Safety Training
In June 2019, QS hired an HSE Trainer to review training program provided to QS Employees, Various safety training interventions were initiated ranging from Working at Heights, Confined Space Entry and Rescue, LOTO, HIRA and Crane Operation, among others.
Lock-Out and Tag-Out (LOTO)
Qatar Steel introduced a positive isolation system named Lock-Out and Tag-Out, which replaced the previous Red Flag system used. LOTO is designed to strengthen and safeguard maintenance jobs. Despite initial technical challenges, a decision was made by leadership to implement the system, placing employees’ wellbeing and safety at the forefront.
Permit to Work
Qatar Steel upgraded its permit to work system to take it from a paperwork exercise to an Electronic PTW system ensuring that work is recorded and conducted in a safe, coordinated and consistent manner. This was done by making site risk assessment essential for the start of work as well as ensuring that both the issuing and executing agency are involved in site verification before and after the work is done. Moreover, execution supervision is always required in the new system to ensure work is executed in a safe manner and process steps are complied with.
Risk Assessment
Qatar Steel revamped the way that risks are assessed in the plants by shifting from a compliance-based process to a risk-based one with a clear process flow and roles & responsibilities. The revamped system is aimed at effectively and sustainably reducing the risk in the field beyond the documentation of hazards and risks. Qatar Steel trained relevant employees on the new risk assessment system and conducted coaching sessions with each production department to guide them through live examples of Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment (HIRA), Job Safety Analysis (JSA), and Man-Machine Interface (MMI) to ensure risks in the field are effectively mitigated.
Contractor Safety Management
Qatar Steel puts together a comprehensive system to manage contractors, not only during job delivery, but across the entire value chain from pre-selection to contract signature, training, execution and feedback. The system is equipped with a pre-qualification scoring mechanism that will evaluate contractors during the tendering stage.
Behavioural Observation Program
The program has been implemented throughout QS and forms part of KPI’s for management employees. It is continuously monitored to identify trends and to improve employees’ attitude towards HSE. It has formed a significant part in the reduction of incidents that has been taken place in QS by allowing QS to be pro-active rather than re-active.
Executive Safety Tours
In 2019, we implemented the safety observation program throughout all departments, tracking observation and closeouts through the ERP system. In addition, we linked the Attendance of Manager safety walks to KPI’s
During 2019, 2714 spots were filled during the following courses:
- Certified Confined Space
- Certified Authorized Gas Tester
- Certified Lock Out Tag Out
- Certified Permit to Work
- Certified Work at Heights
- Emergency Planning & Response
- Handling of Chemicals & Hazardous Materials
- Heat Stress Management
- Incident & Accident Investigation
- Safety Awareness in Steel Plant
- Work at Heights
