Safe STARRT

To improve the HSE management system at construction sites, our Company has introduced the STARRT procedure.

The STARRT procedure consists of instructions for performing a work task in complete safety.

STARRT is a tool that assists employees in conducting an effective job safety analysis, helping to identify hazards and determine safe work practices.

Pre-job briefing according to the STARRT procedure is a workplace meeting involving all workers who will participate in a specific task. Effective briefing ensures full understanding and compliance by workers with all safety measures and precautions, as well as high productivity. Open discussion and encouraging active participation from workers ensure full awareness and understanding of the upcoming work.

Key stages of the briefing:

• Task setting by the immediate supervisor;
• Team risk assessment by the work executors;
• Verification of the STARRT form completion.

The STARRT briefing is conducted for all types of work, regardless of whether a work permit for high-risk activities is required.

The STARRT briefing is conducted by the immediate supervisor from the engineering and technical staff (foreman, site supervisor, shift supervisor, site manager, manager, engineer, etc.).

The STARRT briefing is conducted through a dialogue with workers. Before starting work, the immediate supervisor discusses the scope of tasks and safety requirements related to the planned work with the employees. Special attention is paid to the involvement of workers who have recently started work and have little experience.

The goal of the STARRT briefing is to involve every employee in a "question-and-answer" format regarding safety aspects of the planned work.

By asking questions, the immediate supervisor from the engineering and technical staff (foreman, site supervisor, shift supervisor, site manager, manager, engineer, etc.), together with the crew, determines the resources needed for the work, discusses the work sequence, identifies hazards associated with the work, and adopts measures for their mitigation and control. The crew collectively identifies causes for unplanned work stoppages and actions in case of emergencies.

The discussion of risk factors identified during the task analysis (STARRT) is conducted in the recommended order provided below, formatted as a memo:

• Greet the subordinate personnel. Ask about their well-being and readiness for work;
• Discuss the work location, the type of work to be performed, and the tasks to be completed (set objectives);
• Discuss the resources required for the work (tools, equipment, materials, fixtures, machinery, etc.). Check the availability and condition of the necessary resources;
• Discuss the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) for the work, check its availability and condition;
• Discuss hazard sources when performing work tasks. Answer the question: "What hazard sources and risks exist during this work or may arise during the process?"
• Discuss possible consequences. Answer the question: "What could be the consequences of exposure to hazard sources for people and the environment?"
• Discuss measures (actions) needed to reduce the negative impact of risk factors. Answer the question: "What needs to be done to protect against hazard sources?"
• Discuss response measures in case of an emergency. Answer the question: "What should be done if the situation gets out of control? What needs to be done in case of an emergency? How is the notification carried out? Where is the assembly point? Where is the first aid kit? Where are the primary fire extinguishing tools?"
• Discuss "key safety rules" at the site, and the Contractor/Subcontractor's "golden rules". Answer the question: "What is prohibited at the construction site?"
• Discuss pre-work activities, check certificates/permits. Discuss other necessary issues.
• Decide on the possibility of starting work. Answer the question: "Can the work begin?"

Upon completion of the STARRT briefing, the immediate supervisor who conducted the briefing verifies the knowledge of the instructed workers through an oral quiz.

Based on the briefing results, the necessary information is entered into the "STARRT card". The STARRT briefing is recorded on a special form, filled out exclusively by the immediate supervisor from the engineering and technical staff (foreman, site supervisor, shift supervisor, site manager, manager, engineer, etc.). Briefing participants only provide their signature, which confirms the absence of questions and comments.

The STARRT card must be constantly available at the work site.

The STARRT procedure has become the norm at all our Company's sites during the planning and execution of construction and installation works. This tool has changed workers' attitudes toward safety issues, making them more open and effective in finding safe work methods and solving problems.