SGR: EHS compliance

SGR: EHS compliance.

There are three stages that form the basis for a development project: namely the commissioning, operational and decommissioning phases. The commissioning phase, literally, is the actualization of the project plan, design and involves establishment of a qualified and competent team across all levels of an organization – the management, service and product levels. In particular, the Mombasa – Nairobi standard gauge railway project is in its implementation process and in order to have a maximum output and achieve set goals, important safety standards on workers, environment and machines must be put in place. It is a noble duty of an environment, health and safety (EHS) officer to enforce these standards, with a surgeon’s precision and the professionalism it deserves.

To increase efficiency and boost employee morale, first, workplace hazards must be reduced to zero. This is attained by setting up a framework for an occupational, health and safety management system consisting of policies, procedures and controls needed for C.R.B.C section 4 to achieve best possible working conditions, aligned to internationally and locally recognized best legislative practices. With the magnitude and engineering complexity of the standard gauge railway project, various categories of workers with varied safety requirements have been pooled together, making a team. This comprises of carpenters, masons, drivers, operators, foremen, steel fixers, surveyors, environmental experts – whose safety and health concerns must be guaranteed.

    Thus, EHS officers are the power at the grass-roots in strict implementation of the public and production management policies, plans and methods. They identify, analyse hazards and put in place controls to manage them, engage and motivate all staff to observe safety, reduce workplace accidents and illnesses through conducting trainings, performing emergency drills, enforcing use of personal protective equipment(PPEs) – all of which create best possible working conditions for C.R.B.C section 4 workers.

Secondly, EHS work involves putting an effective environmental system in place. The nature of the railway construction activities pose serious environmental risks that must be prevented, without hindering smooth progress of the project. To ensure the railway project is environmentally sustainable, EHS officers earnestly identify environmental impacts and reduce them, as well as liaising with other environmental and conservation stakeholders in safeguarding the serenity of our natural surroundings. Threat to environment is threat to life, and at C.R.B.C section 4, sound environmental practices are integrated into all our operations.

Thirdly, EHS officers generally assist in ensuring compliance with all construction related legislations and implementing various ISO requirements pertinent to the standard gauge railway project. In addition to the aforementioned duties of an EHS officer, C.R.B.C in return benefits in cutting down hazard related costs, minimising risks of regulatory and environmental liability fines, and improving the company’s global image, thus increasing its business opportunities.

Conclusion

Though EHS work is an arduous task, it is a rewarding and proud work. Constant interaction with workers creates a mutual understanding and improves workers’ esteem towards their daily activities. In a nutshell, EHS officers at all time endeavour to protect lives, protect the environment and ensure maximum compliance of all EHS regulations. In their daily recipe - education, sensitization and EHS awareness are daily routine priorities, coupled with inspections and supervisions throughout the day, and finally daily work recordings and incident notifications.

Proper record keeping helps the EHS department in reviewing continuous performance, and bridging safety knowledge gaps that may exist. The universal goal of EHS officers is to have zero records of work related incidents, pollution free and healthy environment for all and ensure proper participation and communication amongst all environment, health and safety stakeholders. Adieu.