As a company that is engaged in nickel mining and ore processing, Harita Nickel’s operational areas include several high-risk points that require a high level of attention from every worker. One of these is the plant area, where processing activities run continuously. This makes safety here an important part of the Critical Safety Compliance Protocol (CSCP) framework.
Safety challenges in the plant area vary, ranging from electric shock, being caught in machinery, falls from height, and fires to exposure to chemicals and toxic gases. Through the implementation of CSCP, every Insan Harita working in this area is required to comply with six safety aspects that form the foundation of CSCP, from before work begins until after the work is completed.
The first thing to consider before starting work in the plant area is worker competency. Plant operations may only be carried out by workers who are properly trained and hold the required certifications. In addition, ensuring the required documents are ready is also important. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work permits, and supporting documents such as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and evacuation route maps must be available and valid.
While carrying out work in the plant area, Harita employees must always pay attention to hazard and risk management. This includes conducting a comprehensive safety review through procedures such as Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Determining Control (HIRADC). Any changes to equipment, processes, or procedures must go through a documented Management of Change (MOC) process. All energy sources must be controlled through the Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) procedure.
Equipment used for work in the plant must also be inspected and have the appropriate permits in accordance with government regulations. Furnaces and power generation installations must hold a Certificate of Operational Feasibility, pressure vessels must be equipped with pressure relief valves, building structures must have a Certificate of Functional Feasibility, and other equipment must also have the appropriate certifications and be operated by trained personnel.
There are also Critical Aspects that need to be considered. These include factors beyond equipment or activities that may affect safety in areas surrounding operations. From a community perspective, the impact of plant operations is also incorporated into the hazard identification process. High-risk areas and facilities need to be clearly marked, and reporting mechanisms need to be communicated to the community. From a security perspective, access to operational areas must be controlled. Information regarding hazards in areas that intersect with third-party activities must also be properly communicated.
After the work has been completed, the implementation of all safety aspects is reviewed through a management review concerning the safety of plant operations. This review covers personnel competency, the validity of equipment permits, facility inspection and maintenance results, emergency response, and incident investigation findings. The implementation of these standards is also audited at least once a year.
“Working conditions in a plant require consistent vigilance from everyone. Even the smallest step we overlook can have a significant impact. Therefore, we implement multiple layers of oversight for every task to help ensure that each job is carried out correctly and safely. We evaluate every potential issue associated with each task and establish appropriate preventive and safety measures,” explained Risky Dharmawan, Deputy Head of Acid Plant at PT Halmahera Persada Lygend (HPL).
In the plant area, processes that run without stopping demand vigilance that must not stop either. The six safety aspects within CSCP exist to ensure that every stage of work in this area proceeds with clear controls, so that production can continue without compromising anyone's safety within it.
Understand the risks. Control the hazards. Stop the work if it is unsafe.