HS Orka hf. places great emphasis on safety, health, and environmental (SHE) matters. This applies to all work performed by and for the company, whether the work takes place on HS Orka’s premises or elsewhere.
Great emphasis is placed on ensuring that everyone working for HS Orka complies with the laws and regulations in force concerning safety, health, and environmental matters at the workplace, such as:
- The Act on Working Environment, Health, and Safety in the Workplace No. 46/1980.
- Rules on Working Environment, Health, and Safety Measures at Construction Sites and Other Temporary Structures No. 547/1996.
- Regulation No. 920/2006 on the Organization and Implementation of Occupational Safety and Health Activities at Workplaces.
Contractors and service providers must also comply with HS Orka’s requirements regarding the management of safety, health, and environmental (SHE) matters for all work performed on HS Orka’s premises.
Requirements for Contractors and Service Providers
Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
For all work on HS Orka’s premises, the following personal protective equipment must be used. Contractors and service providers must ensure that all their employees have access to and always use:
- Safety helmet.
- Ankle-high safety shoes.
- Safety glasses.
- Gloves.
- High-visibility clothing when working outdoors.
- H2S detector in geothermal power plants and their outdoor areas.
- Face shield for grinding and chiseling.
- Other necessary personal protective equipment such as hearing protection and masks.
Reporting Deviations, Opportunities, and Suggestions
We learn from incidents and can make improvements to prevent or reduce the likelihood of recurrence, which could even lead to accidents for us or our colleagues.
Contractors and service providers must report all accidents, near misses, hazardous incidents, hazardous conditions, and environmental incidents that occur while working for HS Orka. Reports should be made in HS Orka’s systems or by sending an email to tilkynning@hsorka.is.
Training and Competence
Contractors and service providers must participate in the education and training required by HS Orka for the work to be performed. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that all their employees have received appropriate training and have renewed it according to HS Orka’s requirements. For all work, SHE training must be satisfactorily completed, and training must be renewed at least every two years. Specialized courses are required for certain work, such as Lockout-Tagout-Testing, Working at Heights, Working in Confined Spaces, and Lifting Operations.
Preparation of Work
Contractors and service providers must conduct a risk assessment for all work, including planning which protective measures to apply and how. Contact the project manager at HS Orka to determine the work arrangement. Ensure that all employees have the necessary qualifications. Obtain a work permit from the Suðurnes Health Inspectorate for the operation of machinery in water protection areas, and machinery must be inspected for leak prevention.
Arrival at HS Orka’s Premises
Contractors must notify their arrival to the HS Orka project manager and obtain a work permit or work order from them.
Tools and Equipment
Contractors must ensure that the condition of their tools and equipment is good and complies with legal and regulatory requirements. Tools with removed safety guards must never be used. Absorption equipment must be available in machinery entering water protection areas.
Machinery, Vehicles, and Traffic
All those operating machinery or other vehicles must have the appropriate qualifications (the first letter in the registration number of the machinery indicates the qualification category on the machinery license). Always follow traffic rules and signage. Machinery and vehicles must not be left idling.
Working with Hazardous Energy
When working with energy that could unexpectedly be released and cause harm, isolate the energy source according to HS Orka’s “Lockout-Tagout-Testing” process. All those working with hazardous energy must have received training approved by HS Orka.
Working in Confined Spaces
When working in confined spaces, follow HS Orka’s “Working in Confined Spaces” rules. All those working in confined spaces must have received training approved by HS Orka.
Working at Heights
Always strive to perform work on the ground or on fixed platforms. When it is necessary to work where there is a risk of falling (1.8 m), always use fall protection. Fall protection must also be used where there is a risk of serious injury from a fall from a lower height, such as if there are specific hazards on the surface. If it is necessary to work in a fall harness, employees must have received training approved by HS Orka.
Working on Ladders and Stairs
All portable ladders and stairs must meet the EN 131 Professional standard. Avoid working from a ladder, but if necessary, always ensure three-point contact. The ladder must be well secured or supported by another person. If using a ladder to access a ledge, it must extend at least 1 meter above the ledge. Mobile scaffolds must meet the EN 1004 standard, and reference is also made to the regulation on tube scaffolds No. 729/2018. Always inspect ladders, stairs, and scaffolds before each use.
Lifting Operations
The crane operator must perform a safety inspection (pre-use inspection) before starting work. The crane operator is prohibited from lifting loads over people and/or vehicles. It is strictly forbidden to walk under loads or park vehicles underneath. Those involved in lifting operations must never approach closer than 1.5 times the height of the load unless otherwise specified in the risk assessment. Uninvolved persons must never approach closer than 3 meters or 1.5 times the height of the load, whichever is greater, unless otherwise specified in the risk assessment. Always inspect lifting equipment before each use.
Chemicals and Hazardous Substances
Substances marked with warning labels must be stored securely and safely. Contractors and service providers are responsible for ensuring that safety data sheets are always accessible to those using the substances and that use is in accordance with them. Substances marked with warning labels (e.g., oil) must not enter drains or the environment and must be disposed of as hazardous waste. Clean up substances marked with warning labels and dispose of them as hazardous waste.
Raw Materials
Use raw materials and resources responsibly and avoid waste. HS Orka requires the sorting of all waste. At HS Orka, there are disposal containers for metals, wood, minerals (e.g., glass, concrete, mortar), batteries, electrical equipment, tires, light bulbs, hazardous waste, plastic, paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, refundable containers, organic waste, and non-recyclable waste. Containers can be found throughout HS Orka’s premises, but the main collection point is at the warehouse in Svartsengi.