STOP WORK AUTHORITY IN HSE

What is the Stop Work Authority (SWA)?

Nothing more than what should normally be done in the event of dangerous situations and which is required by professionalism and seriousness. Elements that must always be present in each of us at all times.

Every production activity already has its internal inspectors: the workers.

The prevention laws say so and there is nothing to misunderstand:

"Every worker must take care of his own health and safety and that of other people present in the workplace, on whom the effects of his actions or omissions fall..."

Using your authority to stop and stop, correct mistakes and identify potential unsafe actions before they actually happen is not only responsible and therefore a duty, but it is effective and beneficial to everyone.

If you are working and see something you believe is unsafe, or if you notice unsafe behavior, take the initiative and stop work. Call your manager. Don't pretend nothing happened or stop at the usual phrase "it's always been done like this"

Sometimes the most important work you can do is STOP WORKING.

The Stop Work Authority (SWA) naturally gives workers the responsibility and obligation to stop work when a perceived unsafe condition or behavior may result in an unwanted event.

In recent years in the oil and gas industry, it has proven to be one of the most successful approaches to safety.

Stop Work Authority includes a six-step process:

• Stop: When you or a colleague perceive conditions or behavior that pose an imminent danger to people, equipment or the environment, they must immediately initiate a stop work intervention with those potentially at risk;
• Notification: notifies the relevant personnel and those in charge;
• Investigate: Affected personnel will discuss the situation and reach agreement on stop-work action;
• Correct: The affected areas will then be inspected by qualified experts to verify the completeness of the changes and verify that all safety issues have been adequately resolved;
• Resume: All affected personnel will be notified of the corrective actions implemented and affected areas will be reopened to work by personnel with restart authority;
• Follow-up: The safety manager will publish details of the stop work action incident to all operations managers and employees, outlining the problem, corrective action and lessons learned.

The first real PPE is the feeling of danger that is in each of us.

When you stop being afraid and therefore reduce your concentration and prudence... you are already in trouble.

Simple isn't it?