SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR WASTE MATTERS INCOPORATION

(A Rubbish Landfill Site)

BY

OBASI, SAMPSON KALU

(REF: H00182493)

DEPARTMENT: School of Built Environment

QUALIFICATION SOUGHT: Master of Science in Safety Risk and Reliability Engineering
MODE OF STUDY: Distance Learning
COURSE CODE: D21RA
TUTOR: Pauline Thompson

(December 2015)

Contents
1.0

OVERVIEW.................................................................................................................................. 4

1.1

DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY .................................................................................................................... 4

1.2

SCOPE .............................................................................................................................................................. 6

2.0

SCOPE DETAILS ........................................................................................................................... 7

Section 1: Occupational Health and safety Policy ....................................................................................................... 7

2.1

Company policy ........................................................................................................................................... 7

2.2

Policy statement on Health, safety and Environment ................................................................................ 7

2.3

Commitment ............................................................................................................................................... 7

Section 2:
2.2

Planning ............................................................................................................................................... 8

Planning ....................................................................................................................................................... 8

2.2.1

Chief Executive Officer ............................................................................................................................ 8

2.2.2

General Manager .................................................................................................................................... 9

2.2.3 Operations Manager ...................................................................................................................................... 9

2.2.4

Administrative Manager......................................................................................................................... 9

2.2.5

Safety officers .......................................................................................................................................... 9

2.2.6

Maintenance Supervisors ....................................................................................................................... 9

2.2.7

Technicians /Mechanics .......................................................................................................................... 9

2.2.8

General laborers ...................................................................................................................................... 9

2.2.9

Store keepers .......................................................................................................................................... 9

2.2.10

Site Security ........................................................................................................................................... 10

Section 3:

Implementation and Operations .......................................................................................................... 10

2.3.1

Risk Assessment .................................................................................................................................... 10

2.3.2

Major Accident hazards......................................................................................................................... 13

3.0

Management Review ............................................................................................................... 14

4.0

Continual Improvement ............................................................................................................ 15

5.0

References ................................................................................................................................ 17

Figure 1: Typical Landfill Rubbish Site .............................................................................................. 5

Figure 2: Map of River State Nigeria ................................................................................................... 5
Figure 3: Waste Matters Incorporation Organizational Chart .................................................. 8

Table 1: Waste Assessment Form ................................................................................................ 11

Table 2: Sample Risk register ....................................................................................................... 12
Table 3: Risk Assessment Matrix ................................................................................................ 12
Table 4: SMS Intervention .............................................................................................................. 13

1.0

OVERVIEW

The aim of this safety management system is demonstrate that the activities in Waste Matters
Incorporations (a landfill waste company) is carried out and managed to as low as reasonably practicable
(ALARP) and in conformity with OHSAS 18001 requirements. It also complies with Nigeria legislation to
environmental laws as well as Rivers State government regulations.
It is targeted at preventing transport related accident to people who work at or visit the landfill facility or
have a potential to come into close proximity with moving vehicles in the site.

1.1

DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY

Waste Matters Incorporation is a landfill waste company operating in Port Harcourt city in Nigeria whose
activities centers on managing waste generated in the city in a rubbish landfill site. The company site is
situated in Oyigbo a suburb the outskirt of Port Harcourt city with a staff strength of about what 20 staff
and 4 management positions. It is partly an abandoned borrow pit on a 42.7 hectares area of 20years
residual life span. The landfill receives 2.250 cubic meters of waste per day which is about 40 percent of
the total waste from Port Harcourt city. There are few office spaces within the compound as well as
workshop for machinery repairs. Compactor trucks, caterpillar dozer, Bmeg compactor, operational
vehicles, intervention truck and orientation van are part of the operational machinery by the company.
The activities of Waste Matters incorporations involve collection of waste from Port Harcourt metropolis
with Compactor Trucks, trucking to landfill Rubbish site for sorting and dumping activities.

Figure 1: Typical Landfill Rubbish Site

Figure 2: Map of River State Nigeria

1.2

SCOPE

The scope of this safety management system will highlighted in line with OHASAS 18000:2007 with the
following sections:
Section 1: Occupational Health & Safety Policy
Section 2: Planning
Section 3: Implementation and Operation
Section 4: Checking and Corrective Action
Section 5: Management Review
Section 6: Continual Improvement

2.0

SCOPE DETAILS

Section 1: Occupational Health and safety Policy

2.1

Company policy

The company policy is committed to ensuring a healthy, safe and convenient working environment and
covers the areas of Health, Safety and environment
2.2

Policy statement on Health, safety and Environment

Waste Matters Incorporations is committed to health and safety of all personnel within and around their
landfill sites and office environment. It focuses on reducing risk and creating a secure working
environment through preventive measures as well as increasing the protection of employees, materials
and visitors on site. This will be achieved by continually improving the system through regular reviews,
updates and feedback (plan, do, check and act).
Our policy objectives are as follows:

2.3

Aiming at zero accidents in our activities.

Open communications with all employees and providing advice as well as promoting best practices
for operations.
Promoting accident feedback alongside near miss to highlight potential risk and consequences.
Ensuring appropriate training on regular basis for employees so as to carry out task without risk.
Commitment

Waste Matters Incorporations holds safety of personnel and members of the public as priority. Our safety
objectives are achieved through:

Active involvement and commitment by management and personnel.

Development and implementation of procedures for safety critical activities.
Continuous hazard identification and hazard control mechanism.
Report and investigating all near miss ,unsafe act and conditions as well as accident for learning

This commitment is provided for employees to share and exhibit. This safety management system will be
reviewed annually by the management and implementation of any system will be undertaken by the
management team. It shall be documented, implemented and maintained. Waste Matters incorporated
shall also communicate the organizational and individual OH&S obligations to all persons working under
the control of the company.
Signed

Chief Executive Officer

Date:
7

Section 2:
2.2

Planning

Planning

Waste Matters Incorporation is a medium sized public private partnership company with managerial and
support staff aimed at service delivery.
The organizational chart of waste matters is presented below:
Chief Executive officer

General Manager

Operations Manager

Administrative Manager
manager

Maintenance Supervisor

Safety Officers

Technician/Mechanic

Site Security

General Laborers

Store Keepers

Operators/Drivers
Driver Mate/Flagman

Figure 3: Waste Matters Incorporation Organizational Chart

2.2.1

Chief Executive Officer

He is a leader of the company and has the highest decision role in terms of policy and strategy. He drives
the management team company.

2.2.2

General Manager

He acts as the link between the management staff and the Chief Executive officer. He ensures that the
policy of the company is enforced. He is the bridge between the management and the stakeholders. He
ensures all certification and legislation are fully met with.
2.2.3 Operations Manager

He/she understands the company goals and objectives and develops clear operations method of achieving
it. He/she is part of the management team.
He/she draws format for routine and emergency repairs and ensures operations are carried out in line
with safety standards. He/she evaluate and audit operational system from time to time.
2.2.4

Administrative Manager

He/she is engaged in effective information flow in the company and ensures thatefficient resource is
employed. He/she ensures that safety policies and procedures are developed and effectively
implemented. He/she and accesses and reports employee performance coordinates their remuneration
as well as sanctions. The administrative manager is part of the management team.
2.2.5

Safety officers

He/she monitors and enforces compliance of all Health, Safety and environment aspect of the business.
He/she Investigate and ensure corrective actions are followed when incident occurs. He/she ensures that
employees receive training and resources essential for the discharge of their duties.
2.2.6

Maintenance Supervisors

He/she monitors and supervises staff in carrying out specific operation responsibilities. He/she draws out
work schedules and ensures that standard operating procedures are followed.
2.2.7

Technicians /Mechanics

He/she is involved in all repair activities. They carry out maintenance operations in line of the organization
strategy in a safe and timely manner.
2.2.8

General laborers

He/she engages in general tidying waste sorting for re-use and cleaning of office, workshop and nonhazardous areasof the landfill sitesin line with safety procedures. He /she engage in routine and nonroutine operations under strict supervision according to established safety procedures.He/she monitors
and reports the levels of hazardous materials in the landfill site. He/she observes measure and reports the
levels pollutants in and around a waste disposal site in order to maintain compliance with local, state and
federal regulations.

2.2.9

Store keepers

He/she ensure that spare parts and work tools/equipment are kept in good custody. He/she distributes
Personnel Protective Equipment to all personnel timely.
9

2.2.10 Site Security

He/she control access into the landfill site. He/she ensures that vehicles and Trucks within the landfill site
follow the designated route .He/she ensures that visitors are given proper induction and guided through
out their stay in the landfill site.
2.2.11 Operators/Drivers

He drives/operates trucks and machinery in line with safety regulations.

2.2.12 Driver mate/flagman

He assists the Operator/Drivers in checking that all devices truck/machinery are in good condition for
operation activities. He acts as a signal man to the driver/operator during operation activities so as to
reduce / avoid accident in line with standard operating procedure.

Section 3:

Implementation and Operations

Waste Matters Incorporations activities centers on receiving rubbish from outside the site and dumping at
the landfill site. The workplace is organized such that pedestrians and vehicles can circulate safely. In
addition operators handling waste are guided by Workplace transport safety. Waste Matters
Incorporations management aims to carry out its activities subject to legislations and regulations that
assist in assessing and managing risk drawing guidance from the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
2.3.1

Nigeria Labor Law of 1990.

National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act 2007
Environmental Impact Assessment Act
Environmental Sanitation Law
Federal road safety Commission Act 2007
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance on Waste management and recycling.
Risk Assessment

Waste matters incorporations considers traffic related issues and waste handling as potential risk within
the landfill site considering the volume of waste received and the size of site. The traffic waste handling
risk assessment within the landfill site covers the following:

hazard identification
individuals who might be harmed and how
risk evaluation and precaution
record findings about risk assessment and implementation
review assessment and update as necessary
10

These areas are considered in hazard identification:

Safe site operations

Safe vehicle and machinery operations
Pedestrian safety for workers and visitors
Waste sorting and handling operations

Waste matters incorporation undertakes risk management with the provision of risk register to record all
hazards or safety issues identified by staff and management and Risk Assessment matrix to assess
identified risk/assign numerical priority.

Table 1: Waste Assessment Form

Hazard

Likelihood

Severity

Risk
rating
or 2

Faulty safety unlikely

critical
equipment

Death
permanent
disability

Drug
and unlikely
alcohol
consumption

Death
or 1
permanent
disability

Recommended control
Drivers undertake preoperation checks to
ensure serviceability of
vehicle lights ,brakes
and report anomalies
Implementation
of
Drug
and
Alcohol
Program
including:
Information
and

Responsible
officer
Driver
Supervisors
to
brief
drivers.
Managing
Director
Training
Officer
11

Training
Testing
Procedures Remedial
Procedures Drug and
Alcohol Policy
Trunk
overturning

Likely

Death
or 2
permanent
disability

Site traffic

Likely

Death
or 2
permanent
disability

Environmental Likely
Pollution

Injury, Death 5
or permanent
disability

Sites should use edge

protection bunds or
barriers, where
appropriate, such as on
the edge of steep
inclines, drops and
bends on downhill
sections.
Physical measures like
road design and
provision of signs,
markings and barriers.
Provide apriority
personal protective
Equipment.

Testing
Officers
Supervisors
Managing
Director

Supervisors,
driver mates
and Safety
Officers
All
employee

Table 2: Sample Risk register

Table 3: Risk Assessment Matrix

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2.3.2

Major Accident hazards

Landfills are hazardous places especially for workers who work on site. Knowledge of potential hazards is
essential in order to mitigate health risks for these workers through appropriate health and safety
measures. The following hazards could pose high risk or major accident in waste matters are as follows:

The drivers who dump the waste at the landfill sites are at risk due to hazardous roads resulting in
overturned vehicles
Landfill workers are also potentially exposed to high levels of dusts containing microorganisms
spread during dumping or moving of waste, or when debris is blown by the wind or equipment.
Landfill site is prone to fire accident as most waste could be potentially flammable. Landfill fires
can be particularly dangerous as they are often below ground, resulting in caverns being formed
beneath the surface and making it susceptible to collapse.
Waste management sites are inherently busy places with high volumes of traffic as operations
trucks drive in with refuse from collection point to the landfill. Machinery operators are also busy
pushing and overlaying the rubbish at landfill site. There is also vehicular presence of contractors
coming to evacuate waste materials sorted for recycle/re-use. There will create peaks and troughs
in the traffic flow to reflect the waste collection rounds. These activities of site users and visitors
often pose a potential danger to themselves and others.

s/no Incident
1
Truck brake failure in site landfill

Fire incident on landfill site

Vehicular and human traffic

SMS Actions
Pre-Checking all
operational
truck/equipment
and issuing a
certificate
of
fitness to use
Develop standard
operating
procedure
for
non-routine
activities

Control barriers
Ensure that pre
mob trucks have a
certificate
of
fitness and sticker

Remedial actions
Ensure
truck/equipment
go for routine
programmed
maintenance

Use a permit to
work system end
ensure continuous
gas testing within
the environment
during operations

Provision of Water
wagon equipment
to control fire. Use
of
local
firefighters
to
establish
procedures
for
extinguishing
landfill fires.

Develop an access Use of signage and

control system
flagmen
to
indicate
instruction

Provision
of
emergency
response team in
case of accident as
well as first aiders.

Table 4: SMS Intervention

13

3.0

Management Review

Waste Matters management understands that activities in their landfill site require the cooperation and
involvement of all employees as well as visitors. Accidents and incidents can be avoided provided
everyone takes responsibility for their own actions and recognizes that their failure to do their particular
task safely could have a detrimental impact on others. Therefore the following have been put in place by
management to foster and sustain safety in operations:

Safety meetings.
Staff and Visitors Induction
Critical incident management plan
Emergency response management plan
Incident reporting and investigation procedure
Standard operating procedure

These actions are reviewed from periodically in line with established local and international safety
standards and regulations.

14

4.0

Continual Improvement

This is achieved by the adoption of Audit, trainings and certifications. Periodic auditing is key to
operations at Waste matters incorporations to identify areas requiring improvement. In-house audit is
conducted annually.

15

Table 5: Sample Audit report

Management responsibility to employee in this regards is achieved by regular in-house training as well as
engaging the services of consultants. Trainings are conducted by

Safety drills
Induction for new employees and visitors
Machinery and equipment use retraining
Firefighting training
First aid training

In addition there are institutions and waste management stakeholders put in place by the government to
ensure compliance with standards for continual improvement. They include:

National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency

Federal Ministry of Environment (FMOE)
Waste Management Society of Nigeria
River State Ministry of Environment, Port Harcourt
River State Environmental Sanitation Authority, Port Harcourt

16

5.0

References

A dangerous business (23.09.2005) {online} available from:

http://waste-management-world.com/a/a-dangerous-business (accessed on 21 November 2015)
Environmental Law Research Institute (N.D) {online} available from:
http://www.elri-ng.org/newsandrelease2_waste.html (accessed on 5 November 2015)
Federal Road safety Corps (N.D) {online} available from:
http://frsc.gov.ng/ (accessed on 26 November 2015)
Health and Safety Executive (N.D) Waste management and recycling {online} available from:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/waste/index.htm (accessed on 3 December 2015)
Landfill-Worker hazards (N.D) {online} available from:
https://manager.clearrisk.com/Resources/RiskTool/Landfills_-_Worker_Hazards (accessed on 18
November 2015)
Map of Rivers State of Nigeria (N.D) {online} available from:
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=map+of+rivers+state+of+nigeria&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ve
d=0ahUKEwjF-c6mx73JAhWB1R4KHUm-Bs0Q_AUIBygB&biw=981&bih=700 (accessed on 2 December
2015)
Ministry of Transport (2009) Safety Management System Handbook Version 7 {online} available from:
http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/operators/bus-coach (accessed on 26 November 2015)

17