Hygiene and Safety Policy

The promotion of a team spirit, through awareness and collaboration in a pro-active environment, the continual improvement of working conditions and resources guide the formation of a cohesive family, motivated and committed to producing wealth for a better national future.

We have a clear goal – Zero Accidents. All those who work for HCB, wherever they may be, have the responsibility to comply with their attributes in this area. We have all been committed to achieving it.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

It is the task of all managers at all levels to guarantee the health and safety of the people who are under their responsibility at the work place. The manager of each unit should implement the policy and the systems in his area of control and influence.

The Board of Directors bears this responsibility at Company level. It seeks, with special attention, to ensure that in each Directorate, Department or Unit, the management has the authority, competence and resources necessary to exercise this responsibility.

Main Procedures and Tools at Unit Level

The Units have a Health and Safety at Work Management System to encourage continual improvement in performance.

Risk Analysis

Management procedures are administered so as to ensure that risks are adequately identified, controlled and managed at each phase of their implementation. This analysis is updated regularly, particularly through the installation of new equipment and/or alterations in organisation.

The workers, service providers and clients are informed of the risks and of the measures taken to eliminate or minimise them.

Safety Audits and Inspections

Audits and inspections at the workplace are regularly planned and carried out. They are communicated and give rise to preventive and corrective measures, which are managed in the same way as the accident analysis.

These audits and inspections are carried out by HST technical staff, and line managers, trained for this purpose, including the senior managers. The employees are involved in these audits and inspections as much as possible.

Instructions, rules and procedures

The instructions, rules and procedures are designed so that the work may be done safely, without risks to health, and in accordance with the assessments. These should be:

• Written
• Updated
• In line with the regulations
• Realistic
• Known to and understood by all the parties involved
• Complied with and respected

Emergency/Safety Plans

All the sites have emergency plans, in accordance with the nature of their operations, and with the assessed risks. These plans are updated, when necessary, and regularly communicated and tested.

Service Providers

The health and safety regulations also apply to the service providers who work at the site: the contracts with the service providers specify the rights and duties of both parties with regard to this question. The ability of the contracted party to work in safety is a priority criterion for selection.

The service providers are actively supported in matters of safety. The safety performance indicators for the companies that work with HCB are recorded and communicated. They are a performance assessment tool. Poor safety performance must not be tolerated, and may result in early cancellation of the contract.

Training and Communication

Training
The necessary measures are taken to ensure that all employees are skilled in hygiene and safety matters. These activities provide adequate training and experience.

Safety includes:

• Behavioural training and awareness about hygiene and safety
• Training in the Hygiene and Safety Management System
• Training in risk assessment
• Training in procedures and methods
• Training in the use of work equipment
• Training in obtaining work authorisations.

Communication
Communication is an important factor in implementing the safety, hygiene and health programme for all employees, and includes information on the safety plan of the installations, feedback on performance and the measures taken, and key knowledge for the prevention of accidents. It encourages a free flow of information in both directions.