12 Safe Maintenance Rules

We wanted to have our own rules directly related to our core business. We already apply the client’s rules on site, but we strive to be more focused on our activities in order to maintain the highest HSEQ standards. Our goal is to address the essential issues related to the key risks our employees face during their day-to-day operations.

Which is why, Dietsmann launched a 12-month HSEQ campaign focusing on 12 Safe Maintenance Rules that relate directly to the Company’s core business and address the key risks faced by Dietsmann’s employees. The 12 Safe Maintenance Rules are fully integrated into and applied during the day-to-day operations of every employee and are included in Dietsmann’s HSEQ Management System. The ‘Dietsmann 12 Safe Maintenance Rules’ campaign is available in seven languages. Training sessions focusing on one rule per month were organized.

Work safely for everyone’s safety!

What is a rule?

A rule is an appropriate principle regulating the practice or procedure of a specific activity. Following rules is compulsory.

Why these rules?

We wanted to have our own rules directly related to our core business. We already apply the client’s rules on site, but we strive to be more focused on our activities in order to maintain the highest HSEQ standards. Our goal is to address the essential issues related to the key risks our employees face during their day-to-day operations.

General presentation

What are the 12 Safe Maintenance Rules?

  • Rule 1 Safe System of Work
    Respecting the Permit To Work and understanding and applying the Risk Assessment preventative measures.
  • Rule 2 Pre Job Meeting
    The importance of the Pre Job Meeting to ensure the entire team understands the task and related risks and all necessary risk prevention measures are in place.
  • Rule 3 Hazard Isolations
    The importance of ensuring all isolations are in place and validated and the precautions to be applied, especially for electrical isolations with the LOTO (Lock Out Tag Out) system and mechanical isolations.
  • Rule 4 Incident Reporting
    Responsibilities at each level in the organization regarding reporting, from anomaly card reporting for the workforce to accident reporting to the management.
  • Rule 5 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
    The PPE specifications and the necessity of using the standard plus task-specific PPE at all times.
  • Rule 6 Portable working tools
    The steps to be followed prior to using a portable tool, the importance of using the right tool for the task and safety precautions when using tools.
  • Rule 7 Lifting Operations
    All the precautions to be applied during lifting and what to do and not do while a lifting operation is in progress.
  • Rule 8 Driving a motorized vehicle
    What authorizations are required, the rules to be observed, defensive driving courses and the alcohol policy.
  • Rule 9 Chemical Exposure
    Knowing all the hazards and working safely with chemicals.
  • Rule 10 Work at height
    Specific precautions to be applied when working and preparations for working at height including the use of scaffolding and safety harnesses.
  • Rule 11 Confined Space
    The authorizations and checks required before a confined space may be entered and specific precautions related to working in a confined space.
  • Rule 12 Cleaning and storage of working area
    Why working areas and workshops must be kept clean and equipment must be stored tidily.

When performing a task we must respect the Permit To Work system and understand and apply risk assessment preventive measures:

You must

  1. Ensure that my task has been validated
  2. Ensure that I have an approved Permit To Work
  3. Ensure that I fully understand the task and all the working steps it involves
  4. Ensure that I know the operating procedures linked to my task

You must not

  1. Work without a Permit To Work
  2. Carry out the task if there are any differences between the actual task and the task content described in the Permit To Work

It is the Team Leader’s duty to hold a Pre-job meeting on site with the entire team, to explain the task, to detail the risks linked to this task, and to check that preventive measures are taken.

You must

  1. Follow the rule: one job = one Pre-job meeting
  2. Ensure that everyone involved in the job also participates in the Pre-job meeting
  3. Ensure that colleagues joining the team mid task are also told the information discussed during the Pre-job meeting before commencing work
  4. Ensure the Foreman informs me about all the risks and precautionary measures

You must not

  1. Be inattentive during a Pre-job meeting, but must be an active participant
  2. Start work without having participated in the Pre-job meeting

When performing a task, on a powered or pressurized system, ensure that isolations have been validated by the exploitation team and double check all isolations are in place as per the isolation plan.

You must

  1. Check isolations prior to working on any powered or pressurized system
  2. Wear all prescribed PPE
  3. Perform an absence of power and/or pressure test prior to starting my task
  4. Ensure the electrical rescue kit is available in the electrical cabinet

You must not

  1. Work on systems while they are powered and/or pressurized
  2. Perform tasks on powered systems without a dedicated Permit To Work

Before reporting a hazard or unsafe action to the management we must intervene to avoid an incident. We must then write-up and report the event.

You must

  1. Be pro-active and report all unsafe situations
  2. Propose alternative ways to solve unsafe situations
  3. Explain what makes the situation unsafe to the person concerned before reporting it
  4. Remember that I can report all unsafe situations whatever the hierarchical position of the person concerned

You must not

  1. Think that if I report an unsafe situation I will be considered a “trouble maker”
  2. Think that it’s not important

When performing a task we must use the appropriate standard plus task-specific PPE at all times as per the preventative measures specified in the risk assessment.

You must

  1. Use the appropriate PPE for the task
  2. Take responsibility for the proper storage of my PPE
  3. Use specific PPE for specific tasks
  4. Stop the job and intervene if I see a colleague without appropriate PPE

You must not

  1. Use PPE not provided by Dietsmann
  2. Use damaged PPE

Prior to using a portable working tool we must inspect it visually to ensure it can be operated safely. All safety precautions must be respected when using tools.

You must

  1. Visually inspect safety devices on the tool prior to use
  2. Ensure that I’m properly trained before using a tool
  3. Check that the tool has the correct periodic checking tag issued by the HSEQ Department
  4. Be sure that the tool can be used in my working area: ATEX devices

You must not

  1. Apply excessive force or pressure on a tool during use
  2. Use a tool which is not designed for the job

We must be certified and authorized to perform a lifting operation. We must ensure colleagues do not stand under a suspended load, never cross a lifting area, pay attention to the lifting movements and never intervene in the lifting operation if not designated to do so.

You must

  1. Visually check my lifting equipment and the validity of the periodic inspection prior to use
  2. Demarcate and prohibit access to the lifting area
  3. Follow the approved lifting plan
  4. Ensure that I and my colleagues are properly trained to perform lifting operations

You must not

  1. Walk under a suspended load or cross a lifting area
  2. Intervene during a lifting operation if I’m not designated to do so

We must have the appropriate license and management authorization to drive a motorized vehicle.

You must

  1. Be trained in defensive driving, have a valid driving license and be authorized to drive
  2. Use the seatbelt, ensure all passengers use seatbelts, and respect speed limits
  3. Perform periodic inspections
  4. Report all incidents I may have

You must not

  1. Use a motorized vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or a drug
  2. Use my mobile phone while driving

Prior to using chemicals we must know all the chemical products hazards listed on the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

You must

  1. Ensure the MSDS is available and know the chemical risks
  2. Ensure I have appropriate chemical PPE
  3. Identify the location of the eye-care stations and emergency shower before starting the task
  4. Store chemical products on top of a retention tank

You must not

  1. Use water bottles or others alimentary liquid containers to store chemicals
  2. Drink, eat or smoke while working with chemicals

Prior to working at height we must know the minimum height at which personal fall prevention measures (scaffolds, harness and double lanyard) are required.

You must

  1. Know the working height limits for the site
  2. Prior to working on a scaffold, ensure it has been inspected
  3. Prior to using a harness, visually inspect it and check the inspection tag
  4. Fix my tools to prevent them falling

You must not

  1. Work at height without two fixation points
  2. Use a ladder as a workstation

Prior to a confined space being entered the entry authorization must have been delivered by the Exploitation Team and the atmosphere must have been measured by an authorized person.

You must

  1. Ensure all power sources have been isolated
  2. Ensure the atmosphere is tested before I enter
  3. Ensure a safety watcher is present and communication devices are working
  4. Read and understand the emergency plan

You must not

  1. Enter a confined space without authorization / confined space permit
  2. Work in a confined space on my own

To avoid slips, trips and falls and for more efficient working, working areas and workshops must be kept clean and equipment must be stored tidily.

You must

  1. Clean and tidy my working area properly when I have finished
  2. Collect my tools and put them away
  3. Always keep my work place clean to avoid trips and falls
  4. Clean and tidy my working area as well as I can when an alarm sounds

You must not

  1. Leave a working area untidy under the pretext of “It’s not me, it’s my colleague”
  2. Leave waste in the working area