At Empire Contractors ES Limited, we prioritize the safety and well-being of our workforce, subcontractors, clients, and the public. We recognize the importance of identifying and managing risks that have the potential to cause serious injuries or fatalities. Therefore, we have established comprehensive safety regulations to address the 10 fatal risks identified by industry standards, similar to those implemented by Balfour Beatty. These regulations are designed to promote awareness, reduce exposure, and ultimately eliminate risks to our employees, supply chain partners, and the communities in which we operate.
Our Approach
- Identification of Fatal Risks:
We have identified 10 fatal risks that are most prevalent in our day-to-day operations. These risks include:- Working at height
- Electricity
- Health
- Utility avoidance
- Catastrophic events
- Traffic management
- Lifting
- Excavations
- People and plant interface
- Driving
- Fatal Risk Group:
To effectively manage these risks, we have established a Fatal Risk Group for each risk area, led by our operational Managing Directors. These groups are responsible for promoting awareness, reducing exposure, and finding ways to eliminate the risks through proactive measures and continuous improvement.
- What3Things Checklist:
In cases where risks cannot be designed out, we utilize the What3Things checklist. This simple summary outlines three key measures to be applied to each fatal risk. These measures, used alongside our Golden Rules, address common issues surrounding the risks on our sites and ensure a systematic approach to risk management.
Our 10 Fatal Risks and What3Things
- Working at Height:
- Fall prevention measures
- Tools tethered
- Exclusion zones
- Electricity:
- Authorised Competent Person
- Electrical permits to work
- Test before touch
- Health:
- Physically and mentally fit
- Low or no vibrating tools
- Dust suppression and extraction
- Utility Avoidance:
- Permit to break ground
- Utility detection trained
- Overhead line goalposts
- Catastrophic Events:
- Temporary Works Co-ordinator
- Tested emergency response
- Fire risk assessment
- Traffic Management:
- Competent risk-based design
- Traffic Management Plan
- Segregation
- Lifting:
- Lifting Appointed Person
- Lift plan and exclusion zones
- Thorough examination and inspection
- Excavations:
- Design out need to enter
- Edge protection
- Ground support or battering
- People and Plant Interface:
- Segregation, red and amber zones
- Competent identifiable operators, marshals, and controllers
- Plant standards checked
- Driving:
- No hand-held devices
- Fatigue management
- Permit to drive/relevant license
Our Golden Rules
In addition to managing fatal risks, we require our employees and supply chain partners to adhere to our four Golden Rules at all times:
- Be fit for work:
Employees must inform their Supervisor/Manager if they are unfit for work due to any health issues, both physical and mental.
- Always receive a briefing before starting work:
Work should only commence after receiving a briefing and fully understanding the task, associated risks, controls, and rules.
- Report all unsafe events and conditions:
Employees are encouraged to take care of themselves and others by reporting any unsafe events or conditions promptly.
- Stop work if anything changes:
If there are changes to the planned safe system of work or if any concerns arise about the safety of activities, work must stop, and the Supervisor/Manager must be informed.
By adhering to these regulations and principles, we aim to create a safe and secure working environment for all stakeholders involved in our projects. Safety is not just a priority; it's a core value that guides our actions every day.
