2.1 Basic Safety Practices
2.1 Basic Safety Practices
Definitions:
Term Definition
Administrative Consists of the Administration Building, Cafeteria, and Mosque and the
Complex administrative areas of the Purchasing Department and maintenance building.
AICR Accident/ Incident/ Condition Reporting.
Physical Barricade A structure set up as a barrier across a route of access to obstruct the passage of
personnel; something that serves as an obstacle. It impedes or prevents entry or
passage.
Behavior Based Performance.
BBP Behavior Based Performance is a work process through which work groups
identify, measure, change and control behaviors.
Critical Behavior is a behavior that has been determined by the BBP work group to
Critical Behavior
have a potential impact on preventing EH&S Incidents.
The science of work. Ergonomics removes barriers to quality, productivity and
safe human performance by fitting products, tasks and environment to people.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is an applied science that seeks to design work requirements to within
human capabilities.
FRC Fire Retardant Clothing; approved clothing intended to protect against burns from
electrical or chemical flash fire.
High Energy -Welding or cutting equipment (flame and electric)
Ignition Sources
-Open flame heating equipment
-Explosive devices, (Example: Hilti-gun)
ISBL Inside Battery Limits - within the boundaries of a process. (Process means all
systems containing gases, liquids or solids).
Management of Change is a discipline that shall be applied to assure that:
- all changes have appropriate reviews and approval,
-that training is conducted, documentation is in place,
MOC
-and appropriate communication to affected personnel is completed.
It applies to all activities, procedures, processes, guidelines, policies, etc. that are
currently in effect.
Plant Property Means all facilities owned or operated by EQUATE including PP, MTO, EBSM and
Aromatics plants.
A. Requirements:
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c) All personnel, while entering and leaving the ISBL areas, shall utilize the access control card reader
system, when provided. This is also applicable to the personnel who are assigned to the plant (e.g.
technical staff, operation technologists, etc.)
2.All incoming and outgoing materials are properly controlled and inspected.
3.Visitor Requirements:
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a) Personnel protective equipment; eye/face protection, head, foot, hand, hearing etc. is inspected by
the user prior to use to ensure that the equipment is in good condition.
b) Safety eye protection (spectacle type industrial safety glasses) with permanently attached or clip-on
side shields or Monogoggles are worn by all personnel ISBL and at dock facility.
Exception: This does not apply inside vehicles, offices, control rooms or other areas specifically
designated by leadership.
c) Monogoggles (chemical splash) - Monogoggles must be worn:
(1) When entering posted area/units.
(2) When attempting to start a vehicle with a dead battery by the use of jumper cables.
(3) As required by specific departmental operating procedures.
d) Hard hats are worn by all personnel when ISBL.
Exceptions:
a)In offices, laboratories, vehicles, control rooms and moving between a designated
car park and adjacent office building or in areas designated by management.
b)Welders executing welding jobs in the Plant Operating Area may do so without
wearing hard hats provided that the following terms and conditions are met:
(1) The Safe Work Permit (SWP) controls the removal of the hard hat.
(2) The reason of not being able to wear the hard hat is evaluated by the person
approving the permit. The following guidelines shall be used in evaluating
the removal of the hard hat:
No potential of falling objects within the area where welding activities
taking place.
No potential of head injury due to welding under and around pipes and
equipment.
No work activities taking place above welders where the potential of falling
object exists.
(3) Welders shall continually wear the hard hats until ready to weld. Then, hard
hats are to be removed and welding helmets to be put on. As soon as the
welding activities are completed, welding helmets are to be removed and
hard hats to be put back on.
e) Hearing protection is worn in areas posted "Hearing Protection Required".
Note: Hearing protection is required when noise levels exceed 85 dBA and double hearing
protection is required when noise levels exceed 105 dBA.
f) Safety Shoes (steel toed) shall be worn ISBL, inside Labs, Workshops or other areas designated by
management. The steel toe cap must not be exposed.
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g) Special personal protective equipment defined in departmental procedures is worn when opening
process equipment and/or lines containing hazardous chemicals.
h) Chemical resistant gloves are worn when handling hazardous chemicals or contaminated
equipment.
i) Only personnel trained and qualified in the proper use of respiratory equipment wear respirators.
j) Hand Gloves are worn by all personnel when ISBL.
k) While performing work, applicable/suitable gloves (as per the gloves tab provided in site approved
PPE list) are worn.
l) Personnel shall not climb or walk on tank cars or tank trucks without adequate personal fall
protection. Refer EHS-4.4 Elevated Work requirements.
2. Use of FRC: All EQUATE employees must wear Fire Retardant Clothing (FRC) when entering the plant
operating areas, workshops, electrical substations or flammable chemical storage areas.
Exemption: FRC is not required in: “exempt areas” as defined by EH&S 2.3 Hot-work L3E, offices, control
rooms, lunch rooms, change rooms, inside vehicles, going to and from parking lots and buildings by
designated routes or walking on main roadways unless it is required by a permit or a specific procedure
for the job being performed.
i. Members of Shift teams and Do-maintenance teams shall wear FRC inside control rooms too.
Exemption: Members of shift teams (operators) required to work inside control rooms are allowed
to take out the upper piece of FRC (Shirt / jacket) only if they can keep the same close by (i.e. on
chair or coat hanger) for ready use.
ii. Analytical Technologists and any personnel of Central Lab Department use FRC lab coats, as a
minimum, while working inside C&HC Lab and Poly Lab.
3. Reporting of Occupational Injuries/Illnesses and Chemical Exposures:
a) All injuries and chemical exposures are promptly reported to the E-Med and Appropriate
representatives in the facility.
b) Chemically contaminated clothing and shoes are promptly removed, preferably beneath a safety
shower. Contaminated clothing and shoes are cleaned or handled in accordance with appropriate
departmental procedures.
4. Emergency Alarms and Response:
a) The nearest emergency alarm box is activated in case of fire, injury or other emergency. The
individual initiating the alarm waits by the alarm box, when appropriate, to communicate the
nature/location of the emergency to the emergency responders.
b) Personnel not assigned emergency duties shall evacuate the affected area.
c) When a plant emergency/Gas Release/Evacuation alarm sounds, all non-emergency personnel
driving vehicles inside the affected zone shall pull their vehicles to the side of the road, shut-off the
ignition and walk to the non-affected area. Vehicles shall remain stopped until the "all clear"
sounds.
Note: Normal Traffic can continue in non-affected zones.
d) During an emergency (the period between the alarm and the "all clear" signal), all non-emergency
related telephone and radio communications shall cease.
5. Fire/Emergency Equipment:
a) No obstruction to access is placed within three (3) meters of emergency alarm boxes, fire water
hydrants, and fire extinguisher stations or hose houses located outdoors and within one (1) meter
of such equipment located indoors.
b) Non-emergency use of fire water is controlled by “Use of Fire Water, Hoses, and Hydrants” (EH&S
9.3 policy).
6. Chemical Hazards:
a) Chemicals are not allowed in offices, control rooms or locations where food is consumed.
b) Eating or drinking is not permitted in process areas where toxic materials may be present, and in
confined spaces.
7. Vehicle Safety:
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b) Portable electric tools are double insulated, grounded or used with a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupter).
c) Portable power tools, such as hand held saws, drills, grinders, etc. shall be designed such that
they stop once the power switch or trigger is released.
11.Compressed Gas Cylinders:
a) Valve protection caps are in place when cylinders are not in use.
b) Cylinders are secured in the upright position and away from any source of heat.
c) Cylinders should be stored in a way that raises the bottom off any direct ground contact, e.g.,
mounting on plastic grating.
d) Multiple oxygen cylinders in storage are separated from flammable gas cylinders by a minimum
distance of six (6) meters or by a non-combustible barrier at least two (2) meters in height.
e) A cradle or suitable platform is used when cylinders are lifted by a crane or other hoisting
apparatus.
f) Cylinders shall be stored in a place after checking and confirming Maximum allowable storage
temperature for storing. Refer to the cylinder labels or MSDS of the material contained in the
cylinders.
g) Storage of cylinders in underground locations is prohibited.
h) Do not deface or remove any markings, labels, details, tags or stencils provided on the cylinders
for identification of its contents. Do not use cylinders that do not have identification labels.
i) Do not store cylinders containing toxic or flammable materials within 10 meters of any building air
intakes.
12.Safety Relief Device (SRD) is installed to protect equipment (e.g. vessels, columns, tanks, etc.) from
excess pressure or excess vacuum.
13.All utility service lines shall be equipped with applicable contamination prevention devices. No crossties,
temporary or permanent, shall be made between lines containing different utilities.
14.All types of hoses are handled in an appropriate manner.
15.Drum Containers:
a) Drums are NOT pressurized to remove contents.
b) Content labeling on drums is maintained legible and empty drums are identified as to "Last
Contents" with weatherproof labels.
c) Drums containing flammables are not placed within two (2) meters of buildings except near an
appropriate firewall.
d) Drums containing flammables are not placed close to hot process equipment or beneath pipe
racks or cable trays.
e) Drums used for waste material are labeled as per Waste Management procedure (EH&S 10.3).
f) Chemical compatibility is considered when drums are reused to collect or store a different material.
g) If containers, such as drums, are found without identification labels, the following actions are to be
taken by the facility where the container is found –
i. Do not sniff, touch, taste or come in contact with any contents.
ii. Inform IRL about the location of the container.
iii. Barricade the area.
iv. Check for any visible leaks, including vapors
v. If vapors are found, inform Incident Commander immediately.
vi. Initiate AICR.
vii. Investigate within the facility to know how and why the container came into facility including
the contents before attempting to open.
viii. If no visible leaks or vapors found, after informing the Incident Commander, open the
container slowly to grab a sample wearing, as a minimum, chemical suit, SCBA with full-face
mask and chemical gloves in addition to the basic PPE.
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ix. Collect sample and send to lab for complete analysis to know the contents of the container.
x. After identifying the contents, take appropriate actions (for use or disposal) using appropriate
procedure and in consultation with area Technical Advisor.
16.Compressed Air used to clean equipment is limited to a pressure of 2 kg/cm2 and shall not be used to
clean clothing or directed at anyone or any part of the body.
17.Machine Guards removed to access equipment for inspection or repair are re-installed prior to returning
equipment to normal service.
18.Combustibles: Combustibles such as weeds, dry grass, carbon materials, paper, and cardboard shall not
be stored or permitted within 25 feet of tanks containing flammables.
19.Any kind of weapons (guns, knives, etc.), alcohol (liquor), drugs (narcotic) or tobacco are forbidden inside
EQUATE owned or operated premises at all times.
20.Large cooking pots are not allowed inside EQUATE.
21.Photography:
a) Photography is prohibited on EQUATE site without proper authorization. Photography permit shall
be obtained from EH&S department before using any image taking devices on EQUATE premises.
b) Mobiles Phones having the facility of camera functions are not allowed inside EQUATE premises.
Host department is accountable to ensure that the employees, visitors, vendors and contractors
comply with this requirement.
c) For pocket computers [Personal digital assistance –PDA devices], the camera function must be
disabled and made inactive prior to use inside EQUATE premises.
22.All piping, Storage tanks, process vessels and process equipment are appropriately labeled indicating the
contents to facilitate the recognition of the hazards associated with those contents.
23.Ergonomics: Ergonomics is the study of the relationship between people and the work they perform.
Ergonomics improve the fit between the physical demands of the workplace and the employees who
perform the work by evaluating and controlling risk factors such as posture, force, duration and repetition.
24. Management of Change (or MOC): Management of Change is applied to assure that:
a) All changes, including temporary changes are reviewed to understand impact to plants, sites,
businesses, work processes, etc. and the issues identified from the reviews are addressed and
approval is obtained to make the change,
b) Related documentation is updated or created and put in their proper location for use,
c) Personnel needing additional skills as a result of the change are trained,
d) Personnel that interact with any aspect of the change are notified that the change is in place.
25.Behavior Based Performance (BBP) - Behavioral improvement is essential since 90% of all incidents are
behavioral related. Changing behavior is vital for developing a safe behavioral culture at work place. In
this program:
a) Critical behaviors are identified and listed for subsequent observations.
All EQUATE employees are trained as "BBP observer". BBP observers conduct BBP observations
and document in the BBP tool.
26.All accidents, incidents and conditions are reported using the AICR System.
27.Waste Management: To assure that waste from EQUATE is managed to control risks and that the waste
management practices do not adversely affect the health or safety of employees, the public or the
environment :
a) Waste shall be disposed at their designated locations only.
b) Hazardous and non-hazardous waste shall not be mixed together, stored at the same location,
and/or transported in the same container.
c) Liquid and solid wastes and chemicals shall not be dumped into the general sewer systems.
28. Follow safe work practices as described in the Appendix-A of this procedure.
29.Barricades are used to protect personnel or equipment from hazards. Sign boards are placed along with
barricades indicating the work being performed in the barricaded area.
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a) Physical Barricades shall be erected to provide protection against high risk hazards. Barricade tapes
shall be used to wrap around the physical barricade or in conjunction with the physical barricade to
provide additional warning of the hazards or danger that exist and/or to increase the visibility of the
barricade.
(1) Barricades shall be constructed of material of substantial strength such as scaffold piping,
fabricated metal frames and molded PVC barriers etc.
(2) Barricades shall be visible at all times where a hazard or danger exists and additional signs
may also be required.
(3) All streets, roads that are closed to traffic shall be protected by effective barricades along with
acceptable and highly visible warning signs.
(4) All floor openings, open trenches and other excavations shall be provided with suitable floor
opening covers, barricades and signs to ensure that adequate fall prevention system is in place.
(5) Signs, signals and barricades shall be removed only when the hazards no longer exist.
b) Use of barricade warning tapes: Barricade tape shall be utilized as a visual warning for employees.
Barricade tape does not offer physical protection for floor edges, roof edges, floor openings, trenches,
excavations, etc., and shall not be used for physical protection.
(1) Barricade tape shall be used with physical barricade to increase the visibility of the barricade
and to indicate the type of hazard that exists.
(2) Barricade tape shall be used for low risk hazards. Barricade tape shall be used where people
are stationed outside the hazardous work area to help control entrance into that area while
performing short duration work.
Examples are where a crane lift is being performed or where a truck is being off-loaded.
(3) Yellow & Black striped Barricade Tape shall be used to serve as a warning/caution to
indicate to employees that a potential hazard exists. Employees can cautiously enter such
barricaded areas without permission.
Examples:
Identification of trip hazards,
Low hanging objects,
Hazardous material storage on the site.
(4) Red &White Striped Barricade Tape shall be used to indicate "DANGER" and that potentially
serious hazard may be present. No employee, other than work-group assigned to work inside
this barricade may enter without permission from the work group that placed the barricade tape.
Examples:
Overhead work where hazards from falling objects exist.
Live electrical components where shock hazards exist.
Scaffold under construction (Falling object hazards).
Around swing radius of equipment (e.g. Crane) with a rotating structure.
(5) A barricading rope/tape with radiation hazard symbol signs at suitable distances shall be used
to keep personnel away from the area where radiography is being done.
NOTE: The work-group that installed the barricade and/or the tape, must remove them as soon as
possible when there is no requirement for continued placement of the barricade/tape.
1. Office Safety recommendations are listed in Appendix-B of this policy. Employees are encouraged to
follow these recommendations.
B. Documentation Requirements: None.
D. Audit and Self-Assessment Requirements: Periodic audits shall be conducted on these requirements to
check compliance.
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E. Training Requirements: All EQUATE employees and contractors shall receive training on this procedure.
Retraining is required whenever this procedure is substantially revised.
Role Responsibility
Department Ensure all newly hired employees receive training on this Basic Safety
Leader Requirements.
Department Provide training to newly hired employees on Basic Safety Practices.
Trainer
RMD Ensure all contractors/vendors receive training on Basic Safety
Practices.
Ensure that the vendor/contractor possesses or receives protective
equipment appropriate for the areas to be visited.
Employee Understand and follow the Basic Safety requirements of this L3E
procedure.
While being a host to a visitor, ensure that visitor understands and
follows the Basic Safety Practices.
If not assigned to a plant, must notify Plan Operations and/or use access
control card reader points (if provided) when entering and leaving the
ISBL area.
Use appropriate PPE suitable for the area and task at hand.
Promptly report any injury/illness sustained during work.
G. Implementation Guide: Full compliance with Reverse Parking requirements is required by 1 Aug 2017.
H. Practice & Guidance: See FAQ.
Document History:
Approved by: EH&S Department Leader Date: 26-Apr-2017
The following information documents at least the last three changes to this document,
with
all changes listed for the last 3 months (most current is first).
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