Safe and Sound
April 28 is World Day for Safety and Health at Work
Workplace wellness and safety part of a core value for Aramco and its people.
Creating a safe and healthy work environment is paramount for businesses across all industries. Not only does it protect employees from hazards, but it also contributes to the overall productivity and satisfaction of the workforce.
Occupational safety and health (OSH) measures aim to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities by address various types of hazards such as physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic hazards in workplaces.
The importance of OSH is enshrined in Aramco with safety embedded as a core value, while the International Labor Organization observes the World Day for Safety and Health at Work in April every year, focusing on a timely theme related to OSH. A critical aspect of OSH is developing a culture of safety within an organization. Involving employees in safety discussions, encouraging the reporting of hazards without fear of retaliation, continuously updating training programs, and providing safety publications builds a culture of trust and communication about safety. A proactive safety culture can significantly reduce the likelihood of incidents and injuries.
Risk assessment critical
One of the foundations of OSH lies in risk assessment — identifying, analyzing, and controlling hazards in the workplace. Organizations are responsible for carrying out the assessments and implementing controls to mitigate risks.
This may involve a combination of engineering controls, such as redesigning equipment, integrating adequate detective and protective barriers in facilities, introducing safer technologies, and administrative controls such as training employees on safety practices, providing clear procedures, and establishing emergency protocols.
Protection from workplace hazards is essential for everyone. A final layer of protection from harm comes in the form of personal protective equipment (PPE), which plays a crucial role in protecting workers from specific hazards.
PPE includes the Aramco minimum requirement of hard hat, safety glasses, and safety shoes, as well as job or worksite specific PPE such as gloves and flame-resistant clothing, as appropriate. Organizations must not only provide the appropriate PPE, but also train employees on its correct use, and use positive communication styles to encourage its use and the reporting of damaged equipment.
SafeLife: One-stop shop to manage safety activities
The company aims to promote safety and health by providing tools and knowledge to everyone, through systems such as SafeLife, a one-stop shop to manage safety-related activities.
SafeLife allows Aramco employees and contractors to report incidents, injuries, near misses, and safety observations; monitor safety performance; process recommendations and corrective actions; and manage inspections. The system is in place to protect workers from work-related risks and adapting work to people.
OSH is crucial for the well-being of employees and the success of Aramco.
By prioritizing risk assessment, engaging employees, providing the necessary safety training and equipment, and fostering a culture of safety, the company can create safe and productive workplaces for everyone.
Caption for top photo: Employees take an active role in their own and their colleagues’ safety across our operations.