Occupational Health and Safety

Brief Information for Employees Visiting Production Facilities on Business Trips or as Guests

This document is intended for office employees who temporarily visit production facilities on behalf of the Employer, including on business trips, for inspections, site visits, escorting activities, participation in meetings, audits, work acceptance, or as guests.

This document does not replace the mandatory site-specific safety briefing or the special safety requirements applicable to a particular production area.

1

Scope of Application

According to this document, safety requirements are mandatory for all persons present on the Company's premises, as well as for employees on business trips when performing assignments on behalf of the Company.

This means that office employees and visitors present at a production facility must comply with the established safety rules and procedures applicable to the visited facility on the same basis as other persons, to the extent relevant to the conditions of that facility.

  • Access to a production facility is permitted only for official business purposes and only to the extent necessary to perform the assigned tasks.
  • The facility's safety rules apply equally to short-term visits and to personnel remaining on site throughout the working day.
  • If the visited area is classified as a hazardous or restricted area, the specific safety requirements applicable to that area shall apply in addition to the general safety rules.
2

What Must Be Done Before Visiting a Production Facility

Before being granted access to a production facility, an office employee or visitor shall be familiarized with the applicable safety requirements. The scope of the required briefing depends on the purpose of the visit, the planned route, and the hazards associated with the specific area to be visited.

  • Obtain authorization to visit the facility and follow the approved route and duration of stay.
  • Complete the general induction, task-specific, or any other required safety briefing if mandated by the site's requirements.
  • Determine which personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory along the designated route, such as a safety helmet, safety footwear, high-visibility vest, safety glasses, respirator, or other required PPE, and ensure it is properly used.
  • Ensure that the visit does not involve the independent performance of hazardous work. Such work may only be performed by duly authorized personnel and, where required, under a work permit system.
  • Obtain information on restricted-access areas, evacuation routes, assembly points, the nearest first-aid station, and the emergency notification and reporting procedures.

Check Before Entering the Facility

What Must Be Verified

Purpose of the VisitInspection, escorting activities, participation in meetings, work acceptance, inspections, or other official duties.
Safety BriefingThe required safety briefing has been completed, and the safe access and movement route is clearly understood.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)The mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE) required for the specific work area has been issued and is being worn correctly.
EscortA responsible person or escort has been assigned, where required.
CommunicationEmergency telephone numbers and contact details for reporting an incident are known.
3

Rules of Conduct at the Production Facility

While on the premises of a production facility, an office employee or visitor shall conduct themselves in a manner that does not create a risk to themselves or others, does not interfere with the technological process, and does not enter hazardous areas without proper authorization.

  • Use only the designated routes, walkways, platforms, and stairways approved for pedestrian movement.
  • Do not approach operating machinery, moving equipment parts, vehicles, loading and unloading areas, or the operating zones of lifting equipment closer than permitted by the site's local safety rules.
  • Do not cross barriers, safety tapes, or prohibition signs, and do not enter technological, electrical, gas-hazardous, chemically hazardous, radiation-controlled, or other restricted areas without proper authorization.
  • Do not touch equipment, valves, electrical panels, control buttons, control panels, cables, isolation devices, or automation systems.
  • Do not independently perform repairs, cleaning, or open hatches, doors, cabinets, gates, platforms, shutters, or carry out any actions involving the start-up, shutdown, or interference with the technological process.
  • Do not stand or remain beneath suspended loads, near unloading areas, inside vehicle cargo compartments or railway wagons, or close to open hatches, bunkers, or other hazardous locations.
  • Comply with all safety signs, floor markings, warning signals, and the instructions of the assigned escort, area supervisor, and other authorized personnel.
  • Smoking, eating, and remaining in undesignated areas are permitted only in locations expressly authorized by the facility's internal rules.
4

Prohibited Actions for Office Employees and Visitors

The following restrictions arise directly from the general safety requirements and shall not be interpreted more broadly than intended. They apply specifically where no special authorization or operational necessity exists.

  • Office employees and visitors shall not independently perform high-risk work, work on electrical installations, work at height, work in confined spaces, gas-hazardous work, hot work, rigging operations, repair work, or any other specialized activities.
  • Entry into areas requiring specialized knowledge, practical training, formal authorization, a work permit, or continuous operational supervision is prohibited.
  • It is prohibited to remove, disconnect, relocate, bypass, disable, or interfere with barriers, interlocks, safety signs, fire protection equipment, or any other protective devices.
  • Tools, portable electrical equipment, ladders, trolleys, lifting devices, and other equipment shall not be used without authorization and the appropriate permission.
  • Personnel shall not remain at the facility without informing the responsible person if the approved route or the purpose of the visit has changed.
5

If Participation in Work Is Required Rather Than a Visit Only

If an office employee is present at a production facility not merely as a visitor but to perform specific job-related duties (such as conducting inspections, work acceptance, supervision, site examinations, participation in commissioning activities, contractor oversight, photographic documentation, or data collection), they shall comply with the safety requirements applicable to the nature of the assigned task.

  • Where required, an additional task-specific safety briefing shall be conducted at the actual work location.
  • If the assigned task requires access to restricted or specialized areas, the safety requirements applicable to those areas shall be observed, and the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) shall be used.
  • If the employee's activities are classified as hazardous work, such activities shall not be performed in the capacity of a visitor but only in accordance with the established authorization and work permit procedures.
6

Actions in the Event of Identifying a Hazard, Equipment Malfunction, or Incident

This document requires that any identified hazardous situation be reported immediately. For employees on business trips and other persons present at the production facility, the following actions shall be taken:

  • Immediately stop any activity that could increase the level of risk and leave the hazardous area, provided this can be done without creating additional danger.
  • Promptly notify the assigned escort, the responsible department manager, the person in charge of the facility, or another authorized employee.
  • In the event of an occupational accident or a sudden deterioration in a person's health, immediately call for assistance and provide accurate information regarding the location, the nature of the hazard, and the number of injured persons.
  • Do not alter the scene of the incident unless it is necessary to rescue people, prevent an accident, or eliminate an immediate threat.
  • Follow all evacuation instructions and do not re-enter the hazardous area without proper authorization.
7

Minimum Practical Safety Standard for a Business Traveller or Visitor

For practical day-to-day use, the following safety standard may be applied:

“Visit only authorized areas, do not interfere with the operation of equipment, follow the instructions of responsible personnel, use the required personal protective equipment (PPE), and immediately report any hazard or incident.”

Office employees visiting production facilities on business trips or as guests are not automatically regarded as production personnel with respect to the full scope of operational responsibilities. However, they are required to fully comply with the occupational health and safety, technical safety, industrial safety, and fire safety requirements in force at the facility to the extent applicable to the conditions of their visit, the approved route, the area in which they are present, and the official duties they are performing.

← Choose another language