Polskie LNG Project Reaches Over 1,7 Million Man-Hours Without Single Serious Accident

A culture of work safety based on the values, attitudes and standards of behavior in the field of occupational safety, common to all workers performing works on the construction of the LNG terminal, was introduced and fostered by the Investor – Polskie LNG S.A. together with the Investment’s General Contractor (GRI). This approach resulted in over 1 785 920 man-hours without any serious or fatal accident (as of 31 October 2012).

GRI introduced a safety management system whose main objective is to identify any potential risk exposure which – if not addressed – could develop into an accident at work or occupational illness. A number of proactive measures have been employed to meet relevant health and safety standards at the construction site.

Since the beginning of works performed by the Saipem – Techint – PBG Consortium, more than 3000 people have been trained in health and safety issues, over 1504 persons have received instruction for working at height, and a first-aid training course has been provided to 197 staff members.

The EPC Contractor has introduced compulsory daily pre-shift briefings for each brigade. At these meetings employees receive necessary instruction from the foreman assisted by the head H&S inspector on the type of work they are expected to perform and all safety measures applicable. Additionally, potentially dangerous events that may be related to the scheduled tasks are also discussed.

GRI’s H&S Service also conducts continuous monitoring of jobs. Inspectors, each of whom has a designated area of responsibility, work in close cooperation with subcontractors’ health and safety services. They report all anomalies identified as well as positive observations at the end of each shift. In the event of hazardous circumstance they initiate immediate action at the site, including suspension of work. Recognition of positive behaviours and instant intervention in the event of dangerous situation are particularly emphasized.

All works on the construction site are conducted on the basis of a written work permit, which allows to make right decisions in the event where works overlap and thus cannot be performed simultaneously. Furthermore, random breath testing of subcontractors’ employees is also conducted. GRI pays particular attention to the operators of cranes, heavy equipment and hook carriers.

The EPC Contractor (GRI) provides the workers with well-functioning health care system in medical care facilities established directly at the LNG terminal construction site. These include four highly skilled paramedics working in an Ambulatorium furnished with equipment comparable to that available in ambulances. The paramedics also have a car equipped with rescue & emergency equipment at their disposal, which allows them to react quickly in any place on the construction site stretching over an area of approximately 40 hectares.

In order to monitor compliance with health and safety procedures, regular audits of all subcontractors are carried out, allowing to maintain uniform standards for the entire construction (for example, transport, storage and use of gas cylinders, storage and use of hazardous substances, ensuring the minimum standards for sanitary and hygienic facilities). Audits in first aid, involving first-aid kits’ supplies checks, as well as the number of persons trained in the field of first aid and emergency behaviour, are held on a monthly basis.

Moreover, at least once a month evacuation and emergency first aid drills are held. Often they are run in cooperation with the specialists from local and regional units of National Fire Service. Such drills involve exercising different scenarios, such as rescue and evacuation from height of the tank, from the excavations or from the office space.

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LNG World News Staff, November 09, 2012; Image: Polskie LNG