HSE Operational Procedure HS&E OP-46-01
OPERATIONAL CONTROL
Issued by: HSE Representative Eff. Date: 03/08/10 Rev.: A Pg. 1 of 3
I PURPOSE
The purpose of this procedure is to provide for a system of instructions, and to assign
responsibilities for controlling those operations and activities that are associated with
significant environmental aspects and health & safety hazards.
II APPLICATION
This procedure applies to operations and activities that are associated with significant
environmental aspects and health & safety hazards.
III RESPONSIBILITY AND AUTHORITY
The HSE Representative is responsible for identifying operations and activities that
are associated with significant environmental aspects and health & safety hazards.
Departmental Managers conducting operations and activities associated with
significant environmental aspects and health & safety hazards are responsible for
planning these operations, and for ensuring that they are carried out under specified
and controlled conditions.
IV PROCEDURE
1. Identification of Relevant Operations and Activities
1.1 For every significant environmental aspect and health & safety hazard, the HSE
Representative identifies operations and activities that are associated with the
aspect/hazard.
1.2 The relevant operations and activities are those that can cause a significant
environmental impact and health & safety hazard; and/or are directly related to the
HSE performance of the aspect/hazard.
2. Operational Controls
2.1 Operational controls are methods, systems, processes and equipment that safeguard
the health, safety and the environment. These can be special containers, tanks or
packaging; protection, containment or isolation arrangements; alarms and automatic
shutdown or shutoff mechanisms; treatment processes; communication requirements
and equipment; warning signs, instructions and health & safety procedures and
manuals; training programmes; and so forth.
2.2 Departmental Managers responsible for operations and activities associated with
significant environmental aspects and health & safety hazards should evaluate the
need for implementation of relevant operational controls. The following issues are
The master of this procedure is held on the Qshare Application. Hard copies can be printed but will not be updated. If you are
working from a hard copy and in doubt of whether it is current, please refer to Qshare Application for the latest revision.
OPERATIONAL CONTROL
HSE Operational Procedure HS&E OP-46-01 Rev.: A Pg. 2 of 3
considered in evaluating the need:
• Severity of potential environmental impact and health & safety hazard;
• Legal and regulatory requirements;
• History of related HSE incidents;
• Relevance to the HSE policies, objectives, and targets;
• Available equipment and technology, and its effectiveness;
• Cost, impact on productivity, and other business considerations.
2.3 Implementation of new operational controls can be planned and carried out in the
framework of management programmes for reaching objectives and targets, or as a
corrective or preventive action.
3. Work Instructions
3.1 Work instructions are manuals, procedures, sheets, or posted signs instructing on how
to carry out an operation or activity. (Not to be confused with Work Method
Statements (WMS) which pertain to specific work tasks and are involved with actual
works.
3.2 Work instructions are required where their absence could lead to deviation from HSE
policies, objectives or targets; or could cause significant environmental impact and/or
health & safety hazard. The following issues are considered in determining the need
for work instructions:
• Severity of potential environmental impact and/or health & safety hazard;
• The need to document and communicate specific operational criteria (for example,
process parameters);
• Qualifications and training of personnel carrying out and/or managing the operation
or activity;
• History of related HSE performance and incidents.
3.3 Work instructions stipulate methods and operational criteria that minimize the use of
materials, energy, and other natural resources; reduce generation of wastes and
emissions; prevent pollution; decrease the risk of uncontrolled releases or other
incidents; promote safety; and otherwise ensure that operations and activities are
carried out under defined and controlled conditions. Work instructions are also
developed for HSE monitoring and verification activities; including instructions for
the use and calibration of measuring and test equipment, for sampling methods, and
for conducting inspections and tests.
3.4 Work instructions are normally issued internally by the department or function that
will use the instructions. Work instructions are reviewed and approved for use by the
departmental manager or supervisor who issues them. However, in matters concerning
The master of this procedure is held on the Qshare Application. Hard copies can be printed but will not be updated. If you are
working from a hard copy and in doubt of whether it is current, please refer to Qshare Application for the latest revision.
OPERATIONAL CONTROL
HSE Operational Procedure HS&E OP-46-01 Rev.: A Pg. 3 of 3
monitoring of HSE performance or HSE compliance, work instructions also must be
approved by the HSE Representative.
4. Inspection and Maintenance Programme
4.1 Inspection and/or maintenance programmes are developed and implemented for
equipment, machines, and systems associated with significant environmental aspects
and/or health & safety hazards. The following issues are considered in identifying
relevant equipment and developing inspection and maintenance programmes:
• Severity of potential environmental impact and/or health & safety hazard that would
be caused by breakdown or malfunction of the machine or system;
• Whether the equipment or system is used in the emergency preparedness and
response programme;
• Whether the equipment or system is an operational control used to prevent or reduce
the impact/hazard of an HSE incident;
• Manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations;
4.2 Irrespective of other considerations, inspection and maintenance programmes are
developed for all equipment, machines and systems used for emergency preparedness
and response or as operational controls.
4.3 Inspection and maintenance programmes define the frequency and scope of the
planned inspections or service. Where equipment manuals specify maintenance
requirements, the manuals in themselves may be sufficient to define the maintenance
program; but they must be referenced in appropriate procedures or work instructions.
4.4 Every maintenance, and repair activity is recorded within the Maintenance Section of
the QshareCentral Application. At a minimum, an entry includes: classification of the
activity; description of what was done; etc.
4.5 The HSE Representative designates responsibilities for establishing and implementing
inspection and maintenance programmes for relevant equipment, machines and
systems. Implementation of the programs is periodically verified within the scope of
internal audits.
V ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS
• All relevant HSE Procedures
• Operational Procedures and work instructions
• Inspection records
The master of this procedure is held on the Qshare Application. Hard copies can be printed but will not be updated. If you are
working from a hard copy and in doubt of whether it is current, please refer to Qshare Application for the latest revision.
