Golden Rules for Safety and Health

Golden Rules for Safety and Health at Work

Work Permit 

The person issuing the permit must check that the work and tasks are clearly      

Described :

 - Preparations must include a prior workplace visit.

  - A risk assessment must be performed, addressing the operating procedure and the

work environment.

-Where necessary, specific additional permits (hot works, lifting, lockout of powered

systems, confined spaces, excavation, work at height, etc.) must be issued by a

certified person before the work begins.

-The unit responsible for handover of the zone and the work equipment must check

that all the permit conditions have been met before work begins and continue to be

met throughout the duration of the work.

 The work process includes acceptance on completion of the work and handover of-

the equipment to the operators.

Lifting operations      

-A risk assessment and a lifting plan have been prepared for the operation.

 - The lifting equipment and method must be selected by a qualified person

-The weight of the load is known and falls within the safe working load for the

equipment to be used.

-The operators are fully trained and qualified. The cranes and other lifting equipment

must be operated by certified workers.

-The lifting equipment’s safety devices are in good working order.

-An identification system (color code or equivalent) is used to certify that the lifting

accessories have been inspected at regular intervals.

-The lifting devices and accessories such as slings and shackles have been visually   

inspected before use.

The lifting area has been marked out to prohibit access.-  

-The signaler is present.

Confined space entry     

All other options have been examined and discarded and there is sufficient reason -

to enter the confined space.

-An emergency response and rescue plan has been prepared and tested.

-All energy and fluid sources have been isolated and locked out and the isolation

has been formally defined in a document.

-Atmospheric checks have been performed, verified and repeated as often as   

necessary the results must be recorded.   

 - Unauthorized access has been prohibit

   -Specific rules are applied for special work in an inert atmosphere.

   -A safety attendant (standby worker) is nearby to monitor the workers

    -A qualified, suitably equipped response team is standing by. Caution: More than

50% of fatal accidents in confined spaces involve res-ponders who hold their breath.

Excavation   

-An appropriate work permit is prepared and approved, complete with all the

associated attachments.

-All underground hazards, such as pipes and cables, have been identified, located

marked on site and, where necessary, isolated. If isolation is not possible, additional

   precautions must be taken

-The methods for preventing ground movement, such as trench walls collapsing

have been defined.

-The excavation work plans factor in the confined space aspect and related

precautions are taken.

-Machinery is positioned at least one meter away from the excavation

Work at height 

Work at height (above two meters) is carried out from a fixed or mobile platform

or from a scaffold with a safety rail designed for the task to be performed

Collective protective equipment is to be preferred. When there is none, use

equipment that limits falls to no more than two meters, comprising a safety

harness, an appropriate anchorage point and a shock absorption system.

 Work on building or tank roof requires prior inspection, a specific risk assessment-

and installation of catwalks, safety rails or lifelines.

Work on scaffolding requires inspection before use and at regular intervals during -

use. Tags must be used to keep track of inspections and regulate access. Employees

 erecting, modifying and dismantling scaffolding must be equipped with a double-lanyard harness.

-Only certified workers equipped with safety harnesses and respecting the specific

conditions for use may work on Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP)

The MEWP may not be moved with the outriggers deployed unless specifically

authorized after a risk assessment.

Change Management

 Technical and organizational changes must be covered by a risk assessment

This is applicable to:

-Changes to equipment and to safety systems or devices on installations.

-Changes to planned operating conditions or safety parameters.

-Changes to procedures.

-Changes to the materials or substances used.

-Changes in personnel, especially safety-critical positions.

-Changes to the organization.

For each change

-The mitigation measures identified by the risk assessment must be implemented.

-The plans and procedures must be updated accordingly.

-Workers must be given appropriate training.

Isolate energy sources

· -Any Isolate source of energy, both electrical power, mechanical, hydraulic and others, can not be unarmed except.

-That the removal and discharge energy balanced by a competent person.

-Dump all energies stored.

-Locks insulation and benchmarks in isolation points.

-Insulation tester to make sure that the insulation has been successfully.

Insulation efficiency must be monitored constantly.-

Entry vehicles

Obey the speed limit and buckle your seat-belt.- 

-Make sure machinery and vehicles are suitable for the intended use, inspected and

authorized for use.

-Drivers must have a valid license for the vehicle driven or machinery operated and the type of product transported. 

-Do not use cell phones while driving.

Do not transport passengers and goods in the same compartment.-

-Take special precautions when driving conditions are hazardous.

-Pull over when you are tired.

-Special restrictions apply to access to and traffic in hazardous areas where

a potentially explosive atmosphere may form.