What is Stop Work Authority?
Executing your Stop Work Authority to right safety wrongs and catch potential unsafe action before it actually happens is not only responsible, it's also effective.
It is the expectation and a requirement of Company that:
- All employees and its contractors have the authority and obligation to stop any task or operation where concerns or questions regarding the control of HSE risk exist,
- No work will resume until all Stop Work Authority concerns have been adequately addressed,
- Supervisors respond in a positive way to let employees know that it is OK to stop work,
- Any form of retribution or intimidation directed at any individual or company for exercising their authority as outlined in this program will not be tolerated.
Stop Work Authority Protocol
Stop Work Authority establishes the responsibility and authority of any individual to stop work when an unsafe condition or act could result in an undesired event. Guidelines for executing a Stop Work Authority intervention must be communicated to facilitate where SStop Work Authority is freely exercised.
When should it be used?
Many employees believe that Stop Work Authority is only to be used when there is imminent danger to a person or persons; however, we believes there are other situations where the use of stop work authority is appropriate. Examples of situations when individuals should use their Stop
Work Authority include, but are not limited to:
- Employees do not know or understand their tasks or responsibilities
- A new hazard is identified that was not expected or anticipated
- Level of risk associated with hazard is not known or understood
- A hazard is not appropriately controlled
- A change in conditions is noticed
- An employee does not feel safe with task conditions