmed as suitable, and the required authorisation or permit must be in place. Where excavation or breaking ground is planned, safe digging procedures must be followed and hidden services must be identified. This rule reinforces the need to understand what could go wrong before energy, heat or intrusive work is introduced

Situational Awareness

Situational awareness means actively checking the area around you and keeping yourself and others out of the line of fire. Workers should be aware of what is happening immediately around them and also consider the wider work area, including vehicle movements, pressure releases, suspended or dropped objects, and hidden services.

The rule encourages people to pause, look around, understand changing conditions and position themselves safely. It is about recognising that hazards may come from nearby tasks, other teams, plant, equipment or environmental conditions. Maintaining awareness helps prevent people from placing themselves, or others, where they could be struck, trapped, caught, crushed or exposed to harm.

Mechanical Lifting

Mechanical lifting operations must be properly planned, reviewed and controlled. Before lifting begins, the equipment must be confirmed as inspected, suitable and fit for purpose, and the lift must be authorised by the appropriate competent person. Only trained and qualified people should operate lifting equipment.

A controlled lifting area must be established using barriers, exclusion zones and clear communication. No one should ever walk or work beneath a suspended load. This rule exists because lifting operations can fail quickly and have severe consequences if planning, equipment selection, competence or control of the area is not properly managed.

Working At Height

Working at height must be planned and controlled to prevent falls of people, tools, materials or equipment. Anyone working at height must use suitable access equipment and inspect fall protection equipment before use. Where fall arrest or restraint systems are required, workers must remain attached to approved anchor points whenever they are outside a protected area.

Tools and materials must also be secured to prevent dropped objects that could injure people below. The focus of this rule is to ensure that the right equipment, controls and behaviours are in place before anyone works at height, so that fall risks are properly managed and people remain protected throughout the task.

Underground Services

Underground services present significant risk if they are not properly identified and controlled before excavation or breaking ground. Relevant utility drawings and plans must be obtained and reviewed, and a suitable risk assessment and permit must be in place before work begins.

The work area should be inspected for signs of previous excavation, service routes or ground disturbance. CAT and Genny scanning must be used across the entire work area and continue as excavation progresses. This rule is important because underground services may not always be where expected, and contact with live services can result in serious injury, service strikes, environmental harm, disruption and damage.

Confined Space

Confined space work must only take place when it has been properly planned, authorised and controlled. Before entry, energy sources must be isolated, the atmosphere must be tested and monitored, and any required breathing apparatus or respiratory protection must be available, checked and used correctly.

There must be an attendant in place, a rescue plan confirmed, and authorisation obtained before anyone enters. This rule recognises that confined spaces can contain serious hazards such as oxygen deficiency, toxic or flammable atmospheres, engulfment, restricted access and difficult rescue conditions. Proper preparation and control are essential before entry is allowed.

Driving

Driving is one of the most common work-related risk activities and must be managed with the same level of care as site-based tasks. Drivers are expected to wear seatbelts, comply with speed limits, adjust speed to road and weather conditions, and avoid using phones or devices while driving.

Drivers must also be fit, rested and alert before starting a journey, and should check their vehicle, including tyres and lights, before setting off. This rule supports safer travel by reinforcing personal responsibility, journey readiness and basic vehicle checks. Safe driving protects the driver, passengers, other road users and the wider public

Bridges (Electrical Engineers) Ltd