Setting Clear Requirements
Contents
1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 Purpose 1
1.2 Scope 1
1.3 Deliverables 1
1.3.1 Records 1
1.3.2 Reports 1
1.4 Responsibilities 1
1.5 Performance Monitoring 2
1.6 Review and Improvement 2
1.7 Reporting Format 2
2.0 General Performance Requirements 3
2.1 Legal Requirements 3
2.2 Location, Design and Construction 4
2.3 Electrical Supplies, Installations and Equipment 4
2.4 General Housekeeping 5
2.5 Maintenance 6
3.0 Workshops 7
3.1 Workshop Design and Construction 7
3.1.1 Layout of Workshops 7
3.2 Workshop Work Practices 8
3.2.1 Workshop Discipline 8
3.2.2 Lifting Operations in Workshop Areas 9
3.2.3 Fixed Workshop Equipment 9
4.0 Camps, Offices and Laboratories 10
4.1 Design and Construction 10
4.1.1. Furnishings and Fittings 10
4.2 Laboratory Housekeeping 10
4.3 Laboratory Work Practices 11
4.3.1 Control of Chemical Substances 12
5.0 Industrial Safety 13
5.1 Basic Equipment Safeguards 13
5.2 Hand Tools 13
5.2.1 General Regulations 13
5.2.2 Hand tools Used at Machines 14
5.3 Portable Electrically Powered Tools 14
5.3.1 General Regulations 14
5.3.2 Cartridge or Powder Actuated Tools 14
5.3.3 Maintenance, Inspection and Testing 14
5.3.4 Electrically Powered Portable Hand Saws 15
5.3.5 Pneumatic Tools 15
5.3.6 Grinders 18
5.3.7 Extension Cords 18
5.4 Abrasive Blasting Operations 19
5.4.1 General 19
5.4.2 Personnel Safety 19
5.4.3 Blasting Equipment 20
5.4.4 Abrasive blasting materials 21
5.4.5. Work Practices 21
5.5 Industrial Gases 21
5.5.1 Industrial Compressed Gas Cylinders 21
5.5.2 Transport of Compressed Gas Cylinders 21
5.5.3 Storage of Cylinders 21
5.5.4 Use of Cylinders 21
5.6 Gas Welding and Cutting 21
5.6.1 General Safety Requirements 21
5.6.2 Regulators 21
5.6.3 Hoses and Torches 21
5.7 Arc Welding 21
5.7.1 General 21
5.8 Battery Charging and Storage 21
5.9 Tanks and Vessels 21
5.9.1 Opening and Entry of Tanks and Vessels 21
5.9.2 Hot Work on Contaminated Tanks/Vessels 21
SP-1256 / REVISION 2.0 / Page ivHSE – SPECIFICATION
Setting Clear Requirements
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Purpose
This Specification describes PDO's requirements for managing occupational health and safety risks associated with workshops, offices, camps, laboratories and other construction or maintenance related industrial activities.
1.2 Scope
This Specification applies to all camps, offices, laboratories, buildings and other premises belonging to or occupied by PDO, Contractors or Sub-Contractors authorised to work on behalf of PDO.
This Specification does not address:
· Manual handling (refer to SP 1231 Occupational Health)
· Ergonomics in the office environment and VDUs (refer to SP 1231 Occupational Health)
· Public Health risks (refer to SP 1232 Public Health)
· Fire Protection (refer SP 1075 Fire and Explosion Risk Management).
1.3 Deliverables
1.3.1 Records
Records shall be maintained to document the implementation of this Specification (refer to CP 122 HSE Management System Manual, Part 2 Chapter 6).
1.3.2 Reports
PDO staff: Any non-compliance with this Specification shall be notified, investigated and reported per the ‘Non Compliance Report Form’ in CP 122 HSE Management System Manual, Part 2 Chapter 6.
Contractors: Any non-compliances with this Specification shall be reported to the Contract Holder.
1.4 Responsibilities
Asset Managers
Asset Managers are responsible for ensuring that the activities they control are managed in accordance with the requirements of this Specification.
In the event that circumstances prevent compliance with this Specification, Asset Managers shall seek the advice and if necessary, a ‘step-out approval’ from the Document Authority. This approval requires recording subject areas, which do not conform as a non-compliance (refer to the ‘Non Compliance Report Form CP 122 HSE Management System Manual, Part 2 Chapter 6).
Corporate Functional Discipline Heads
Corporate Functional Discipline Heads are responsible for ensuring that the requirements of this Specification are reflected in the documents for which they are responsible.
Contract Holders
Contract Holders are responsible for communicating this Specification to Contractors, and for ensuring that the requirements of this Specification are adhered to within the scope of their contracts.
In the event that circumstances prevent compliance with this Specification, Asset Managers shall seek the advice and if necessary, a ‘step-out approval’ from the Document Authority. This approval requires recording subject areas, which do not conform as a non-compliance (refer to the ‘Non Compliance Report Form CP 122 HSE
Contractors are responsible for ensuring that activities undertaken within the scope of their contracts are managed in accordance with the requirements of this Specification.
1.5 Performance Monitoring
Compliance with this Specification shall be monitored through workplace supervision, and periodic site inspection.
1.6 Review and Improvement
Any user of this document who encounters a mistake or confusing entry is requested to immediately notify CSM using the ‘User Feedback Form’ provided in CP 122 HSE Management System Manual, Part 2 Chapter 3.
This Specification shall be reviewed every 4 years. However changes to the current version may be made in less than four years as the need arises depending upon the issue of new and relevant environmental legislation and/or major organisational changes in PDO.
1.7 Reporting Format
PDO Staff: There are no routine reporting requirements against this Specification.
Contractors: There are no routine reporting requirements against this Specification.
2.0 General Performance Requirements
2.1 Legal Requirements
Legal requirements for industrial safety in Oman are established in Chapter 7 of Sultan’s Decree No. 34 1973 “Oman Labour Law”. Legal requirements stipulate:
· Every employer must advise workers about workplace hazards, and the preventive measures to be employed.
· Every employer must take the necessary precautions to protect workers from injury to their health and safety by making sure that:
- Adequate safety and hygienic conditions prevail in all places of work
- Machinery, pieces of equipment and tackle are installed and maintained in the safest possible way
- Places of work are clean and comply with conditions of health and comfort.
· A worker must:
- Not carry out an action which is forbidden by workplace instructions and is bad practice or causes damage.
- Not shortcut the means provided for protection of the worker’s health and safety, or the health and safety of fellow workers.
- Use protective methods and undertake to regard them with care, and carry out instructions laid down for the worker’s protection and the prevention of injury.
Inspectors appointed by the Ministry have the power to examine the worker-related records of an establishment and to enter places of work. Inspectors also have the authority to question whoever they wish and to publish reports on the results of their investigations. On the basis of the reports produced by the inspectors, the Ministry will issue a written warning to an employer who infringes the regulations, stating the nature of the offence and the time limit set for it to be discontinued.
If there is danger to the health or safety of workers, and the employer refrains from carrying out the instructions of the Ministry, the Ministry may order the premises to be closed down partially or completely, or to stop one or more pieces of equipment working.
Any employer contravening the health and safety regulations stipulated above is liable to a fine not exceeding OR 5 for every worker employed. The punishment will be doubled if the offence is repeated. Any employer who refuses entry to inspectors, or provides false statements to inspectors is liable to a fine not exceeding OR 100 or one month imprisonment. The penalty will double if the offence is repeated.
2.2 Location, Design and Construction
The location of new camps, offices, laboratories and workshops shall be carefully selected to ensure that risks to workers are controlled to a level that is as low as reasonably practicable. The selection criteria shall include:
- The location of camps/accommodation areas and workshops/offices/industrial areas with regard to existing hazardous facilities;
- The impact of the camps and industrial areas on existing roads in the area, with any recommendations for road improvements, and preferred routes/access points to minimize road traffic risk;
- The transportation arrangements for workers to/from camps or accommodation areas, and between those areas and the worksites.
All camps, offices, workshops and laboratories shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the following documents:
PDO-ERD-17-01: Civil and Building Construction Specification
PDO-ERD-17-02: Building Services Construction Specifications
PDO-ERD-17-04: Civil and Building Design Criteria Manual
SP 1127: Layout and Spacing of Plant Equipment and Facilities
Temporary transportable units such as portacabins shall meet requirements of PDO-ERD-92-02 Transportable Accommodation Units.
2.3 Electrical Supplies, Installations and Equipment
All electrical supplies to camps, offices, laboratories, workshops and installations within these, shall be in accordance with the following documents:
SP 1099: Electrical Installation Practice
SP 1104: Electrical Safety Rules
Temporary electrical supplies shall meet the requirements of SP 1111 Temporary Electrical Supplies for Construction and Maintenance Work. All electrical supplies shall be in accordance with SP 1110 Electrical Supplies in Mobile Camps.
Extension cords shall not be used for any permanently installed equipment. Whenever utilised, electric power extension cords shall be in accordance with this Specification and with SP 1111 Temporary Electrical Supplies for Construction and Maintenance Work.
Electrical installations shall comply also with the following:
· All electrical equipment shall be connected to the voltage for which it is designed.
· Plug adapters shall not be used in any industrial installation. All equipment shall be fitted with the correct plug to fit in its corresponding socket.
· Sockets shall be available in all industrial work sites. Multiple appliances or power tools shall not be plugged into a single socket via a multi-outlet adapter.
Electrically powered equipment shall be switched off and disconnected from the electrical supply prior to any cleaning or adjustment by non-specialised personnel. Portable electrical tools shall comply with the requirements of this Specification.
All faults such as cracked plugs, frayed or damaged leads or faulty wall sockets shall be reported immediately and the equipment shall not be used until repaired. All repairs shall be performed by competent, trained persons. Fuses and MCB's shall be replaced with correctly rated units.
All electrical equipment shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Temporary electrical installations shall be installed by competent personnel and inspected as a minimum every month.
2.4 General Housekeeping
Good housekeeping shall be considered one of the primary defences against accidents, injuries and health problems in the workplace and therefore is the responsibility of all personnel.
All camps, offices, laboratories and workshops shall be maintained clear of debris, waste and other rubbish, which shall be disposed of in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and SP 1009 Waste Management. All buildings shall be kept cleaned, and wastebaskets regularly emptied. All floor coverings shall be regularly inspected and any loose or damaged items replaced or re-secured immediately. Loose carpets are not recommended in offices as they represent a trip hazard.
All furniture shall be regularly inspected for:
· broken or loose legs, castors, wheels
· damaged or cracked perspex or glass work surfaces
· non-functioning or ill-fitting drawers or doors.
Any damaged items shall be repaired or replaced immediately.
Cabinets and shelving shall be loaded from the bottom shelf upwards, and heavy items placed as low as practical. At no time shall heavy or sharp objects be stored above eye level. Cupboards and filing cabinets shall not have items indiscriminately stored on top of them.
All emergency walkways, passages and exits, fire doors, break glass alarm points, fire fighting equipment, first aid and other emergency stations shall be kept clean, unobstructed and in good working order.
All workplaces shall be maintained clear of debris, waste and other rubbish.
Stockpiles of raw materials shall not be allowed to accumulate in the workplace. All workshops shall be provided with segregated storage areas for incoming raw materials or equipment for repair, and outgoing finalised products or repaired equipment.
Adequate storage facilities shall be provided for all tools and equipment used in any workshop and a system of control implemented such that only those tools or pieces of equipment required for the task being performed are deployed.
All liquid spills, especially oily or greasy liquids, shall be immediately cleaned up by absorption in inert sand or other suitable materials. If rags are used to mop up spills of flammable materials, they shall immediately be removed to a safe place and stored in closed containers for safe disposal.
2.5 Maintenance
All camps, offices, laboratories and workshops shall undergo regular preventive maintenance. Such preventive maintenance shall be planned and recorded. The preventive maintenance program shall include:
· Safety routes and exits, lighting, ventilation and sanitary facilities.
· Floor and workbench surfaces shall be repaired as required.
· Walls, ceilings and fixtures shall be painted on a regular basis to maintain the standards of illumination required.
· Electrical installations, specifically the integrity of insulation and earthing provisions Compressed air, industrial gas and water installations
· All fixed equipment and machine tools, hand tools, etc.
3.0 Workshops
3.1 Workshop Design and Construction
In addition to the general requirements, the following requirements shall apply to the design and construction of workshops:
· All workbenches and working surfaces shall be fit for purpose, constructed of suitable fire-resistant materials and to a sound design, such that the work may be accomplished safely and without undue strain to the worker.
· Where wet processes are carried out, or where machinery is liable to eject quantities of fluid, adequate containment, in the form of channels, bunds or curbs, and drainage shall be provided. Drainage of industrial effluent shall be in accordance with SP 1006 Aqueous Effluents.
· Adequate provision shall be made for the collection, temporary storage, and disposal of solid scrap and waste material from all workplaces. Segregation and disposal of such scrap materials shall be made in accordance with SP 1009 Waste Management.
· Adequate toilets and washrooms shall be provided in all workshops. These shall meet the requirements of SP 1232 Public Health. Where necessary, special cleansers shall be provided to discourage workers from using unsuitable industrial solvents for skin cleansing. Sewage disposal shall be in accordance with SP 1006 Aqueous Effluents.