Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
Comprehensive practices for sustainable and safe project development
Resource Consumption
Water Conservation
Water consumption is related to personal use, housekeeping, pools, and maintenance. It can range from 200–1200 l/day per person. Efficiency starts with sustainable site design and water sourcing analysis.
- Rainwater collection for irrigation and pool replenishment
- Biological treatment of grey water for reuse
- Water-smart landscaping and soil percolation
- Use of water-saving fixtures and smart controls
Energy Conservation
Energy usage in buildings can be reduced through smart design and equipment:
- Passive solar architecture and daylighting
- Renewable energy installations (solar, wind, biofuel)
- Efficient HVAC systems with insulation, zoning, and recovery features
- Efficient chillers, lighting, and control systems
- High-efficiency cooking and refrigeration appliances
Emissions to Air
Air emissions include CO2, NOx, SOx, and VOCs. Minimize emissions by:
- Avoiding ozone-depleting refrigerants
- Selecting low GWP refrigerants
Wastewater
Wastewater arises from domestic and service areas. Best practices include:
- Using biodegradable, phosphate-free cleaning agents
- Limiting hazardous solvents and VOCs
- Monitoring and minimizing chemical usage
Health & Safety Approach
Employers must implement reasonable safety measures including:
- Eliminating or substituting hazardous processes
- Engineering controls (ventilation, guards, insulation)
- Administrative controls (rotations, procedures, training)
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) with training and maintenance
Risk analysis should drive safety action plans based on exposure risk and severity.
General Facility Design and Operation
Integrity of Workplace Structures
- Surfaces, structures and installations should be easy to clean and maintain, and not allow for accumulation of hazardous compounds.
- Buildings should be structurally safe, provide appropriate protection against the climate, and have acceptable light and noise conditions.
- Fire resistant, noise-absorbing materials should, to the extent feasible, be used for cladding on ceilings and walls.
- Floors should be level, even, and non-skid.
- Heavy oscillating, rotating or alternating equipment should be located in dedicated buildings or structurally isolated sections.
Severe Weather and Facility Shutdown
- Workplace structures should be designed and constructed to withstand expected elements and have designated safe refuge areas.
- Develop SOPs for shutdowns, including evacuation plans. Conduct annual drills.
Workspace and Exit
- Adequate space must be provided for all activities, including transport and storage.
- Emergency exits must be unobstructed, clearly marked, and sufficient in number.
- Facilities should be accessible for disabled persons.
Fire Precautions
- Design workplaces to prevent fire and comply with fire codes.
- Install and maintain fire detectors, alarms, and firefighting equipment.
- Ensure manual fire equipment is accessible and simple to use.
Lavatories and Showers
- Provide adequate, segregated toilet facilities with soap and hot/cold water.
- Provide showers and changing areas where exposure to toxins exists.
Potable Water Supply
- Provide clean drinking water via sanitary fountains.
- Water for hygiene and food prep must meet drinking standards.
Clean Eating Area
- Where ingestion hazards exist, provide clean, hazard-free eating spaces.
Lighting
- Ensure natural and artificial lighting is adequate for safe work.
- Install emergency lighting for power outage safety.
Safe Access
- Separate pathways for pedestrians and vehicles.
- Ensure access to equipment needing service is clear.
- Install railings, gates, and protective covers where needed.
- Prevent unauthorized access to dangerous areas.
First Aid
- Ensure qualified first-aid personnel and stations are available at all times.
- Provide eye-wash stations and emergency showers.
- Have first-aid rooms with PPE and emergency plans for remote sites.
Air Supply
- Provide sufficient fresh air based on activity and emissions.
- Maintain mechanical ventilation and avoid re-circulation of contaminated air.
- Prevent disease agent growth in HVAC systems.
Work Environment Temperature
- Maintain temperature levels suitable for work and rest areas during service hours.
Communication and Training
OHS Training
- Provide orientation training for new employees on site rules, PPE, and injury prevention.
- Include hazard awareness, site-specific dangers, emergency procedures, and color coding.
Visitor Orientation
- Establish visitor orientation/control programs for areas with hazardous conditions.
2.11 Monitoring
Monitoring ensures compliance and identifies areas for improvement:
- Implement monitoring plans covering emissions, discharges, and health risks
- Calibrate instruments and validate methods regularly
- Document and analyze monitoring data
Emergency Preparedness and Response
Facilities must be prepared to effectively respond to emergencies:
- Develop and implement emergency response plans
- Train employees and conduct regular drills
- Coordinate with local emergency services
- Equip facilities with emergency supplies and communication systems
Physical Hazards
New Task Employee and Contractor Training
- Ensure all workers and contractors receive hazard and protection training before new assignments.
- Cover materials, equipment, tools, risks, hygiene, protective gear, and emergency responses.
Basic OHS Training
- Offer general and specific OHS training for all site personnel.
- Rescue and first-aid personnel must receive specialized safety training.
- Ensure contractors and subcontractors are trained before work starts.
Area Signage
- Clearly mark hazardous areas, exits, and safety equipment per international standards.
Labeling of Equipment
- Label hazardous vessels and piping with contents and flow direction or use standard color codes.
Communicate Hazard Codes
- Display hazard codes near emergency access points.
- Share hazard material info with emergency services.
- Invite emergency personnel for annual orientations and tours.
Rotating and Moving Equipment
- Design machinery to avoid entrapment and ensure extremity safety.
- Use emergency stops and protective guards on hazardous machinery.
- Follow Lockout/Tagout protocols for maintenance work.
- Facilitate maintenance access without guard removal, when feasible.
Noise
- Limit exposure to noise above 85 dB(A) for more than 8 hours without protection.
- Provide hearing protection and enforce use above safe thresholds.
- Investigate engineering controls before relying on hearing protection.
- Adjust exposure time with increased noise levels.
- Conduct hearing checks for exposed workers.
Exposed or faulty electrical devices, such as circuit breakers, pose a significant risk and should be addressed immediately to prevent injury or fire.
| Location / Activity | Equivalent Level LAeq,8h | Maximum L.Amax, Fast |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy Industry (no demand for oral communication) | 85 dB(A) | 110 dB(A) |
| Light industry (decreasing demand for oral communication) | 50-65 dB(A) | 110 dB(A) |
| Open offices, control rooms, service counters or similar | 45-50 dB(A) | - |
| Individual offices (no disturbing noise) | 40-45 dB(A) | - |
| Classrooms, lecture halls | 35-40 dB(A) | - |
| Hospitals | 30-35 dB(A) | 40 dB(A) |
Panels, cables, cords and hand tools can pose a serious risk to workers. Overhead wires can be struck by metal devices, such as poles or ladders, and by vehicles with metal booms. Vehicles or grounded metal objects brought into close proximity with overhead wires can result in arcing between the wires and the object, without actual contact.
Recommended Actions Include:
- Marking all energized electrical devices and lines with warning signs
- Locking out and tagging-out devices during service or maintenance
- Checking cords, cables, and hand tools for frayed or exposed wires and following voltage guidelines
- Double insulating / grounding electrical equipment used in wet or potentially wet environments, using GFI-protected circuits
- Protecting power cords and extension cords against traffic damage by shielding or suspending them
- Appropriate labeling of service rooms with high voltage equipment and controlling access
- Establishing “No Approach” zones under high voltage lines
- Inspecting and possibly replacing tires on vehicles that contacted or arced with high voltage wires
- Identifying and marking all buried electrical wiring before excavation
No Approach Zones for High Voltage Power Lines
| Nominal phases – to – phase voltage rating | Minimum distance |
|---|---|
| 750 or more volts, but no more than 150,000 volts | 3 meters |
| More than 150,000 volts, but no more than 250,000 volts | 4.5 meters |
| More than 250,000 volts | 6 meters |
Particles or chemicals can cause serious eye injuries. Recommended measures include:
- Use face/eye protection (glasses, goggles, face shields)
- Follow SOPs and inspect equipment before use
- Relocate emission-prone operations away from walkways
- Use guarding or require PPE for passers-by
- Provide over-glasses or prescription safety glasses
Temperature extremes can cause heat/cold stress. Key practices include:
- Monitor forecasts and adjust work schedules
- Provide shelter for rest or work
- Use appropriate thermal PPE
- Ensure access to water or electrolytes
- Avoid alcohol consumption
Fall protection is critical above 2 meters or in hazardous fall zones.
- Install guardrails with toe boards and mid-rails
- Use ladders/scaffolds properly with training
- Use harnesses, lanyards, fall arrest systems
- Train in PPE usage and maintenance
- Prepare rescue plans for fall events
Work area lighting must be adequate and appropriate for the type of work being performed, minimizing risks of accidents due to poor visibility. Proper lighting helps increase worker comfort, efficiency, and safety.
Recommended measures include:
- Ensure lighting intensity suits the specific work environment (e.g. office, workshop, warehouse).
- Use natural lighting where possible, supplemented by artificial lighting as needed.
- Maintain lights regularly and promptly replace any broken or flickering bulbs.
- Ensure emergency lighting is available in case of power outages.
- Avoid glare, flicker, and uneven lighting that may lead to eye strain or accidents.
- Provide task lighting for detailed or precision work (e.g. assembly, electronics, inspection).
- Ensure safe lighting levels in outdoor and underground areas, especially during night shifts.
Minimum Limits for Workplace Illumination Intensity
| Location / Activity | Light Intensity |
|---|---|
| Emergency light | 10 Lux |
| Outdoor non working areas | 20 Lux |
| Simple, orientation and temporary visits (machine storage, garage, warehouse) | 50 Lux |
| Workspace with occasional visual tasks only (corridors, stairways, lobby, elevator, auditorium etc.) | 100 Lux |
| Medium precision work (simple assembly, rough machine works, welding, packing etc) | 200 Lux |
| Precision work (reading, moderately difficult assembly, sorting, checking, medium bench and machine works etc) offices. | 500 Lux |
| High precision work (difficult assembly, sewing, color inspection, fine sorting etc) | 1,000-3,000 Lux |
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provides additional protection to workers who are exposed to workplace hazards, in conjunction with other facility controls and safety systems. PPE is considered a last-resort defense, adding a layer of individual protection when other controls are not sufficient.
Recommended measures include:
- Active use of PPE when hazards cannot be eliminated or reduced adequately by other means.
- Identification and provision of appropriate PPE that ensures safety without undue inconvenience to workers, co-workers, or visitors.
- Proper maintenance of PPE including regular cleaning, timely replacement of damaged or worn equipment, and consistent usage training.
- Selection of PPE based on hazard and risk assessments, and compliance with standards from recognized organizations.
You may refer to Table 2.7.1 for examples of occupational hazards and suitable PPE types (this can be added as a separate table if needed).
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Summary of Recommended Personal Protective Equipment According to Hazard
| Objective | Workplace Hazards | Suggested PPE |
|---|---|---|
| Eye and face protection | Flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, gases or vapors, light radiation. | Safety Glasses with side-shields, protective shades, etc. |
| Head protection | Falling objects, inadequate height clearance, and overhead power cords. | Plastic Helmets with top and side impact protection. |
| Hearing protection | Noise, ultra-sound. | Hearing protectors (ear plugs or ear muffs). |
| Foot protection | Falling or rolling objects, pointed objects, corrosive or hot liquids. | Safety shoes and boots for protection against moving & falling objects, liquids and chemicals. |
| Hand protection | Hazardous materials, cuts or lacerations, vibrations, extreme temperatures. | Gloves made of rubber or synthetic materials (Neoprene), leather, steel, insulating materials, etc. |
| Respiratory protection | Dust, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, vapors. | Facemasks with appropriate filters for dust removal and air purification (chemicals, mists, vapors and gases). Single or multi-gas personal monitors, if available |
| Oxygen deficiency | Portable or supplied air (fixed lines). On-site rescue equipment. | |
| Body/leg protection | Extreme temperatures, hazardous materials, biological agents, cutting and laceration. | Insulating clothing, body suits, aprons etc. of appropriate materials. |
Special Hazard Environments
Special hazard environments are work situations where all of the previously described hazards may exist under unique or especially hazardous circumstances. Accordingly, extra precautions or rigor in application of precautions is required.
Confined Space
A confined space is defined as a wholly or partially enclosed space not designed or intended for human occupancy and in which a hazardous atmosphere could develop as a result of the contents, location, or construction of the confined space or due to work done in or around it.
A “permit-required” confined space also contains physical or atmospheric hazards that could trap or engulf the person. Confined spaces can occur in enclosed or open structures or locations. Serious injury or fatality can result from inadequate preparation to enter or rescue from a confined space.
- Engineering measures should be implemented to eliminate, to the degree feasible, the existence and adverse character of confined spaces.
- Permit-required confined spaces should have permanent safety measures for venting, monitoring, and rescue operations, as much as possible.
- Areas near access to confined spaces should allow enough room for emergency and rescue operations.
- Access hatches should accommodate 90% of the worker population including tools and PPE, as per latest ISO/EN standards.
-
Before entry:
- Disconnect, drain, blank, and lock-out all process/feed lines.
- Disconnect, de-energize, lock-out, and brace mechanical equipment as necessary.
- Test the atmosphere: Oxygen content must be between 19.5% and 23%; flammable gases must not exceed 25% of their LEL.
- If unsafe, ventilate or allow entry only with proper PPE.
Lone and Isolated Workers
A lone and isolated worker is one out of verbal and visual contact with others for over an hour, increasing risk in emergencies.
- Develop and implement SOPs to ensure PPE and safety measures are in place before work starts.
- Ensure hourly verbal contact and emergency aid capabilities.
- If exposed to toxic/corrosive chemicals, provide emergency eye-wash/showers with alarms to summon help automatically.
Monitoring
Occupational health and safety monitoring programs should verify the effectiveness of prevention and control strategies.
- Safety inspection, testing, and calibration: Regular checks of PPE, safety systems, procedures, tools, and equipment. All instruments must be tested and calibrated with records kept.
- Surveillance of the working environment: Use portable/stationary instruments. Monitoring should align with international standards and occur at commissioning and at planned intervals.
- Surveillance of workers' health: For high-risk exposures, conduct health checks before exposure and regularly afterward, even post-employment if needed.
- Training: Maintain records of all employee/visitor training, including emergency drills. Contractors must provide training documentation before starting work.
Accidents and Diseases Monitoring
-
Establish procedures for reporting/recording:
- Occupational accidents and diseases
- Dangerous occurrences and incidents
-
Enable and encourage immediate reporting of:
- Occupational injuries, near misses
- Suspected occupational diseases
- Any dangerous occurrence
-
Investigate all incidents with qualified personnel to:
- Establish what happened
- Determine the cause
- Identify prevention measures
-
Accidents and diseases should be classified as:
- Fatal or non-fatal
- By time of death or incapacity duration
- Total work hours during the reporting period must be submitted to the regulatory agency.
Occupational Accident Reporting
| a. Fatalities (number) | b. Non-Fatal Injuries (number) | c. Total Time Lost - Non-Fatal Injuries (days) |
|---|---|---|
| a.1 Immediate | b.1 Less than one day | - |
| a.2 Within a month | b.2 Up to 3 days | c.1 Category b.2 |
| a.3 Within a year | b.3 More than 3 days | c.2 Category b.3 |