Health & Safety Best Practice

Doc #: SBP-108 Issue Date: 01-Mar-24

Personal Safety and Industrial Revision Date:

Owner:
Hygiene Group Lead Review Date: 01-Mar-26

Dropped Objects Prevention

1.0 Introduction

1.1 The Life Saving Rules Program describes a set of ten (10) safe work practices that, when properly
understood and followed, significantly reduce, or eliminate, the probability of serious
consequence. This Best Practice is part of the Life Saving Rules Program and Working at Heights
Standard.

1.2 This Best Practice is intended to be used in conjunction with:

• HSI-101 Life Saving Rules (specifically # 1: Protect Against Falls and Dropped Objects)
• HSI-206 Working at Heights

2.0 Purpose

2.1 This Best Practice is designed to assist companies in the development, maintenance, and on-going
improvement of dropped objects prevention. Dropped objects are often more prevalent in relation
to construction activities as these sectors have more risk factors. However, the risk of dropped
objects exists in all facets of the industry. This document is an opportunity to establish a broader,
risk-based focus on the prevention and management of dropped objects and the serious incidents
that could result.

3.0 Scope

3.1 This Best Practice applies to all employees, including contractors and sub-contractors) at the Saint
John refinery (SJR), including Canaport Mispec Onshore & Offshore, and Canaport East Saint John.

3.2 This Best Practice is intended for use by, but not limited to:
• Operations
• Maintenance
• Turnaround and Project Groups
• Safety and Emergency Response
• Process Technical Services
• Contractors

3.3 This Best Practice provides a recommended approach to perform:

• Working at heights
• Use of hand tools
• Mechanical lifting
• Maintenance
• Construction
• Turnarounds

Controlled version accessible on SharePoint. Uncontrolled if printed. Page 1 of 7

 SBP-108: Dropped Objects Prevention

Issue Date: 01-Mar-24 Revision Date: Review Date: 01-Mar-26

4.0 Roles and Responsibilities

4.1 Contractors will:

• Implement a dropped objects program associated with the risks in their tasks.
• Ensure compliance with this Best Practice and applicable Occupational Health and Safety
legislation, including incident reporting.
• Identify and assess the risks associated with dropped object hazards.
• Implement a hierarchy of controls for elimination or control of hazards.
• Build capacity within the system of controls to prevent dropped objects and resulting
serious injury and fatalities.
• Provide adequate training and guidance to workers and supervisors on how to prevent
dropped objects.

4.2 Supervisors will:

• Ensure the necessary planning, equipment, safeguards, work procedures, and work
execution are undertaken to prevent dropped objects.
• Ensure all incidents are investigated, entered into Cintellate, and corrective action is
taken.
• Be competent in the company programs and legislative requirements.
• Ensure workers under their direction are competent and aware of all hazards, including
dropped objects.

4.3 All Employees will:

• Notify their employer of any dropped object hazards or near misses.
• Follow all dropped object program requirements.
• Ensure proper housekeeping to prevent dropped objects.
Note: Employees have a duty to themselves, other workers, and their employer.

5.0 Definitions

5.1 Dropped Object

An object that falls from a height and either causes, or has the potential to cause, an injury, asset
damage, or process safety event. This object can be of any size or mass, can fall from any height,
and may be dropped intentionally or unintentionally.

5.2 Tether
To fasten or restrain.

6.0 Risk Factors

The dropped object calculator (excel version) available for download at https://dropsonline.org (DROPS)
provides an easy way to assess the potential consequence of personal injury from a falling object based on
its mass and the height of the drop. The calculator assumes the following:
• A blunt object is dropped
• Standard personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn
The height of the worker is included in the calculation; do not subtract the height of the individual.

Controlled version accessible on SharePoint. Uncontrolled if printed. Page 2 of 7

 SBP-108: Dropped Objects Prevention

Issue Date: 01-Mar-24 Revision Date: Review Date: 01-Mar-26

6.1 Weather events such as:

• Exposure to outdoor elements (i.e. wind, rain, snow, etc.)
• Ice or snow buildup creating potential dropped objects.
Refer to EPR-150 Severe Weather Preparedness for additional information.

6.2 Activities

6.2.1 Working at Height or Below Grade

When work is conducted at height adjacent to workers or when work is conducted at least
2 m (~6 ft.) below grade. This category includes the use of hand tools.

6.2.2 Line of Fire

When work is conducted at height and workers are in the direct path of a potential
dropped object.

6.2.3 Lifting Activities

Lifting activities may introduce materials and equipment overhead, which creates the
potential for dropped objects. Lifting activities include the use of cranes, pickers, forklifts,
or hoists for lifting and unloading activities.

6.3 Change Triggers

Change is a contributing factor in most incidents, and this is true for dropped objects. Change
triggers associated with increases in potential for a dropped object are:
• Equipment added or removed from the at-height inventory
• Shift change
• Collisions
• Overload conditions (i.e. jarring)
• Excessive vibrations
• Severe weather (e.g. tornado, hurricane, hail storm, snow, high winds)
• Equipment is not maintenance as required by Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
• Dropped object incidents (indication of weakness in safeguards)

6.4 Hazards to Mitigate

Hazards include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Objects dropped from heights
• Faulty lifting or rigging equipment (rigging competency)
• Faulty securement devices (lashing, tool lanyards)
• Complacency while working at heights
• Poor housekeeping

7.0 Safe Guards (Controls)

7.1 Field level hazard assessments (FLAHs) identify site-specific hazards and ensure adequate controls
are in place. They are not designed to replace work planning and formal hazard assessment.

Controlled version accessible on SharePoint. Uncontrolled if printed. Page 3 of 7

 SBP-108: Dropped Objects Prevention

Issue Date: 01-Mar-24 Revision Date: Review Date: 01-Mar-26

7.2 Protective mesh systems may be applied to reduce the potential for items to fall through guard
rails, stairwells, and other elevated platforms. According to DROPS, these meshes should be of
“suitable materials, incorporate appropriate securing features and be installed and maintained in
accordance with manufacturer's recommendations”.

7.3 Toe boards are a critical control on elevated work platforms, walkways, etc. and should always be
present. They prevent tools, materials, and other foreign objects from being kicked or pushed over
the edge

7.4 Tool tethers and attachment anchors are lanyards or other materials designed to secure tools.
Tethers must be rated to the load they are designed to restrain and, as such, the rating of the
tether and the length of the tether are interconnected.

7.5 Flagging is used in the refinery as a warning to personnel of hazards that exist in the work areas. All
workers using tools and equipment at heights where people have access below, shall consider if
flagging is required, as per HSI-119 Flagging Barricades and Warnings.

8.0 Procedures

8.1 Hoist and Material Handling

• Ensure there are no obstructions in the hoisting path
• Ensure material is in a secure location before untying and handling.
To prevent objects from falling when hoisting:
• Use canvas bags when hoisting small tools and materials.
• Inspect all hoisting equipment prior to use (e.g. gin wheels, pulleys, canvas bags etc.).
• Utilize mechanical means when possible.
• Maintain clear communication during manual handling activities (e.g. passing scaffold
components).
• Do not throw objects from heights.
• Always ensure sufficient barricading and warning signs.
• Ensure only required personnel are in the work area.
• Barricade (tape and tag) areas warning of overhead work in progress.
• Avoid working adjacent barricaded areas, when practical.

8.2 Tool and Material Control

Plan work at heights to ensure tools and materials are controlled.
• Where practical, use tool lanyards.
• Properly store and secure small tools, screws, bolts, etc.
• Secure loose items at heights with proper lashing and storage.
• Do not use altered tools.
• Inspect tools to ensure they will not come apart during use (e.g. hammer heads)
• Secure tools in a pouch or tool belt.
• Secure bull pins or wedges to prevent falling if they get dislodged.
• Maintain adequate communication when passing tools and materials.

Controlled version accessible on SharePoint. Uncontrolled if printed. Page 4 of 7

 SBP-108: Dropped Objects Prevention

Issue Date: 01-Mar-24 Revision Date: Review Date: 01-Mar-26

8.3 Housekeeping
Good housekeeping prevents unnecessary objects from falling from heights.
• Only take necessary tools and equipment when working at heights.
• Remove trash and any materials or equipment no longer in use from the work platform as
soon as possible.

8.4 All tools must be kept safely stored when not in use. This may include the use of job boxes, where
available. To prevent dropped objects when working at heights, decks should be covered with an
appropriate material, as determined by an assessment of fire hazards (i.e. employee Safe Plan of
Action (SPA) development). Extra consideration should be given to keeping tools away from the
edges of platforms when not in use, or when this is not practicable, by adding plywood or steel
mesh along rails to prevent the risk of tools being knocked off the platforms. The use of tool bags
should also be considered a regular practice

8.5 Tools should neither be dropped nor thrown from place to place nor from person to person. The
prevention of dropped objects is of utmost importance. Use tool lanyards where the risk of
dropping objects from heights is present. When storing tools at heights, ensure they are kept in job
boxes, tool bags etc., secure from accidental dislodgement.

9.0 Prevention

9.1 As per NB Regs 91-191 219(2), 222, 253 (1) & 281, personnel, equipment, and processes shall be
protected from damage from falling objects. A system must be implemented where there is risk of
objects falling from heights. Effective measures must be implemented to contain tools and
equipment used at height. Items to be considered for prevention of falling objects:
• Minimize tools and materials stored at height.
• Contain tools and loose materials(s) in boxes and tool bags.
• Maintain a high standard of housekeeping.
• Secure material stored at height to fixed objects when risk of high winds.
• Fitted kick plates / toe boards at work places at height, both fixed and temporary
platforms.
• Secure tools to personnel when being used.
• Net rails where there is a risk of objects falling through mid-rails.
• Blanket out grated platforms.
• Erect fixed barriers around danger drop zones.
• Erect hazard signage in danger drop zones.
• Grounds-man to control access to danger zone.
• Tools and other equipment with a potential to fall from personnel’s pockets must be
secured in a suitable tool or utility belt. Tools and material must not be carried in hand
when using fixed or scaffold access ladders.

10.0 Compliance

10.1 Best Practices are developed internally within Irving Oil and are based on proven work methods
that produce consistent desired results/outcomes. Employees are encouraged to adopt the best
practices recommended within this document. Deviations should be made only after careful
consideration, discussion and approval from your supervisor or manager.

Controlled version accessible on SharePoint. Uncontrolled if printed. Page 5 of 7

 SBP-108: Dropped Objects Prevention

Issue Date: 01-Mar-24 Revision Date: Review Date: 01-Mar-26

10.2 Health and Safety Best Practice (SBP) are intended to be followed by all Irving Oil Employees,
Contractors, or other workforces that may be conducting work on site. This includes SJR, East Saint
John Terminals, and Canaport. Any deviation of this Best Practice would need an approved
Management of Change (MOC) signed off by Senior Management as per PSMI-308

11.0 Review Process

11.1 A two-year review of this document shall be conducted by the Document Originator in compliance
with DM-203 Control and Management of Policies, Standards & Procedures.

Approved by: __________________________________ Date: March 1st, 2024

Director, Environment, Health & Safety

__________________________________ Date: March 1st, 2024

General Manager, Saint John refinery

Controlled version accessible on SharePoint. Uncontrolled if printed. Page 6 of 7

 SBP-108: Dropped Objects Prevention

Issue Date: 01-Mar-24 Revision Date: Review Date: 01-Mar-26

This table contains a summary of approved changes to this controlled document before release. Record all revisions
made within the previous 2-year period.

Revision History

Date: Description of Revision: Revised By: MOC #:

01-Mar-24 New Safety Best Practice. Jason Small 2024-68321

Name of
Date (DD- MOC # (YYYY-
Provide clear description of all revisions. Document
MMM-YY) #####)
Originator
Name of
Date (DD- MOC # (YYYY-
Provide clear description of all revisions. Document
MMM-YY) #####)
Originator
Name of
Date (DD- MOC # (YYYY-
Provide clear description of all revisions. Document
MMM-YY) #####)
Originator
Name of
Date (DD- MOC # (YYYY-
Provide clear description of all revisions. Document
MMM-YY) #####)
Originator
Name of
Date (DD- MOC # (YYYY-
Provide clear description of all revisions. Document
MMM-YY) #####)
Originator
Name of
Date (DD- MOC # (YYYY-
Provide clear description of all revisions. Document
MMM-YY) #####)
Originator
Name of
Date (DD- MOC # (YYYY-
Provide clear description of all revisions. Document
MMM-YY) #####)
Originator
Name of
Date (DD- MOC # (YYYY-
Provide clear description of all revisions. Document
MMM-YY) #####)
Originator
Name of
Date (DD- MOC # (YYYY-
Provide clear description of all revisions. Document
MMM-YY) #####)
Originator
Name of
Date (DD- MOC # (YYYY-
Provide clear description of all revisions. Document
MMM-YY) #####)
Originator
Name of
Date (DD- MOC # (YYYY-
Provide clear description of all revisions. Document
MMM-YY) #####)
Originator

Controlled version accessible on SharePoint. Uncontrolled if printed. Page 7 of 7