SAFETY BOOKLET

RINA S.p.A. Head Office - via Corsica, 12 - 16128 Genova - Italy

ph. +39 010.5385.1 - fax +39 010.5351.000 - info@rina.org
Index General aspects page 1

INTRODUCTION
RESPONSIBILITY
LEGAL ASPECTS
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND REPORTING
WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
PLANNING YOUR WORK
WORKING TRIP
TRAVELLING ABROAD
HOTEL SAFETY
OTHER WORKERS
WORKING ALONE
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

Basic safety page 6

WORKING ENVIRONMENT
SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS
EXPOSURE TO COLD TEMPERATURES
EXPOSURE TO HOT TEMPERATURES
PERSONAL HYGIENE AND BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES AND MATERIALS
HAZARDOUS TOOLS AND MACHINERY
FIRE / EXPLOSION
ELECTRICITY
SYSTEMS UNDER PRESSURE
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MANUAL HANDLING OF LOADS
NOISE
LADDERS AND SCAFFOLDINGS
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Specific risks page 11

FALLS FROM HEIGHT

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
BOARDING SHIPS/OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
TANK INSPECTIONS
SAFETY BOOKLET
General aspects

Introduction
The possibility of being exposed to hazards and risks during your work is very high. This booklet doesn’t claim
to give you all the answers and for this reason you should take it as a simple means to help you raise your
awareness and ask you questions about safety at work.

The booklet contains basic information, necessary to carry out any activity related to the fields in which the
RINA Group operates and its scope is to suggest a correct behaviour in case of danger and/or emergency.

Safety must be the basis of our way of thinking, speaking and acting regardless of the place where we are
working.

RESPONSIBILITY
You will always have the full support of the Company behind you, but we need you
to pay close attention to what is happening around you and that you continually
make safe decisions and follow the right procedures.

We expect you to appreciate the importance of health and safety in your job.

We want you to work in safe conditions, following the proper precautions.

LEGAL ASPECTS
The RINA Group is active in European and extra-European Countries, therefore RINA Group will act
law abiding according to the different health and safety regulations.

Ask to your Operative Unit Manager which are the laws in force in the Country
where you are working and follow the internal regulations of RINA Group about
health and safety at work.

1
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND REPORTING PLANNING YOUR WORK
Don’t underestimate the importance of identifying hazards and reporting the risk of potential Don’t start a job without planning the time, the resources, and the competence
incidents due to insufficient safety: your cooperation is essential if we want to prevent their necessary to do it safely before.
happening or repeating.
Make sure that you have all the resources, the time and the competences
We invite you to report any incident, near miss or dangerous situation. Please report whatever you required to carry it out safely.
consider important, you will be never criticized.

How do I have to report an incident?

• Inform the hosting organization and/or the site operator;
• inform your own office (in person, by phone call or e-mail).

Why do I have to report an incident?

• To protect yourself and your colleagues;
• to allow an analysis of the situation and the identification of the cause;
• to avoid its happening again;
• to improve your awareness about safety and your observation abilities;
• to allow the Company to respect the legal requirements.
WORKING TRIP
Car driving is a risk in general, both if you do it for business and for personal reasons. It’s extremely
important that you consider the following suggestions because they are always valid.

Always plan your travel in order to let yourself reach your destination and come back home safely.
It is advisable to make a break at least after 2 hours of driving; make sure that your car is in good
maintenance conditions.

Safe behaviour
• Always fasten your seatbelt, even if you are a passenger;
WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF EMERGENCY • respect the speed limit;
• avoid to take medicines that cause drowsiness;
In case of emergency protect yourself from being a victim too. • don’t drink alcohol;
• avoid any distraction while driving (eat, drink, phone calls, etc.);
In case of emergency inside a building: • in case of a long travel, stop every 2 hours, do stretching exercises, walk and fresh yourself up.
• stop doing any activity;
• don’t use the phone; Concentration
• don’t waste time taking any personal belongings; • Avoid aggressive attitudes;
• go to the nearest emergency exit following the signs and the indications of the emergency team; • try to be patient and, in case of bad manners of other drivers,
• don’t use the elevator; don’t take it personally;
• use the emergency stairs; • stay calm in traffic;
• follow the indications of the signs, go to the Meeting Point and wait for • behave appropriately to weather and road conditions.
further instructions;
• help in reporting anybody missing.

2 3
TRAVELLING ABROAD OTHER WORKERS
Working and travelling abroad may cause some problems. Before leaving know the safest way of The presence of other workers may be a danger because of the job they are carrying out, how they
travelling, look for Government travel information and keep your manager informed about your are carrying it out and what is their attitude to safety. Safety standards may vary and for this reason
travel details. you have to pay close attention to what is happening around you.

Use safe means of transport; don’t carry all your money in one place and take copies of your travel Observe carefully which type of job is carried out in the area and the behaviour
documents in case of theft. Carry your laptop in a rucksack in order not to attract thieves. of the workers; check that the safety procedures are applied correctly. Follow the
For hygiene purposes, please remember to: safety procedures and wear the Personal Protective Equipment required.

• do vaccinations, even if they aren’t compulsory, and the anti-malaria prophylaxis for the Countries
at risk;
• carry the personal health documentation with the possible therapy (in
particular if you are carrier of any chronic disease: hypertension, diabetes,
heart diseases, pulmonary disease, etc.);
• follow a balanced nutrition, don’t overeat;
• reduce the alcohol consumption; WORKING ALONE
• not buy any food or drink from pitchmen; distrust local specialities of which
you can’t know exactly the ingredients. During your job there may be occasions in which you have to work alone. Pay close attention and
stay concentrated: the higher is the complexity of the place (i.e. a ship), the higher is the need of an
aid.

If you have to work alone, let your colleagues or supporting workers know
where you are, what you are doing and when you intend to return. Always keep
in contact.

HOTEL SAFETY
Fire is the greater risk of staying overnight in a hotel. Always read the emergency procedures and find
the nearest escape route and the emergency exit.

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

Walk your escape route and count the door/paces in order to know how to
escape in darkness or in presence of smoke. Remember that smoke is the major Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs at work reduces your possibilities
cause of death in case of fire. of working safely. Also the assumption of medicines may compromise your
work.

The use of alcohol and drugs is strictly forbidden.

4 5
SAFETY BOOKLET EXPOSURE TO HOT TEMPERATURES
Basic safety Dehydration and heat exhaustion are the symptoms of the effects of exposure to hot temperatures.
Dehydration can be prevented with a little care.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Learn to recognize the symptoms of extreme hot (i.e. excessive sweating, headache, muscular
Disorder and lack of organization are some of the major factors of risk in the working environment, cramps, weak breathing, irregular pulse, high body temperature,
both an office and a construction site. confusion and disorientation).

If you work in a hazardous environment, you must be more concentrated on what you are doing
and where you are going. The safety procedures are likely to be poor if the housekeeping conditions
are poor and, as a consequence, also the attention to safety will be low. Take all
the time you need to operate in a safe way.
PERSONAL HYGIENE AND BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
If you are worried about a situation, report it to the staff of the hosting
organization and/or to your manager.
Perform the most difficult and/or hard activities first, in the coolest parts of the day,
if the host needs allow. Wear loose and cool clothing, always drink and keep yourself
hydrated.
You can find biological hazards in specific environments (i.e. laboratories, hospitals, landfills, water
treatment systems, also on board) and usually their negative consequences don’t appear
immediately.

SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS Consider your working conditions, observe the level of cleanliness and potential pollution
of the environment; wear the protective clothing required, don’t touch anything you
Hits, slips, trips and falls are very common causes of injuries. Any preventive action is related to your
don’t have to. Always wash your hands before eating or drinking. Get your coveralls
correct behaviour at work.
cleaned in laundry, if available.

When you are in a unknown place, it’s very important for you to think and be
concentrated; if available, use the handrail to go up and down the stairs, pay HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES AND MATERIALS
attention to any change of direction or slope.
Chemical products are often used in working environment. In construction sites, workshops and
plants, there are many hazardous substances and materials that can be a damage for your health
Wear the Personal Protective Equipment required.
and safety. Each chemical substance has a different level of danger and its effect on your health can
be immediate (i.e. corrosive products) or of long run (i.e. carcinogen products). For these reasons
you must pay close attention in carrying out your job.
EXPOSURE TO COLD TEMPERATURES
Pay attention to any possible presence of solid (powders), liquid or gaseous (fumes, smokes, fogs)
Our Company operates in Countries and places where cold and its consequences (hypothermia,
substances; observe the cleanliness conditions of your working area. Using the safety data sheets
freeze) can be an important factor of risk.
collect the information about the danger of each substance (i.e. flammability),
its toxicologic features and its way of penetration in the human body (contact,
Learn to recognize the symptoms of cold (i.e. shivering, cold pale skin, weakness, slow
inhalation, ingestion). Follow the safety procedures for theareas at risk, always
or weak pulse, difficulty in breathing). Don’t touch cold metal objects with bare skin.
wear all the Personal Protective Equipment required. Keep the correct hygienic
Use the appropriate protective clothing; keep your skin covered; eat and drink regularly
conditions, always wash your hands, even after the use of protective gloves.
and wear warm clothing.

6 7
HAZARDOUS TOOLS AND MACHINERY SYSTEMS UNDER PRESSURE
Inspecting working machineries (i.e. pumps, engines) can be hazardous for the presence of moving The uncontrolled release of energy may lead to significant injuries, for example
parts, hot or cold fluids etc. in case of discharge of a safety valve that protects a container under pressure.

Pay close attention to the information given by the hosting organization and the signs Make sure that the testing procedures are carried out safely by competent people.
of warning and prohibition. Use the Personal Protective Equipment required; avoid Always try to stay in a safe position behind the existing protections.
wearing tie or inadequate clothing. Wearing coveralls let you avoid the risk of
getting entangled or caught up in moving parts.

IONIZING RADIATIONS
FIRE / EXPLOSION During specific activities related to X-ray equipments (i.e. X-ray test of materials) or in presence of
radioactive sources (i.e. isotopes) there is the possibility of exposure to ionizing radiations. The
The risk of fire is due to the presence of three factors at the same time: combustible, (i.e. paper,
exposure to hazardous levels of ionizing radiations is not likely to occur but it can cause
wood, fuel), air (oxygen) and a source of ignition (i.e. heat, open flames or electric systems). Fire and
serious health damages and in extreme cases it can be fatal (i.e. nuclear accidents).
explosions are the cause of serious damages and loss of human lives.

Pay close attention to the information given by the hosting organization and the
Reduce your time of exposure, follow the safety procedures required for the areas
signs of warning and prohibition. Wear all the Personal Protective Equipment required.
at risk (i.e. explosive atmospheres), always wear all the Personal Protective
Equipment required.

ELECTRICITY MANUAL HANDLING OF LOADS

During your work it might occasionally occur the need to handle a load (i.e. lift, set
You need an adequate experience and specific competences to do any kind of work using and/or
down, push, pull, move etc.).
near electrical equipment under power. Any electrical equipment must be in good conditions of
maintenance and be used according to the safety prescriptions.
In these cases it’s important to know the right technique of moving a load: take a
firm grip, keep your back straight and use your legs to lift the load; keep the weight
Before doing any job, make sure that the dangerous electrical sources (electrical
close to your body, don’t twist your trunk.
panel) have been locked out. Don’t touch any metal object if welding activities
are taking place or electrical cables are in poor conditions.

8 9
NOISE SAFETY BOOKLET
In any working environment there can be a higher or lower risk of exposure to noise. Specific risks
Pay close attention to the information given by the hosting organization and the
signs of warning and prohibition. Wear all the Personal Protective Equipment
required.
FALLS FROM HEIGHT
During your work it might occur the need to work at height. In these cases it’s necessary to use the
proper Personal Protective Equipment in order to avoid slips and falls.
LADDERS AND SCAFFOLDINGS
If you can’t avoid to work at height, use a protection against falls suitable for the
Ladders and scaffoldings are among the most frequent causes of injuries at work. Simple ladders lean place and your job. The use of a full body harness protects you while you go up
the lower extremity on the pavement and the higher extremity against a vertical surface; they are and work at height. These types of PPE need a specific training to be used.
suitable for occasional and fast works (i.e. take an object); if they aren’t correctly positioned they can
tip over or skid; simple ladders must always have anti-slip devices (rubber feet).

Double ladders are composed by two trunks leaning on the pavement and they are suitable for
working in the middle of a room or when you have to work keeping your arms above your head;
double ladders have a safety device preventing their opening (chains, straps), which must be taut
during the use. CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

Scaffoldings must be constructed with poles in good conditions, safely placed and inserted
vertically and horizontally, straight and evenly spaced. They must have a battlement 1
meter high in order to avoid falls. Furthermore there must be a toe board and diagonal
bracing to raise the stability.
Pay close attention going up and down ladders and scaffoldings, always take a firm
grip; don’t wear clothing that might get entangled or go under your shoes.
A confined space is an area not conceived as a working environment: you can notice difficulties in
coming in and out and poor natural ventilation. You must pay close attention to a confined space
entry because the level of risk is very high.
Before entrying a confined space make sure that it has been cleaned, reclaimed, aired and checked
(oxygen concentration for breathing, possible presence of toxic/flammable substances). Any
confined space entry must be authorized by the hosting organization.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
Have the right attitude, always use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) where
Follow the safety procedures, make sure that there is a person outside to support
you and wear all the PPE required, particularly the breathing protections (i.e. respirator).
Remember that, in this case, a filter mask is not suitable.
If you are not sure, don’t enter a confined space first.

and when you are supposed to. Make sure to have always the PPE required
according to the job you have to carry out; keep your PPE in good maintenance
conditions, don’t modify it on your own initiative. Inform your manager of any
fault or drawback noticed and replace possible faulty PPE.

10 11
BOARDING SHIPS/OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
If you have to transfer from a launch to a ship or offshore platform, you take the risk of falling into
the water. Therefore it’s necessary to proceed safely:

• if possible, stay seated on the launch that is transferring you from the quay to the ship;

• wear the life jacket;

• don’t bring any bag or cumbersome equipment with you;

• pay close attention when you use the rope ladder: hold on tight,
step across and don’t jump.

TANK INSPECTIONS
If you have to inspect tanks in a ship using a little dinghy, the combination of water, darkness,
possible obstacles and water movements, make this activity potentially risky.

In these cases it’s necessary that the tank has been made safe for entry; don’t do
any inspection during flooding or purging. Make sure that somebody is
supporting you. Wear the Personal Protective Equipment required (life jacket).

12