Safety Essentials
We take safety very personally at Aurecon. Safety is everybody s business, every day. Health and safety incidents are not inevitable, they are preventable. Supporting the Health and Safety Management System is Aurecon s Safety Essentials programme. This programme is designed to offer practical lessons to use in the efficient and effective management of Health and Safety risks specific to day to day operations - be it on a project site or in the office. At Aurecon, the aspirational goal is zero harm. Within our industry, a wide variety of risks exist across our activities. As professionals, people have one thing in common: a duty to protect themselves, their colleagues, their clients, and all involved in projects as well as the public from harm. In developing the fundamentals which underpin our Safety Essentials, Aurecon consulted across all levels of its business. Each Safety Essential addresses situations frequently encountered in workplaces and industries where we are typically engaged. Strict compliance with our Safety Essentials is pivotal to preventing incidents, in our own and in contractor environments. Achieving this requires personal ownership of health and safety, education, and the courage to step in as soon as people see something being done incorrectly or where a situation has the potential for harm. By sharing these principles and meeting their stringent standards, we go a long way to preventing harm to ourselves and others in workplaces. As we go about doing our work in any environment, Aurecon expects people to embrace the Safety Essentials in a positive way and to embed them in everything they do. For violations of our Safety Essentials, we apply the general principle that if people choose not to comply, people choose not to work for Aurecon. This is how seriously Aurecon views Safety Essentials. 1 2
Core Commitments Core Commitments Work safely: I always comply with site rules, follow safety procedures and do a risk assessment before and during a task as required. Reporting: I always address hazards (including unsafe behaviours and conditions) and report incidents (including near misses). Site safety rules are there for your safety. You should: Complete a site induction where required Strictly comply with the health and safety rules for the site Be aware of site access requirements and emergency procedures Be aware of site specific requirements for high risk work You should ensure that: Risk assessments or safe work method statements (SWMS) are current, accurate and relevant to the task All hazards are identified and the risk reduced to levels as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) Staff are trained, competent and authorised to complete the task Risk assessments and SWMS are regularly reviewed Non-routine work is properly assessed to ensure adequate safe work procedures are in place A Take 5 should be completed before beginning, restarting or changing the location of site work to verify that the task can be carried out safely. The reporting of hazards and incidents is a critical part of managing health and safety as: They present an opportunity to improve our culture and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future Near misses are free lessons that we can learn from When someone is injured, we can make sure they are properly cared for and the injury management process can begin Our clients, business partners and communities expect us to report hazards and incidents You should always: Be aware of the process for reporting hazards and incidents at your current worksite, including client, business partner and health and safety regulator requirements Intervene and report a breach of the Safety Essentials, an unsafe act, an incident or a near miss remember that what you permit is what you condone 3 4
Core Commitments Core Commitments Fit and competent for work: I am always fit for work and am trained and competent to undertake my task. Personal protective equipment: I always wear the necessary personal protective equipment for the task. You should always present to work in a fit state by: Not being under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication Informing your supervisor or line manager if you are taking medications that may affect your capacity to work Not being affected by fatigue You should always be competent to safely undertake your work by: Undertaking the appropriate training and ensuring it is up to date Only working within your level of training, experience and ability When using plant or equipment, ensure you have the correct training and competency and within its specifications. You should notify your supervisor or line manager if you are feeling fatigued or believe that further training or instruction is required to work safely. While the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is a lower level of control, its correct use is an important last line of defence. Prior to commencing a task, identify the site and task specific PPE requirements. When using PPE, you should: Be competent in the correct use of your PPE Correctly wear your PPE Store your PPE in a clean environment and maintain it in good working order Replace any PPE that is damaged or in line with the manufacturer s recommendations 5 6
High Risk Task Commitments High Risk Task Commitments Confined spaces: I always have the required competency and a valid permit before entering a confined space. Driving & travel: I always comply with local and Aurecon driving rules, including wearing a seatbelt, driving to conditions and planning my travel. Confined spaces pose a significant risk to people working on project sites. When working in a confined space, you should ensure that: Where possible, tasks are carried out without entering the confined space Only a trained and competent person can enter a confined space A trained, competent and dedicated stand-by person is posted at the entrance of a confined space at all times while people are working inside A valid permit is in place signing in and out every time is essential Atmospheric monitoring is in place for all confined space activities All tasks being undertaken in confined spaces are risk assessed and include: Communication and emergency response systems (Rescue Plan) Potential atmospheric change hazards Potential fire / explosion hazards Always obey the local traffic laws, site rules and comply with the Aurecon driving policy. While operating a vehicle or mobile plant, ensure you: Have a current and valid licence Inspect the vehicle and ensure it is suitable for use Always wear your seatbelt Never exceed the speed limit and drive to the conditions Never use a mobile/cell phone and avoid distractions while driving (i.e. adjusting controls, eating, etc.) When driving long distances (more than two hours) fatigue management must be considered Restrain items being transported to prevent injury Based on a risk assessment, the use of a journey management plan to document the specific travel associated hazards and controls may be required. The health and safety aspects of international and inter-region travel should be considered prior to departure and documented in your risk assessment or SWMS. These may include: Fatigue management Need for a pre-travel medical and vaccinations Registration with International SOS Consideration of local security issues via local contacts, government travel websites and International SOS 7 8
High Risk Task Commitments High Risk Task Commitments Energised systems: I always have a valid permit or authorisation and ensure the power and product supply is isolated and made safe before commencing a task. Plant & pedestrian interaction: I always establish contact with the plant operator before approaching and keep within designated walkways. Prior to commencing work, ensure the power and/or product supply is confirmed to be isolated and inoperative. These systems may include electrical, high pressure, hydraulic, gas, diesel and water systems. When inspecting live equipment, ensure that you confirm and remain outside the safe limits of approach. Treat all conductors as live. At all times, ensure that you: Work in compliance with legislative requirements, client and Aurecon safety procedures Have the correct training and competency to undertake the task Have the appropriate risk assessment or SWMS and a valid permit or authorisation Positively identify plant and confirm isolations are in place prior to commencing work Maintain safe working distances from adjacent live conductors, electrical equipment and plant Maintain clear communication with all relevant work parties As a pedestrian, you should: Establish positive contact with the plant operator before approaching Give way to vehicles and plant Be familiar with the traffic control rules and vehicle movement plans Keep within the designated walkways and crossings where possible Always keep alert and be aware of what is happening around you When using your mobile/cell phone, do not continue walking. Find a location away from a thoroughfare and remain in the one location while taking the call. When working adjacent to live traffic, you must ensure the appropriate controls are in place and are documented in a risk assessment, SWMS or traffic management plan. These may include: Wearing hi-visibility clothing and maintaining a safe distance from traffic Set-up flashing lights and/or the use of spotters (flagmen) Engaging with local traffic authorities to limit speed, install hard barricades or close sections of the road 9 10
High Risk Task Commitments High Risk Task Commitments Restricted areas: I always have authorisation before entering a restricted area or designated exclusion zone. Suspended loads: I always keep clear of the fall zone of a suspended load. Designated restricted areas and exclusion zones are established within a workplace to limit, so far as is reasonably practicable, interactions between a hazardous area/ task and people. Ensure you do not enter a restricted area or designated exclusion zone without first obtaining the correct authorisation. When required to access these areas, you must: Seek direction from the person in control of the area Comply with any specific access requirements, including wearing specific PPE, signing onto a permit, risk assessment or entry log Obey the instructions of a spotter (flagman) who is keeping watch over a restricted area or exclusion zone To avoid being struck by falling objects, people must always remain clear of the fall or crush zone, under or around a suspended or travelling load. To achieve this, you must always: Remain outside of barricaded areas Obey the directions of a spotter who is keeping the fall or crush zone clear Where the above controls are not in place and loads are being suspended or travelled: Keep well clear of the potential fall or crush zone Advise people in the immediate vicinity of any risk Notify the relevant site representative 11 12
High Risk Task Commitments High Risk Task Commitments Trenching & excavations: I always have collapse prevention controls in place and authorisation before entering a trench or excavation. Working at heights: I always have fall prevention controls in place if there is a risk of falling. Excavation work includes a tunnel, shaft or trench with an excavated depth of greater than 1.5m. This work is considered high risk due to the potential for collapse and engulfment. Prior to entering a trench or excavation, you will ensure that: The appropriate collapse prevention controls are in place before entering, which could include a combination of benching, battering and shoring Authorisation to enter has been obtained Vehicles, material and/or equipment are not placed within a distance that could potentially compromise the integrity of the excavation Depending on the task, an emergency response plan may be required to manage unexpected incidents, such as ground slip, flooding, gas leaks and the rescue of workers from an excavation. Where there is a risk of falling from one level to another, ensure you have the appropriate fall prevention controls in place. Use the hierarchy of controls when selecting fall prevention controls: Elimination: can the work be undertaken on the ground or on solid construction Substitution: consider the use of an elevated work platform or scaffolding in preference to a ladder Isolation/Engineering: consider the use of static lines or travel restraint systems, catch platforms, hand rails or hard barricading as required Administration: ensure you have the relevant permits, training, licenses, risk assessments and rescue plans prior to undertaking work at heights PPE: where indicated, use full body harnesses, lanyards, inertia reels and slings At all times, ensure that: Fall prevention equipment is operated by trained and competent persons There is documented evidence that fall prevention equipment (including PPE) is regularly inspected and in good working order 13 14
About Aurecon Aurecon provides engineering, management and specialist technical services for public and private sector clients globally. Aurecon, with an office network extending across 27 countries, has been involved in projects in over 80 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific and the Middle East and employs around 7 500 people throughout 12 industry groups. We seek to foster human achievement in all aspects of our work. Aurecon offices are located in: Angola, Australia, Botswana, Chile, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Zimbabwe. Join us on www.facebook.com/aurecon Follow us on www.linkedin.com/company/aurecon Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd is a certified Level 3 BBBEE contributor. The Aurecon Group is made up of a number of separate legal entities operating across diverse jurisdictions. Not all those entities provide services to clients. 2014 Aurecon For more information about these changes contact the Health & Safety Team. This brochure is intended as a guide only and is not a substitute for professional legal advice.