Golden Rules of HSE

V.02

V.02

2 
Message from the Fugro
Board of Management
3 Our HSE Principles
4 Implementation
6 Confined Spaces
8 Driving
10 
Equipment/
System Isolation
12 
Fitness for Work
14 
Ground Disturbance
16 
Hazardous Substances
18 
Lifting Operations
20 
Loading and
Unloading of Vehicles
22 
Personnel Transfer
24 
Simultaneous Operations
26 
Working at Height
28 
Working with Equipment

V.02

Message from the Fugro Board of Management

Our organisation is diverse with

many HSE risks which need to be
managed. These Golden Rules of
HSE provide basic guidance which
is based on our experience and
lessons learned. Compliance with
the rules is essential to preventing
personal injury and ill health.

The safety of everyone requires

commitment, leadership, and the
willingness to intervene when you
see someone working unsafely
or when a situation deteriorates. I
believe that Fugros Golden Rules
of HSE will make a real contribution
to strengthening our safety culture.

Paul van Riel

Chairman Board of Management
Chief Executive Officer
Fugro N.V.

Our HSE Principles

E
 veryone has a responsibility to
themselves and others to act
and work safely.
C
 arefully planned work will
prevent unsafe situations.
L
 earning from our experience will
improve our HSE performance.

S
 upport of our principles by
suppliers and subcontractors
will assist us in improving
our standards.
E
 mpowering all employees
and contractors to stop unsafe
acts will reduce incidents and
personal injury.

Pic
supplied?

Safety
Always
Matters

V.02

Implementation
These rules are intended for everyone
including contractors, from the people who
organize the work to those who supervise and
carry it out. Fugro Management is responsible
for ensuring that the rules are communicated,
understood and complied with.

Safety
Always
Matters

The following are implicit in

each of the rules:
All operations and tasks will be
risk assessed and the appropriate
control measures (precautions)
implemented giving due regard for
the hierarchy of control measures.
Work will not commence until a
safe system of work has been
devised and implemented.
Work will not commence without
a task specific safety briefing.
Those involved in the work will
be competent, medically fit and
sufficiently rested.
Emergency response plans,
including rescue plan, will be
in place before commencing
any work.
Everyone has the right and
obligation to stop work that
is considered unsafe.
Permit to Work (PTW)
Work involving high risk activities,
such as confined space entry, hot
work, diving operations and work on
electrical /mechanical installations
etc shall be controlled by a permit
to work. A PTW is an extension of a
safe system of work and should not
be seen as a replacement for it.

Management of Change
Temporary and permanent changes
to personnel, systems, procedures,
working methods and practices,
equipment and materials may be
planned or unplanned. Although
every effort must be made to
identify appropriate operations,
work activities and control measures
to eliminate risks and to minimise
the need for change, unexpected
or unforeseen events or situations
may still arise. These events and
situations may require unplanned
changes to be implemented quickly
which, if not managed effectively,
may significantly increase risk to
Health and Safety.
Appropriate action will be taken
against those who:
Deliberately disregard a safety rule.
Work or drive while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.
Refuse to obey an instruction in
the event of imminent danger.

V.02

1. Confined Spaces
Always 3

Never 7

A
 void the need to enter or work
in confined spaces whenever
you can.

E
 nter a confined space unless
authorised to do so.

Understand the hazards

and implement the controls
(precautions) needed to manage
the risks.

Enter a confined space unless

you are satisfied it is safe.

Enter a confined space until

isolation has been verified and
the atmosphere checked, varied
and repeated as determined by
Isolate and lock off all energy and
fluid sources affecting the space.
the risk assessment.

You dont necessarily have to see, feel or

smell the hazard to be in danger in a confined
space. Entry into a confined space must be
controlled and only authorized following a risk
assessment and implementation of the agreed
control measures.

E
 nsure that the confined space
has been adequately ventilated.
Obtain a permit-to-work before
work commences.
C
 ommunicate the requirements
of the permit to all those involved
in the task.

E
 nter a confined space without
having a written and approved
emergency rescue plan.
 ttempt a rescue without
A
proper training and the
correct equipment.

Develop a rescue plan

appropriate to the location,
environment and task being
undertaken.
E
 nsure that a safety attendant
(standby person) is in place to
monitor the workers and raise
the alarm if needed.

V.02

2. Driving

Speed kills - when on the road drive with care

and be considerate to others.

Always 3

Never 7

E
 nsure that the vehicle is in safe
working order.

D
 rive a vehicle unless you
are authorised and you hold a
valid license.

Check the wear and pressure of

your tyres regularly, not forgetting Use your mobile/cell phone to
make or receive a call, send or
the spare.
read a text message or e-mail
Secure loads before driving/
when driving.
moving the vehicle.
Transport passengers and goods
Whether you are a driver or
in the same compartment.
passenger, always wear
Drive above the indicated
your seatbelt.
speed limit.
Obey highway rules, traffic and
warning signs.
Exceed the manufacturers
specification for the number of
Take local conditions into
passengers and weight of the
consideration when driving.
load to be carried.
D
 rive while under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.
Drive if you feel tired.

V.02

3. Equipment/System Isolation
Always 3

Never 7

N
 otify all affected personnel that
the particular equipment/system
will be shut down and isolated.

O
 verlook an energy source
when isolation procedures are
carried out.

Identify and isolate the

equipment/system from all
energy sources.

Remove a tag or lock unless you

are the one who placed it.
Start work without authorisation.

Ensure that any stored or hidden

energy is safely released or
secured before you start work
on it.

The starting point for correct isolation is to

identify clearly the equipment or system to be
worked on, and which therefore needs to be
made safe.

10

Install lock-out or tag-out devices

on all energy sources.
Make sure that the isolation is
effective before starting work
and is periodically checked.

11

V.02

4. Fitness for Work

Always 3

Never 7

Inform your supervisor if you

are taking medication that may
affect your work.

Ignore your health - prevention is

always better than the cure.

 void over exposure to

A
vibration/vibrating tools.
 dopt good manual
A
handling techniques.
Prevent dermatitis caused
by contact with hazardous
substances.

One of our primary considerations is to

promote good health in the workplace - our
aim is to ensure that all employees are able
to carry out their work, without any adverse
effects on their health and well-being.

12

 rrive at work under the influence

A
of drugs or alcohol.
Become dehydrated.
Work when fatigued.
Breath in harmful vapours, gases,
fumes or dust.

 void exposure to weather

A
extremes. Consider working
hours, protective barriers and
personal protective equipment
requirements.
A
 void exposure to loud noise or
noise over an extended period
of time.

13

V.02

5. Ground Disturbance
Always 3

Never 7

General (excavations, trenching, S

 tart work without authorization.
drilling and coring)
Enter an unstable excavation
Locate and avoid underground
or trench.
services and hazards, for
example; electrical cables, gas/
oil/water pipes, munitions,
contamination and shallow gas.
Develop emergency procedures
appropriate to the location,
environment and the task.

It is better to establish what hazards exist

before commencing work, rather than finding
out by accident.

Excavations/Trenches
Prevent collapse - shore, step/
bench or batter back/slope.
P
 revent, people, equipment/plant
and materials from falling into the
excavation/trench.
Keep plant and materials
away from the edge of the
excavation/trench.
Provide safe access and egress.
C
 heck the excavation/trench
each day before works starts and
after adverse weather conditions.
C
 heck if the confined space
Golden Rule applies.

14

15

V.02

6. Hazardous Substances
(Including Materials)

Always 3

Never 7

E
 liminate the use of a harmful
substance or use a safer
alternative, if possible.

H
 andle or dispose of chemicals
in any way other than using the
approved process.

Ensure engineering controls

and general ventilation are at
a level that will ensure personal
exposure levels are
not exceeded.

Eat drink or smoke when

handling hazardous substances.

Have as few workers in harms

way as possible.

Ill health caused by hazardous substances

used at work is preventable. Many substances
can harm health but, used properly, they
almost never do.

Read the information label

on the container and follow
the instructions.

Wear poorly fitting or

contaminated personal
protective equipment.
Expose yourself and other people
to hazardous dust, fumes,
vapours, gas or other dangers as
a result of your work.

Avoid contact with skin.

Make sure procedures are in
place for dealing with spillages.
E
 nsure appropriate first aid
measures are available.
S
 tore, handle and dispose of
hazardous substances correctly.
W
 ash your hands after use
handling a hazardous substance
and before eating.
W
 ear the correct personal
protective equipment (PPE)
for example gloves, coveralls
and respirator.

16

17

V.02

7. Lifting Operations
Always 3

Never 7

E
 stablish that the lifting
equipment and accessories are
certified, marked with their safe
working load and in date for use.

Use

worn, damaged or makeshift
equipment or accessories.

Check that the equipment safety

devices are functioning correctly.
Visually inspect the lifting
equipment and accessories for
obvious defects before use.

Items being lifted or mechanically handled

have the potential to cause serious injury. All
lifting operations must be properly planned.

R
 estrict access around the
lifting area.
Know your proximity hazards,
for example; water/quayside,
overhead power lines, adjacent
structures and stacked
spares/goods.

Exceed the safe working load of

the equipment or accessories.
Use improvised lifting equipment
and accessories or those in
poor condition.
Lift a load unless it is
properly rigged.
Lift or transfer personnel unless
the equipment and accessories
are correctly certified.
Walk
or stand under a

suspended load or behind a
slewing crane.

Consider the prevailing

weather conditions when
planning the task.
Consider the ground when
using a mobile crane or
fork lift truck for example;
access, egress, level, sloping,
excavations and condition.

18

19

V.02

8. Loading and Unloading of Vehicles

Always 3

Never 7

Immobilise the vehicle during the

loading and unloading operation.

L
 oad or unload a vehicle without
the brakes applied and stabilisers
extended if fitted.

Restrict access to the loading/

unloading area - use barriers
if possible.
Have sufficient room for vehicle
movements and avoid reversing.

Move a vehicle with an

unsecured load.
Remain on the back of the
vehicle whilst it is in motion.

Stand clear of moving vehicles.

The majority of unloading and loading

incidents on site result from the inadequate
segregation of pedestrians from vehicles,
working at height and the mechanical lifting,
manoeuvring and placement of loads. Select
the loading and storage area carefully.

20

R
 everse a vehicle into or out
off the loading/unloading area
Ensure that the area is well lit and
without a signaller (sometimes
high visibility clothing is worn.
referred to as the banksman).
Use mechanical lifting equipment
you are not authorised to.
W
 ork at height, for example; on
the back of the vehicle or on the
load, without the appropriate
control measures.

21

V.02

9. Personnel Transfer
Always 3

Never 7

Consider the necessity for transfer.

P
 roceed with a transfer without
checking that the vessels can
maintain station.

Consider the vessel movement

and transfer limitations.
Ensure the sea state and
temperature are within
acceptable limits.
Ensure those being transferred are
physically fit, sufficiently prepared
and briefed, and are familiar with
the transfer method.

Transfer at sea between Vessels, Jack Up

Barges and Offshore Structures must be
considered as high risk. Wherever possible the
transfer of persons between vessels should
take place with the vessel secured at a berth
via an accommodation ladder or gangway.

Make sure that the appropriate

emergency equipment is in place
such as radio, flares, torch, man
overboard equipment etc.
Wear the appropriate personal
protective equipment such as
a self-inflating life jacket.
Personnel Transfer Basket
Ensure the crane, transfer basket
and crane operator are validated for
man-riding operations.

Undertake a transfer operation

without first establishing visual
and radio communications
between those supervising
the transfer.
Transfer luggage or other items
at the same time as personnel transfer in a separate operation.
P
 roceed if you have any
concerns about the transfer.
Personnel Transfer Basket
U
 ndertake a transfer unless the
crane operator and signaller
(banksman) have good visibility
of the pick-up, transfer and
landing areas.

Consider the wind speed, vessel

movement and operating limitation
of the crane to be used.
Visually inspect the basket before
every transfer.
Ensure that taglines cannot snag on
an obstruction during the transfer.
22

23

V.02

10. Simultaneous Operations

(SIMOPS)

Always 3

Never 7

Identify simultaneous operations.

U
 ndertake simultaneous
or co-activities without a
prior inspection.

Hold information, coordination

and planning meetings.

Working together safely is essential. Be aware

that carrying out an activity in close proximity
to, or which clashes with another activity or
operation, may increase risk levels.

24

Define responsibilities and

nominate the responsible person
for each activity.

Commence work without

everyone knowing their specific
role and the appropriate level
of supervision in place.

U
 nderstand your role and
who else is involved in
the operation.

Start work with without a preoperation/task briefing.

Maintain good communications

with all involved.
Manage and record any changes.

25

V.02

11. Working at Height

Always 3
U
 se an existing safe place of
work to access work at height
such as, permanent stair and
guard-railed platform.

There is no safe height to fall from avoid the need to work at height unless
absolutely necessary.

Use equipment to prevent

falls, for example, scaffolding,
mobile access towers or mobile
elevating work platforms which
have guardrails around the
working platform rather than
fall protection equipment e.g.
restraint/arrest lanyard
and harness.

C
 onsider the prevailing
weather conditions when
planning the task.

Never 7
W
 ork next to an unprotected
edge or open access hatch.
Use portable ladders for anything
else other than access and light
work for short durations.

Over-stretch or over-reach,
reposition if necessary.
Visually inspect fall restraint/arrest
equipment for defects before use Work in severe weather
conditions e.g. high winds.
such as, harness and lanyard.
P
 lace portable ladders and step
ladders facing the direction of
the task.
S
 ecure tools, equipment and
materials to prevent them
from falling.

 ork at height without fall

W
restraint/arrest equipment
(harness and lanyard) when there
is no fall prevention in place.
Work alone.

Develop a rescue plan

appropriate to the location,
environment and task being
undertaken.

26

27

V.02

12. Working with Equipment

(Plant, Machinery and Handheld Tools)

Always 3

Never 7

U
 se the correct equipment,
machinery or tool for the task.

O
 perate plant, machines or use
hand held tools unless you
are competent.

Operate equipment following

manufacturers instructions,
operating manuals, and
local instructions.
Visually inspect the equipment
before use for obvious defects.

Bypass or try and defeat guards

or safety interlocks.
Use an open bladed knife unless
absolutely necessary.

P
 osition mobile plant such as
Improvise by using non-standard
drilling/cable percussion rigs on a
or makeshift equipment.
firm level surface.

Many accidents happen because people have

not chosen the right equipment for the work
to be done. Controlling the risk often means
planning ahead and ensuring that suitable
equipment or machinery is available.

E
 nsure that access to rotating
shafts and drives is prevented.
Use fixed or interlocking guards.
Immobilise the machine before
undertaking any maintenance
work, repair or blockage removal.
S
 tand clear of danger zones e.g.
hot surfaces, exhaust, pressure
relief valves, moving parts
(shearing, trapping, crushing
or cutting), hydraulic rams and
swinging or falling objects.
U
 se the correct type of PPE
needed to use certain machines
safely e.g. angle grinders.
A
 void wearing jewellery and
loose clothing.

28

29

A key requirement of our

Corporate HSE strategies and
principles is to reinforce and
promote individual employee
self-responsibility for
health and safety and to
watch out for each other.

Safety
Always
Matters