Safe
to work in energy
By Aretha Welch
Trinidad Express
Port Spain
Petroleumworldtt.com
06 24 07
The
South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce
last week launched a new guidance manual, the first
component of a three-part "Safe TO Work" project.
During the event Chamber CEO Dr Thackwray Driver,
left, and Chamber President Rampersad Motilal exchange
views regarding the initiative. Photo: Steve McPhie.
AT least four workers have lost their lives this
year in the local energy industry. While this is
a far cry from the record 18 deaths in 2005, insiders
say every death has caused industry experts to
revisit their safety regulations.
Now blanket rules have been introduced to standardise
safety procedures throughout the industry.
A new guidance manual was launched last week by
the South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce
at the Courtyard Marriott, Invaders Bay, Port of
Spain. Contractors will now have to toe this new
safety line or find themselves with little or no
work.
The
introduction of the manual is the first component
of a three part "Safe TO Work (STOW)" project
which was initiated by the Chamber.
"Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth in
equipment is also damaged or destroyed each year,
though the loss of equipment is much less important
than the lives that are lost," Chamber CEO,
Thackwray Driver later told the Express.
Globally industry deaths are measured in the hundreds
per annum, with fatalities occurring in every sector
of the industry regardless of existing safety guidelines.
The Chamber found that several of the deaths in
the local industry resulted from workers falling
from heights, being struck by moving objects and
electrocution. They also noted that a number of
fatalities, although less frequent occurred from
inhalation of toxic fumes, explosions and traffic
accidents.
Driver
said the introduction of this manual marked a
significant step in the development of the local
energy industry."It is the first time that
all the major energy stakeholders in the country
have come together to make one agreement for the
greater good."
Following the introduction of the manual, the
next step in the STOW project will be the appointing
of certifying agents. The agents will issue compliance
certificates to contractors who meet the minimum
Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) standards.
However, smaller contractors who may struggle
to meet the standards necessary for certification
because of financial limitations need not despair.
Driver
said, "The third step of the project
was the distribution of grants to small companies
who need assistance in coming up to par in order
to get accreditation." He said the Inter-American
Development Bank has already donated US$415,000
for this aspect of the programme.
Trinidad
Express
Wednesday, June 20th 2007
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