Safety Practices During Scheduled Preventive Maintenance

Scheduled preventive maintenance (SPM) is a stress test for the occupational safety system of any enterprise. A sharp influx of contractors, a multiple increase in the number of work permits for high-risk work, and tight deadlines create an environment with a maximum concentration of risks. In this webinar, Alina Kvartalnova, Chief Specialist at Gazprom LNG Portovaya LLC, discusses a practical approach to managing the human factor and maintaining zero injuries during peak production loads.

Specific Risks During SPM

Using the example of a liquefied natural gas production complex, the speaker shows how the risk profile changes during maintenance. With a regular headcount of 600 people, about 400 contractor employees enter the site. The number of high-risk jobs increases more than threefold (from 155 to 518 work permits per month). An analysis of past incidents revealed that the key causes of injuries are not only direct violations but also poor planning and the indifference of others. To solve these problems, the enterprise implemented a two-stage personnel engagement system.

Preventive Preparation: "Safety Weeks"

Two weeks before the start of repair work, a cycle of practical training for regular staff and contractors is launched. The goal of this stage is not a formal briefing, but the formation of muscle memory and immersion in the specifics of upcoming tasks.

• Internal trainers: not only HSE specialists but also line managers, engineers, and workers are involved in the training. This increases trust in the material and develops horizontal connections.
• Practical training: at a specialized training ground, employees practice using portable breathing apparatuses, hose gas masks, and fall protection equipment.
• Risk visualization: the speaker demonstrates the effectiveness of using a "museum of broken tools" — a visual exhibition of makeshift or damaged equipment that explains the consequences of violations without extra words.

Field Control and Motivation: "Safety Assemblies"

With the start of SPM, the focus shifts to maintaining a safe environment in real time. The key tool becomes weekly mass gatherings — "Safety Assemblies," held every Tuesday.

The presentation details the format of such events. Up to 200 fully equipped people gather for the assembly. The presence of top management demonstrates leadership in safety matters. The agenda includes a review of violations for the week, a discussion of the upcoming work plan, and algorithms for actions in emergency situations. The most important element of the assembly is the public awarding of teams that worked the week without violations. This creates positive motivation and forms a culture where following the rules becomes prestigious.

Feedback Tools

Safety cards are used for the timely identification of hazardous conditions. For the tool to work, management guarantees public feedback: the resolution status of each problem is posted on information boards and announced at weekly assemblies. This proves to workers that their signals lead to real changes, rather than being used to punish colleagues.

What you will learn from this webinar:

• How to organize practical training before SPM using internal employees?
• How to visualize the consequences of violations using an exhibition of broken tools?
• What is the algorithm for holding weekly mass "safety assemblies" with the participation of management and contractors?
• How to build a transparent feedback system using safety cards to increase the level of trust in the team?
• How non-material motivation and public recognition help reduce the number of violations among contractors?