The Central Electricity Board

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

3.0 INTRODUCTION

The Central Electricity Board (CEB) is a parastatal body which produces around 60% of the country’s total power requirements from its 4 thermal power stations (Fort Victoria, St Louis, Fort George and Centrale de Nicolay) together with 9 hydroelectric plants namely, Champagne, Ferney, Tamarind Falls, Le Val, Reduit, La Ferme, Cascade Cecile, Magenta and La Nicoliere. Currently, it is the sole organization responsible for the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity to the population. The remaining 40% is purchased from Sugar Estates.

MISSION SATATEMENT

The Board of Directors and the Management of the Central Electricity Board strongly believe that protecting the safety and health of their employees, contractors, visitors, other stakeholders and members of the public is essential.

They are committed to:

Providing a safe and healthy working and learning environment

Complying with the Occupational Safety and Health Act 2005 and any other related regulations as a minimum

Effectively assessing and controlling risks that may be present at the CEB

Preventing dangerous occurrences, accidents, incidents and work-related diseases

Ensuring safe working methods and providing safe working tools, equipment and plant

Providing effective safety and health information, instruction and training and supervision to our personnel

Developing and maintaining a positive safety and health culture through communication and consultation with employees and their representatives on safety and health matters through the safety and health committee

Ensuring that adequate welfare facilities exist at the workplace

Ensuring adequate resources are made available for safety and health issues, so far as is reasonably practicable

Attaining our corporate goal of least possible accident rate, thereby eliminating human suffering and consequential losses

ORGANISATION

In order to implement their Statement of Intent, health and safety responsibilities will be shared as follows:

3.2.1 General Manager

The General Manager has the following responsibilities:

Be fully committed to implement the CEB Mission Statement for Safety and Health

Ensure that a clear written Safety and Health Policy for CEB ids documented

To approve any justified derogation to normal policies and procedures in the interest of the Board

3.2.2 The Human Resources Manager

The Human Resources Manager has the following responsibilities:

Chair the Safety & Health Committee which acts as a forum of consultation between management & representatives of the employees in safety and health matters

Ensure that the Safety & Health Policy is communicated to all relevant persons in the organization, including visitors & contractors.

Ensure appropriate information on the significant risk activities is given to visitors and contractors

Ensure that all staff are provided with adequate information, instructions and training on the safety and health issues and are made aware of their respective duties and responsibilities pertaining thereto

Ensure that all representatives of the employer, i.e., Heads of Department, Principal Engineers, Area Managers, Heads of Section, Supervisors and Person-in-Charge, are made aware of their respective duties and responsibilities pertaining thereto

3.2.3 Safety and Health Engineer

The Safety & Health Engineer has the following responsibilities:

Make or arrange for risk assessments of the organisation’s premises and working activities to be undertaken such as Fire Procedures, Chemical Spillage etc. are in place\

Ensure that equipment is statutorily inspected and tested to ensure it remains in a safe working condition

Ensure appropriate documents of all relevant safety and health activities e.g. assessments, inspections, accidents, etc. are properly recorded and maintained

Ensure that all accidents are investigated at any remedial actions required are taken or requested

Report to the CEB Safety and Health Committee on the safety and health performance of the organization

3.2.4 Safety and Health Officers

The Safety and Health Officer has the following responsibilities:

Advise and assist the Human Resources Manager and other managerial staff in planning, organizing, controlling and maintaining a safety and health working and learning environment

Develop & review CEB safety and health policy, organization and arrangements in consultation with the Human Resources Manager Health & Safety Engineer, staff and safety and health committee

Maintain the CEB’s risk register and ensure that risk assessments are completed for all activities with significant risks

Advise the Human Resources Manager to ensure that the organization has competent persons to maintain plant, facilities and utilities, to provide first air treatment and to cope with emergency situations

Receive reports of, and investigate accidents, dangerous occurrences and fire damage, determine their causes and make recommendations for improving recurrence prevention and controls,

Maintain a system for recording, reporting and investigating injuries, accidents and dangerous occurrences and to provide accident statistics to CEB Safety and Health Committee and draw attention to significant trends and occurrences

Identify the safety and health training needs to staff as per the work activities, and liaise with the Human Resources Department to nominate staff for safety training courses

Ensure that all new staff are properly inducted on the organizations’ safety and health policy, procedures and practices

Ensure and monitor that tools, equipment and machines are purchased in according with safety standards.

Ensure he/she is involved at the planning stage of any refurbishment or project work and to attend pre-contract meetings, progress meetings with Heads of Department, contractors and maintenance service providers

Ensure fire arrangements, facilities and equipment are maintained in good order and fire drill is carried out on an annual basis

Conduct monthly general workplace monitoring inspections and maintain records of all safety and health observations and recommendations made to improve the work environment

Advise management of situations or activities which are potentially hazardous to the safety and health of employees, contractors, suppliers and visitors

Act as Secretary to the CEB Safety & Health Committee

3.2.5 Responsibility of Senior Management Staff including Heads of Department

They have the following responsibilities:

Apply the CEB Safety & Heath Policy to their own department and be directly responsible for the application of the safety and health procedures and arrangements

Issue a statement for their respective department, setting out how the policy is to be applied and how safety is to be managed within that part of the organization for which they are responsible

Ensure that all staff under their control are familiar with the OSHA 2005 and safety and health rules issued for their area of work with the collaboration of the Safety and Health Officers

Resolve any safety and health problem referred to members of their departments or refer to the Safety & Health Officer/Engineer any problem to which they cannot achieve a satisfactory solution within the resources and knowledge available to them

Ensure the involvement of the Safety and Health Officer/Engineer at the planning stage of any refurbishment or project work, attend pre-contract meetings, progress meetings with the Heads of Department, contractors and maintenance service providers

Ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, the provision of sufficient information, instruction, t raining and supervision to enable other employees and suppliers falling under their responsibility to avoid hazards and contribute positively to their own safety and health

Prepare an annual report for the Human Resources Manager on the safety and health performance of his/her department or area of responsibility

Provide Heads of Section with appropriate means for prompt implementation of the Safety and Health policy.

3.2.6 Principal Engineer/Area Managers

They have the following responsibilities:

The principal Engineer / Area Manager is responsible for coordinating safety and health arrangements in respect of CEB premises as well as responsibility for the work activities and practices and safety and health of his or her staff.

The principal Engineer/ Area Manager`s responsibilities shall be to:-

Ensure that CEB facilities, plant and equipment are provided with and maintain in such manner that provides for the safety of the employees and other users

Carry out regular inspections of their areas of responsibility with the collaboration of the Safety & Health Officer to ensure that equipment, furniture, facilities and utilities are safe and record these inspections where required and submit shortcomings for remedial actions if required

Update registers for maintenance programmes carried out on all machinery, utilities and other facilities (fire safety equipment, first aid box, emergency eye wash station etc.)

Familiarize with the business unit`s fire and other emergency procedures and ensure that all maintenance staff are trained in fire fighting and evacuation procedures and liaise with Safety & Health Officer to organize regular rehearsal programme including Fire Drills and safety awareness campaigns.

Ensure that all fire safety equipment (drenchers, fire hose reels, fire alarm system, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, etc.) are regularly inspected and tested where required, to ensure their sound operation. All such inspections and testing should be properly documented and the records thereof kept readily available.

Carry out regular safety and health risk assessments of the activities for which they are responsible and submit reports to the Safety & Health Engineer or the Safety & Health Officer

Keep fire certificates and fire risk assessments under review to ensure that CEB is complying with the requirements imposed by the Government Fire Services under the OSHA 2005 and/or the other related legislation.

Arrange for the provision of any personal protective equipment required by relevant staff.

Arrange for defects or complaints in relation to safety and health within the business unit`s premises to be dealt with promptly.

Arrange for annual renewal of certificate of registration and renewal of fire certificate in case there are significant structural changes, changes in activities or number of persons employed.

Report to the Safety and Health Officer any issue that is considered to need an update of existing policies.

Periodically request updating of maintenance staff in the correct use of all fire safety equipment and evacuation, search and rescue procedures.

Report and investigate any accident which occurs within their sphere of responsibilities.

Ensure that any statutory inspections of plant and equipment (air receivers, boilers, lifting equipment, passengers lifts, etc.) as required by OSHA 2005 are carried out at the correct frequencies.

Ensure that all suppliers and contractors are instructed to comply with the organization`s Safety and Health Policy, and risk assessment is carried out to assess the level of risks and whether additional risks control measures are required.

3.2.7 The Responsibilities of Head of Section

Heads of section are expected to:

Exercise effective supervision of their subordinates and fully conversant with the procedures in respect of fire aid and other emergencies, and to be ready to implement same, if circumstances so warrant

Follow the particular safety and health measures to be adopted in their own working areas

Give clear oral and/or written instructions and warnings to subordinates when safety rules are flouted

Set example by following safe working procedures personally

Require the use of protective clothing and guards where necessary

Make recommendations to their Head od Department on safety and health equipment necessary for improvements to plant, tools, equipment or machinery

Report to the Head of Department any defect which he has reason to believe could cause any accident/dangerous occurrence

Notify all accidents, and dangerous occurrences to their Head o Department, the Safety and Health Officers/Engineer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Human Resources Manager and the Corporate Administration Manager, and a copy of the accident report form (13th Schedule-OSHA 2005) is submitted thereafter for compilation of both qualitative and quantitative data by the Safety & Health section.

Make provision for the statutory inspection and maintenance of machines and equipment under their direct responsibility.

3.2.8 Employee`s Responsibilities

Employee shall:

Comply with the organisation1s safety and health policy and procedures at all times – in particular procedures for use of Personal Protective Equipment.

Take reasonable care for his own safety and health and of other persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions at work.

Co-operate with CEB management in complying with OSHA 2005

Use all work equipment, personal protective equipment and substances in accordance with instruction, training and information received.

Report forthwith to their immediate superior any hazardous situations and defects in equipment found in their working areas.

Report forthwith all accidents and incidents to their immediate superior

Act in accordance with any specific safety and health training received.

Report to their superior what they consider to be shortcomings in the CEB`s safety and health arrangements

Exercise good standards of housekeeping and cleanliness

Report any dangerous situation arising through non-compliance of CEB Safety Rules by any co-worker.

3.2.9 General Responsibilities towards Trainees/Apprentices and New Recruit

1. Special attention will be paid to the activities of trainees and young persons who are unfamiliar with the type of work and the responsibilities for safe working.

2. No trainee will be allowed to operate any equipment or carry out any process for which they have not received training or have not been authorized, except if same is part of that training under the direct supervision of a trained and competent person.

3. Trainees and young persons will comply with all safety instructions given to them by their instructors whilst on site and during periods of off-the-job training.

3.2.10 Responsibilities of Suppliers

Suppliers, including contractors, are expected to:

Exercise personal responsibility for their own safety and health and that of any other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

Observe standards of dress consistent with safety and/or hygiene

Observe all the safety and health rules of the organization and in particular the instructions given by CEB Officers, in an emergency

Use and not willfully misuse, neglect or interfere with facilities provided for their safety and health at all stages of the business process.