Health & safety bulletin
Year End Safety Awareness
3rd December 2009
Re: Year-end safety awareness
As we near the end of yet another eventful year, we must remain conscious of the very high levels of activity we are likely to encounter across the region. With this in mind we must remain vigilant with regard to applying all safety procedures and processes. We must exercise greater caution during the cold and dark days ahead which bring testing conditions to be managed safely.
Our safety record so far in 2009 shows that people are still being hurt in the workplace. There have been 3 MTIs (Luxemburg, Germany and Switzerland) and 6 first aids across the region. It is imperative that we close out 2009 with no additional injuries to our people so they can fully enjoy the festive season with their families.
One particular area of concern is the trend of some major contractor's employees not fully respecting the GSR following unannounced site visits by ABB and ExxonMobil personnel. We need to be reassured that this is not a developing trend and that all of us take immediate and appropriate steps to ensure this practice stops - NOW.
On a more positive note we have seen improvement in the use of barrier systems and the adoption of a more superior standard of glove being worn in many countries. Contractor management have also taken a proactive lead in disciplining employees who flagrantly ignore GSRs. We fully expect our contractor management to take such actions in the interest of improving the safety record and ensure "Nobody gets hurt".
Please ensure that the following areas receive increased focus in the coming weeks and months:
- Ensure that barriers are erected in accordance with the procedure and your crew vehicles are used as a stop element. Watch for the public gaining access to your work area.
- LMRA is conducted on a continuous basis.
- PPE is used at all times. Use correct gloves relevant to the job; we had 6 hand injuries so far in 2009.
- Instill a spirit of sharing safe practices at every opportunity and act as your brother's keeper.
- Non-compliance of GSR will not be tolerated, so ensure everyone complies.
- Alert Observations are completed on time and focus on the higher risk tasks. Plan more unannounced visits and let employees know they have the full support of ABB and ExxonMobil.
- Remember if it looks unsafe to work then you have a duty of care to STOP until you have created the conditions that allow you to proceed safely.
Compliance with safety requirements is our and your licence to operate. If we have no licence we cannot operate.
Yours Sincerely,
Joe Leech
ABB Central Team Safety Manager
Alfred Zwirner
ABB Contract Director - Europe