Community Affairs, Safety, Health, Environment & Security (CASHES) Manual

INTRODUCTION

This SAFETY Manual is based on OCTOPUS CLAN NIGERIA LIMITED’s experience in the engineering service sector.
The management has carefully put in place a series of Community Affair, Health Safety, Environment and Security (SAFETY) policies. The highlights of this manual include the following:

• SAFETY Policies
• Management responsibilities in line with SAFETY targets.
• Emergency procedures for our operations (Land and Swamp)

The objective of this manual is to:

• Promote safety and protect the health of all employees in connection with their work.
• Consolidate existing cordial relationship with host communities/client and others.
• Protect and conserve the environment.

OCTOPUS CLAN NIGERIA LIMITED believes that all accidents and community disturbances can be prevented and that SAFETY requirement can be managed with the same level of dedication like production and cost control.  Company’s management should be visibly committed to SAFETY and it should be regarded as an integral part of company’s business. Therefore, work should never be commenced and/or continued when the CASES implications have not been objectively studied and analysed by the line managers/supervisors.

SAFETY POLICIES

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
It is the policy of the company to carry out all its operations in such a way as to guarantee the health and safety of all its employees.

To this end, our policy shall be to:
1.       Eliminate all forms of hazards in and around work areas.
2.       Provide all personnel with adequate Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) suitable for the work they are performing. The use of these shall be properly monitored and encouraged through education.
3.       Properly maintain machines and equipment. All machines with rotating parts shall be adequately fenced off
4.       Ensure that all employees have access to First-Aid resources in the company, as well as the company’s clinic.
5.       Discourage the use of performance enhancement drugs and self medication amongst all employees.
6.       Train and re-train the company’s First Aiders on regular basis.
7.       Prior to employing any worker, ensure that each employee is tested for medical fitness.
8.       Investigate all operational accidents promptly in order to reveal immediate and remote causes and identify ways to prevent re-occurrence.
9.       Recognise personnel excellence in Health and Safety through periodic awards show discontentment to attitudes capable of hampering health and safety efforts.

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS POLICY

THE COMPANY shall continue to identity with the needs and aspiration of itsclient and host communities in the execution of its operations.

THE COMPANY believes that it cannot operate in isolation and therefore shall liaise with client, host communities, relevant government departments etc. in order to ensure a safe and peaceful working atmosphere.

The COMPANY shall co-operate will indigenous communities around its work areas.
The COMPANY shall also ensure the building and sustenance of solid harmonious, relationship with client host communities, and shall exhaust every known peaceful strategy to resolve conflict in case of any disagreement.

THE COMPANY shall opt for established procedures to deal with community and other forms of unrest in the execution of its tasks. Every Project manager and SAFETY department should be guided accordingly.

ENVIRONMENT

At all times, the company shall continue to be guided on matters affecting the environment in which it operates. Specifically, our policy shall be to:
1.       Ensure that human wastes generated in and around work areas are adequately disposed according to client and statutory standards.
2.       Ensure that industrial waste such as oil, steels, scarp, etc. are properly disposed according to client and statutory standards.
3.       Ensure that, when used, industrial chemicals are handled by trained p&sorir3el and with standard approved equipment.
4.       Ensure that before commencements of work in any system, which has potentials for environment pollution, a client permit-to-work, as well as statutory permits are obtained. Also, emergency resources shall be mobilised “on-stand-by” for containment in the event of pollution.
5.       Investigate and report all operational incidents promptly according to client and statutory regulations.
6.       Train personnel in environment related matters.
7.       Encourage employee attitudes towards environmental conservation and discourage all acts capable of endangering our operations.

SECURITY POLICY

The Security of our personnel and plant shall remain a central concern in oar operations. This is regarded as an integral part of our overall Health and safety programme. To this endeavour policy shall be to:
1.       Provide flail time security agents to man our work sites, offices and designated residential areas.
2.       Ensure that each employee of the company is adequately identified by use of card systems.
3.       Ensure that adequate protection and security lighting of operational areas.
4.       Provide, in liaison with appropriate statutory agencies, adequate escorts for vehicles carrying valuables.
5.       Discourage stealing amongst employees by proper incident investigation and control mechanisms.
6.       Provide security alarm systems to alert personnel in cases of violent emergencies.
7.       Check all forms of unauthorised movements in and around operational areas.
8.       Discourage employees from participating in activities inimical to company community relations in our operational areas.
9.       Organise in-house training programme for company security personnel to enhance performance.
10.     Recognise excellence in security matters through periodic awards and discourage attitudes capable of jeopardising our security efforts.

ORGANISATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

To enable effective and fruitful implementation of our enhanced SAFETY programmes, the following responsibilities are assigned:

MANAGING DIRECTOR

1.       Shall direct the programme implementation.
2.       Co-ordinate the development of SAFETY policies and procedures
3.       Monitor compliance with client and statutory rules and regulations.
4.       Follow-up on the implementation of the company training programmes.
5.       Map out guidelines for health and safety consideration in purchasing materials tools and equipment.
6.       Co-ordinate a two-way communication channel to promote employee participation in the programme.
7.       Establish a two-way communication channel to promote employee participation in the programme
8        Personally review accidents and incidents reports and establish control procedures for prevention.

PROJECTS DIRECTOR

He shall assume the point role for all SAFETY matters affecting the work force. His functions shall include but not limited to the following..
1.       Serve as chairman of the monthly management SAFETY committee meetings.
2.       Develop in-house standards and guidelines for SAFETY practices.
3.       Co-ordinate project SAFETY management through the project managers and supervisors.
4.       Co-ordinate on-the-job, off-the-job, job safety analysis and other training which may be deemed necessary
5.       Monitor issuance and use of personnel protective equipment (PPE) to employees.
6.       CO-ordinate investigation of all accidents and incidents occurring at work.
7.       Co-ordinate periodic inspection and audit of project worksites.
8.       Document information system to enhance easy retrieval when necessary
9.       Co-ordinate the flail participation of the entire workforce, in health and safety effort through scheduled meetings and talks.
10.     Keep accident records.

SECTIONAL MANAGERS

Sectional Managers are charged with the following responsibilities.
1.       Head sectional SAFETY Committee meetings.
2.       Carry out unscheduled checks on work and workers
3.       Develop strategies to ensure employee awareness is generated
4.       Control the issue of all equipment necessary for safeguarding the workers.
5.       Monitor adherence to rules and regulations for personnel and environment protection.
6.       Encourage enforcement of rules and regulations for personnel and environmental protection.
7.       Carry out prompt investigation of all accidents occurring in their various sections.
8.       Document all information necessary and make same available to employees as may be required from time to time.
9.       Co-ordinate periodic emergency, planning and fire drills within their sections.
10.     Specifically, the admin. Manager shall also serve as Secretary during the monthly management SAFETY Committee meetings.
11.     In addition to functions above and section 3.5 below, the SAFETY co-ordinator shall specifically:

• Co-ordinate first-aid administration and replenishment as necessary.
• Monitor Company’s SAFETY training programmes.
• Develop SAFETY information and data Management system to ensure accurate documentation and retrieval when necessary.
• Drawing up procedures for counseling and rehabilitating accident victims.

SAFETY CO-ORDINATOR & OFFICERS

The SAFETY Co-ordinator and his officers shall have the following duties
1.       Make requisition for all PPE, First-Aid drug etc.
2.       Maintain a record of stock of PPE drugs etc.
3.       Organise formal in-plant courses for all employees.
4.       Liaise with other key personnel to develop safety procedures for specific activities.
5.       Convene SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
6.       Carry out scheduled and unscheduled site inspections.
7.       Advise on standards and latest developments in the field.
8.       Maintain a record of all events and take a statistical view of all occurrences.
9.       Develop emergency procedure guides in line client’s and statutory requirements.
10.     Liaise with clients in matters and other requirements.
11.     Monitor the programme progress and pass the information to management through projects Director.
12.     Liaise with governmental agents in regulatory matters as may be required.

PROJECT AND SITE ENGINEERS

1.       Maintain high standard of house keeping on the project site at all time.
2.       Enforce compliance of all SAFETY rules and regulations.
3.       Encourage use of personnel protective equipment on site.
4.       Supervise first aid administration.
5.       Investigate all accidents in conjunction with the safety officers.
6.       Preside at site accidents in conjunction with the safety officers.
7.       Plan and execute job safety training and analysis.
8.       Channel all suggestions to their sectional managers.
9.       Liaise with client’s engineer in all matters to do with SAFETY
10.     Gather and collate data for onward transmission to the office for evaluation.

SUPERVISORS

1.       Organise SAFETY training on site for their crew.
2        Monitor and enforce compliance with SAFETY rules and regulations
3.       Monitor good house keeping always.
4        Cross-check work methods and equipment
5.       Document unsafe acts and conditions with a view to effecting correction
6.       Report all accidents promptly.
7.       Investigate all accidents occurring in their area.

OTHER EMPLOYEES

1.       Adhere to safe working procedures.
2.       Attend all courses and meetings as scheduled
3.       Maintain good house keeping always
4.       Keep tools and equipment in designated areas.
5.       Participate in drills as required
6.       Wear personnel protective equipment (PPE) as required.
7.       Participate in the programme by contributing to the suggestion system
8.       Play any assigned role by the programme co-ordinator as he is likely to do from time to time.

SAFETY MEETINGS

A two-segment SAFETY committee shall exist to ensure the flail implementation and promote regular feedback and up-date.

SEGMENT 1

Management SAFETY Committee This shall be up as follows:

• Managing Director              Chairman
• Projects Director                  Member
• Admin. Manager                  Secretary
• Other manager                    Member
• SAFETY Co-ordinator         Conveyer
• Project/Site Engineers        Member

ACTIVITIES

• Meeting once monthly to discuss the programme and review overall performance.
• Discuss feed-back from down the-line
• Review any incidents or accidents previously reported.
• Review reports emanating from SEGMENT TWO

SEGMENT 2

Field CASHED Committees this segment shall comprise of the following:

• Sectional/Site Manager               Chairman
• Sectional/Supervisor                   Member
• Sectional/site SAFETY Officer    Conveyer
• Sectional/Site work Force          Members’
• Sectional/Site Clerk                     Secretary

ACTIVITIES

• This committee shall meet twice monthly,
• Concentrate on SAFETY matters generally and on specific issues requiring attention.
• Preliminary review of any accident previously reported investigated
• Publicise all lessons learnt.
• Disseminate information down the line
• Pass on all necessary information and data to the management SAFETY Committee in a properly documented manner.

DURATION OF SEGMENT MEETING

To avoid lethargy and consequent disinterest, all segment meetings shall not exceed the 30-60 minutes mark, the idea being to have fruitful discussion without allowing such occasions to become time-wasting. Each occasion ought to deal on progress so far,while focusing on specific issues or changes in operational mode of the company. Areas of doubt in the policy should always be given attention during the meetings. Areas of doubt in the policy should always be given attention during these meetings. Informally, however, safety talks and ad-hoc safety lectures be they fire drills, first aid or whatever, shall continue to hold alongside the segment meetings even though they may not be officially and constituted. These shall, however, be properly documented in from of minutes of meeting.

SAFETY TRAINING

Management believes firmly in the efficiency of adequate training as a tool for achieving unparalleled high quality performance in SAFETY, therefore the subject shall be given a pride of place in our programmes.

The following are some of the approaches to be adopted.

GENERAL SAFETY COURSE

We shall seek to take advantage of the opportunities regularly offered to its contractors by our clients. To this end, all representations shall be made on behalf by the management in liaison with out supervising engineers to secure places in these courses. Only senior staff member in managerial capacities shall be eligible. The central ideal being to have them impart knowledge acquired to their subordinates on their return since it is not practicable to have the client train all our staff

FIRST- AID

The red Society organised first-aid course or by any other recognised body shall be patronised. As many field staff as possible shall be trained on this course until a sizeable number of First Aiders have been trained.

SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS

ITS, being the industry trainer, will continue to be the main point of our training scheme. But the company shall not hesitate to participate in all other training programmes to set necessary knowledge and expertise.  Sponsorship to all relevant seminars etc. shall always be given due consideration.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE

Our first choice will seek to utilise our client’s well-organised Defensive Driving Course.
All drivers and operators are eligible.

BASIC FIRE TRAINING

This is very important course which all must attend. Fire and explosion are great hazards facing industry and any staff for this course whenever it is available to us from any agency. Regular fire briefing shall also be carried out by our SAFETY officers.

SECURITY COURSES

Security Officers shall be sent on course in companies offering such courses. These courses will be limited in scope to management of security emergency procedures but shall exclude training in the use of arms and ammunitions.

OTHERS

All other informal and courses such as Gas tests, environmental, Swimming etc. shall handled as the need arises.
It is recognised that knowledge from training is better enhanced on-the-job through good line supervision and management.

SAFETY REPORTING

INJURY RECORDING AND INVESTIGATION

INJURY CLASSIFICATION

There shall three broad classifications of injuries occurring in our operations. These shall be:
1. Fatal
2. Major
3. Minor

All three be recorded, but minor injuries/Near Misses will not be included in our annual statistics. However, incidents resulting in Injury to personnel and/or property damage shall be hilly investigated to unearth the remote and immediate causes. Findings of such exercises will be widely publicised on the various bulletin boards to enable all employees unhindered access to lessons learnt.

DEFINITIONS

(1) FATAL INJURIES
All injuries resulting in death, occurring in the course of regular employment with the company. These shall be recorded and reported by the fastest means of communication to our clients’ supervisor and in writing within 24 hours to statutory agencies as required by labour laws of the federation.

(2) MAJOR INJURIES
All injuries occurring in the course of regular employment with the company, which can keep the employee of his/her normal work routine for 2 days or more following the incident/accident. All such injuries shall be recorded and reported to our client supervisor and the appropriate government agencies. Report shall be by the fastest means of communication followed by documented report within 24 hours of occurrence. Both (I) and (2) above shall feature in our company’s annual SAFETY performance statistics.

(3) MINOR INJURIES
Injuries occurring in the cost of regular employment with the company, serious enough to attract first aid treatment but not in enough to keep the employee off his normal routine work for up to one (1) day.

REPORTING
All accidents occasioning injury and/or damage in all three categories will be reported and the accident investigation shall be carried out by the person in charge of the work at the time of occurrence. All investigation shall be jointly carried out by this person and the SAFETY officer. Presentations shall be made to the next senior position in line, and progressively up the line, till the top echelon has been reached.

Thereafter, the Accident shall be reviewed by the two segments of SAFETY committee. This is to enable lessons learnt to be given wide circulation up and down the line. It must be emphasised that accident investigation should not and must not be used as punitive vehicles or to entrench blame culture. Apportioning blames will only engender apathy.
Rather investigations must be positively handled to aid prevention of future reoccurrence. Also, all near misses shall b e reported and documented and lesson learnt from them adequately publicised to prevent reoccurrence.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

In the event 6f pollution arising from our operations the area SAFETY officer, along with the supervisor in charge shall ensure immediate rectification, where possible. Thereafter, reports by the fastest means possible shall be made progressively up the ladder of communication. The client shall also be immediately informed.
Emergency procedures shall then be invoked to control and return the polluted environment to normal. All statutory reports shall also be made as required by law. Such incidents shall also be discussed at the segment SAFETY meetings.

SECURITY

In security matters, a daily log for minor theft cases shall be maintained by the sectional supervisor where they occur, theses shall be properly investigated ad communicated up the line to bring erring personnel to book and discourage others from indulging in such acts. Such reports shall also be discussed at the segment SAFETY meetings.

In cases involving violent incidents e.g. armed robberies, community clashes etc., statutory agencies shall immediately be contacted by the fastest means possible followed by report to client representative. Injuries arising from such incidents shall be generally documented and reported as in 6.1 above.

BASIC SAFETY RULES AT WORK

PROJECTS

Project engineers are the focal points of all projects. The day-to-day administration of the entire project safety shall be their pre-occupation. Project Site must be inspected twice daily. Once in the morning and in the afternoon, at the close of work. Equipment must be physically checked to detect unsafe conditions, if any.

All temporally installations must be firmly and properly made. Work site must be devoid of hawkers and bystanders. Sundry visitors are strictly prohibited. Fire safety rules and regulations must be rigidly enforced. “NO SMOKING” warnings and other fire safety signs must be conspicuously displayed through out the work areas. Personal protective equipment must be worn as necessary. Damaged and unserviceable equipment must be promptly removed from site. Horseplay is strictly prohibited, especially with facilities like compressed air and welding/cutting equipment. All hot work must authorised and seriously scrutinised during execution to eliminate errors and lapses. Fire extinguishers must be placed near the work area for any eventualities.

All gas cylinders and bottles must be upright on a trolley and properly chained in place to ensure stability during operations Cylinders in transit and also those either not in use or empty must have their protective caps properly screwed in place to prevent damage to the regulating valves. Cylinders must be stored according to the contents and shielded from excessive weather effect. Empties should be labelled as such while awaiting evacuation to supply source for refill.

Only qualified and adequately trained personnel shall be assigned or deployed to company work-sites. Project safety talks on site must be given at least 10 minutes each morning prior to work commencement. All site staff must attend.

STORES

All store items must be adequately labelled. Like items should be stored together.  Stored aisles must not be obstructed. They must be left clear of all manners of obstructions for unhindered access. Dangerous substances must be stored only in scheduled areas. Unauthorised access must be discouraged. Heavier items must be stored on lower shelves. Storage areas must be adequately lit.

Ventilation must be such that allows free flow of air. Items stored must be adequately shielded from weather effects, storage of palletised load, drums and pipes must be done in such a way that allows aisles between the rows, so as to facilitate inspection.

Exits and entrances must be left clear. Obstructed exits can be sources of trouble in emergencies. Loading and discharging bays must be adequately marked while motorised and pedestrian traffic must be separated insofar as it is possible. Audible warning devices must be installed in storage house motorised equipment. All stores must be mopped clean whenever there are spills. Rags and other cleaning accessories must be properly stowed away at the end of the day. Power supply to portable equipment must be switched off at the end of the use or end of the work day before leaving for home.

MATERIAL HANDLING

Handling materials accounts for over quarter of all work place injury. On the average construction she, cases of slips, splits, cuts, piercing, and so on are commonplace occurrences. Damaged backs can result from improper lifting. To reduce these incidents, the following general approach is to be adopted:

MANUAL LIFTING

Whenever you liftany load, the following procedures applies:

• Keep your back straight.
• Tuck in your chin
• Stand with your feet slightly apart with the right foot forward and firmly planted
• Bend your knees not your waist
• Grip the load firmly and close to your body
• Lock your elbows and lift
• Then rise slowly

If in doubt of the weight get help fast. Never lift a load and walk backwards or walk forward with the load obscuring your field of vision.
Sharing a load with a colleague, make you can see each other clearly and that communication is understood at all time.

MECHANICAL HANDLING

When using a crane make sure you have a signal man and an assistant. All lifting must be duly certified after inspection by a qualified Engineer Surveyor. Ensure a certificate of inspection is duly issued bearing date, names and signatures of the authorised inspecting agent. Birdcaging slings and slings with all manner of wear must be withdrawn from service immediately and discarded. Loads lifted must never exceed the safe working load (SWL) rating of slings and ropes.

Slings must be stored properly. They must be preserved as prescribed by the manufacturer. Slings must be kept away from harmful substances.

Lifting blocks and tackles must be adequately maintained to prevent failures. Safety catches must blocked before commencement of lift. Cranes which have undergone major repairs or modification must be re-certified before being put back to service. Never stand under suspended load, they may fall and cause injuries, forklift operators must obey all safety rules and regulations and never carry passengers.

PLANT

Plant such as earth moving equipment, welding unit, and cranes etc. must be subject to periodic inspection as scheduled to forestall breakdowns. Daily check must be carried out by operators to sustain the following (as applicable)

• hydraulic
• cooling water
• fanbelts
• tyre pressures
• lights, horns etc

All indicators must be checked daily to avoid malfunctions and/or false readings. Operators must never carry passengers or plants.

Equipment must be safely parked at the end of the day. Only qualified and licensed operators shall operate plants. All plants must be currently certified suitable for use in our operations. Plants must have currently valid statutory documents before deployment to our operations. Appropriate warning Signs ‘must be conspicuously displayed during operations to warns loiterers and curious bystanders.

TRANSPORTATION

To move personnel, equipment, and material, transportation of one form or the other must be utilised. For this reason the following rules and regulations shall apply:

ROAD TRANSPORTATION

All vehicles must have valid statutory papers at any given time. These shall be:

• Vehicles licence
• Insurance certificate
• Road worthiness certificate, and any other document that may be legislated for by the authorities.
• Drivers must possess the appropriate class statutory driver’s licence (currently valid). In addition must satisfy the company’s internal proficiency test before deployed to drive any of the company’s vehicles. Drivers and all passengers must wear their seat belts while in motion. There shall be no conveyance of person in open vehicles and pick up trucks.

All vehicles shall be equipped with the following:

• Fire extinguishers (portable)
• Two triangular reflectors
• One jack and wheel spanner
• Spare wheel

The following checks shall be routinely carried out daily and as when due:

• Oil
• Water
• Brake fluid
• Lights
• Trafficators
• Horns
• Wipers, etc

Drivers must be prepared to stop at all cross-roads as well as follows the instructions of law enforcement agents as directed. Overloading and excessive speeding are prohibited.

All company drivers must drive within speed limits unauthorised journeys are not allowed.

All accidents involving company vehicles must be reported to the senior personnel-in-charge as soon as this occurs irrespective of injuries, damage or otherwise. All vehicle accident reports shall follow the pattern of other related occurrences.

WATER TRANSPORTATION

All water transportation requirements shall be met as defined by the Quarter Master (QM) of the water-craft who is sole authority onboard the craft.

Generally, passengers must obey the following:

• Remain seated in the cabin unless instructed to the contrary.
• Wear life jacket as instructed.
• Embark only when asked to do so
• Disembark when told it is safe to do so
• Don’t distract the attention of the QM ad his crew

TRANSPORTATION/HELICOPTER AIR

Passengers shall follow the lead of the pilot before boarding the aircraft. After boarding the following shall apply:

• Seat calmly and fasten belt
• Strap you life jacket pouch around your waist
• Wear your earmuffs
• Obey all instructions from pilot and crew
• Remain in your seat till asked to disembark
• Never walk round the back of the aircraft. (the rotor is very dangerous,)
• Do not approach the aircraft unless told to do so
• Listen to the safety briefing before going out to board the aircraft.
• Arrive at least half an hour ahead of the scheduled flight to avoid panic moves.

GENERAL SAFETY RULES

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

FOOT AND TOE PROTECTION
Steel capped shoes and boots with metallic insoles shall be issued to employees for foot and toe protection. Employees must maintain these equipment in serviceable condition at all times. Willfully damaged or lost equipment shall be replaced at the employee’s cost genuinely damaged or worn equipment shall be replaced at no cost the employee.

OVERALLS
Certain categories of our field staff shall be issued with overalls or other work cloths as may be required. Overalls shall be maintained in serviceable state and shall not be transferable. Replacements shall be the expiration of the scheduled life of the current issue.

EAR PROTECTION
Employees who work in areas where noise hazards exist shall be provided with earmuffs and plugs as required. Use of damaged or unserviceable ear protective equipment shall not be allowed. Appropriate warning signs shall also be posted in such areas.

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
Employee shall ‘be protected against inhalation of dangerous and harmful substances with the appropriate respiratory protective equipment.  For example:

• Facemask
• Nose mask
• Breathing apparatus
• Dust hoods and shields, etc.

Selection of equipment shall be done by only knowledgeable personnel to avoid poor selection. Employees shall be given adequate instruction on the use to ensure optimal benefits.

HEAD PROTECTION
Suitable hard hats, which meet international impact tests requirements, shall be issued to all employees exposed to overhead hazards. Abuse of hard hats, use for purpose other than for which intended, will not be tolerated. Damaged or unserviceable hard hats must be replaced as soon as reported.

HAND PROTECTION
Gloves suitable for the particular operations shall be issued to all who require them. Torn or worm gloves must be replaced as soon reported. Special hand protection such as gauntlets shall be issued to welders, etc.

FACE PROTECTION
Aprons and leggings shall be issued to those flying particles, shrapnel, harmful substances, etc. Again; choice must be based on knowledgeable advice.

BODY PROTECTION
Aprons and leggings shall be provided to those who face hazards of molten metals, welding slags, sparks, etc. Equipment issued would be maintained adequately to avoid use of badly deteriorated and invalidate equipment.

HOUSE-KEEPING

Orderliness in the work place promotes accident free operations. Everything has its place. Scrap, junks, and useful or serviceable materials must never be stored or dumped together. Every item must be segregated. Stacking material haphazardly invites trouble. All stacking arrangement must be neat and orderly. Never leave spills of oil or water unattended. Mop it up as soon as discovered. Do not let telephone cables and flexible cords criss-cross the workspace, room, or alleyway. Lay them along designated routes. Do not leave office equipment switched on. Make sure all discarded paper in the wastebasket.

FIRE

Fire is the greatest threat in the workplace. Do not smoke. Should you smoke use an ashtray and only in where smoking is allowed. Do not throw lit matches carelessly out of the window, doorways, or into the waste paper basket.

Do not use defective electrical plug or socket. Do not overload a socket outlet. Don’t leave flammable substances in open containers, which will allow the fumes to spread.

Know your extinguisher positions. Study the instructions for operations. Read all emergency instruction. Don’t block fire exit. Leave access to fire equipment clear of obstacles. Don’t be trapped. If you hear an order to abandon the premises, don’t hesitate and do not insist on saving your belongings. Save your life first.

PORTABLE EQUIPMENT

Stow portable equipment properly when not in use. Make sure your equipment supply cable is not damaged or that the insulation is poor or exposes the live conductors. All joints must be properly made. Don’t play with electricity. Call the qualified electrician. Be sure all guards, keys are not invalidated. Don’t expose portable equipment to undue weather effects. Ascertain that the specified supply voltage is available before being plugged in. Always check before you switch on the equipment.

WELDING/BURNING

All welding/burning work must be duly authorised by a responsible senior staff on site. Necessary precautionary measures must be taken to ensure safe operations. These works must be taken to ensure safe operations. These works must be constantly monitored to ensure no deviations from set standards. The appropriate protective clothing must be worn. No welding or cutting must take place unless at least one person is standing by with a 9kg Dry powder extinguisher. More hazardous operations requiring additional fire cover shall be fully analysed by the project engineer to ensure that the full extent of the hazard is understood and measures taken accordingly. The seriousness of the situation must be fully conveyed to the person executing the work, who must acknowledge his understanding of the safety procedures discussed in writing (e.g. in Clients permit-to-work system).

Personnel not involved in such operations should not be on site or near the scenes.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

DRILLS

To generate and sustain a practiced approach to emergencies, the following shall be the company’s drill plan of action:

• Fire drills shall be held at least twice monthly.
• SAFETY officers shall monitor response and advise on areas of weakness.
• Each section or department must nominate one fire warden.
• Each warden shall go round his area of responsibility during drills to ensure no one is left in the building or work site once evaluation order is given.
• Fire fighting demonstration must be carried out twice monthly during drills.
• Once drill alarm is sounded, everyone must move out into the open yard and muster in appointed groups at designated spots.
• Each group leader will take a head count and report to the drill co-ordinator.
• Basic fire lecture shall be organised for all staff once every month. This must not last for more than half an hour per lecture.
• All staff must participate in drills, which should not last for more than 30 minutes at a time.
• All drills must be documented by the safety officers and reviewed during the monthly management SAFETY committee meeting.