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1

Make sure you are in


an appropriate mental
and physical condition
when at work.

2
Make sure you are
adequately trained before
performing any activity.

3
Think about possible risks
before starting any activity.
Stop the work and seek
your supervisor’s advice
if you notice an unforeseen
or unacceptable risk.

4
Follow the procedures
and never take short-cuts.
5
Wear the required
Personal Protective
9
Operate equipment and
vehicles only if you hold
Equipment and never the proper license and
modify it. follow the traffic rules.

6
Use a fall protection
system when working
10
Maintain a safe distance
from moving vehicles.
at height.

7
Use correctly the
appropriate tools and
11
Never stand under or near
a suspended load. When
safety devices. Never operating cranes, keep your
modify or remove them. eye on the load.

8
Use lock-outs and de-
energize the machinery
12
Report all accidents,
incidents, near-misses and
before working on unsafe behavior/conditions.
equipment or entering
restricted areas.
1
Safety
never Sleeps
For most of us, not having a good night’s sleep means
dragging our feet the next day as we perform our
usual tasks. In Rolando’s case, it also resulted in physical
injuries and damaged equipment.

4
Make sure you are mentally and physically alert while at work.
Do not work if you are not physically or psychologically able to pay the required attention.
The main causes of accident due to unsuitable physical or psychological condition are
tiredness, medication or drug or alcohol use.” Working under the influence of alcohol or
drugs is not permitted on any Tenaris site and is considered a severe violation. If you are not
in the appropriate condition, you are not only putting yourself at risk, but also the people
who work around you. If you are taking any medication that may affect your ability to work
safely, you should discuss this with your supervisor and physician immediately.

The unrelenting buzz of a mosquito. The cry In either case, Rolando’s night began just like
of a hungry baby. The unforeseeable strike any other. That was until he fell asleep at
of insomnia. These are just a few of many the wheel. Technically, he lost control of his
circumstances that can disturb our daily sleep- truck for no more than a second, but that was
ing routine. At some point in our lives all of enough for the truck to skid to one side. The
us have had to go to work without adequate rear axle hit a pipe rack, sending the vehicle
rest. While it is a common scenario, it is also a head on into a second rack. Although the
potential safety hazard we should all be aware collision took place at a fairly low speed, the
of, as Rolando’s case exemplifies (based on a force of the impact sent a “beltless” Rolando
real case that happened at a Tenaris mill). to one side of the cabin. While he only suf-
fered minor injuries in his head and elbows,
Rolando - 23-year-old employee with more Rolando lost several days of work for his
than three years in the company and no previ- recovery period.
ous accidents - operates a truck at the mill’s
yard during the midnight shift. One particular Not being mentally and physically alert while
night, he felt especially drowsy but told him- at work can put us in a condition of increas-
self that with a shot of black coffee and a deep ing the possibility to suffer an injury or cause
breath of fresh air he would make it through injuries to people working around us.
the few hours he had left of his shift.
For this reason it is important to discuss this
However, without realizing it, his sleepiness kinds of situations with our supervisors,
had already caused him to make several haz- in order to take the proper precautions.
ardous mistakes. After discovering that This also applies if we take special medication
the safety belt inside the truck was not in or substances that produce changes in per-
working condition, he ignored a basic rule ception. Unlike Rolando, make sure that you
and decided to drive without it. speak up before you “crash” down.

Also, while he joked with some of his col-


leagues about his tiredness, he failed to men-
tion it to his supervisors, perhaps for fear of a
reprimand or just carelessness.

5
2
training
is safety
Training is crucial to carrying out any work inside the plants.
Let us see how the incident that involved Antonio occurred and
what could have been done to prevent it.

6
Make sure that you are adequately trained before undertaking any activities.
Training is vital if you want to learn the correct and safe method of conducting any type
of operation. It means being ready for any potential emergency situation during the
execution of a task or while using machinery. Training also offers the opportunity to clarify
any doubts; analysing difficulties and potential problems. It also allows you to conduct
practical tests in a controlled and secure environment in order to improve your skills.

While carrying out work within an area, it can So Antonio started to work: he wore the
sometimes happen that you have to perform correct personal protective equipment, and
an activity for which you have had no ad- began to tighten the main terminals of the
equate and specific training. In these cases, cabinet. Not having received specific training
assuming that you are able to continue based however, he did not realize that the cabinet he
on experience alone, or as a result of training was working on was still live, and so, when
received for similar operations, you may incur he touched the metal frame, it generated an
serious risks, as in the case of Antonio, electrical arc flash.
a worker in a Tenaris plant.
Antonio got away with burns to the hand and
Antonio is 26 years old and has worked for a major scare, but the risk to which he exposed
5 years in a Tenaris plant, without any ac- himself and his colleagues was very high.
cidents. One day, while performing a normal
maintenance operation, he realized that the If the training you have received is incomplete
connections on the mains switch of an electri- or inadequate for the task that you are doing or
cal cabinet needed to be secured. if you attempt to carry out a task for which you
have not been properly trained, it is important
Although he had only received general prepa- that you do not improvise but that you immedi-
ration, Antonio, with the intention of carrying ately inform your superior, the person in charge
out the work quickly, decided he was able to or the relevant safety manager.
operate without requesting assistance from an
electrical maintenance worker, because he felt Thus, always make sure that you are adequately
– erroneously – that this specific task would, trained before undertaking any type of operation.
after all, not be much different from the work
that he usually did. Training is vital if you want to learn the cor-
rect and safe method of conducting any type
Taking this decision, Antonio made a serious of operation. It means being ready for any
mistake: in fact, when you realize that you do potential emergency situation during the ex-
not have the training necessary to perform ecution of a task or while using machinery.
an activity, you must immediately notify your
supervisor and evaluate with him how to pro-
ceed, for example by involving those who have
the necessary skills or adapting them.

7
3
Avoid risks
by thinking properly!
Carefully analyzing all possible risks is essential before performing any
task. Moreover, if you face an unexpected or unacceptable risk while
carrying out an activity, you must stop working and notify your
supervisor. Let us see how the incident that involved Simone and his
colleagues occurred and what could have been done to prevent it.

8
Think about all possible risks before starting any activity. Stop working and contact
your supervisor if you are faced with unexpected or unacceptably risky situations.
Assessing risks and planning activities is the first step to take before starting any activity. Risk
assessment requires a few minutes, but might prevent serious accidents. It is necessary to take all
potential risks associated with a certain activity into consideration, check that adequate precautions
have been taken or identify dangers that had previously passed by unobserved. It is also a good
idea to inspect the surrounding area and report your actions to the rest of the personnel to prevent
interference with other activities. If an aspect has not been correctly assessed and/or an added
danger has been detected, you must stop and adopt suitable countermeasures to ensure that
the activity is carried out in safe conditions. If you think that the level of risk is unacceptable,
it is your duty to stop the activity and find an alternative solution with the aid of your supervisor.

When performing a task inside an area, there blew compressed air into the tube. Since he had
is the possibility that you may have to carry not carefully analysed the situation, he did not
out activities lying outside normal routines, or realise that the opposite end of the tube was
that, although they are envisaged in the Risk not aligned with the mobile screen and that an
Analysis, present some aspects not previously operator was working on another station just a
assessed. In these cases, acting without having few metres away. When Simone started to blow
first carefully assessed the potential risks may the air, the piece was forced violently out of the
lead you into risky situations, as in the case of tube like a bullet and struck his colleague.
Simone, a finishing operator at a Tenaris plant.
Simone’s colleague escaped with a bruised
Simone is 40-years old and has worked as a hand and a great shock, but the risks he was
finishing operator in a Tenaris plant, without exposed to were very high.
any incidents, for four years.
When performing a task inside an area, there
One day, as he was carrying out a normal is the possibility that you may have to carry
operation of extracting the stopper to prevent out activities lying outside the normal routine,
shavings from going inside the tube during the or that although they are envisaged in the Risk
threading process, the equipment jammed. Analysis, present some aspects not previously
assessed. Think about all possible risks before
At first Simone tried to extract the stopper starting any activity. Stop working and contact
using the special hook as set out in the Oper- your supervisor if you are faced with unex-
ating Procedure, but this operation was not pected or unacceptably risky situations.
enough and so Simone pumped compressed
air into the tube to unblock it. Even though Assessing risks and planning activities is the
it was a non-routine operation, the operator first step to take before starting any activity.
did not carefully assess the situation and its Risk assessment requires a few minutes, but
potential risks, and did not notify his col- might prevent serious accidents.
leagues of the action he was about to perform.
It is necessary to take all potential risks associ-
By acting in this manner, Simone made a seri- ated with a certain activity into consideration,
ous mistake. In fact, it is always necessary to check that adequate precautions have been
make a preliminary assessment of the possible taken or identify dangers that had previously
risks connected with every activity, stop work- passed by unobserved.
ing if you have doubts or if there are unaccept-
able risks, and notify your supervisor. It is also a good idea to inspect the surround-
ing area and report your actions to the rest
And so the operator set to work. He correctly of the personnel to prevent interference with
put on the personal protective equipment and other activities.
9
4
For your safety,
follow the procedures
Following the procedures is fundamental to carry out every
activity in a safe way. Working without following the rules
or by improvising means taking some very serious risks.
Let us see how the incident that involved Alberto occurred
and what could have been done to prevent it.

10
Respect the procedures without ever improvising. Procedures and work instructions
are the safest way to perform an activity; therefore, they must always be respected.
Short-cuts can be very dangerous and should never be taken without appropriate risk
analysis and approval. Do not personally disregard or ignore a co-workers disregard for any
safety procedures. We are all responsible for preventing unsafe acts.

When any task is performed, it is fundamen- So Alberto went to work, holding the test
tal to follow the procedures in order to work tube with his hands. Unfortunately, during the
correctly and safely. Not following the pro- operation, the piece being worked on slipped.
cedures, making changes to them or taking The operator’s finger was crushed between
shortcuts can lead to risky situations, as in the disc of the saw and the machine, causing a
the case of Alberto, a finishing operator at a fracture and leading to the loss of several days’
Tenaris plant. work. The accident could however have been
much more serious. The rotating motor could
Alberto is 36 years old and has been working have dragged the operator’s arm into the saw
as a finishing operator for 5 years. He has no causing very serious injuries.
accidents to his record. One day, having to
perform the marking operation on a test tube, To carry out your tasks safely and success-
he thought he could finish the job assigned to fully in terms of quality, it is fundamental that
him in less time. procedures are followed correctly.

In fact, the operator thought he could use Procedures and work instructions represent
a disc saw, equipment not envisaged by the the safest way to carry out a task and must
procedure for that type of operation Further- always be respected. Shortcuts and devia-
more, instead of locking the tube in the vice tions from the usual procedures can turn
under the clamps of the saw, as required out to be very dangerous. For this reason
by the procedures, he decided to hold a meticulous Risk Analysis and approval
the piece steady with his hands, exposing by a supervisor are always necessary before
himself to a very serious risk. By doing changing a procedure.
this, Alberto put his hands between the disc
of the saw and the machine .

Acting in this way, he committed a serious


error. Every procedure must be scrupulously
followed, without thinking that they slow the
work down. If you believe that a procedure
could be improved, do not take any personal
initiative but tell your supervisor. Before any
procedure is changed, a specific Risk Analysis
must be carried out and a meeting must be
held with your supervisor to obtain the neces-
sary approval.

11
5
Correct PPE
to reduce risks
To perform any task safely, it is essential to use the required
Personal Protective Equipment correctly. Not doing so may
expose you to serious risks, as happened to Matteo.

12
Wear the required Personal Protective Equipment and never modify it.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can prevent or reduce the consequences of an accident.
PPE must always be used and never modified in order to maintain its effectiveness.
Remember that hard hats, safety glasses and safety shoes are mandatory in operation
areas, yards and well sites. For other specific PPE to be used during working activities please
refer to the Risk Analysis document. Always wear the correct PPE.

Wearing the proper Personal Protective Equip- By acting in this way, Matteo committed a
ment (PPE) is essential to perform any activity serious mistake: when performing a task,
safely. Not wearing the PPE required for the it is essential not only to wear the proper
task you are performing, or wearing it incor- PPE, but also to wear it correctly. PPE is only
rectly or modifying it, can lead to serious effective if it is worn correctly.
risks. See how the accident that involved Mat-
teo occurred and what could have been done When Matteo started to work with the grind-
to prevent it. er, the abrasive disc broke into several pieces.
Because he was not wearing the face shield
When carrying out any activity, it is essential correctly, a fragment of the disk hit him on the
to use all the Personal Protective Equipment cheek, injuring him.
(PPE) and to wear it correctly, in order to
work safely. Matteo suffered only a slight injury and a big
fright but the accident could have been far
Not wearing the PPE required by the Risk more serious. The fragment could have hit him
Analysis and the Work Instructions or modify- in another part of his face, even in his eye.
ing it could mean exposing yourself to hazard-
ous conditions. This is precisely what hap-
pened to Matteo, an operator working in the
finishing line of a Tenaris plant.

Matteo is 40 years old and for the last 12 years


has been working in the finishing line. He has
never suffered an injury during his working ca-
reer. One day, while performing some grinding
work on a metal sheet, he put on the required
PPE, but he did not ensure that he was wear-
ing it correctly.

He put the face shield on his hard hat but did


not lower it completely when carrying out the
work. By doing this, he exposed himself to
a very serious risk because his face was not
completely protected.

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6
Working at height...
but always safely
The use of a fall protection system is mandatory when working at height
in areas where there is no wall or guardrail systems. Not complying
with this rule can expose us to very serious risk, even when the task
to perform is simple. Let us see how the incident that involved Giorgio
occurred and what could have been done to prevent it.

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Use fall protection equipment when carrying out work at a height in unprotected
work areas. Falling from heights is one of the major causes of death in the steel industry.
You must always use fall protection equipment when working at heights where there
is no wall or guardrail system. Guidance should be obtained from your supervisor or Health
and Safety representative to ensure you are using the correct fall protection system for your
activity. Anchorage points must be designed and tested for fall arrest suitability. Tooling
and materials used during working at height must be secured to prevent them falling.
You must be trained to use fall protection systems. Remember that fall protection systems
must be verified periodically and every time they undergo a shock.

It is mandatory to use fall protection systems So the operator started to work, but while
when carrying out any activity at height in they were shifting the bridge of the crane, this
unprotected work areas, selecting the most ap- banged against the stopper, causing a sudden
propriate measures for each specific operation. movement to the structure.

Overconfidence that in some instances experi- Giorgio who had been concentrating on the
ence will be enough or that the work to be work he was doing, was caught unawares
done can be performed so quickly that a fall by the movement and fell from the bridge,
protection system is not required could in suffering serious injuries. His colleague
fact create to extremely risky situations. This escaped unharmed on the crane, and managed
is what happened to Giorgio, a Maintenance to get away with a huge fright.
operator at one of Tenaris’ plants.
Falling from heights is one of the major causes
Giorgio is 47 years old and for the past 16 of death in the steel industry. You must
years he has been working as a Maintenance always use fall protection equipment when
operator. During all these years he has not been working at heights where there is no wall or
involved in a single industrial accident. One guardrail system.
day, his supervisor asked him and his colleague
to do some maintenance work on a crane. Guidance should be obtained from your su-
To do this, he and his colleague had to work pervisor or Health and Safety representative to
in an area located about 6 metres from the ensure you are using the correct fall protection
ground, without any guardrails or barriers. system for your activity.

Because Giorgio considered the work they Anchorage points must be designed and tested
needed to do quite simple and routine, he for fall arrest suitability.
didn’t think it was necessary to use fall protec-
tion equipment. He believed putting it on Tooling and materials used during working at
would just involve a waste of time. So, the op- height must be secured to prevent them falling.
erator decided to climb up onto the overhead
crane, without putting on his safety harness. You must be trained to use fall protection sys-
tems. Remember that fall protection systems
By adopting this behaviour, Giorgio made a must be verified periodically and every time
serious mistake: when carrying out any activ- they undergo a shock.
ity at a height in an unprotected work area, it
is mandatory to use systems that will protect
your personal safety, preventing from falls
or reducing the consequences in case of a fall.

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7
Use your head,
not your hands!
Using the specified tools correctly is fundamental to perform every
activity in a safe manner. Not using the tools defined in the Risk Analysis
or during the planning of an activity or modifying the tools could
expose you to extremely serious risks. Read about what happened to
Carlo and what could have been done to prevent it.

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Use the appropriate tools and devices correctly. Never modify or remove them.
Every activity must be performed with the correct tools and safety devices defined in the risk
analysis and/or when the activity is planned. This enables you to work safely and also makes
your work easier. Don’t use hand-made tools or safety devices that were not designed and
tested for the scope of the work being performed. This could result in severe injuries or even
death. If you don’t have the proper tools or you are not sure about how to use a particular
safety device, consult with your supervisor in order to analyze the situation.

When performing a task, it is fundamental to So Carlo went to work, and as he was trying
use the tools specified for each activity. Not to remove a shaving by pulling it with his hand,
doing this, or using tools designed for other his glove was cut - and so was his hand.
work, perhaps thinking that you can work
faster, could result in a high-risk situation. Carlo escaped with a slight injury to his hand,
The use of the correct tools for the job that but his behaviour could have exposed him
you are doing not only ensures your personal to a more serious risk. Not using the tools
safety, but also makes the work easier and that have been deemed appropriate for the
guarantees its quality. job, or using handmade tools or safety devices
that have not been properly designed, can
Let us see how the accident that involved result in serious injuries.
Carlo occurred and what could have been
done to prevent it. If you have any doubts about which tool has
to be used, it is fundamental that you ask your
Carlo is 30-years-old and has been working supervisor for assistance and that you analyse
as a finishing operator in Tenaris for six years. the situation together.
He has no accidents to his record. One day,
while working on a cutting machine, he had When performing a task, it is fundamental
to clean up and remove the shavings. to use the tools specified for each activity.
Use the appropriate tools and devices
Carlo correctly put on the cut-resistant gloves. correctly. Never modify or remove them
However, because the work seemed quite sim-
ple and routine to him, and thinking that go- Every activity must be performed with the cor-
ing to fetch the hook would have just wasted rect tools and safety devices defined in the risk
time, he decided to go ahead and remove the analysis and/or when the activity is planned.
shavings with his hands.
This enables you to work safely and also
By doing this, Carlo made a serious mistake. makes your work easier.
When carrying out operations that involve
sharp materials (such as cuttings or shavings), Don’t use handmade tools or safety devices
it is mandatory to use a hook or other tools that were not designed and tested for the scope
specifically designed for this purpose in order of the work being performed. This could
to avoid the use of the hands. result in severe injuries or even death.

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8
Lock-out and
de-energize
Before performing operations on equipment or entering restricted
areas it is mandatory to follow the lock-out procedure and
de-energize the machinery. Not doing it may expose you to serious risks,
as happened to Mario, a maintenance operator at a Tenaris facility.

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Use lock-outs and de-energize the machinery before working on equipment
or entering restricted areas. Being caught or trapped in moving machinery, or injured
by a release of energy is a high risk within our industry. The most frequent cause of lock-
out and tag-out injuries is the incomplete shut down and de-energization of equipment.
You must never, in any circumstances, work on moving or energized machinery.
Activities that require power must be performed only by authorized personnel after the
appropriate risk analysis and in compliance with specific procedure. Lock-out and tag-out
is fundamental and you must be properly trained in order to conduct this procedure.

When you have to perform an activity on Mario stepped through the safety barrier and
equipment or enter a restricted area it is man- began his work. While he was focused on the
datory to follow the lockout procedure and operation that he was carrying out, he didn’t
neutralize all energy supplies, to ensure your realize that he had got too close to the ma-
own and others’ safety. Working on moving chine’s drive shaft, and became entangled with
machinery that is not completely deactivated the jacket of his uniform, which was dragged
or not totally discharging the energy may into the machine.
expose you to very serious risks.
The operator got away with a dislocated
Let us see how the accident that involved shoulder and injuries to his ribs and
Mario occurred and what could have been upper arm, but the accident that he
done to prevent it. was involved in could have had much more
serious consequences.
Mario is 28 years old and has been working
as a maintenance operator in Tenaris for seven
years, with no accidents on his record.

One day, his supervisor asked him to do some


maintenance work on a gearbox. The work he
had to do was very simple and required little
time, so Mario thought that following the
lock-out procedure would have taken too long.
Therefore, he began to work on the moving
machine without any lockout.

Acting in this way, Mario made a serious


mistake: every time you have to perform an ac-
tivity on equipment or enter restricted areas it
is mandatory to follow the lock-out procedure
and de-energize the machinery.

19
9
No licence?
No drive!
At any Tenaris location, you can only operate mobile equipment or vehicles if you
hold the proper licence and follow internal traffic rules at all times. Operating
any transportation equipment, such as cranes or forklifts, without adequate
training, or using a vehicles without ollowing traffic regulations could expose
you to serious risks, as happened to Luca, a finishing operator at a Tenaris facility.

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Operate equipment and vehicles only if you hold the proper license and follow
the traffic rules. Mobile equipment and vehicles are a significant risk at our sites.
You must always attend specific training courses before using any kind of vehicle in order
to be aware of their proper operation. You must always respect traffic rules inside any
Tenaris site or you not only place yourself, but others, at risk. Do not operate equipment
for which you have not been trained and authorized/certified.

Tenaris personnel are only allowed to operate So Luca started the forklift, drove close to the
equipment or vehicles if they have received the wooden box and lifted it up. Once the load
adequate training and hold the proper licence. was lifted, Luca started to reverse. Because
Moreover, internal traffic rules must be fol- he didn’t know how to operate the vehicle,
lowed at all times. By ignoring or disregarding he made a mistake and ended up with his rear
these basic safety principles, employees wheel in a drainage channel.
expose themselves to several risks, some of
which could have extremely serious outcomes. This time, he escaped with just a nasty fright
but the accident could have had much more
Let us see how the incident involving Luca serious consequences.
occurred and what could have been done
to prevent it. You can only operate equipment or vehicles at
Tenaris facilities if you have received adequate
Luca is 25 years old and has been working as training and hold the proper licence. Internal
a finishing operator in Tenaris for three years, traffic rules must be followed at all times.
with no accidents on his record.
Vehicles and other moving equipment can
One day, while performing his work, he had to present a significant risk at Tenaris.
move a wooden box containing coupling bars.
Before using any type of vehicle or equipment,
Instead of informing his supervisor and you must have successfully completed a spe-
requesting assistance from a qualified forklift cific training course so that you know how to
operator, Luca got into the driver’s seat him- operate the equipment correctly, and you must
self: he thought it would be a simple opera- hold the proper licence to use it.
tion, because he had seen colleagues do it
many times before and thought that, by doing Additionally, internal traffic regulations must
it himself, he would save time. be followed at all times at every Tenaris facil-
ity so that your own safety and the safety of
By doing this, Luca made a serious mistake: colleagues is not put at risk.
only operators with the appropriate train-
ing and licence can use equipment or vehicles
inside the mills.

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10
Walk with your feet...
and with your head
When moving around a Tenaris facility always pay
the utmost attention to moving vehicles and always
maintain a safe distance from them.

22
Maintain a safe distance from moving vehicles. Accidents involving pedestrians
and moving vehicles are a typical source of risk in the steel industry. You must always
pay attention to moving vehicles and make sure that the driver has seen you. Before
approaching a moving vehicle, be sure you establish eye contact with the driver
and wait for him to stop and give you a sign before start moving. It is also important
to ensure that the transported load is properly secured and stable. Never underestimate
the risk of moving vehicles and equipment.

Getting too close to a moving vehicle or to its So, while he was walking, Sergio did not
load can in fact put you at risk. Which is what notice that he was too close to a forklift
happened to Sergio, an operator at Tenaris. truck that was being driven by a colleague:
he found himself in the vehicle’s work
In the steel industry, moving vehicles are one radius. The forklift driver was completing
of the main risk. Because of this, when walk- a manoeuvre and rightly concentrating
ing inside a Tenaris facility, it is essential that on his work. He didn’t see Sergio and knocked
you pay attention to moving vehicles and that him to the ground.
you keep eye contact with the driver, to make
sure that he has seen you. If you don’t keep a Due to his lack of attention, Sergio suffered
safe distance from a moving vehicle, you put several injuries to his legs and a fractured
yourself at very serious risk. Let us see how wrist, but the accident could have been much
the incident involving Sergio occurred and worse.
what could have been done to prevent it.
When walking around a Tenaris facility, pay
Sergio is 34 years old and has been working in attention to moving vehicles and maintain eye
the steel shop of a Tenaris facility for 5 years. contact with the driver.
He has no accidents to his record.
Maintain a safe distance from moving vehicles.
One day he was walking in the facility, going Accidents involving pedestrians and moving
to his workstation. This wasn’t a typical day vehicles are a typical source of risk in the steel
for Sergio; he had several things to do and industry.
was thinking about many things. Because
of this, he was walking without paying much Always pay attention to moving vehicles and
attention to what was going on around him. make sure that there is adequate visibility
between you and the vehicle driver.
By behaving in this way, Sergio made a serious
mistake: when walking inside a Tenaris facil-
ity, always pay the utmost attention to your
surroundings. Pay special attention to moving
vehicles and their loads.

23
11
suspended
risks
Walking or standing under a suspended load implies serious risk. When
working at Tenaris sites, it is important to always pay attention to
suspended loads and keep a safe distance from them. Furthermore,
when using a crane, make sure you use it correctly: always keep your
eye on the load. Check how Andrea could have prevented an incident.

24
Never stand under or near a suspended load. When operating cranes, keep
your eye on the load. Overhead cranes are another significant risk at Tenaris sites
and represent one of the highest risks at our facilities. It is forbidden to stand under
or near a suspended load.Make eye contact with the crane operator and wait until
any movement has been completed before approaching. If you are authorized to use
a crane, be sure you operate it correctly and keep your eye on the load. A lot of incidents/
accidents happen as a consequence of not paying enough attention to load movement.
Never underestimate the risk associated with suspended loads.

In the steel industry, most materials are while he was still turning to move away from
handled with overhead cranes. That is why, the bench. Without keeping the eye on the
when working at Tenaris, it is important to load to check it, he didn’t notice that he had
always pay attention and keep a safe distance made a mistake.
from suspended loads.
When the pipe started to lift up, the sling
Andrea, a Tenaris operator, didn’t respect this - mistakenly hooked onto the bench - was
rule and put himself at serious risk. pulled taut, causing the crane hoist to drop
to the ground. Andrea, who had not gone far
Andrea is 50-years-old and has been working enough away from the load and was therefore
at Tenaris for 28 years, with no accidents on still within the crane’s range of action, was hit
his record. by the hoist.

One day he was performing a common opera- Due to his lack of attention, Andrea suffered a
tion, removing some pipes from the bench fractured leg, but the accident could have been
of the grinder with a crane. It was an opera- much worse.
tion that Andrea had done many times before
so he was paying less attention to it than he When working at Tenaris, it is important to
normally would have done. always pay the utmost attention to suspended
loads: keep an eye on them and never stand
By doing this, the operator made a serious under them.
mistake: when carrying out any operation,
from the simplest to the most complex, it is Never walk or stand under suspended loads.
important to pay the utmost attention and When moving a load with a crane, always keep
to scrupulously apply the work instructions, an eye on it.
especially when operating a crane.
Overhead cranes are another significant risk at
Andrea began to work on rigging and mov- Tenaris sites and represent one of the highest
ing a pipe. However, because he wasn’t paying risks at our facilities. It is forbidden to stand
enough attention, the operator didn’t notice under or near a suspended load. Make eye
that, together with the pipe, he had also contact with the crane operator and wait until
rigged a part of the bench where the pipe was. any movement has been completed before ap-
Andrea immediately started to lift the load proaching.

25
12
Reporting leads
to prevention
To ensure a safe workplace, all accidents, incidents and unsafe
conditions/behavior should be promptly reported. Reporting means
effective corrective actions can be implemented. With this new
episode, TenarisToday finishes the cycle of 12 stories related to the
“12 Basic Safety Rules” launched in 2012. Re-read all 12 stories here.

26
Report all accidents, incidents, near misses and unsafe behavior/conditions.
The reason for reporting all accidents and incidents is to analyze them and determine
the corrective actions required to prevent a similar event happening to someone else.
The reporting of unsafe behavior/conditions is also very important because it allows actions
to be taken in order to prevent a serious event from happening. Everyone is responsible for
reporting all accidents, incidents, near misses and unsafe behavior/conditions.

Davide is 27-years-old and has been working Davide began working, and, because the safety
as a finishing operator in Tenaris for 5 years. barrier was missing, the operator leaned too
He has no accidents on his record. far toward the machine, lost his balance and
fell forward. Only by luck did the incident not
One day, Davide was removing the shavings have serious consequences. Davide escaped
from the machine he was working on, with the with a huge fright but he could have suffered
hook. The safety barrier was missing, because serious injuries.
it had been destroyed in an incident a few days
earlier, and had not been replaced because the The reporting of accidents and incidents al-
event had not been reported and therefore no lows for the analysis of exactly what happened
corrective actions had been taken. In addition, and the implementation of the proper cor-
nobody had then reported the observation rective actions to prevent similar events from
that the safety barrier was missing. re-occurring.

In this way, a serious mistake was repeatedly


committed: it is everyone’s responsibility to
report accidents, incidents and unsafe condi-
tions/behavior. This is the only way that effec-
tive corrective actions can be taken to prevent
similar accidents from occurring and eliminate
hazardous situations.

27
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