Occupational Health and Safety

Qatar Steel has a strong dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of its employees and contractors. This is highlighted in the Sustainability Roadmap which has set the strategic objective of achieving a Zero-harm Culture and Performance.

Under the Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) governance procedure overseen by the HSE Committee, Qatar Steel is committed to adhering to legal, regulatory, and licensing requirements related to occupational health and safety. Additionally, dedicated health and safety committees in each department conduct monthly meetings with employees and management to actively seek feedback on the HSE status in their respective sections.

Qatar Steel has implemented an expansive and well-developed safety governance structure that ensures efficient communication from top to bottom. This structure facilitates a seamless flow of messages, concerns, and progress reports, enabling informed decision-making. Furthermore, the organisation utilises key performance indicators (KPIs) and dashboards to measure health and safety performance, contributing significantly to the overall management of the topic, ensuring compliance, and identifying areas for improvement.

HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

We have a Health, Safety, and Environment Management System (HSEMS) in place which conforms to the ISO 45001:2018 standard. The HSEMS applies to all employees and workers who carry out activities on our premises and is internally and externally audited.

Within the HSEMS, we have developed a comprehensive set of 68 Health and Safety (H&S) procedures that effectively address a wide range of standard requirements. These procedures have been diligently implemented to guarantee the practice of safe work methods throughout our operations.

Our H&S procedures serve as valuable guidelines for adhering to safety protocols, such as Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA), Job Safety Analysis (JSA), Permit to Work (PTW), and LockoutTagout (LOTO), during high-risk activities like confined space entry, excavation, hot works, safe lifting, and working at heights, among others.

To foster ongoing enhancements in our management system, we actively engage every employee and contractor, valuing their input and ideas. We strive to include as many perspectives as possible, recognising that each individual’s unique insights can contribute to the continuous improvement of our organisation. By encouraging open communication and creating a culture that values feedback, we promote a collaborative environment where everyone feels empowered to share their thoughts.

Qatar Steel provides several channels to facilitate dialogue between employees and H&S management, including the Safety Observation System, Management Safety Meetings, Toolbox talk meetings, HSE surveys, directly submitting unsafe acts and conditions through the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system in the HSE reporting module, or by contacting senior management during safety walks on the shop floor.

In 2023, Qatar Steel attended several conferences and events related to HSE:

• ISO 14001:2015 & ISO 45001:2018 Surveillance audit completed for the year 2023.
• Conducted HSE Day for the Year 2023.
• Attended Process Safety Management Conference with QatarEnergy.
• Attended Qatar Energy Functional Safety Committee Meetings, Qatar Energy Road Safety Meetings, Qatar Energy PSM / QRA Committee Meetings.

100% OF EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACTORS COVERED BY THE H&S MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

PROCESS SAFETY MANAGEMENT

The newly implemented Process Safety Management (PSM) system in Qatar Steel is a crucial tool for addressing human performance in complex systems with inherent risks. This system comes highly recommended by the World Steel Association and is a mandatory requirement in accordance with ISO 45001:2018.

Originally established by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the PSM regulation serves as a preventive measure to assist companies in avoiding mishandling or release of Highly Hazardous Chemicals (HHCs). It encompasses various requirements related to the handling, usage, movement, storage, and manufacturing of these harmful substances. Compliance with PSM involves adherence to 14 rules and practices, including Process Safety Information, Process Hazard Analysis, Operating Procedures, Employee Participation, Process Safety Management Training, and more.

The Code of Practice for PSM is aimed at defining the minimum requirements necessary to effectively address process deficiencies. This document ensures that proper measures are in place to mitigate risks and promote a secure working environment. By following the guidelines outlined in the code, we can enhance process safety and proactively address any potential issues.

We conduct PSM training quarterly for operational staff from all departments and for a selected group of employees from support services who are involved in change management.

As part of our future PSM plans, we aim to implement several initiatives. Firstly, we will establish a PSM System Auditing Procedure to facilitate regular and systematic reviews of our PSM systems. Secondly, we plan to launch a PSM Awareness eLearning Training program that will be accessible to all employees. This training will raise awareness about process safety management and equip our workforce with the necessary knowledge and skills to contribute to a safer working environment. Lastly, we will establish a Process Safety KPI Monitoring and Reporting System. This system will enable us to monitor key performance indicators related to process safety and generate regular reports.

Through these initiatives, we are committed to strengthening our PSM capabilities and ensuring the highest standards of safety in our operations.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Our Medical Services encompasses three key areas, one of which is occupational health services. The primary objective of the centre is to maintain and enhance the health and well-being of our employees. This is achieved through various medical examinations, including pre-employment, periodic, and specialised exams for employees exposed to hazards.

The Centre also covers primary health care and emergency medicine, with a dedicated medical services team comprising doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab technicians, and paramedics. These professionals undertake preventative measures, conduct health awareness campaigns, and administer annual medical surveys. Additionally, they provide non-occupational medical and healthcare services to our employees.

Our medical services team conducts an annual Occupational Hygiene survey to monitor workers’ exposure levels to various elements and minimise the risk of occupational hazards.

Enhancements to our existing health and safety procedures and tools are also underway. These include the procurement and installation of a new HSE Performance Statistics board, which displays updated HSE statistics such as live temperature readings. Furthermore, a Heat Stress Monitoring Station has been installed a top the HSE Building to provide the heat index data, enabling supervisors to adhere to the necessary requirements and safeguard employee well-being.

In 2023, Qatar Steel introduced a new mobile application for Medical Services. This application is a part of our digital transformation strategy and has been designed to revolutionise the way we deliver healthcare to our employees. Some of the key features of this application include:
• Access to health records
• Viewing and tracking vitals
• Viewing prescribed medication
• Managing sick leave
• Medical history declaration
• Managing vaccination information
• View health promotion and activities submission

The application will provide employees with instant access to a range of features that will support their healthcare journey, making it
easier to access the services they require. As part of our health promotion initiatives, our dedicated Medical Services staff has implemented a health reward system. In addition, more than 38 campaigns were conducted by the medical services team to raise awareness regarding health promotions, e.g. World Hypertension Day 2023, World Heart Day 2023, World Mental Health Day 2023, World Diabetes Day 2023, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, etc.

HEALTH AND SAFETY PERFORMANCE

Our H&S procedures play a crucial role in guiding the adherence to safety protocols during regular activities. Our risk management process encompasses a comprehensive approach to identify and assess risks and hazards before commencing any activity, irrespective of its nature. As part of this risk management process, all operational departments are responsible for maintaining an approved Hazard
Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) Register for routine activities. For nonroutine activities, a valid PTW is required, which necessitates a HIRA or Job Safety Analysis (JSA) to ensure the incorporation of necessary controls. The Operations team (Permit Issuer) and Maintenance team (Permit Executor) are accountable for verifying the implementation of controls before issuing the permit. Additionally, contractors are also required to submit their risk assessments for review by our HSE department before commencing their activities.

Qatar Steel has also implemented the “STOP Card” system, empowering workers to halt any activity they evaluate to be unsafe or during which they perceive themselves to be in danger. This system encourages a proactive approach to safety by providing a mechanism for employees to report concerns or potential hazards. STOP Card incidents are documented and reported through the ERP system.

In the event of an incident occurring, Qatar Steel has developed a classification system based on the actual and potential severity of the incident, ranging from S1 to S5, S1 being the lowest severity. Incidents categorised as S3, and above incidents are assigned to the HSE Manager for analysis and selection of a Team Leader. The Team Leader will assign investigation team members who are subject matter experts and they will conduct a full investigation using the WHY Tree Analysis methodology to determine the root cause and thereafter identify corrective actions.This analytical approach helped identify the root causes and contributing factors behind each incident, allowing us to implement targeted corrective actions and preventive measures. During 2023, we experienced some incidents involving employees and contractors, primarily related to falling from height, hand injuries, and being caught in between objects. To thoroughly investigate these incidents, a comprehensive analysis was conducted using this Why Tree methodology. The determination of enhanced control measures are based on hierarchy of controls, and, and in cases where the risk of injuries remained high despite these measures, additional personal protective equipment (PPE) was adopted.

To help monitor health and safety performance, Qatar Steel procured & installed a new HSE Performance Statistics New Board. This board will indicate leading and lagging indicators and help remind employees of health and safety issues that need to b that they need to be aware of.Qatar Steel has also established targets to minimise its Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR) and Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR). These metrics are calculated based on 1 million manhours for both our employees and contractors. In 2023, there was in an increase in the LTIFR and TRIR due to the increased number of
reportable injuries mostly due to behavioral safety related issues. In 2024, Qatar Steel is planning to provide more focus on Behaviour
Safety Training to all employees. Moreover, Qatar Steel is implementing pre-task risk assessments to enhance communication effectiveness and bolster safety measures.

HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING

At Qatar Steel, we support the health and safety of our employees by providing comprehensive training programs. These trainings are designed to enhance their technical competence and raise awareness about potential workplace hazards, enabling them to effectively
mitigate risks.

Throughout 2023, we offered various training sessions, including Basic Fire Fighting, Behaviour Based Safety Awareness, Chemicals and Hazardous Materials handling, HIRA, PTW and LOTO Refresher, Working at Heights, and Confined Space Entry. These trainings are conveniently accessible through our HSE eLearning Platform, ensuring widespread availability and easy access for all employees.

The training modules on our platform cover two important aspects. The “Employee Participation in HSE and Related Incentives” module aims to educate employees on the significance of their participation in HSE activities. It also highlights the different types of HSE recognitions and incentives, encouraging staff engagement and involvement in safety processes.

The “Awareness on HSE Training Courses” module focuses on increasing employees’ knowledge about the various HSE training courses offered by our organisation. It helps them prioritise their training needs based on a sample hazard analysis of operational departments.

In 2023, an Electrical Safety module was introduced to address the elimination, removal, and prevention of electrical hazards in both plant and office environments.

At Qatar Steel, we recognise Health and Safety Training as being of paramount importance to achieve our goal of becoming a Zero-harm culture and performance organisation and we have therefore established a target to increase our Health and Safety training hours to 33,826 by 2026. In 2023, an overall decrease of 40% took place, which is primarily attributed to challenges in securing third-party training providers at the beginning of the year.