Introduction/Abstract Most companies today have adopted a systems approach to managing activities related to safety, health, and the environment. Corporate guidance is usually general in nature and business segments must elaborate on the requirements and focus efforts on particular risks or activities (or both).
This paper describes how one company has developed a standard health management system to cover upstream operations; developed common procedures to meet system requirements, address anticipated risks, and establish consistent programs; and worked with the various business divisions to integrate system requirements and common procedures into established business operations.
Standard Health Management System and Procedures
The health management system is one of several standard upstream management systems. The primary objective of the health system is to prevent safety, health, and environment (SHE) incidents associated with health issues. The scope of the upstream health system addresses traditional work site occupational health "OH" risks (e.g., chemical and physical agents), public health risks and medical care delivery issues. Public health and medical care issues are key concerns for pre-production and new operations in remote locations or developing countries. The standard system contains three processes:Managing Site Health Risks,
Managing Employee Health, and
Managing Primary and Emergency Medical Care.
Managing Site Health Risks: This process includes hazard identification, risk assessment, control measures and communications and training as shown below.
The following common procedures were developed to support this process. (Note that separate risk assessment procedures and control programs were developed for managing OH and public health risks.)
Hazard Communication:This document specifies requirements for maintaining and posting site hazard inventories, reviewing new materials introduced to the work site, and maintaining material safety data sheets.
OH Exposure Assessment Strategy: This risk assessment procedure is used to combine worker exposure information (for chemical and physical agents) during routine job activities and specific tasks with health risk information. Risk assessment results are used to identify health risks requiring further assessment/control, communicate health risks, prioritize air monitoring, focus medical surveillance or demonstrate regulatory compliance.
Public Health Risk Assessment: This risk assessment procedure is used to evaluate employee exposure risk to endemic diseases. Risk assessment results are used to identify infectious disease risks that require further assessment and control, prioritize immunization requirements for employee workgroups, and communicate health risks.
Managing Site Health Risks: This process includes hazard identification, risk assessment, control measures and communications and training as shown below.
The following common procedures were developed to support this process. (Note that separate risk assessment procedures and control programs were developed for managing OH and public health risks.)
Hazard Communication: This document specifies requirements for maintaining and posting site hazard inventories, reviewing new materials introduced to the work site, and maintaining material safety data sheets.
OH Exposure Assessment Strategy: This risk assessment procedure is used to combine worker exposure information (for chemical and physical agents) during routine job activities and specific tasks with health risk information. Risk assessment results are used to identify health risks requiring further assessment/control, communicate health risks, prioritize air monitoring, focus medical surveillance or demonstrate regulatory compliance.
Public Health Risk Assessment: This risk assessment procedure is used to evaluate employee exposure risk to endemic diseases. Risk assessment results are used to identify infectious disease risks that require further assessment and control, prioritize immunization requirements for employee workgroups, and communicate health risks.