OMV Group

HSSE Golden Rules

 HSSE Golden Rules

Ask!
Ask when you are in doubt!

Risk Assessment
Know the hazards before you start!

Permit to Work
Make sure you have a Permit to Work or authorization for your job!

Working at Heights
Overview Use fall protection whenever you could fall from heights!

Lifting Operations
Follow basic rules for every lift and plan all your lifts!

Housekeeping
Maintain your/our workplace clean and tidy!

Stop Work
Stop all unsafe work, acts and conditions!

Transportation Road Safety

Drive safely and comply with road transportation rules!

Overview | HSSE Golden Rules 01

 Introduction

The HSSE Golden Rules are the product of a three-year, industry-wide

study of the cause of fatalities, which identified the critical controls that
should be in place prior to starting work.

These rules are for your own safety and that of your colleagues.
Be appropriately trained and competent for your job.
Get your site induction. Think:Ahead and comply with the eight HSSE Golden Rules!
Follow the site specific HSSE rules.
Compliance with the rules is mandatory, and failure to follow them
Only use safe working equipment (including handrails).
could lead to disciplinary action.
Check and use the correct personal protection equipment (PPE).
Know what to do in case of an emergency. Familiarize yourself with the Golden Rules, and if you have any doubts
about what they mean for you or if you consider any situation unsafe
for you or your colleagues, stop and ask for clarification from your
supervisor.

The Golden Rules are supported by directives, standards, procedures­

and work instructions which detail the mandatory requirements,
including management aspects of work such as planning, competency,
documentation and record requirements.

This booklet provides a simple personal checklist that supports the

Golden Rules.

Think:Ahead and get the basics right!

02 HSSE Golden Rules | Think:Ahead Introduction | HSSE Golden Rules 03

Ask!

Be very clear on the directions given. Know your surroundings. Look

at the area you are working in. Ask yourself what you would do if
Ask when you are in doubt! something were to happen.

Be aware of your co-workers’ moods and work habits. If you notice that
they are not their normal selves, mention it to your supervisor, and give
them a heads up that something might be going on. This should be
Have you ever started a job without knowing exactly what to do?
done in private.
Have you ever wished you had more information?
Ask if there are other people around who could help you if you have to
If you are unsure about something, “ASK!” There are no embarrassing­
complete your task alone.
questions. If you do not understand, have any doubts or just need
Will these other people be willing to provide help?
to be reassured, ASK! Never assume it will be okay or that you can
Will these other people be able to help in a timely manner?
­manage without proper information – protect yourself and your
­colleagues, and ASK! You must be aware of the hazards at work, how you can protect
­yourself and places where you can potentially fall and hurt yourself.
Before starting work, THINK! Your supervisor should discuss the hazards at work with you, and you
If you need clarification, just ASK! should be on the same page. And if he or she does not, you should ask
ASK your supervisor questions like:
what are the risks; What are the hazards in my job?
what is the work plan; What are the hazards at this workplace?
which situations could arise; You must receive health and safety training when you are starting a
where to go; new job and before you start doing new or different things in your job.
what to do; Tell your supervisor right away if you see something that is unsafe or
what to do in case of an emergency; if equipment is not working properly.
is there any special PPE or Talk to your Occupational Health and Safety Representative if you see
monitoring required (like H2S or something that is unhealthy or unsafe.
other gases).

04 HSSE Golden Rules | Ask! Ask! | HSSE Golden Rules 05

Risk Assessment

Steps to be followed:
Know the hazards before you start! 1. Identification of hazards
2. Assessment of the risks
3. Elimination of hazards as far as practicable and reduction of risks

Downgraded situations, complex operations and operations performed Walk around – look – discuss
on an infrequent and / or temporary basis increase the risks present at
Walk around your workplace and see if you can spot any potential
the time.
­hazards (unsafe acts or unsafe conditions) – things that might cause
Inadequate protections (temporarily disabled automated safety slips, trips and falls, working at heights, exposure to hazardous
­systems, temporary seals, etc.): ­substances, fire, explosion, high noise levels, moving vehicles, etc.
Must be reported using CARE or CARE cards.
It is not just about looking for these types of hazards yourself, but also
Measures to mitigate the resulting risks must be defined, approved,
about talking to others who may be more aware of potential hazards
applied and regularly checked.
than you are. Before starting a new job, determine what can go wrong,
A list of “downgraded situations” must be updated daily and
who might get harmed and in what way.
communicated to the affected personnel.
Consider the risks and decide if adequate provisions are in place
Complex operations and operations performed
to ­prevent accidents occurring or whether additional precautions
infrequently ­(equipment or installation startup,
need to be put in place. You will need to prioritize each hazard and
work on powered systems, etc.):
decide whether the risk of each one is low, medium or high. If you
Detailed operating procedures must be
decide the risk of a ­specific hazard causing harm is low, then your
prepared and followed, including hold points
existing precautions­are probably adequate and can be maintained.
that must be checked;
If you ­decide the risk is ­medium or high, you should consider taking
Appropriate resources must be provided and
­immediate steps to reduce the risks to a level that is as low as
used;
­reasonably practicable before ­proceeding.
Standby workers to support and warn the
workers in the event something goes wrong; Select risk assessment methods according to the tasks being
Practice drills covering different situations. ­performed, e. g. 5 x 5, JSA, Hazid, etc.

06 HSSE Golden Rules | Risk Assessment Risk Assessment | HSSE Golden Rules 07
Permit to Work

Ask yourself:
Make sure you have a Permit to Work or Is there an adequately defined scope of work and validity period
authorization for your job! which is understood by everyone involved?
Has the work been authorized by a responsible person?
Have all the appropriate hazards been identified and the risk
Depending on the risk involved with a particular job, a work permit (or assessed (Job Safety Analysis, JSA)?
appropriate authorization) ensures that the work is performed safely. The Are the appropriate controls in place and verified?
industry has identified hot work, lifting, lockout of powered systems,
Have all conflicting activities been identified?
confined spaces, excavation and work at height as particularly hazardous
– the highest level of attention must be given to these operations. Have you assessed the implications of other work being
Work shall only proceed if: performed in the same area?
The scope of work and validity period are clearly understood. Has an appropriate pre-job briefing been conducted that includes
The preparations made included a prior workplace visit. everyone involved, and will communication be maintained
The work has been authorized by a responsible person for the site. throughout the activity?
All hazards have been identified and the risk assessed. Have the appropriate isolations been put in place and verified?
Controls have been put in place and verified.
Is everyone aware that they are required to stop work and reassess­
There are no conflicting activities.
after any break or change in the circumstances or conditions?
Work parties are made aware of simultaneous activities in the area.
Specific additional permits for hazardous operations have been issued. Have instructions for re-instating the worksite upon completion
The conditions of the work permit have been communicated. of the work been provided?
The work status has been clearly communicated to everyone affected In the case of hot work, are all special requirements such as gas
during and upon completion of the work. testing, habitats or fire extinguishers available at the workplace?
The work process includes acceptance upon completion of the work For confined space entry, if continuous gas monitoring is mentioned
and handover of the equipment to the operators. in the permit, is the gas tester calibrated and is the alarm working?
All isolations for the job have been put into place and verified as safe.
Are the change management procedures in place and have they
If there is an unexpected change of circumstances or conditions, work been updated?
must be stopped, made safe and reassessed.

08 HSSE Golden Rules | Permit to Work Permit to Work | HSSE Golden Rules 09
Working at Heights

and regulate access. Employees erecting, modifying and dismantling

Use fall protection whenever you could fall scaffolding must be equipped with a double lanyard harness.
from heights! Only certified workers equipped with safety harnesses and aware of
the specific conditions for use may work on a Mobile Elevating Work
Platform (MEWP).
Work at heights shall only proceed if: Ladders and stepladders may only be used as a means of access under
Options to eliminate the need for working at height (> 1.8 m or acc. to exceptional circumstances.
local regulations; incl. depths, e. g. trenches) have been evaluated.
Everyone is trained and competent to perform the activity, including Ask yourself:
the use of fall prevention and fall arrest equipment. Does the fall prevention system fulfill all of the mandatory ­
All equipment is proven to be fit for the required purpose. Equipment requirements?
found to be damaged or defective must be removed from service. Is everyone involved in the activity trained in the use of the fall
Tools and equipment are secured to prevent potential dropped objects. prevention system?
People must be hooked to an anchor point at all times.
Will all people be hooked to an anchor point at all times while
The fall arrest system limits free fall to 1.5 meters or less.
performing the activity?
A rescue plan and the appropriate equipment are in place to
minimize suspension trauma. Is the rescue plan and equipment in place to minimize suspension
trauma prior to commencing the activity?
The fall prevention system includes:
Are all items, including tools and equipment, adequately secured
A single person anchor point capable of supporting 15 kN,
to prevent potential dropped objects?
A fall arrest rated full body harness using double latch self-locking
snap hooks at each connection, Has all the equipment that will be used been inspected and reviewed?
A lanyard which incorporates a shock absorber. Do I feel fit enough to perform the work?
Work on tank roofs requires prior inspection, a specific risk assessment If you have a fear of heights (acrophobia), inform your supervisor
and installation of catwalks, safety rails or lifelines. immediately. Do not hide it, share it with your supervisor.
Be aware of the weather conditions: hot weather can cause heating of
Work on scaffolding requires inspection before use and at regular
metal rods, rain can cause slips and, wind is always a concern.
intervals during use. Tags must be used to keep track of inspections

10 HSSE Golden Rules | Working at Heights Working at Heights | HSSE Golden Rules 11
Lifting Operations

Tag lines must be used on loads, and a qualified person must be

Follow basic rules for every lift and ­present to control the direction of the load prior to placing it in position.
plan all your lifts! Lifting of personnel presents the greatest risk and shall only be
­considered if no alternative method can be found. Assess the risk,
define prevention and mitigation measures, and obtain approval from
the person in charge (e. g. Permit to Work).
Lifting operations shall only proceed if: Lifting after dark requires a risk assessment and sufficient lighting.
A lift plan that is specific to the operation has been developed by a
All of the equipment must be certified.
trained and competent person. Depending on the risk, this may need
to be a formal document; however, for some lifts a conversation will Ask yourself:
be enough!
Has a lift plan been developed and approved by an authorized
A risk assessment has been prepared. The lifting equipment and
person?
method must be selected by a qualified person. A minimum of three
competent persons must be involved in the lifting operation. Has a trained and competent person:
The lifting area has been marked off to prohibit access.   Checked whether all safety devices are operational?
A trained and competent person has checked whether all the devices   Visually inspected the lifting equipment and lifting points?
and equipment are safe and operational.   Rigged the load appropriately?
The type of the load and the maximum weight is known and is   Secured the load prior to lifting?
less than the Safe Working Load (SWL) of the lifting and rigging Is the weight and type of load less than the Safe Working Load
­equipment, including a safety factor of 1.5. (SWL) of the lifting device performing the activity?
Operators of powered lifting equipment are trained and competent for Are the operators of the powered lifting device trained, competent
the specific equipment, location and task. and authorized for that specific equipment and location?
Clear communication is established and maintained between ­everyone
Will communication be established and maintained between
involved in the lift. The signaler must be present.
everyone involved in the lift throughout the activity?
No one is positioned under a suspended load or between a ­suspended
load and fixed objects. Throughout the lifting operation, have all potential hazards for
An identification system (color code or equivalent) is used to certify people to be injured by the load due to their positioning been
that the lifting accessories have been inspected at regular intervals. eliminated?

12 HSSE Golden Rules | Lifting Operations Lifting Operations | HSSE Golden Rules 13
Housekeeping

Ask yourself:

Maintain your/our workplace clean and tidy! Are all areas clear of any unnecessary items and are the grounds
neat and orderly?
Are the access ways kept clean and free from tripping hazards?
Are the access ways marked appropriately?
Effective housekeeping eliminates workplace hazards and helps get the Are all exits kept free from obstructions?
job done safely, securely and properly. This must be an ongoing process:
Are holes in the sidewalk or other walking surfaces properly
it is not a hit-and-miss cleanup done occasionally. Periodic “panic”
repaired, covered or otherwise made safe?
­cleanups are costly and ineffective in reducing accidents.
Are walkways that pass near moving or operating machinery or
Housekeeping is not just about cleanliness, it also includes: high-hazard areas arranged so employees will not be exposed to
keeping work areas neat and orderly, potential hazards?
removal of waste materials and other hazards from work areas,
Are materials and equipment stored in such a way that sharp
paying attention to the layout of the entire workplace,
projections will not interfere with the walkway?
marking and maintaining adequate storage facilities,
clean desk policy at office workplaces. Are fire extinguishers supplied, properly located and maintained?
Are all flammable materials stored in approved containers and in
Orderly housekeeping is “maintained” not “achieved.” Cleaning and
a safe location?
organization must be done regularly, not just at the end of the shift. A
good housekeeping program identifies and assigns responsibilities for Are all electrical distribution panels properly maintained?
the following: Are covers for electrical switches or receptacles cracked or broken?
cleanup during the shift, Are all tools, machines and equipment in safe working condition?
day-to-day cleanup,
Are all electrical extension cords in safe condition and not being
waste disposal: separate waste at the point of origin and dispose of
used to carry excessive loads?
waste according to the local laws or company standards,
removal of unused materials, Are warning signs posted near cleaning areas, repair work or
secure storage and / or elimination of confidential documents, renovation efforts?
inspection to ensure cleanup is complete. Are there any risks of tools or equipment falling from height?

14 HSSE Golden Rules | Housekeeping Housekeeping | HSSE Golden Rules 15

Stop Work

Ask yourself:

Stop all unsafe work, acts and ­conditions! Is there any concern for the safety of persons involved in the work?
Is there any behavioral risk present?

If YES, you should stop work using positive intervention:

“Stop Work” is a procedure to halt work in order to resolve potentially Stop the person – get him away from the situation or stop him
unsafe conditions. from continuing in a manner that does not startle him (if
applicable and possible).
A potentially unsafe condition could be the condition of equipment or
at-risk behavior or actions of people associated with an item or work Have a conversation using a coaching style (ask, not tell).
process, which if not corrected, poses a threat to public or personnel Use polite requests: “Tell me about,” “Explain how,” “Describe.”
safety, facility or process operations, or the environment. Use predominantly open questions.
“Stop Work” authority essentially gives you the power to stop your   How could you get hurt?
own work or the work of others if you reasonably believe that you,   Who is working with you?
other people or the environment are in danger.   What could go wrong?
  When could this action be implemented?
Who can invoke “Stop Work”?   Where would you find that information?
Anyone. You do not have to be an expert in the area of concern and   Why would that help?
you do not have to be involved in the work in question. All of our
Listen for 80 % of the time.
­employees and contractors have the right, responsibility and authority
to “Stop Work.” Close out with SMART actions.
Try to be receptive to anyone who intervenes with you.
If you do not feel that your own work is safe, stop the work and notify
your manager of the unsafe condition. If you feel the work of others is
unsafe, tell them and their supervisors that you believe what they are
doing is unsafe and request that they stop work until the situation is
resolved.

16 HSSE Golden Rules | Stop Work Stop Work | HSSE Golden Rules 17
Transportation Road Safety

Vehicles should always be reverse parked at the end of a trip if it is

Drive safely and comply safe to do so.
with road transportation rules! Special restrictions apply to access to and traffic in hazardous areas in
which a potentially explosive atmosphere may exist.

Goods and passengers must be transported in separate compartments.

A trip by road in a company or contracted vehicle shall only proceed if:
The vehicle is regularly inspected and maintained by a competent Ask yourself:
person and is suitable for the task and the local driving conditions. Is there evidence that the vehicle has been regularly inspected
Drivers assess the suitability and safety of the vehicle prior to any and maintained?
trip being taken.  Has the vehicle been assessed as suitable for the local driving
Drivers are appropriately licensed, trained and medically fit to operate conditions?
the class of vehicle being used for the local driving conditions.
 Does the driver have the appropriate licenses for the vehicle to
Drivers are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs and are not
be used and, if applicable, is he trained for the vehicle being used
suffering from fatigue.
and the local conditions?
Seatbelts are installed and worn by all occupants.
The number of passengers does not exceed the manufacturer’s  Is the driver medically fit, not under the influence of alcohol
design specifications for the vehicle. and / or drugs and not suffering from fatigue?
Loads are secure and do not exceed the manufacturer’s design  Are seatbelts installed and will they be worn by all passengers?
­specifications or legal limits for the vehicle.  Does the number of passengers comply with the manufacturer’s
Drivers comply with speed limits and local road rules. design specifications and legal limits for the vehicle?
Drivers do not operate mobile phones – whether hands free or not –
 Are all loads secure and do not exceed the manufacturer’s design
while driving.
specifications or legal limits for the vehicle?
Avoid continuous driving: plan rest intervals during long trips.
Avoid night driving, especially between midnight and early morning.  Is the driver aware of local traffic laws and the requirement to
Prepare a trip management plan and communicate it to passengers. adhere to the speed limit?
Do not transport third-party passengers in company vehicles.  Is the driver aware that operation of a mobile phone while
­driving is not permitted?

18 HSSE Golden Rules | Transportation Road Safety Transportation Road Safety | HSSE Golden Rules 19
 Contents
  HSSE Golden Rules
02 Think:Ahead – get the basics right!
04 Ask!
06 Risk Assessment
08 Permit to Work
10 Working at Heights
12 Lifting Operations
14 Housekeeping
16 Stop Work
18 Transportation Road Safety

Masthead
Owner and publisher: OMV Aktiengesellschaft
Corporate HSSE (Health, Safety, Security, Environment)
Design: Bianca Auner
Photos: OMV archive
Printing: Druckwerkstatt Handels GmbH

April 2012

Disclaimer
In the interests of simplicity and readability, the language
used in this brochure is gender-neutral to the greatest
extend possible; the masculine gender includes the
feminine wherever applicable.
OMV Aktiengesellschaft
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1020 Vienna, Austria
www.omv.com