Why the sector is different.
WHY SAFETY DOMINATES EVERYTHING
The consequences of failure are catastrophic: fire, explosion, release and multiple fatalities.
WHAT THAT MEANS COMMERCIALLY
Safety performance determines whether you work at all.
WHAT OPERATORS ASSESS
Your safety management system Your incident record Training and competence records How you investigate and learn Whether your people actually follow procedures
WHAT A SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM REQUIRES
Documented policy and procedures Hazard identification and risk assessment Competence and training Permit systems Incident reporting and investigation Audit Management review
WHY DOCUMENTATION ALONE IS INSUFFICIENT
Audits examine whether practice matches the documents.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
That procedures describe what is actually done.
WHAT PERMIT TO WORK SYSTEMS CONTROL
High-risk activities: hot work, confined space entry, work at height, electrical work, excavation, lifting.
WHAT A PERMIT ESTABLISHES
That the work is assessed, precautions are in place, and it is authorised for a defined period.
WHY THEY ARE ENFORCED ABSOLUTELY
Bypassing them has caused major incidents.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
That nobody works without the required permit, without exception.
WHAT STOP WORK AUTHORITY MEANS
Anyone may halt work they consider unsafe.
WHY IT IS FUNDAMENTAL
It empowers the person closest to the danger.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
That it is genuine, and that using it is never penalised.
WHAT TO RECORD
Every incident, near miss and unsafe condition.
WHAT TO NEVER DO
Conceal an incident.
WHY
It is discovered, and it ends the relationship permanently.
