Version: 30th July 2018

What are Life-Saving Rules?

Key actions to prevent fatal injuries

during higher-risk activities
• Life-saving
• Few • Proactive
• Clear • Actionable
• Simple • Observable
• Task-level • For the Worker
How were the Life-Saving Rules developed?

We wanted to provide workers in the industry with actions they can take to
protect themselves and their colleagues, no matter the worksite
Reviewed fatal incidents reported to IOGP to select the activities that are most likely to lead to a fatality

We wanted to have only Rules that were relevant and applicable for the
entire industry
Checked our selection against other industry data sources (CONCAWE, ARPEL, NIOSH, OSHA)

We created 9 Rules with a simple icon, and clear actions for individuals

Tested with workforce representatives and Human Performance experts

In the last 10 years, 376 people might still be alive
*
if the Life-Saving Rules had been followed

*From analysis of fatal incidents reported to IOGP (2008-2017)

Bypassing Safety Controls

Obtain authorisation before overriding or

disabling safety-controls

• I understand and use safety-critical equipment

and procedures which apply to my task
• I obtain authorisation before:
 disabling or overriding safety equipment
 deviating from procedures
 crossing a barrier
Bypassing Safety Controls: Obtain authorisation
before overriding or disabling safety-controls
Case Study
A senior Operator who had just started his morning shift went to check the pig receiver
station for the presence of a pig launched into the 13” gas pipeline (13 km, 1050 psi). As
the pig transit time was highly variable (from few hours to days), it was local practice to
repeatedly open the pig trap, the pig signaller was considered unreliable. Some 20
minutes later the pig trap closure shot forward. The ensuing blast resulted in the victim
and a VSD skid (3300lbs) being propelled overboard. The victim did not survive.

Safety-critical controls include:

• Equipment (such as fire and explosion protection and mitigation systems, guards, interlocks, alarms and safety-critical
monitoring equipment) whose purpose is to prevent a fatality or other major accident, limit the consequences of a major
accident, or whose failure could cause or contribute substantially to a fatality or other major accident.
• Procedures that if not performed correctly or at the right time could result in a fatality or other major accident.
Confined Space

Obtain authorisation before entering a

confined space

• I confirm energy sources are isolated

• I confirm the atmosphere has been tested and
is monitored
• I check and use my breathing apparatus when
required
• I confirm there is an attendant standing by
• I confirm a rescue plan is in place
• I obtain authorisation to enter
Confined Space: Obtain authorisation
before entering a confined space
Case Study
Two Welders were working together to repair an external weld on a vertically orientated
pipe spool. Following the completion of the repair, one of the welders placed a ladder
inside the pipe spool and entered the pipe to inspect the weld repair. Upon entering the
pipe they collapsed. The other welder went to try to rescue his colleague, entered the
pipe and also collapsed. Both welders died.

A confined space, such as a vessel, tank, pipe, cellar, or excavation can contain:
- explosive gas,
- toxic or asphyxiating atmosphere
- or other dangers such: as energy releases, lack of oxygen, exposure to hazardous chemicals, things that
can fall on you or crush you, or that you can fall from.

Authorised access keeps you safe.

Driving

Follow safe driving rules

• I always wear a seatbelt

• I do not exceed the speed limit, and reduce my
speed for road conditions
• I do not use phones or operate devices while
driving
• I am fit, rested and fully alert while driving
• I follow journey management requirements
Driving: Follow safe driving rules

Case Study
A third party vehicle was overtaking in an unsafe place.
It hit a Company vehicle head on.

Both vehicles were severely damaged in the crash. The company driver and
passengers were wearing seatbelts and walked away from the crash. The driver of the
other vehicle was not wearing a seatbelt and did not survive.

Both driver and passengers should take responsibility for each other’s safety, for example by ensuring all
occupants are wearing a seatbelt and the driver is not distracted or fatigued.

Fitness for duty means assuring that an individual can complete a task safely and without unacceptable risk to
themselves or other. This includes not being under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Energy Isolation

Verify isolation and zero energy before

work begins

• I have identified all energy sources

• I confirm that hazardous energy sources have
been isolated, locked, and tagged
• I have checked there is zero energy and tested
for residual or stored energy
Energy Isolation: Verify isolation and
zero energy before work begins
Case Study
A contractor employee was electrocuted when a new power pole was raised
prematurely and contacted an energised overhead electrical line, conducting current
through the pole’s ground wire to a worker on the ground. The new power pole was
being installed between two existing poles that held the energised overhead lines.

Energy isolation separates people from hazards such as electricity, pressure and energised equipment.
Energy isolation also provides protection from potential energy sources e.g. positioning valves to prevent
tanks filling with materials due to gravity.
Any stored energy (hydraulic or pneumatic power, for instance) should also be released before the work
starts.
Hot Work

Control flammables and ignition sources

• I identify and control ignition sources

• Before starting any hot work:
 I confirm flammable material has been
removed or isolated
 I obtain authorisation
• Before starting hot work in a hazardous area I
confirm:
 a gas test has been completed
 gas will be monitored continually
Hot Work: Control flammables
and ignition sources
Case Study
Three contractors died and one contractor suffered serious injuries in an explosion
and fire at an oil field. The contractors, were standing on top of a series of four oil
production tanks. They were preparing to weld piping to the tanks when a welding tool
likely ignited flammable vapours from the tanks.

Click here to see a video produced by the CSB

Ignition sources are open flames or sources of heat that could ignite materials in the work area such as
welding, grinding, smoking, torching, (un)loading of hazardous materials, internal combustion engines, chemical
reactions, batteries, etc
Hot work includes any work that creates an ignition source performed in an area which has potential for
hydrocarbons or flammable materials.
Line of Fire

Keep yourself and others out of the

line of fire

• I position myself to avoid:

 moving objects
 vehicles
 pressure releases
 dropped objects
• I establish and obey barriers and exclusion
zones
• I take action to secure loose objects and report
potential dropped objects
Line of Fire: Keep yourself and others
out of the line of fire
Case Study
A truck used for transporting workers, water and equipment was parked at a worksite
with the engine still running. During a break, workers approached the truck to get
water. All workers but one return to their work. This worker had collected sand bags
from the truck and was preparing the bags for use while sitting next to the truck. The
driver did not notice him, and without performing any walk-around, started the truck,
fatally running over the worker.

Line of fire hazards are not always obvious or constant, and can be introduced as the task progresses.
At all times individuals continually monitor their surroundings and position themselves to avoid being in the line
of fire. This includes ensuring you are visible to vehicle drivers and equipment operators.
Individuals recognise when they create a line of fire hazard and put others or themselves in the line of fire.
Safe Mechanical Lifting

Plan lifting operations and control

the area

• I confirm that the equipment and load have

been inspected and are fit for purpose
• I only operate equipment that I am qualified to
use
• I establish and obey barriers and exclusion
zones
• I never walk under a suspended load
Safe Mechanical Lifting: Plan lifting
operations and control the area
Case Study
A crew was pulling out the pump and tubing from a water well to move it to another
well. The pipe joints were pulled out directly by connecting the auxiliary hook of a
crane with the lifting sub on the pipe joint. As the bottom side of a pipe joint was
placed on the ground, and while the top portion was still being lowered, the lifting sub
with tubing got disconnected from the crane hook. The pipe fell towards the well
where a worker was standing and connecting another lifting sub, fatally injuring him.
A suspended load is an object that is temporarily lifted and hangs above the ground, it can fall on you, or swing
and crush you.
Lifting operations need to be planned and performed by competent personnel using certified equipment that has
been inspected and is fit for the specific lift.
To protect people around suspended loads and any lifting operations, access should be controlled through
physical barriers and exclusion zones.
Work Authorisation

Work with a valid permit when required

• I have confirmed if a permit is required

• I am authorised to perform the work
• I understand the permit
• I have confirmed that hazards are controlled
and it is safe to start
• I stop and reassess if conditions change
Work Authorisation: Work with a valid
permit when required
Case Study
A terminal process system was pressuring up at the final stage of whole plant shut down
for maintenance, a gas leakage was found around the door of a Refrigeration Unit filter.
Two Mechanics were informed to fix it. After the filter was depressurised by one of the
duty operators, they started working on the filter without authorisation from the site
management. While the Junior Mechanic was loosening the bolts under the instruction
of the Senior Mechanic, the door burst open fatally injuring the Senior Mechanic.

Work authorisation is more than just a person in charge signing a Permit to Work form: it is seeking and having
authorisation to start, resume, or hand-over a task.
The person in charge of the work confirms that it is safe to start, that controls are in place and effective and the
task can be performed as planned.
If anything changes during the work, stop and reassess.
Working at Height

Protect yourself against a fall when

working at height

• I inspect my fall protection equipment before

use
• I secure tools and work materials to prevent
dropped objects
• I tie off 100% to approved anchor points while
outside a protected area
Working at Height: Protect yourself
against a fall when working at height
Case Study
A derrick person was working on the derrick board of a rig. After taking a break, the
individual climbed back up to the derrick board and did not attach his fall protection
device after unhooking from the climb assist. The worker grabbed the first stand of pipe
with the tail rope which helped keep his balance as the elevators were being sent up to
attach to the pipe. When he released the tail rope, he lost his
balance and fell 90 ft. to the rig floor, where he was fatally injured.
Working at height outside a protected area (such as an elevated work area not enclosed by hand rails) requires
the use of approved fall protection equipment secured to an approved anchor point. Other considerations for
working at height include ladders, work over water, rope access, floor openings, access hatches, and inspection
pits. Floor openings should be protected with physical barriers to prevent falls.
Preventing objects from falling from height and using physical barriers below working area keeps you and
people working below you safe.
How should I use Life-Saving Rules?

STOP

Toolbox talks & Pre-job planning Last minute risk Post-job reviews Observations & Intervention
Safety meetings assessment walkabouts • Intervene or stop
• Are we doing any • Did we take all the
Can we learn from work today involving • Have I done all the actions associated • Do you see anyone the work if a Life-
incidents that involved a Life-Saving Rule? Life-Saving Rules with the Life-Saving performing work Saving Rule is not
a Life-Saving Rule not • How can we follow actions? Rules? where a Life-Saving being followed
being followed? the Rule from start • Is everything as we • What went well? Rule is relevant?
to finish? discussed in the What didn’t go well? • Are they following
• What needs to be in pre-job planning? • Anything to note for the Rule?
place? • Are there any Line the next time we • Yes? Great,
• Is everything in of Fire hazards or have to this perform recognise it!
place, and in good ignition sources we task or work in this • No? Intervene!
working condition? didn’t identify? area?
Work does not start until we are all
aware of the Life-Saving Rules and can
confirm we can follow them throughout

We are all authorised to intervene or stop work

STOP if we are in any doubt about the safety of an
activity or we can't follow the Rules
We are all authorised to intervene or stop work STOP

Intervention can be the last opportunity to prevent

injury or a fatality

I know, but it is not always easy to tell

someone to stop the job

Exactly, specially if it’s your boss!

Yeah, but I guess it is better to have an uncomfortable

conversation now, than someone getting hurt
When the Life-Saving Rules are followed, we all
get to return home to our friends & family safely
Also available

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