ENVIROMENT,HEALTH AND SAFETY MANUAL
Published and issued by EH&S Programme NTANDA & CO [Download a Copy Here]

SECTION 1

INTRODUCTION

This manual defines the operations undertaken by contractors and sub-contractors on NTANDA AND COMPANY premises and all construction sites which can give rise to hazards to those engaged in the work and others who may be working, standing or passing in the vicinity including the physical environment.

Health and Safety Policy
We adhere to International Labour Organization (ILO), on occupational safety. Our primary objectives are to:
a - To create awareness to our works and surrounding communities on the dimensions and consequences of work-related accidents, injuries and diseases likely during construction so as to alleviate the risks to our people.
b - To promote the goal of basic protection for all workers in conformity with international labour law;
c - To enhance the our capacity to design and implement effective preventive and protective policies and programmes suitable and easily adoptable to our people.

Advantages of our Safework programme
Our SAFEWORK programme promotes an integrated multi-disciplinary approach which takes into account the physical, mental and social well-being of men and women workers. Conceiving the working conditions and the working environment as a whole, the prevention and control of work-related factors and their multiple and cumulative effects are taken into account including psycho-social and organizational aspects.
In the development of our company preventive action programmes, special attention is given to particularly hazardous areas such as lifts, tunnels, escarpments, swamps, basements construction, underpinning of buildings, use of machinery, chemicals, paints, and rest and leave programmes for our workers with a particular attention to women workers and elders, where a elders expertise calls him or her to work place.
Our long-term objectives as a member of construction industry aim essentially at:
1 - Reducing the number and seriousness of construction occupational accidents and diseases;
2 - Adapting the working environment, the working conditions, equipment and work processes to the physical and mental capacity of all workers;
3 - Enhancing the physical, mental and social well-being of men and women workers in all occupations;
4 - Encouraging company policies and preventive action programmes on occupational safety and health and supplying appropriate assistance to implement them to our staff and sub constructors.

It is the endeavor of NTANDA AND COMPANY to secure a high standard of occupational health and safety of all persons on its premises / sites and the protection of the natural environment. Therefore contractors and sub-contractors must know and are required to abide with the following: -

Before any contracting firm is allowed to carry out work on our premises/site, we insist that the contractor / sub-contractors understand their duties and obligations regarding safe practices for themselves and others and regulations governing the type of work coupled with Rwanda government laws they will be carrying out. Furtherance to the Company EH&S policy, requirements here-in have been devised to bring to the notice of contractors and sub-contractors, some of the common environmental, health and safety hazards that can arise in the course of executing the contract but have to be eliminated. Contractors and sub-contractors must provide evidence that they are adequately insured for their duties under common law and public liability.

IT IS A TERM FOR ALL CONTRACTS BETWEEN NTANDA AND COMPANY AND SUBCONTRACTORS OR CLIENTS THAT SUB CONTRACTORS AND ANY APPOINTED BY THEM COMPLY WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS AND THEIR COOPERATION IS THEREFORE OBLIGATORY IN CARRYING OUT THE PRECAUTIONS LAID DOWN.

Enviromental Policy
Our company adheres to UNITED NATIONS Environmental Programme on Environmental Observing and Assessment Strategy which Envisions to marshall effort of all stakeholders in environmental protection policies, as well as UNEP’S mission for environmental observing and assessment as set forth in the 1972 Stockholm action plan and later renewed in Agenda 21 and the 1997 Nairobi Declaration aimed to analyse the state of the global environment, assess global and regional environmental trends, and provide early warning information on environmental threats. Our company partakes in this noble environmental protection as we count ourselves as members of the big global family.
We are engaged in environmental monitoring and analysis focusing at identifying, assessing, monitoring and quantifying environmental problems and ways of redressing these problems as we work in the following ways:

Ecological Management
We concentrate on management of natural resources within an ecological context of our work area so that we end up improving and not tampering or disorganising the eco-systems by limiting on the use of toxic substances.

Environmental Management
As we carry on our work, we do our best to find balances among economic, environmental and social interest because these are interrelated. We involve the local community and remunerate them well and train them during the contract duration on environment and their social-economical concerns like the import of saving from their earning, so that they alleviate poverty which otherwise result in destruction of the environment.

Section 2 of this manual gives detailed general requirements that are applicable to contractors and sub-contractors.
Section 3 of this manual covers specific requirements that must be followed, where applicable, when a particular type of work is to be undertaken.

All contractors or their appointed supervisors will make sure that the responsible site agent on the NTANDA AND COMPANY site is notified as and when he and others including sub-contractors are or will be reporting for work at the relevant site.
All persons entering NTANDA AND COMPANY premises or sites for purpose of work must be booked at the gate and deposit their identification papers. Only those persons who have been duly registered with security after having undergone a briefing by the Environment, Health and Safety Manager or his representative are allowed to enter the NTANDA AND COMPANY premises or site for purposes of working.
NTANDA AND COMPANY management in this manual primarily means the Environment, Health and Safety Manager, the Head of Department issuing the contract or the site Engineering Manager. The Company primarily means NTANDA AND COMPANY. Each site has an Environment, Health and Safety Co-ordinator who must be consulted in case of doubt.

SECTION 2

RULES FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS

2.1 Access
Nothing shall be done or omitted to be done by a contractor and his staff to:
render impairment of the environment, or create unsafe working conditions, or obstruct any means of access. The passage of people and/or vehicles whether on a defined gangway or not, must at all times be free. However, permission can be obtained from management or a designated safety personnel where blockage or obstruction cannot be avoided. The contractor shall nevertheless provide adequate warning signs — lighting or tape for fencing (cordoning off), to ensure safety at all times.

2.2 Accident and Incident Reporting
All accidents, dangerous occurrences and potential hazardous situations must be reported to management. These include actual and probable injuries to personnel, damages to property, and spills or accidental releases that may have an effect on the environment.

2.3 Contractors Tools and Equipment
All contractors’ and subcontractors’ tools and equipment are subject to inspection by NTANDA AND COMPANY management and must comply with statutory regulations and approved codes of practices. The equipment has to have a valid EHS inspection tag affixed on it.
NTANDA AND COMPANY reserves the right to refuse or stop use of any equipment deemed unsafe or operations that may unnecessarily have a negative impact on the environment.

2.4 Fire Hazards and Precautions
When on site, Company fire regulations as well as local fire authority regulations must be observed at all times. Fire evacuation procedures are strategically displayed at a number of points on the premises and should be read and understood before commencement of any contract job. No fire fighting appliances are to be removed or transferred without express permission of management. Access to these appliances must always be unobstructed. Fire assembly areas are clearly designated on the premises. It is the duty of the contractor to make sure all his workers know the fire assembly area temporarily designated for the group. Under no circumstance will the access to any fire assembly point be obstructed.

2.5 Machinery Safety
Contractors working on the company premises/sites must not remove or displace any guard, fencing or safety equipment designated to protect personnel or machinery without the written permission, in form of a duly signed permit, from management or a designated representative. On completion of any work, any guards that had to be removed must be replaced immediately and whilst work is being carried out, such machinery must be locked off and not be operated. in exceptional cases high risk permits issued only by management must be obtained.

2.6 House — Keeping
A good standard.of house keeping must be maintained on our premises. Good storage practices must be exhibited. Storage of materials and equipment must be in designated areas only. Scrap and refuse disposal must be effected regularly and in an environmentally friendly manner.
Contractors must leave work areas in a clean, tidy and safe condition at the end of each working period. Smoking on site is totally prohibited. Special precautions must be taken when working in areas where machinery susceptible to fire are present.

2.7 Work at Height
Work at height refers to any activity above floor level, other than from a properly constructed fixed platform or walkway equipped with guard rails all round, toe boards, an inward opening spring gate access and appropriate access stairs or ladders.

2.7.1 Risk Management
It is the sub contractors’ responsibility to carry out a risk assessment of all work at height to establish a safe system of work for that activity. Particular note should be made of specific hazards such as electricity cables, steam lines, obstructions, poor structural condition and heat including weather conditions where work is outside.A permit to work system must be used on all roof work and other work where particular risks have been identified.

2.7.2 Supervision and Training
All work at height must be closely supervised at all times and personnel required to work at height must be specifically trained to do so.

2.7.3 Overhead Working
No work may be carried out above the heads of people or over gangways or roads, until all precautions have been taken to ensure the safety of the persons below. A permit to work at height must be sought before commencement of work.
Work may be carried out in the vicinity of power cables only when written permission is obtained from the responsible member of management. Permission will not however, absolve the parties concerned of their responsibilities under the construction regulations.

2.7.4 Area under Work at Height
The area under work at height must be cordoned off and warning notices posted. The area should be supervised at all times when work at height is being undertaken.
Only those specifically authorized to access the area should enter the area and hard hats must be worn.

2.7.5 Hard Hats/Helmets
Hard hats must be worn at all times in areas of contractor activities involving work at height.

2.7.6 Foot — Wear
Personnel working at height must wear appropriate non-slip safety footwear. Particular attention should be paid to ensure that footwear is clean and dry.

2.7.7 Fixed and Mobile Platform
Where work at height is regularly carried out, a mobile platform should be used if possible. This may be either a purpose-designed unit such as a ‘Beanstalk’ or a platform designed to be lifted by a lift truck. The lift truck platform should have 910 — 1150mm guard rails all round with 100 — 150mm mm toe boards and have a device which will lock the platform to the forms of the truck.

2.7.8 Harnesses/ Fall Arrestors
A harness with a fall arrest device attached to a tested fixed anchorage point must be worn by all persons working at height other than from a properly constructed fixed or mobile platform or walkway. The harness fixing point should have been specifically designed as an anchorage point (e.g. for window cleaning or overhead work). Where harnesses cannot be used due to lack or suitable fixing point then a permit to work system must be used in order to establish an alternative safe method of working.

2.7.9 Ladders and Step Ladders
Generally, ladders and stepladders should only be used where it is impractical to use a secure fixed or mobile platform.
Ladders and stepladders must have an identification mark and have a regular documented inspection to ensure that they are clean and in sound condition. Any item found to be defective must be withdrawn from use and repaired or replaced. Treads should ideally be flat or D type. When in use, they must have a secure footing on a firm level surface. The head or upper part of a ladder should rest against a solid rough surface and it should be at an angle of 750 to the ground. Ladders should be secured around their stiles at the top and bottom to prevent slippage.Where secure fixing cannot be achieved at the top of the ladder, additional measures will be needed at the bottom of the ladder, e.g. sand bags, stakes in the ground, to prevent the ladder slipping outwards or sideways. The ladder must be footed by the second person throughout the time the ladder is in use. Two people must be present during the fixing of the ladder, one to carry out the fixing and one to foot the ladder and keep it secure. The working position should not be less than 5 rungs from the top of the ladder. With stepladders, the knees should be below the top of the steps. Ladders should not be used in the vicinity of any electrical installation. Ladders, stepladders and trestles should not be left unattended outside their storage area.

2.7.10 Use of Tools at Heights
The minimum number of tools required to be used at height should be carried in a tool bag or a tool belt such that the hands are free when the ladder is being climbed. There must be fixed points to which each tool can be secured when not in use e.g. tool belt.

2.7.11 Scaffolding
Scaffolding must only be constructed and dismantled by only trained and qualified personnel.

2.7.12 Lifting Equipment
Rated lifting capacity must be stenciled or otherwise marked on all items of lifting equipment such as hoists, ropes, fork & clamp trucks, cranes, anchor points. Hooks on such equipment must be fitted with an automatic, spring-loaded safety latch. All items of lifting equipment must undergo a recorded routine inspection before being used and a formal ‘Certificate of Worthiness’ should be obtained every year from the Government Inspector of Factories. Management reserves the right to demand the production of the Inspector’s certificate. Damaged ropes must not be brought to our premises/sites. Ropes damaged on our premises/ sites must be withdrawn immediately.

2.7.13 Cleanliness and Maintenance
It is essential that all items of equipment related to work at height are properly maintained and are clean and dry when in use. Where conditions are wet, particular attention must be given at the time of use to ensure that equipment surfaces, e.g. ladder rungs, platform surfaces, are as clean and dry as possible.

2.8 Protective Wear & Equipment
The wearing of personal protective equipment must be enforced. All employees must wear protective clothing. Protective equipment must be issued as appropriate for body. head, eye, ear, hand and foot protection. Specialized protective equipment can be borrowed from our store after prior arrangements with management.

2.9 Environment Protection
NTANDA AND COMPANY has a moral obligation and has a policy to preserve and protect the built/natural environment while carrying out its operations. It is therefore a paramount responsibility of any contractor/subcontractor hired by the company to preserve the natural environment in the process of executing the work.
Our environmental policy concentrates on:
- Community involvement in all our construction project.
- Pollution reduction by use of non-emissive fuels
- Use of appropriate technology in energy acquisition
- Use of concrete blocks instead of bricks which need burning using cut-down trees
- Prevention of soil erosion during work program
- Less tampering with the eco-system
- Use of organic papers instead of polished bags to adhere to Rwanda government policy on environment.

Work practices employed by the contractor to execute a contract must fulfill the laid down requirements in the National Environment Statute/Acts. NTANDA AND COMPANY reserves the right to refuse or stop use of any equipment or operations that may unnecessarily have a negative impact on the environment.

2.9.1 Waste Disposal
All wastes leaving company premises are categorized in three types namely: controlled, special, and hazardous. A contractor/subcontractor must take off the premises only wastes that fall in the control category. These wastes must be dumped in the gazetted dumping grounds only. Management must be notified of the special and hazardous wastes that may have arisen in course of work. The contractor will be advised on what to do with such type of wastes.

2.9.2 Noise Pollution
Contractors and sub-contractors must obtain express permission from management if the processes being employed to carry out work increases the ambient noise levels in the area. Any ancillary noise source like a siren that may be needed in course of work must be notified to the management. All equipment to be used on the premises/site must have been well maintained.

2.9.3 Surface, Underground Water and Soil Contamination
All works on site that may induce run off into the drainage system must be effectively controlled. Housekeeping is of paramount concern on any part of our premises. It is the contractor’s responsibility to make sure that any discharge into the premises drainage system must not be of hazardous nature nor have any negative impact on the surface or underground water or the soil. All chemicals deliveries and storage areas must be in such a manner that spillage or over-flow is contained if it occurs.
Security is empowered to deny entry to the premises of any vehicle or equipment that may leak while on the site. It is the responsibility of the contractor to complete the contracted job with no leakage or spillage incident so as to leave no stain, soft soil or affected vegetation on the premises after completion of work.

2.9.4 Hazardous Substances Control
NTANDA AND COMPANY discourages the use or generation of waste substances that are defined as hazardous. Management must be informed of any hazardous substance that has to be brought on the premises/site by the contractor. However, management strongly prohibits the introduction to the premises/site of any asbestos, radioactive substances, oils containing PCBs, and ozone depleting chemicals such as CFCs. The contractor/subcontractor must inform management, prior to commencement of work, of process or materials of a hazardous nature connected with the contract work. The contractor must have secure storage for any such material and the storage must comply with NTANDA AND COMPANY standards for storage of such materials. This will only be in specifically designated storage areas as agreed with management.
All containers must be clearly labelled to show their contents. Any disposal of containers or balance of the hazardous material including any derived waste, which may be hazardous, must be communicated to management or a des ignated environment, health and safety staff for proper administration of the exercise.

2.9.5 Air Pollution
Due regard must be paid by the contractor to any emission to the atmosphere as a result of his or sub-contractor’s operations on the site. Contractors must inform management of all processes that may produce dust or fumes. All equipment that emits gaseous oxides to the atmosphere must be well maintained before they are brought to our premises. Any refuse that may emit volatile organic compounds must be removed from the site immediately it is generated.

2.10 Plant Services
Before using any plant services, permission to do so must be obtained from management.

2.11 Supervision
Contractors/Subcontractors working on our premises/sites must ensure that their staffs are adequately supervised. Contractor’s designated supervisor will supervise sub-contractors. In case of absence from site of a contractor’s supervisor, work may continue with a deputy supervisor supplied by the sub contractor, agreed upon with management. The contractor/subcontractor must appoint an Environment, Health and Safety Officer who must be at the site for the whole duration of the contract. His experience and training must be adequate enough to enable him cope up with NTANDA AND COMPANY E, H & S requirements.

2.12 Signs and Notices
Signs and notices pertaining to the nature of work carried out must be put up conspicuously.
All signs and notices on the site must be clearly understood and abided by all contractor’s employees.

SECTION 3

TOOLS

3.1 Standard requirements
All contractors’ and subcontractors’ tools and equipment are subject to inspection and approval by management. They must comply with statutory regulations and approved codes of practices.
NTANDA AND COMPANY reserves the right to refuse or stop use of any equipment deemed unsafe or operations that may unnecessarily have a negative impact on the environment.

3.3 Compressed Air Tools
Contractors/subcontractors must obtain permission from management to use any compressed air supply on the site. Use of compressed air receivers must only be after approval by management.

3.4 Hoisting and Lifting
Permission must be obtained from management prior to the use of the company plant and equipment. Rated lifting capacity must be stenciled or otherwise marked on all items of lifting equipment such as hoists, ropes, fork & clamp trucks, cranes, anchor points. Hooks on such equipment must be fitted with an automatic, spring-loaded safety latch. All items of lifting equipment must undergo a recorded inspection before being used and a ‘Certificate of Worthiness’ from the Government Inspector of Factories. Management reserves the right to demand the production of the Inspector’s certificate for the running year. Ropes and other lifting tools must routinely be checked. Damaged ropes must not be brought to our premises/sites. Ropes damaged on our premises/ sites must be withdrawn immediately.
Equipment used may only be used so long as its use falls within the manufacturer’s designed limits.

3.5 Movement of Plant and Machinery
Permission must be obtained prior to the movement of construction materials, plant or equipment about or on the site.

3.6 Powered Industrial Trucks and plants
Contractors on the site must obtain permission prior to the use of powered trucks and plants.
Trucks and plants must only be driven/operated by competent licensed personnel and must comply with statutory regulations.

3.7 Vehicles
Vehicles or other motorized transport systems used must be in sound certified condition. All vehicles on our premises must be dully insured. Management reserves the right to deny access of any vehicle to our premises/site if it is deemed unsafe or if its mechanical condition is not satisfactory. Passengers must only be carried in vehicles designated for that purpose.
Drivers must posses valid driving permits and must observe the speed limits and pedestrians’ zebra crossings shown on our premises. It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that drivers used adhere to the provisions in the statutory regulations governing the road and traffic safety while executing their duties.
All traffic signs on the premises must be strictly obeyed. Parking of vehicles on the premises must be only in designated vehicle parking areas. Parking and driving must not be done in the pedestrians’ demarcated walkways.
3.8 Orderliness
All persons on NTANDA AND COMPANY premises/site must conduct themselves in an orderly manner.
No alcohol is permitted on our premises and anybody deemed to be under the influence of alcohol will be instantly dismissed from our site. The contract could be terminated as a resulted of this alone.


SECTION 5

CONTRACTORS BASIC GUIDELINES
1. Safe and environmentally friendly work practices must be used at all times. An Environment, Health and Safety officer must be appointed by the contractor/subcontractor to ensure this requirement is fulfilled. Management must be notified of the appointee in writing.
2. It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that his staff use appropriate personal protection equipment. It is the contractor’s obligation to supply necessary protective equipment and clothing.
3. Certain areas on the premises are designated hazardous and warning signs displayed must be adhered to.
4. Where the contractors’ work presents a potential hazard, appropriate notices must be supplied and displayed. The area must be cordoned off.
5. The company will not provide tools, materials, equipment, or fixings unless by prior arrangements.
6. Only trained persons must operate any equipment brought to our premises/sites. Attention is hereby drawn to the indemnity clause of NTANDA AND COMPANY, which states that the contractor is liable for any consequent damage or loss to people, equipment or buildings including the physical environment arising from his activities on the premises.
7. All welding, burning and grinding operations, which could potentially cause fire, must be executed under close supervision. An approved Hot Work Permit must have be sought from management.
8. No alcohol is permitted on site, and anyone deemed to be under the influence of alcohol will be required to leave the site immediately without further explanation from management.
9. Parking of vehicles will be in designated areas only.
10. No smoking is allowed in work areas.
11. No food is to be consumed or left in work areas.
12. Warning signs, speed restrictions, pedestrians’ walkways and zebra crossings must be observed while driving on company premises/sites.
13. Place of work must be left in a tidy and safe condition at the end of each work period.
14. Care must be taken against contamination of any product produced.
15. All hazardous and potentially dangerous occurrences must be reported.
16. Special vigilance must be exercised while executing any work on our premises/site to preserve the natural environment.