All excavation, trenching, drilling, pile driving, and ground-disturbing activities must be coordinated and approved through the Project Construction Manager to prevent damage to underground utilities and minimize impacts to hospital operations. Required permits, utility locates, drawings, and approvals must be obtained before work begins, and all activities must follow applicable safety standards and documented procedures. Contractors are responsible for identifying and protecting underground utilities, maintaining required clearances, using hand excavation methods near buried services, and immediately reporting any utility damage or disturbance. Excavations must be properly barricaded, protected, and supported to prevent cave-ins, falls, and unauthorized access. Safe access routes, guardrails, and trench protection systems must be provided as required. Before any excavation is backfilled, new utilities and underground installations must be surveyed, documented, and incorporated into as-built drawings.
Hot Tapping and Online Plugging of Equipment in Service Hot tapping and online plugging of equipment or piping in service may only be performed when maintaining system operation is essential and a shutdown is not practical. These activities require strict planning, coordination, and approval to ensure the work can be completed safely without impacting hospital operations. A comprehensive Hot Tap Package and Hot Work Permit must be prepared, reviewed, and approved by Facilities Engineering, the Project Construction Manager, and other designated stakeholders before work begins. The package must include engineering specifications, inspection information, calculations, testing documentation, and any special procedures necessary to safely perform the work. Supervisors and contractors are responsible for verifying the work location, ensuring equipment is properly prepared, confirming the capabilities of the hot tap equipment, and validating that operating pressures and temperatures are within safe limits. All hot tapping activities must comply with applicable Hot Work and Work Permit requirements and be continuously monitored to ensure safe working conditions are maintained throughout the operation.
Final Thoughts Safety is a shared responsibility and a fundamental expectation for all contractors and vendors working at Renown Health facilities. The requirements outlined in this handbook are designed to protect patients, employees, contractors, visitors, property, and the environment while ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory standards and maintaining uninterrupted healthcare operations. Contractors are expected to perform all work in a safe, professional, and responsible manner; proactively identify and control hazards; comply with all applicable safety, infection prevention, environmental, and security requirements; and immediately report any unsafe conditions, incidents, or concerns. When uncertainty exists, contractors are expected to stop work and seek guidance before proceeding. By adhering to the principles and requirements contained in this handbook, contractors help support Renown Health ' s commitment to providing a safe, healthy, and healing environment for all. We appreciate your partnership, cooperation, and dedication to maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational excellence. Remember: No job is so urgent that it cannot be performed safely. Safety and patient care must remain the priority in every task, every day.