HSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Oil India Limited is fully committed to Safety, Health & Environment and the same is reflected in the HSE functions and systems that have become part and parcel of the total management and work culture of OIL. These systems provide structured paths for improvement of communication, accomplishment of goals, development of personnel and overall improvement of business process. Safety, Health & Environment is an integral part of our business performance. An integrated approach has been established for interlinking all types of disciplines/ activities with HSE matters to demonstrate proactive Safety culture.
HSE Management is an integral part of overall management system at OIL right from inception, realizing that higher productivity can only be achieved through safe procedures and practices. Hence, HSE Management became the focal point of all developmental activities. To provide direction for various safety related activities and to ensure adequacy of funds for effective implementation of these activities, OIL has a separate department with dedicated and well qualified personnel with well-defined HSE Policy wherein the Company is committed to safety of its employees and the people, machines and environment associated with it including those living in the neighbourhood.
HSE Policy in OIL lays stress on safe facilities and work environment, safe work procedures and effective training for prevention of accidents and consequent downtime and maintain highest standards of occupational health, safety and environmental protection.
To meet the above objective, OIL has established policies, systems, procedures and guidelines to achieve world class HSE standard as detailed below:-
POLICIES
- HSE Policy
- Zero Tolerance Policy for Operation and Safety
HSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN OIL
- HSE Policies
- Safety Manuals, Rules and Regulations
- Organizational Structure
- Hazard & Risk Assessment and Management
- Awareness on HSE including family orientation
- Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of equipment and Machinery
- Standard Operating Procedures
- Procedures for operational activities.
- HSE Trainings
- Management of Change
- Audits, Inspections and Compliance Monitoring
- Emergency preparedness and Response Plan
- HSE Performance Monitoring and Review
- PPE management and Monitoring
- Contract Management
- HSE Meetings
- Accident reporting, investigation and analysis
- Documentation & Record Keeping
- Employee Participation
- Occupational Health Monitoring
- Environment Management
- Fire Prevention and Protection Arrangement
Hazard Identification
A systematic approach is used to identify all foreseeable hazards, effects, threats and consequences associated with the activities, products and services. Methods will depend on the level of complexity and previous risks associated with the operation. They include:
- Experience based judgment.
- Structured review techniques.
- Use of pre-prepared Checklists.
- Use of Industry accepted Codes, Standards, and Guidelines.
Risk Assessment
Risk is a component of consequence and severity. It is measured as:-
Risk = Severity of hazard X likelihood of occurrence.
The risks associated with the previously known hazards are identified. A risk is assessed by determining the hazard consequences (magnitude and severity) together with consequence likelihood. As part of predicting the consequences of hazards, the risk assessment is characterization of the populations (including third parties), assets and environments that could be impacted, including identification of sensitive receptors and targets (locations, numbers involved and proximity).
Permit to Work
The objective of the Permit to work procedure is to identify hazards associated with a nonroutine job, and to develop precautions required to control against each identified hazard. The work in hydrocarbon processing/ handling industry is associated with unusual risks, therefore, to provide safe working conditions and to carry out the work safely, a standardized & uniform procedure will act as a guide.
Safety Critical Equipment Bypass and Restoration Policy
The primary objective of the “Safety Critical Equipment Bypass and Restoration Policy” is to evaluate and mitigate risk for all occurrences where safety critical equipment is bypassed, and to ensure the bypass is performed in a safe and controlled manner. Moreover, whenever there is need to bypass the Safety Critical Equipment whether it is routine or emergency, the appropriate approving mechanism should in place so that the information should be known to the respective officials to respond with desired preparedness in case of any eventuality
Management of Change
Changes in the organization, management, personnel, equipment, processes and procedures of an activity have the potential to create adverse consequences to HSSE performance and/or affect the existing risk assessment results. The Management of Change process is therefore critical for ensuring that any changes to the original concept, design, equipment, assumptions, codes, standards, processes, or HSSE Management System aspects (E.g.:- legislation, organizational structure, responsibilities) are recorded and fully assessed for their impact prior to the change being implemented.
Emergency Preparedness & Mock Drills
OIL has a structured system in place to enable effective and efficient response to serious incidents. The effective plans are in place throughout the company to manage serious incidents at the appropriate level and to affect the speedy resolution of critical business processes and services. A four-tier disaster management plan is maintained in OIL to ensure that appropriate actions are taken, management and resources are deployed in response to significant incidents anywhere within our operations.
Contractor Personnel Safety Management
It is OIL’s policy to ensure that contractors also operate a management system that is consistent with the requirements of this HSSE Management System. Interfaces between this system and contractors’ and subcontractors’ systems will be considered so that any differences and conflicts may be resolved. The scope of work in the contract document shall clearly indicate the HSSE requirements of OIL.
Record Keeping & Documentation
The record keeping is an important aspect of HSE Management System. The records helps us in visualizing the actual status of man, machine and materials. This is also considered as a reference guide to the people reminding the history of the past incidents and lessons learnt in those incidents. Record keeping is the best mean to communicate information and avoid waste of time in duplication of effort. The written report prompts people to remember what they have to and how to do it. This shows people’s commitment and concern for HSE aspects of the installation.
ONSITE PLANS:
- Onsite specific Emergency Reponses Plan
- Safe Operating Procedure
- HSSE Manual
OFFSITE PLANS:
- Mutual Aid for Emergency Reponses Plan
- Corporate Disaster Management Plan
Accident Reporting, Investigation and Analysis
Incident reporting and recording is an important tool for a healthy safety management system. The other aspect is the learning from incidents. The post investigation root cause analysis and remedial measures leads to reductions in incidents, indicates requirement of additional controls for reducing hazard and risks, improves Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and many more. The prime objective of accident investigation is Accident prevention. Accident prevention includes all measures taken in an effort to save lives, escape from injury, reduce the degree of injury, avoid damage to property and prevent the loss of productive time.
Personal Protective Equipment
When there is a hazard to personal safety or health at work, it is most important to eliminate the hazard by adopting safety measures like engineering controls, improved work processes and administrative controls. PPE should be used only when these measures cannot control the hazards effectively. The main purpose of PPE is to protect the body of the user from contact with the hazards, but not to eliminate the hazards. Since the effectiveness of PPE can be easily affected (e.g. by improper wearing), PPE should only be regarded as the last resort in the hierarchy of hazard control measures. It is a supplement to other measures, but not a substitute for them.
HSE Trainings
OIL will emphasize on creating awareness among the staff and the contractor employees about safety awareness. This will be achieved through safety communications (group and one to one) using daily safety/tool box meetings, on site trainings, posters, notice boards and targeted campaigns as medium. OIL will also provide appropriate safety leadership and HSSE awareness training to all concerned.
Standard Operating Procedures
Standard Operating Procedures are stepwise written guidelines for procedures and tasks involving recognized hazards. SOP plays a vital role in guiding our personnel to follow proper safety procedure, prior to commencement of any job. Following SOP meticulously, one will surely be able to minimize the risks and hazards in the workplace to As Low As Reasonably Practicable. Besides, the work procedures documented on the SOP also covers all the requirements of statutory guidelines as per OMR, OISD Standards etc.
Occupational Health Monitoring
The successful implementation of Management Plans and Policies greatly depend on the adaptability by the employees, who are the prime movers of the progress of company. Maintaining their health is very much vital for productivity & effectiveness. To promote the health of our employees, OIL has made a structured Occupational Health Monitoring system so as to have scientific basis for decisions aimed at protection of employee’s health from any possible adverse consequences of exposure to occupational health hazards. Following systems are followed in OIL towards providing Occupational Health Services:
- An OHS (Occupational Health Service) Centre is established at Duliajan. 12.2. Various activities co-ordinated are pre-employment, periodical and pre-retirement medical examination.
- Administering special tests like Lung Function Test, Audiometry Test and Vision Test etc. for identified target groups.
- Conducting First Aid Training & other awareness programme related to Occupational Health Hazards & remedial measures.
- OHS in peripherial areas are provided through dispensaries located in our Oil fields at Moran, Jorhat and Sonapur etc.
Employees Participation
OIL has taken utmost care to involve the employees in Safety circle & Safety culture through their obligations and commitment towards achieving HSE performance.
- Different Safety motivation programme/competitions are conducted.
- Employee’s participation in Pit level safety committee meeting & Departmental Safety Committee meeting, Management Safety committee meeting & Tripartite meeting.
- Suggestion schemes
- Regular interaction through meetings with employee’s union.
HSE Performance Monitoring
HSE performance measures and indicators are identified and documented. Active monitoring programmes are established and maintained based on the HSE performance measures and indicators, with the depth and frequency of inspections, examinations and measurement reflecting the nature and extent of the risks involved.
Workshop on ’Occupational Health & Safety in Oil & Gas Mines’
Safety Awards
Based on the HSE performance across the Company, the nominations for safety awards are filed. At present OIL is receiving awards for HSE performance from organizations like Greentech Foundation, Grow Care India, Apex India, Kalinga etc.
Environment Management System
- Ambient Air quality monitoring installations
- Stack Monitoring of DG sets.
- Noise Level Monitoring at installations
- Noise reduction through acoustic enclosures and sound barriers
- Internal Environmental audit
- Use of water based mud.
- Disposal of E waste in safe and scientific manner through authorized recyclers
- Disposal of batteries through authorized recyclers
- Disposal of Hazardous waste
- Drilling installations are equipped with ETPs
- Flare pits are enclosed to minimize the heat and light around the area
- Oil Spill Contingency Plan is in place.
- Well abandoned policy include restoration of sites as per statutory guidelines
- Mass tree plantation at abandoned well sites to GHG emission and offset Carbon Footprint.
- Bioremediation of oily sludge through in-house developed bacteria.
- Subsidence and Biodiversity Study as per recommendation of statutory authorities.
- Promoting clean energy through gas, solar and wind energy.
- Promoting Rain Water Harvesting in various installations
- Observance of World Environment Day.
Based on the Term of Reference (TOR) given by MoEF&CC, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is carried out by government-authorized consultants. Also Public Hearing is conducted.
Project Vasundhara
Adding momentum to the Govt. of India’s ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ campaign, OIL India Limited under CSR project Vasundhara ceremoniously launched the mega plantation drive of 2500 nos. of saplings at Bogapani, Digboi Forest Division, Tinsukia District, Assam on 11th June 2022. This was done as part of the ‘Carbon Sequestration and Eco-restoration project’ a CSR initiative of OIL towards eco-restoration of the degraded forest land under Lakhipathar range of Upper Dihing Reserved Forest (West Block).
Based on the Term of Reference (TOR) given by MoEF&CC, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is carried out by government-authorized consultants. Also Public Hearing is conducted.
FIRE SAFETY
The fire protection arrangement in oil and gas industry is based on Fire Safety, Loss Prevention and Control. It considered that in the hydrocarbon industry, the risk of fire is omni-present at all levels of operational activities like exploration, drilling, production, processing & transportation, Critical operations requirement, and large inventories stored at facilities. A fire in one part of these operational areas can endanger to other parts of the area, if not controlled or extinguished as quickly as possible to minimize the loss of life & property and prevent further spread of fire.
The fire protection arrangements at Oil India Limited (OIL) involve comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of their operational areas, establishments, and society at large. Here are some key aspects of fire prevention & fire protection system(s) as given below:
Fire Stations: OIL operates two full-fledged Fire Stations at Duliajan and Moran, covering the upper Assam Oil & Gas field areas. Additionally, there is a Satellite Fire Station at Kumchai in Arunachal Pradesh to address fire prevention, protection, and firefighting in the oil field areas of Arunachal Pradesh which are being managed by company resources.
Further, to improve the response time during any fire emergency in the far flung or remote OIL’s operational areas, Satellite Fire Stations (02Nos) have been commissioned at Makum & Tengakhat through Service Contract.
Track Record: The OIL Fire Service has a commendable track record in mitigating well fires, other major industrial fire emergencies as well as public fires in OIL’s operational areas of Assam & Arunachal Pradesh.
The Fire Service operates round the clock and is fully equipped with State-of-the-Art robust fire fighting equipment & Appliances to handle all types of fire emergencies.
Accreditations: Fire Stations at Duliajan and Moran are accredited with ISO certifications for Quality Management System (ISO-9001:2015), Environmental Management System (ISO-14001:2015), and Occupational Health and Safety Management System (ISO-45001:2018).
Collaborative Arrangements: Mutual Aid Agreements are also in place with nearby industries and State Fire Services to provide support during any major fires or blowouts. This collaborative approach ensures that even in remote areas, there is support available for handling fire emergencies
Firefighting Systems/Equipment: Installations are equipped with necessary fixed and portable firefighting equipment, complying with national and international statutory codes and standards such as OISD, OMR-2017, PNGRB, BIS, NFPA, UL Listed, etc. These equipment/ systems are mainly –
- First-Aid (Portable) Fire Fighting Equipment
- Fixed Fire Fighting System
- Mobile Fire Fighting Appliances
The provision of necessary portable & fixed fire fighting equipment/system are taken care right from the design stage of an installation and time to time its adequacy is being reviewed by the expert committee due to the change(s) in statutory standards.
Fire Safety Audits: The fire safety audit is a systematic, critical examination of all potential fire hazards in the installations/ establishments and relevant documents to ascertain how the installations are being managed regarding fire safety. The fire safety audits are being carried out in our installations on regular basis as per various statutory standards, codes & practices.
Training Programs: A systematic training programs are being conducted throughout the year to enhance fire safety awareness and develop fire fighting skills amongst employees of all installation’s personnel.
To further enhance the fire fighting capability of installation’s personnel across the company as well as outside industries, simulated Live Fire Fighting Trainings are also being imparted at Central Fire Station, Duliajan.
Moreover, Advanced Fire Fighting Training (Duration: 04Days) for all field going employees and executives of OIL are also being imparted to comply the statutory guidelines as per OISD-STD-176 which mainly covers all crucial fire fighting concepts & strategies along with hands-on training on all critical fire fighting equipment which are deployed in OIL’s installations.
Live Fire Training Ground: To cater the requirement of practical fire fighting training in most efficient manner, OIL Fire Service has developed a training ground containing various simulated live fire fighting modules. These modules are supplied with pressurised oil and gas and exposed to source of ignition to put these modules on fire.
Water ring main and various fixed fire fighting systems (Hydrant, water/ foam monitors, water spray system, foam pouring system etc.) are installed in the training ground which will be pressed into operation to fight the live fire on the various modules. This type of live fire fighting training will boost the courage and confidence level of field personnel to handle actual fire situation at their workplaces with the fixed firefighting systems available in their respective installations. To meet the requirement of different kinds of installations of Oil India Limited, the various types of modules are installed. These modules are:
| Sr. No. | Title |
|---|---|
| 1. | X-Mass Tree Fire |
| 2. | Tank Fire, |
| 3. | Column Fire |
| 4. | Vertical Flange Fire |
| 5. | Horizontal Flange Fire |
| 6. | Pit / Broaching Fire |
| 7. | Smoke House |
| 8. | Tunnel |
