PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) POLICY
1.
Introduction
1.1.
This Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Policy (the “Policy”) of Onetech Group Limited, together with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies (collectively, the “Group”), sets out the Group’s requirements regarding the provision, use and management of personal protective equipment (“PPE”) in order to protect the health and safety of all persons performing work on behalf of the Group.
1.2.
This Policy applies to all employees of the Group (the “Employees”), as well as contractors, subcontractors, temporary personnel, visitors and any other persons who access Group premises or perform work for or on behalf of the Group, including work carried out on vessels, shipyards, ports, offshore locations and construction or maintenance sites.
2.
Legal Framework and Standards
2.1.
This Policy is adopted in accordance with applicable occupational health and safety legislation and standards, including but not limited to:
(a)
applicable occupational safety and health laws of the Republic of Cyprus;
(b)
Directive 89/656/EEC on the use of personal protective equipment at work, as implemented into national law;
(c)
applicable maritime safety regulations and industry standards, where relevant; and
(d)
recognised best practices for vessel, port and industrial operations.
3.
Definitions
3.1.
For the purposes of this Policy,
(a)
“Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)” means any equipment or protective clothing designed to be worn or held by a person to protect against one or more health and safety risks arising from work activities. PPE does not include ordinary work clothing or uniforms, sunscreen, caps or other items not specifically required by law or risk assessment.
(b)
“Contractors and Temporary Personnel” means any individuals engaged by the Group or its business partners to perform work as part of a project, assignment or service, whether directly or indirectly.
(c)
“Visitors” means any individuals who may be present on Group premises or worksites and who may be exposed to operational risks and who shall comply with minimum PPE requirements applicable to the area visited.
4.
Scope and Risk Assessment
4.1.
PPE shall be required wherever risks to health and safety cannot be adequately eliminated or controlled by other means.
4.2.
The selection of PPE shall be based on documented risk assessments, task-specific hazards and applicable legal requirements.
4.3.
Where PPE is required, it shall be considered a last line of defence and shall be used in conjunction with other control measures, where applicable.
5.
Categories of PPE
5.1.
Durable PPE includes, without limitation:
(a)
Safety helmets (hard hats);
(b)
Safety glasses and safety goggles;
(c)
Safety footwear;
(d)
Reusable respirators;
(e)
Leather gloves; and
(f)
Safety harnesses and fall-arrest equipment.
5.2.
Disposable PPE includes, without limitation:
(a)
Earplugs;
(b)
Disposable respirators;
(c)
Dust masks; and
(d)
Nitrile gloves.
6.
Responsibilities
6.1.
Quality Manager / Designated Safety Function
6.1.1.
The Quality Manager or other designated safety function is responsible for:
(a)
developing, implementing and maintaining the PPE programme in accordance with the Group’s approved PPE matrix;
(b)
specifying and approving PPE standards and technical requirements;
(c)
issuing PPE to contractors and temporary personnel where required; and
(d)
maintaining records of PPE issuance and compliance.
6.2.
Managers and Supervisors
6.2.1.
Managers and supervisors are responsible for:
(a)
ensuring compliance with this Policy within their areas of responsibility;
(b)
verifying that required PPE is used correctly and consistently;
(c)
ensuring that personnel receive appropriate PPE training prior to commencing work; and
(d)
verifying that contractors and temporary personnel are medically and physically fit for assigned tasks, where required.
6.3.
Employees, Contractors and Temporary Personnel
6.3.1.
All personnel are responsible for:
(a)
using PPE correctly and only for its intended purpose;
(b)
maintaining durable PPE in good condition;
(c)
reporting damaged or defective PPE immediately; and
(d)
returning durable PPE to the Group upon completion of work or assignment.
7.
Visitors
7.1.
Visitors involved in or exposed to operational activities must comply with minimum PPE requirements, which may include safety helmets, safety glasses and safety footwear, as applicable.
8.
Examples of PPE Use on Group Premises
8.1.
Typical tasks requiring PPE may include, without limitation:
(a)
plasterboard work, sanding and painting – safety glasses, gloves and respirators;
(b)
chlorine and salt tank refilling – nitrile gloves, safety glasses and respirators;
(c)
air-conditioning unit inspections – safety footwear and, where required, safety harnesses;
(d)
light maintenance works – PPE as instructed by the Quality Manager based on risk assessment.
9.
Non-Compliance
9.1.
Failure to comply with this Policy may result in disciplinary action for Employees, in accordance with the Group’s disciplinary procedures and applicable law.
9.2.
Contractors or visitors who fail to comply may be removed from Group premises or have their access suspended or terminated.
10.
Policy Hierarchy
10.1.
In the event of any inconsistency between this Policy and applicable law, vessel-specific procedures or other Group policies, the stricter standard shall apply, subject always to applicable law.
11.
Review and Contact
11.1.
This Policy shall be reviewed periodically by the Human Resources Department in consultation with the Legal Department and updated as necessary.
11.2.
If there are any questions regarding this Policy, the below departments should be contacted: