Diary of a Rookie Project ManAGER 40
PETER Honest Dateme, PMP, FNIA, CFPM
Vice President + Healthcare Architect + Project Manager + Salutogenesis Advocate + Trauma Healing Facilitator + Speaker + Author and Life Coach at Divine Dimensions Consult
#40
Monday, November XXI-XXII
Dear Diary,
I have decided to take a break from certain social media platforms that I find unproductive due to the toxic nature of Nigeria's political environment. It seems like party members are engaging in constant social media brawls, and I prefer to distance myself from such negativity.
At work, I'm currently dealing with a unique situation. Our project involves multiple organizations, and each has its own set of lessons learned, practices, and artifacts. This fusion of organizations has made it challenging to ensure consistent value delivery and stakeholder management.
In particular, Schedule and Scope Consulting, where I work, has developed strategies to cater to the needs of all stakeholders, seeking favorable buy-in. However, this approach comes with its own challenges and trade-offs.
Today, while visiting the project site, I noticed a man climbing up the wooden gangway without wearing his hard hat, which raised concerns about safety protocols being breached. The hard hats on-site are color-coded based on the organizations involved, but this man didn't belong to any identifiable group, making him an "unidentified moving object" (UMO) of sorts.
As the project manager, I take the responsibility of safety seriously. I couldn't bear the thought of any accidents happening, especially if someone was under the influence of burukutu, a local brew with high intoxication potential. In the unfortunate event of a fatal accident, the family might remember him as their "illustrious son" and "breadwinner," as it's common not to speak ill of the dead in Africa.
Interestingly, I observed that safety policies and procedures that are assets for Schedule and Scope Consulting might not be as effective and become liabilities for other laggard organizations involved in the project. This realization further underscores the need to address the discrepancies in our next site meeting.
The Trauma Center Construction project site safety policies are crucial for ensuring the well-being and protection of all workers, visitors, and the general public on construction sites; whether Germans, Beroms, Angas or “Bature”. Accidents don’t know tribe or gender. These policies are designed to prevent accidents, injuries, and fatalities by establishing clear guidelines and procedures for safe work practices. I went through the e-document again and these are some of the project site safety policies:
1.??????General Safety Guidelines:
-?????????Communicate the commitment to maintaining a safe working environment.
-?????????Define the responsibilities of various parties, including the project owner, contractor, subcontractors, and workers.
-?????????Specify the importance of adhering to all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards.
2.??????Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment:
-?????????Require regular hazard assessments and risk evaluations for each work area.
-?????????Establish protocols for identifying and addressing potential hazards, such as electrical, chemical, mechanical, and environmental risks.
3.??????Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
-?????????Mandate the use of appropriate PPE, such as hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, and respiratory equipment.
-?????????Specify the circumstances under which specific PPE must be worn.
4.??????Emergency Response and Evacuation:
-?????????Outline procedures for responding to emergencies, including fires, medical incidents, and natural disasters.
-?????????Provide information on evacuation routes, assembly points, and the roles of designated personnel.
5.??????Workplace Health and Hygiene:
-?????????Promote proper hygiene practices, such as handwashing and sanitation, to prevent the spread of illnesses.
-?????????Address the handling and disposal of hazardous materials, waste, and chemicals.
6.??????Heavy Equipment and Machinery Safety:
-?????????Define guidelines for the safe operation and maintenance of construction machinery and equipment.
-?????????Require training and certification for equipment operators.
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7.??????Fall Protection:
-?????????Specify requirements for fall protection systems, guardrails, safety harnesses, and scaffolding.
-?????????Address elevated work surfaces and potential fall hazards.
8.??????Electrical Safety:
-?????????Outline safe work practices when dealing with electrical installations, wiring, and equipment.
-?????????Provide guidelines for working near power lines and utilities.
9.??????Confined Space Entry:
-?????????Establish protocols for working in confined spaces, including proper ventilation, communication, and rescue procedures.
10.??Training and Education:
-?????????Require comprehensive safety training for all workers and contractors before starting work on the site.
-?????????Specify ongoing training requirements and refresher courses.
11.??Communication and Reporting:
-?????????Define procedures for reporting incidents, near misses, and safety concerns.
-?????????Encourage open communication among workers and management regarding safety issues.
12.??Visitor Safety:
-?????????Address safety measures for visitors, including contractors, suppliers, and inspectors.
-?????????Provide guidelines for visitor orientation and supervision.
-????????
13.??Alcohol and Drug Policies:
-?????????Prohibit alcohol and drug use on the construction site and outline consequences for violations.
14.??Environmental Protection:
-?????????Address practices to minimize the impact of construction activities on the environment, such as erosion control and proper waste disposal.
15.??Enforcement and Accountability:
-?????????Establish consequences for non-compliance with safety policies.
-?????????Designate responsible individuals for enforcing safety rules and conducting regular inspections.
On the Review bar, I noticed that we haven’t made a review since the project started but lots of thoughts got to my feeble mind on what other issues we have on the issue log that could demand a review on the safety policies, I also thought maybe some cross-cultural communication is needed as these labors on site may not be fluent in English but would understand Hausa during safety drills and toolbox meetings.
For now, I'll focus on updating my documents and preparing to raise these safety concerns during the upcoming meeting. Safety is paramount, and I want to ensure the well-being of everyone involved.
Good night, Diary.