ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (ESIA) FOR THE UPGRADING OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

Transcription

1 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (ESIA) FOR THE UPGRADING OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK Contract No: MCAN/COM/RFP P2A02001 Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan March 2011 Prepared by: Aurecon Postal Address: Newton Street WINDHOEK Namibia Contact Person: Diane Erasmus Contact number:

2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report is one of the deliverables of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the upgrading and construction of new MET management centres and staff houses at Ombika and Galton Gate in Etosha National Park (ENP), which is funded by the United States of America through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). This Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan (PHPSAP is intended to educate, raise awareness and inform the construction workers, MET employees and other stakeholders about health, safety as well as HIV/AIDS issues related to the construction works at the selected sites. The PHPSAP contains the following in keeping with the terms of reference for the assignment:: Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan The Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan (PHPSAP) contains the following: H&S policy statement and objectives; A list of the main risks that are expected to occur during construction, as well as appropriate mitigation measures for avoiding or ameliorating these risks; The responsibilities of the various role-players involved in implementing and monitoring these mitigation measures; A public health and public safety action plan, specifying various objectives and activities, the target group at which each activity is aimed, the party responsible for implementing the activity, any relevant external stakeholders or partners, the times or frequency at which the activity is to be undertaken, and indicators or means of verifying whether an action has been taken; and The recommended content of training modules to train workers and raise awareness regarding work-related risks and safety measures. HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Plan This component of the Health and Safety plan aims to equip individuals to reflect on and make informed choices about their attitudes and behavioural practices. It will also contribute to build a wider understanding of HIV/AIDS issues; to the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS; and to worksites that are more responsive to the needs of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Plan have been divided into the following two broad categories: H&S policy statement and objectives; A list of the main risks related to HIV/AIDS exposure that may affect construction workers and local communities, as well as appropriate mitigation measures for avoiding or reducing these risks; The responsibilities of the various role-players involved in implementing and monitoring these mitigation measures; A HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention action plan, specifying various objectives and activities, the target group at which each activity is aimed, the party responsible for implementing the activity, any relevant external stakeholders or partners, the times or frequency at which the activity is to be undertaken, and indicators or means of verifying whether an action has been taken; and Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan i

3 The recommended content of training modules to train workers and HIV/AIDS Peer Educators in HIV/AIDS risks and appropriate preventative measures. Recommendations on Sanitation and Hygiene This chapter makes recommendations for the inclusion of appropriate sanitation and hygiene facilities at management centres, including ablution facilities, washing facilities, meal areas and drinking water. It also contains recommendations regarding sanitation and hygiene facilities at targeted staff villages and management centres, and makes recommendations with regard to the promotion of sanitation and hygiene awareness. Disability access This chapter assesses MET s needs with regard to disability access at staff housing and management centres, and makes recommendations regarding the inclusion of such access into the final design of these facilities. The first section provides information on definitions of disability and estimates of the incidence of disability in Namibia. This is followed by a brief review of relevant national policies and legislation. The final two sections assess MET s needs with regard to disability access and provide recommendations for the design of management centres and staff housing. Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan ii

4 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction Public Health and Safety Awareness Plan POLICY AND OBJECTIVES Policy statement Objectives of this Plan Relevant legislation and standards RISKS AND MITIGATION MEASURES ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY ACTION PLAN TRAINING MODULES HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Plan OBJECTIVES AND POLICY CONTEXT International guidelines on HIV/ AIDS in the workplace Namibian policies and legislation Millennium Challenge Account Namibia HIV/AIDS Consultants Roster RISKS AND MITIGATION MEASURES ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES HIV/ AIDS AWARENESS AND PREVENTION ACTION PLAN TRAINING MODULES Recommendations on Sanitation and Hygiene SANITATION AND HYGIENE FACILITIES Sanitation and hygiene facilities at management centres Sanitation and hygiene facilities at staff housing SANITATION AND HYGIENE AWARENESS The PHAST approach to sanitation and hygiene promotion Organisations involved in sanitation and hygiene promotion Disability access DEFINITION AND INCIDENCE OF DISABILITY RELEVANT POLICIES AND LEGISLATION Labour Act, Affirmative Action (Employment) Act, National Policy on Disability, National Disability Council Act, ASSESSMENT OF MET NEEDS REGARDING DISABILITY ACCESS RECOMMENDATIONS Design requirements Information requirements Binding Language for Works Contracts EXAMPLE OF STATEMENTS RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY HIV-AIDS CLAUSE FOR INCLUSION IN THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT References Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan iii

5 LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Risks, mitigation measures and responsibility for implementing mitigation...5 Table 2: Public Health and Public Safety Action Plan Table 3: Training module Basic construction health and safety Table 4: Training module Housekeeping and environmental hygiene procedures Table 5: Training module Legal health and safety requirements Table 6: Training module Material and chemical hazards and safety Table 7: Training module Personal protective clothing and equipment Table 8: Training module Vehicles and mobile equipment Table 9: Training module Electrical safety Table 10: Training module Excavations and working at height Table 11: Training module Drug- and alcohol-free workplace Table 12: Good practice components of an HIV/AIDS plan Table 13: List of HIV/AIDS Consultants on the MCA-N Roster Table 14: Risks, mitigation measures and responsibility for implementing mitigation Table 15: HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Action Plan Table 16: Training module basic HIV/AIDS training Table 17: Training Module on implementing a peer education programme under supervision LIST OF BOXES Box 1: Chemical Hazard Training Acknowledgement Sheet Box 2: Electrical, fall hazard and scaffold training session acknowledgement sheet LIST OF ANNEXURES Annexure A: Annexure B: Annexure C: HIV/AIDS rapid assessment tool HIV/AIDS awareness self-assessment survey Guidelines for the design of wheel-chair accessible bathrooms Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan iv

6 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AIDS CAVI CRAVI DOTS EHSCO EMP ENP ESIA GFCI GN H&S HIV HPMT IFC KAVI MCA-N MCC MET MSDS NAPDP NAVI NFPDN NFVI NGO NNAD NWR PHAST PHPSAP PPE RE ROPS STI VCT Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Caprivi Association of the Visually Impaired Central Region Association of the Visually Impaired Directly Observed Treatment Short-course Environmental Health and Safety Control Officer Environmental Management Plan Etosha National Park Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Government Notice Health and Safety Human Immuno-deficiency Virus HIV Prevention Management Team International Finance Corporation Kavango Association of the Visually Impaired Millennium Challenge Account - Namibia Millennium Challenge Corporation Ministry of Environment and Tourism Material Safety Data Sheets Namibia Association of People with Physical Disabilities Northern Association of the Visually Impaired National Federation of People with Disabilities in Namibia Federation of the Visually Impaired Non Governmental Organisation Namibia National Association of the Deaf Namibia Wildlife Resorts Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation Public Safety Awareness Plan Personal Protective Equipment Resident Engineer Rollover protective Structures Sexually Transmitted Infection Voluntary Counselling and Testing Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan v

7 1 Introduction This report forms one of the deliverables of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the upgrading and construction of new MET management centres and staff houses at Ombika and Galton Gate in Etosha National Park (ENP), which is funded by the United States of America through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The ESIA has been commissioned by the Millennium Challenge Account Namibia (MCA-N) to ensure that the proposed upgrading complies with both Namibian environmental legislation and international best-practice standards. This report presents a Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan (PHPSAP), which is intended to educate, raise awareness and inform the construction workers, MET employees and other stakeholders about health, safety as well as HIV/AIDS issues related to the construction works at the selected sites. The terms of reference for the assignment specify that the PHPSAP must comprise the following elements: A Public Health/Public Safety Awareness Plan, which should include: - Employee information on how to work safely and without health risks including universal precautions - Employee information and instructions on use, handling, storage or transport of construction materials, volatile, combustible or chemical substances, equipment, etc to ensure the safety of workers and to reduce health risks; - Information on availability/location, usage and or operation of personal protective clothing and equipment; - Organization of work, including hours of work and mealtimes in such a way that work does not adversely affect the safety and health of employees; - Arrangements and provisions, including training, for the emergency medical kits for use when necessary to avoid negative injuries or health impacts; - Arrangements and plans to transport injured workers to hospitals in shortest time as and when required; - Provisions and arrangements for the election/appointment of health and safety representative at each construction site; - Make provision for employees to report, react, etc to hazardous or risk work conditions; and - Recommendations on minimum standards for sanitation and hygiene at construction camps. An HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Plan, which must include: - Basic information about HIV/AIDS transmission, avoidance, and prevention; - Targeted information on the key drivers of the epidemic including concurrent multiple partners and transactional sex. - Emphasis on risky behaviour including alcohol abuse and inter-generational sex and early sexual debut Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan 1

8 - Information on how to seek testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS and how to adhere to treatment - Information on how to obtain contraception to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS; - Information on how to prevent prenatal transmission of HIV/AIDS; where to get antenatal testing and options on breastfeeding, weaning and care of children born to HIV positive parent - Information on HIV/AIDS symptoms and linkages with HIV/AIDS and other diseases; and - Statistics on impact of HIV/AIDS on communities and information on available services and approaches to mitigate impacts. A section on Sanitation and Hygiene, which entails that the Consultant should assess MET s needs in regards to improving access to sanitation and proper hygiene at targeted staff villages and management centres and make appropriate recommendations for inclusion of required facilities into the final design. Recommendations on disability access, which requires that the Consultant assesses MET s needs in regards to disability access for staff housing and management centres and make appropriate recommendations for inclusion of such access into the final design. Binding Language for Works Contracts. In this regard the Consultant must provide language to facilitate incorporation of binding responsibilities of the Works Contractor to implement this plan into the relevant bidding documents. The Public Health/Public Safety Awareness Plan is presented in Chapter 2 below, after which the HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Plan follows in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 constitutes the required section on sanitation and hygiene, while Chapter 5 contains recommendations on disability access. Finally, clauses constituting binding language for Works Contracts are given in Chapter 6. Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan 2

9 2 Public Health and Safety Awareness Plan This Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan contains the following: H&S policy statement and objectives (Section 2.1); A list of the main risks that are expected to occur during construction, as well as appropriate mitigation measures for avoiding or ameliorating these risks (Section 2.2); The responsibilities of the various role-players involved in implementing and monitoring these mitigation measures (Section 2.3); A public health and public safety action plan, specifying various objectives and activities, the target group at which each activity is aimed, the party responsible for implementing the activity, any relevant external stakeholders or partners, the times or frequency at which the activity is to be undertaken, and indicators or means of verifying whether an action has been taken (Section 2.4); and The recommended content of training modules to train workers and raise awareness regarding work-related risks and safety measures (Section 2.5). 2.1 POLICY AND OBJECTIVES Policy statement A safe and healthy place of employment is a basic right of every working person. Exposure to unsafe conditions, no matter who created them, is unacceptable. Therefore, health, safety and accident prevention measures must be integrated with all work activities. The Namibian Labour Act (No. 11 of 2007) states that every employer or person in charge of premises where employees are employed must, without charge to the employees, provide a working environment that is safe, without risk to the health of employees, and has adequate facilities and arrangements for the welfare of employees. Furthermore, every employer is required to conduct its business operations in such a manner that, as far as is reasonably practicable, persons who are not employees of that employer are not exposed to the risk of their safety or health. A safe and healthy place of employment can exist and be maintained only if both supervisory and non-supervisory personnel participate in and support the Health and Safety Awareness Programme by working with Health and Safety Representative (see Section below) in ensuring safe and healthy conditions on the job site. Employees should report all unsafe conditions to the Safety Representative Objectives of this Plan The overall goal of this Construction Health and Safety Awareness Plan is to achieve and maintain realistic and sustainable international and locally acceptable standards with regard to occupational health and safety for the duration of the project. Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan 3

10 In pursuit of this goal, the Plan comprises the following objectives: To define to legal health and safety standards to which the project is required to conform; To define roles and responsibilities in terms of implementing the Plan; To set requirements in terms of health- and safety-related training and communication for workers and neighbouring communities; To provide guidelines for identifying particular project-related risks and appropriate mitigation measures; To highlight pertinent requirements, as these are set out in existing legislation and policies, with regard to the following: - Safe working procedures; - Handling, use, storage and transport of tools, hazardous materials and chemicals; - Protective clothing and equipment; - Organisation of work and mealtimes/ rest times; - Sanitation and hygiene at construction camps; To define required emergency procedures; and To define project-specific requirements in terms of compliance auditing and reporting Relevant legislation and standards This Construction Health and Safety Plan has been designed to conform to the requirements of the following Namibian legislation: The Regulations Relating to the Health and Safety of Employees at Work (GN 156 of 1997) hereafter referred to as the H&S Regulations; The Labour Act (No. 11 of 2007); The Social Security Act (No. 34 of 1994); and The Employee's Compensation Act (No. 30 of 1941). In addition, the Plan takes into account the following international legislative requirements and best-practice and guidelines: The International Finance Corporation (IFC) Policy on Social and Environmental Sustainability; The World Bank Health and Safety Guidelines; and The Safety and Health in Construction Convention, 1988 (No. 167), and Recommendation, 1988 (No. 175). 2.2 RISKS AND MITIGATION MEASURES This section sets out the main health and safety-related risks that are likely to occur during construction. These risks are set out in Table 1 below. The table also identifies Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan 4

11 recommended mitigation measures for each risk, as well as the responsible parties for implementing these mitigation measures. Table 1: Risks, mitigation measures and responsibility for implementing mitigation Risks Mitigation measures Responsibility for mitigation Vehicles & mobile equipment Reduced efficiency due to Routes for vehicular traffic are one-way wherever Principal Contractor traffic congestion possible Collision of vehicle with another vehicle or pedestrian on site Routes for vehicular traffic are one-way wherever possible Enforcement of on-site speed limits Principal Contractor Collision of construction vehicle with public vehicle/ pedestrian on public road Injury/ fatality due to being struck by moving equipment Injury from reversing vehicle/ mobile equipment Working at heights Injury/ fatality due to being struck by falling object Falling from height Establishment of traffic diversions, signage and flag personnel where construction traffic intrudes on public roads Establishment of safe work zones to prohibit personnel from being within the range of motion of equipment High-visibility clothing for personnel working in vicinity of moving equipment Roll-over protective structures Assistance of observer if reversing vehicle/ mobile equipment with obstructed view Maintaining site tidiness Edge protection wherever there is a drop of 2 metres or more Materials and equipment stored away from edges of heights/ excavations Stabilisation of suspended machinery/ equipment Edge protection or safety net system wherever there is a drop of 2 metres or more Training to all employees working at heights Inspection and proper use of ladders Principal Contractor Principal Contractor All workers Principal Contractor Principal Contractor Hazardous chemicals and materials Slipping on spilled liquid Containment and rapid cleaning of spillages Principal Contractor Injury/ fatality/ illness due to exposure to hazardous chemicals H&S Representative Environmental protection Environmental damage due to littering Environmental damage due to spillage of hazardous chemicals Environmental damage/ risk to public health due to poor sanitation Work procedures & tool use Unauthorised entry onto site Tripping over equipment/ construction material Injury from sharp object Provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) Training in use of PPE Availability of material safety data sheets (MSDSs) Appropriate labels on all containers of hazardous chemicals/ materials Containment and quick cleaning of spillages Availability of waste disposal points Containment and quick cleaning of spillages Provision of acceptable sanitation and hand-washing facilities Training/ awareness raising about appropriate sanitation behaviour Provision of safe drinking water Signage prohibiting unauthorised entry Access control to site Maintaining site tidiness Storage of equipment that is not in use Removal/ hammering down of protruding nails Use of PPE Training in the use of power-driven tools Principal Contractor Principal Contractor Principal Contractor Principal Contractor All workers All workers Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan 5

12 Injury/ fatality/ damage due to fire Electric shock Eye injury Exposure to excessive noise Organisation of work Exposure to excessive heat Hazardous/ careless behaviour due to exhaustion Injury to self or others due to use of drugs/ alcohol on the job Inadequate medical care in the case of an injury Fire prevention and fire-fighting training for all personnel Availability of fire-fighting equipment at strategic locations around the job Fire protection equipment provided during any activity that may pose a fire hazard (welding, flame cutting, etc.) One fire watch with no other duties assigned per open flame operation Training for all employees working with or nearby electrical equipment or electrical connections Establishment of adequate ground fault circuit interrupters Regular inspection of electrical equipment and connections Protective goggles or use a face mask for all personnel involved in arc welding Fitting of exhaust outlets with silencers or mufflers Earmuffs or ear plugs worn by persons work with or near a noisy machine Sufficient work breaks Protected rest areas Adequate supply of drinking water Adequate rest breaks Provision of adequate rest breaks Adequate heat protection measures Training and awareness-raisin about ban against use of drugs/ alcohol on the job Strict action in the event of violations Provision of first aid/ emergency medical kits Presence of personnel with appropriate first aid training Emergency transport/ evacuation arrangements Principal Contractor Principal Contractor All workers Principal Contractor Principal Contractor Principal Contractor H&S Representative H&S Representative 2.3 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES This section sets out the roles and responsibilities of various role-players in the implementation of the Public Health and Public Safety Action Plan set out in Section 2.4 below Client The Client, in the context of this project, is the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET). However, since funding for the project will be provided by MCA-N, the latter will be closely involved and may in some instances provide play a supporting role to the Client in its dealings with other role-players. In terms of this Plan, the Client is required to: Inform the Principal Contractor of the relevant with this health and safety regulations (under the Labour Act, No. 11 of 2007) to which he/she must comply when carrying out work for or on behalf of the Client. Ensure that the potential contractor has made provision for the cost of a health and safety plan or measures. Reasonably satisfy himself that the contractor he intends to use has the necessary competencies and resources to carry out the work safety. Ensure that this Construction Health and Safety Awareness Plan is implemented by contractors. Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan 6

13 Construction supervision team Prior to commencement of construction, the Client will appoint a Construction Supervision Team, which will be a consulting firm tasked with the responsibility of: Detailed design for the project; Costing of the project; Preparation of bidding documents; and Construction supervision, including: - Environmental monitoring; - Social monitoring; and - Public health and safety monitoring. The construction supervision team will be represented on site by a Resident Engineer (RE), who will be the only person invested with the authority to issue orders to persons on site. Other team members will include architects, engineers, one or more environmental specialists, etc. Any instructions issued by any one of these persons must be channelled via the RE. One of the duties of the RE in terms of construction health and safety will be to assume the role of Environmental Health and Safety Control Officer (EHSCO). In this role, he/she will be responsible for: Assuming overall responsibility for monitoring and evaluation of the Construction Health and Safety Awareness Plan; Monitoring and overseeing the construction process to ensure that public health and safety issues and social impacts arising from construction activities are properly identified, managed and mitigated; Keeping records of any incidents occurring during the construction process that have a bearing on public health and safety and/or social impacts; Ensuring that appropriate follow-up is done in respect of such issues; Conducting legal compliance audits (see the last section in Table 2 below); and Reporting to the Client on the Principal Contractor s and subcontractors compliance with the Construction Health and Safety Awareness Plan and the HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Plan (see Chapter 3 below) Principal Contractor The Principal Contractor will be a construction firm appointed by the Client to undertake the construction process. The Principal Contractor will report to the construction supervision team, who in turn will report to the Client. In terms of this Plan, the Principal Contractor is required to: Establish the necessary measures for the practical implementation of this Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan; Ensure that the subcontractors tender bids or offers make provision for the costs of the required health and safety measures during the construction period; Ensure that subcontractors adhere to their health and safety obligations; Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan 7

14 Assign the role of Health and Safety Officer/ Manager (see Section ) to a suitably qualified and experienced member of the company s management team, or appoint a dedicated person in this position; Appoint a full-time competent employee as Site Supervisor (see Section below) Health and safety officer/ manager The health and safety officer/ manager is a person from the Principal Contractor team, or alternatively a firm or individual contracted for this role by the Principal Contractor. This role may be assigned to the same person as that of Environmental Manager/ Coordinator, who is responsible for implementation of the project s Environmental Management Plan (EMP). In terms of Section 6 of H&S Regulations, his or her main responsibility is the promotion of health and safety and the monitoring of the company s compliance with its health and safety policy. Whoever is appointed in this position should have direct access to an executive director of the company. His or her duties include: Overall responsibility for implementation of the Construction Health and Safety Awareness Plan and the HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Plan; The organisation of health- and safety-related information to be passed from management to workers, including those of subcontractors. The organisation and implementation of safety training programmes, including induction training for all workers on the site. The investigation and review of the circumstances and causes of accidents and occupational diseases so as to advise on preventive measures. Acting as consultant and technical adviser to the Health and Safety Representative (see Section below) and the Health and Safety Committee (see Section ). Participation in pre-site planning to ensure that relevant health and safety considerations are included. To carry out these functions the health and safety officer/ manager should have experience of the industry and should be properly trained and qualified, and should preferably be a member of a recognised professional safety and health body Site Supervisor The role of the Site Supervisor is to supervise the day-to-day construction work on the project. One site supervisor will be appointed per construction site. The Supervisor will manage and control all construction activities at that site. In terms of Section 4 of H&S Regulations, the Site Supervisor must: Be trained to understand the hazards associated with all work he or she has to supervise. Ensure that all required preventive measures are implemented. Ensure that all employees under his or her control are informed, instructed and trained by a competent person regarding any hazard and the related work procedures before any work begins and thereafter at such times as may be determined by the risk assessment. Only allow employees or persons to enter any site when he or she has undergone health and safety induction training relevant to the hazards on this site. Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan 8

15 Ensure that every employee on site has proof of the health and safety induction training. Hold toolbox talks on at least a weekly basis. A toolbox talk is a five- to ten-minute session with workers just prior to starting work for the day, which emphasises and reinforces a safety-conscious attitude. Toolbox talks also give workers and the supervisor a chance to talk about safety problems likely to be encountered, as well as potential solutions to those problems. Issue a Stop Work order when conditions arise that pose an imminent danger to personnel, environment or equipment. All Stop Work orders must be reported to the Environmental Health and Safety Control Officer Health and Safety representatives In terms of the Labour Act (No. 11 of 2007), employees in a workplace with between 10 and 100 employees are entitled to elect from among themselves at least one health and safety representative; workplaces with between 100 and 200 employees are entitled to elect two health and safety representatives, etc. The health and safety representative must be trained and knowledgeable about the Environment, Safety and Health requirements of the project for which he or she is responsible. A copy of that individual s training completion certificate must be included in the health and safety file (see Section below). An employer is required to grant each health and safety representative time off during working hours without loss of pay to perform the functions of that office, as well as reasonable leave of absence to attend health and safety meetings or training courses. The main function of the health and safety representative is to represent workers in dealing with health and safety matters on site. He or she must: Make representations to the management about matters of concern regarding the safety and health of workers. Attend meetings of the Health and Safety Committee. Hold weekly health and safety meetings with all employees. These meetings may be in the form of one-on-one contacts or group meetings. Prior to the start of work each day on a jobsite, evaluate the site for any unsafe conditions at the jobsite and take appropriate steps to eliminate employee exposure. Use the safety and health checklist compiled by the health and safety officer/ manager during the evaluation of the job site,, but with the understanding that any unsafe conditions not covered by the checklist must be noted and corrected. Periodically review and update the checklist with items that were originally not included, but identified during the worksite inspections. Evaluate relevant hazards of proposed work, and instruct the employees as to site and job-specific hazards prior to the initiation of any work by employees,. As jobs change, site and job-specific instructions must also change. Carry out regular and systematic inspections on site. This may be performed as a separate inspection or while the health and safety representative is involved in other supervisory duties. Such inspections must be documented, noting discrepancies and corrective actions taken. Inform all employees of the location and availability of the company's written material and chemical hazard communication programme which is required to be on the Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan 9

16 jobsite, and which must include copies of all material safety data sheets (MSDS) for hazardous materials and chemicals used on the jobsite. Ensure that first aid and emergency services are available when required. Investigate accidents or near-accidents in combination with the health and safety officer/ manager to determine their causes and to propose remedies. Investigate complaints by workmates. Represent workers in discussions with government inspectors at their site visits. Ensure that all personnel on the job site use appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment Health and Safety Committee The primary purpose of the health and safety committee is to enable workers and management to work together to monitor site safety to prevent accidents and improve working conditions on site. Its size and membership will depend on the size and nature of the site. Section 46 of the Labour Act (No. 11 of 2007) stipulates that the employer must, when there are more than 100 employees in any workplace, at the request of the health and safety representative, establish a health and safety committee. This committee should consist of the health and safety representative(s), an equal number of representatives appointed by the employer, and any additional individuals agreed to by the committee. Members must be duly nominated and elected. The Site Supervisor and the health and safety officer/ manager are ex-officio members. The duties of the health and safety committee include: Holding regular and frequent meetings to discuss the safety and health programme on site and to make recommendations to management. In terms of Section 10 of the H&S Regulations, the health and safety committee must meet not less than once every quarter. The employer must make a suitable meeting place and suitable facilities available for these meetings. Consideration of reports of safety personnel. Discussion of accident and illness reports in order to make recommendations for prevention. Evaluating improvements made. Examination of suggestions made by workers, particularly by the health and safety representative(s). Planning and participating in educational and training programmes and information sessions Subcontractors The Principal Contractor may appoint specialised subcontractors to undertake various tasks during the construction process (plumbing, electrical wiring, etc.). Every subcontractor must ensure that his employees comply with the applicable legislation, as well as with this Health and Safety Awareness Plan. As indicated in Section above, however, the Principal Contractor holds overall responsibility to ensure that subcontractors stand by their responsibilities in terms of health and safety. Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan 10

17 Subcontractors, for their part, are required to: Retain full responsibility for the safety of their personnel. Review possible safety hazards, work activities, etc., with their personnel. Issue a Stop Work order when conditions arise that pose an imminent danger to personnel, environment or equipment. All Stop Work orders must be reported to the Site Supervisor. Ensure that their personnel understand all necessary precautions to be taken and that these precautions are carried out. Make regular inspections of hand tools and equipment used in all phases of work. Immediately correct any safety deficiencies when identified and/or notified. Immediately inform the Site Supervisor Contractor and the Principal Contractor s Health and Safety Representative (see Section ) of any and all unsafe conditions or activities. There must be an open and continuous line of communication between the Principal Contractor and Subcontractors to discuss any unsafe acts or conditions that arise or may arise in the course of this project. 2.4 PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY ACTION PLAN Table 2 below presents a Public Health and Public Safety Action Plan for the project. It specifies the various activities of the Plan, the target group at which each activity is aimed, the party responsible for implementing the activity, any relevant external stakeholders or partners, the times or frequency at which the activity is to be undertaken, and indicators or means of verifying whether an action has been taken. Table 2: Public Health and Public Safety Action Plan Objective/ component Activity Target Responsibility for implementation Stakeholder/ partner Timeframe/ frequency & estimated effort level Indicators/ means of verification Key focus area: Preparation for construction To design and arrange construction site layout in such a way that it minimises hazards to workers and communities Establish edge protection at the edge of floor openings and stairs, and wherever there is a drop of 2 metres or more Design access routes to be free from obstructions and from exposure to hazards such as falling materials Establish one-way routes for vehicular traffic All workers All workers All workers Principal Contractor Principal Contractor Principal Contractor Community/ staff village representatives, NWR Community/ staff village representatives, NWR Community/ staff village representatives, NWR Continuous during site establishment. Effort: as determined by site layout Within 2 weeks of site Effort: as determined by site layout Continuous during site establishment. Effort: as determined by site layout Site layout plans Site layout plans Site layout plans Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan 11

18 Objective/ component To establish appropriate signage to control access to the site and promote safe work behaviour To establish adequate sanitation facilities at construction camps Activity Target Responsibility for implementation Ensure appropriate signage is in place Provide one water closet for every 15 employees, or each sex. If the number of employees exceeds 75, provide additional water closets in proportion to the number of employees Provide one wash-basin for every 15 workers with a sufficient supply of water and adequate means of removing waste water Provide an area with tables and seats, protected from the weather, where workers can eat in comfort Provide adequate and safe drinking water on site Construction workers, local community Construction workers Construction workers Construction workers Construction workers Key focus area: Training & awareness Principal Contractor Principal Contractor Principal Contractor Principal Contractor Principal Contractor Stakeholder/ partner N/A Park infrastructure/ services management Park infrastructure/ services management Park infrastructure/ services management Park infrastructure/ services management Timeframe/ frequency & estimated effort level Within 2 weeks of commencement of each new phase of work. Effort: 2 days per phase of work Within 2 weeks of site Effort: 2 days for contract period Within 2 weeks of site Effort: 4 days for contract period Within 2 weeks of site Effort: 3 days for contract period Within 2 weeks of site Effort: 2 days for contract period Indicators/ means of verification Signage is in place and visible Site layout plans Site layout plans Site layout plans Site layout plans To ensure all workers are trained in appropriate safety procedures and hazard avoidance Give induction training for all workers on the site Undertake site-specific training on: - Basic construction health & safety - Housekeeping & environmental hygiene procedures - Legal health & safety requirements - Material & chemical hazards & safety - Personal protective clothing & equipment - Vehicles & mobile equipment - Electrical safety - Excavations & working at height and - Drug- & alcohol-free workplace Construction workers, visitors Construction workers Contractor s H&S Officer Contractor s H&S Officer, H&S Representative Local training service provider Local training service provider Within 4 weeks of site handover, and within 2 weeks of appointment of new employees. Effort: 2 hours per group of trainees Within 4 weeks of site handover, and within 2 weeks of appointment of new employees. Effort: 2 days per group of trainees Attendance register of training Attendance register of training Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan 12

19 Objective/ component To establish ongoing awareness of H&S procedures To regularly evaluate presence of risks and appropriate mitigation measures on site Hold H&S regular meetings with employees Activity Target Responsibility for implementation Hold weekly toolbox talks to inform workers of hazards & related work procedures Organise safety awareness meetings to discuss phase-specific hazards Construction workers Construction workers Construction workers H&S Representative Site supervisor Site supervisor, H&S Representative Key focus area: Arrangements for health and safety Stakeholder/ partner Community/ staff village representatives, NWR Local training service provider Community/ staff village representatives, NWR Timeframe/ frequency & estimated effort level Weekly, beginning within 4 weeks after site Effort: 1 hour per week Weekly, beginning within 4 weeks after site Effort: 15 minutes per week With commencement of each new phase of work, beginning 4 weeks after site Effort: 1 hour per phase of work Indicators/ means of verification Minutes of meetings Attendance registers of toolbox talks Minutes of meetings Ensure provision and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) Provide training on use of PPE Ensure contractor s and subcontractors tender documents make provision for PPE Ensure employees are issued with appropriate PPE Ensure PPE is regularly inspected and adequately maintained Senior project personnel, construction workers, visitors Principal contractor and subcontractors Senior project personnel, construction workers, visitors PPE Contractor s H&S Officer, H&S Representative Principal Contractor Site Supervisor, Contractor s H&S Officer H&S Representative Local training service provider GRN institutions, local service provider GRN institutions, local service provider GRN institutions, local service provider Within 4 weeks of site handover, and within 1 week of commencement of each new work phase. Effort: 2 hours per work phase During tender evaluation. Effort: 30 min per tender evaluation Ongoing Weekly, commencing 4 weeks after site Effort: 1 hr. per week Attendance register of training Inclusion of PPE costs in tender documents Log books of issuing of PPE Inspection log books Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan 13

20 Objective/ component To establish safe working procedures and awareness regarding hazardous materials/ chemicals To ensure the safe use of tools and equipment To establish appropriate emergency arrangements Activity Target Responsibility for implementation Ensure material safety data sheets (MSDSs) are maintained in H&S file Inform employees of location of material and chemical hazard information Conduct inspections of the following to ensure preventative measures are implemented: - Vehicles - Electrical equipment - Scaffolding and ladders Keep register/ log book of inspections Ensure equipment and tools are adequately maintained Ensure emergency contact numbers are available in an easily accessible and visible place Ensure first aid available when required Establish arrangements for emergency transport/ evacuation Senior project personnel, construction workers Senior project personnel, construction workers Construction workers Construction workers Construction workers Senior project personnel, construction workers Senior project personnel, construction workers, local community Senior project personnel, construction workers, local community Contractor s H&S Officer, H&S Representative H&S Representative H&S Representative H&S Representative Principal Contractor H&S Representative EHSCO EHSCO Stakeholder/ partner GRN institutions, local service providers N/A N/A N/A N/A Local Police, Dept. of Health, Fire Dept., Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare Department of Health, local service provider Local Police Services, Department of Health, Fire Department, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare Timeframe/ frequency & estimated effort level Ongoing, commencing 4 weeks after site Effort: 10 min per week Within 4 weeks of site handover, and within 1 week of commencement of each new work phase. Effort: 20 min per work phase Weekly, commencing 4 weeks after site Effort: 30 min per week Weekly, commencing 4 weeks after site Effort: 30 min per week Weekly, commencing 4 weeks after site Effort: 30 min per week Within 2 weeks of site Effort: 30 min Within 2 weeks of site handover; maintenance every 2 weeks thereafter. Effort: 20 min per week Within 2 weeks of site handover; checking to verify every 2 weeks thereafter. Effort: 10 min per week Indicators/ means of verification Presence of MSDSs in H&S file on site Availability of written material and chemical hazard communication programme on site Inspection records Inspection records Inspection records Availability of emergency contact numbers in an easily accessible and visible place Availability of first aid equipment in an easily accessible and visible place Availability of information on evacuation arrangement in H&S file Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan 14

21 Objective/ component To conduct appropriate follow-up in the event of incidents To ensure working hours and meal breaks are conducive to safe working conditions To minimise risk of damage to the environment from hazardous chemicals Activity Target Responsibility for implementation Establish alarm system to inform workers/ community in the event of an emergency Investigate accidents/ near-accidents to determine causes & propose remedies Ensure follow-up on incidents Ensure conformance to Namibian Labour Act (No. 11 of 2007) regarding organisation of work Establish adequate rest area and heat protection for breaks and mealtimes Establish containment areas for spill intervention as appropriate Ensure proper maintenance and repair of equipment Senior project personnel, construction workers, local community Senior project personnel, construction workers, local community Construction supervision team, Client Construction workers Construction workers Senior project personnel, construction workers Senior project personnel, construction workers Stakeholder/ partner Timeframe/ frequency & estimated effort level EHSCO Community Within 2 weeks of site handover; checking/ maintenance every 2 weeks thereafter. Effort: 20 min per week H&S Representative, Contractor s H&S Officer EHSCO EHSCO Principal Contractor Principal Contractor Contractor s H&S Officer Key focus area: Enforcement of safe working procedures Local Police, Dept. of Health, Fire Dept., Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare GRN institutions, local service providers GRN institutions, local service providers As required. Effort: depends on nature of incident As required. Effort: depends on nature of incident Continuous Within 2 weeks of site Effort: 2 days for contract period Within 4 weeks of site Effort: 4 days for contract period Weekly, commencing 4 weeks after site Effort: 30 min per week Indicators/ means of verification Alarm system arrangements included in H&S file Investigation reports; biweekly reports to the Client EHSCO quarterly report; bi-weekly reports Construction workers terms of appointment/ employment contracts Presence of adequate rest area Presence of containment areas where required Records of maintenance and repair To ensure compliance with safe working procedures Assume overall responsibility for implementation of & compliance with Construction H&S Plan Conduct site inspections to ensure compliance with safe working procedures Point out contraventions with safe working procedures to offenders, institute appropriate interventions Senior project personnel, construction workers, local community Construction workers, local community Construction workers, local community Contractor s H&S Officer Site supervisor, H&S Representative Site supervisor, H&S Representative Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare Ongoing, from site handover for duration of contract Weekly, commencing 4 weeks after site Effort: 1 hr. per week Weekly, commencing 4 weeks after site Effort: Depends on number of contraventions H&S Officer s job description/ terms of reference Records of site inspections Records of site inspections Public Health and Public Safety Awareness Plan 15