SSE SSHO Orientation V4 No text

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[Audio] Here’s a quick overview of what we’ll cover. We’ll start with the basics of dredging safety, talk about hazards in dredging and the safety systems in place to mitigate those hazards. Safety culture is also an important topic to discuss. And we’ll wrap up with a look at how you can grow in your position..

[Audio] Core Hazards in Dredging!. Intro to Dredging Safety.

[Audio] What is dredging? “Dredging involves removing material from a water body and is typically classified into two main types: mechanical and hydraulic. Mechanical dredging employs buckets or clamshells to physically lift and remove sediment, whereas hydraulic dredging uses pumps to mix the material with water, forming a slurry that is transported through pipelines.” All of Mike Hooks Dredges are hydraulic dredges. The dredge can vacuum a channel so vessels are able to use the navigable water ways. Some material that is vacuumed out will be stored in disposal areas where the material can be later used for other purposes. On some projects, the material can be used to build up marsh elevations. There are a number of ways we help the environment!.

[Audio] Core Hazards in Dredging!. Core Hazards in Dredging.

[Audio] Accidents in this high risk marine and construction environment can have devastating consequences, including project shutdowns , injuries, pollution, and even fatalities. In terms of real world consequences, dredging can have significant impacts on wildlife and the public. Near misses and incidents can occur if proper safety measures are not taken. As a site safety and health officer, it's your responsibility work with other departments to ensure that these hazards are mitigated through proper planning, implementation, and monitoring. This highlights the significance of prioritizing safety in our daily work practices. As S S H Os , we have a critical role in guaranteeing that everyone adheres to safe protocols and procedures. Employees assume the responsibility for fostering a culture of safety, where every individual feels encouraged to report any concerns or hazards, they encounter. By doing so, we can reduce the likelihood of accidents and ensure a safer working environment for our employees and the public..

[Audio] Weather, tides, and currents are also a major safety factors in dredging because they directly affect vessel control, crane operations, and other tasks. Even experienced crews can get caught off guard if conditions change quickly. Storms, lightning, high winds, and fog can shut down operations fast. Keep a close eye on forecasts and know when to stop work. Tides raise and lower water levels, which can affect access to water ways, anchoring, and pipelines. Always monitor changes. Strong currents can shift floating lines, move equipment unexpectedly, channel beacons can be knocked down by floating equipment. Always plan your day around conditions, not just the task. Communicate with your team, use checklists, and don’t be afraid to stop work if conditions get unsafe. Preventing weather related incidents is key. As a preventive measure, weather logs are printed every morning. The weather is discussed in the morning J-S-A to plan tasks. During hurricane season, the hurricane plan is updated to include dredge evacuation locations, fleeting area location and discussions of the hurricane plan are discussed company wide..

[Audio] Roles and Responsibilities. Roles and resposibilities.

[Audio] As a site safety and health officer, it's crucial to understand the importance of proper chemical handling, from degreasers to everyday cleaning products. Proper chemical handling requires having access to the necessary information contained within the Safety Data Sheets (S D S), which must be read and comprehended before using any hazardous materials. S-D-S binders are updated by the S-S-H-O with the help of employees when arrival of a new chemical product arrives on site. The S-D-S binders are on the dredges in locations where they are readily available to employees. The precautions of the chemicals to be used for tasks can be discussed in toolbox meetings, J-S-A's and even safety meetings..

[Audio] All heavy equipment have a daily checklist that is completed by the operator or competent person. It’s a good practice for the S-S-H-O to look over the checklist. This will give you information of the deficiencies of the equipment. The operator, S-S-H-O and Captain can discuss the findings and will be able to correct to prevent equipment damage or injuries. A DTL or Deficiency Tracking Log is a log of deficiencies that are found around the work site. Employees often report deficiencies that need to be added to this list. This is a good way to keep track of the open items and be able to correct in a timely manner. S S H Os and department supervisors should look over the list often and make plans to correct the open itmes..

[Audio] Before performing any maintenance on electrical and hydraulic systems, it's essential for employees to use lockout/tagout to ensure one's safety. This involves isolating the system from its energy source, such as electricity or compressed air, to prevent accidental start ups or releases of pressure. The Lock out tagout procedures for all pieces of equipment are in the safety office. Familiarize your self with these procedures to be able to discuss with employees when planning repairs of equipment. Get with your Chief engineer for questions on loto procedures..

[Audio] S-S-H-O personnel must familiarize themselves with the Activity Hazard Analyses (AHAs). These documents provide site specific safety guidance tailored to the tasks, equipment, and conditions present. Understanding the ahas ensures awareness of the unique hazards and controls associated with each job. By reviewing these analyses, you’ll be better prepared to identify risks, contribute meaningfully to toolbox talks, and take proactive steps—such as stopping work—when a task begins to deviate from the established safety plan..

[Audio] Before each shift, it is essential to conduct a Job Safety Analysis (J-S-A--), commonly referred to as a toolbox talk. This process helps identify potential hazards and establish appropriate controls to ensure a safer working environment. During the J-S-A--, the S-S-H-O should lead the discussion by asking the Captain or crew members about the tasks planned for the shift. This promotes open communication, keeps everyone informed, and ensures the correct personal protective equipment (P-P-E--) is identified and used for each task. Encouraging participation during the meeting is critical—crewmembers should be urged to ask questions and voice any concerns. Active involvement fosters greater awareness and helps prevent incidents, reinforcing a strong safety culture on site..

[Audio] As we continue this orientation toward becoming effective Site Safety and Health Officers, it’s important to demonstrate consistency in both our actions and decisions. Being consistent means others can rely on us to uphold safety standards and lead by example. This reliability builds trust with our team and fosters an environment where individuals feel empowered to speak up when they notice something unsafe. Consistency also reinforces a strong safety culture—when we model safe behavior, others are more likely to follow suit. Equally important is having a solid understanding of the regulations and the reasoning behind them. Knowing why a rule exists strengthens our commitment to enforcing it and helps us communicate its value to others. When we combine consistency with knowledge, we build a foundation for leadership. We position ourselves to take on greater responsibilities—not just as safety officers, but as mentors, trainers, and role models who inspire others to prioritize safety in everything they do..

[Audio] Safety systems and Programs !. Safety systems and Programs.

[Audio] As a Site Safety and Health Officer, it’s essential to ensure that personal protective equipment (P-P-E--) is worn correctly and consistently by all personnel. Basic PPE—including hard hats, safety boots, safety glasses, and high visibility shirts—should be worn at all times on site. In addition, task specific P-P-E such as respirators, harnesses, face shields, and chemical resistant gear must be used when job conditions require them. The pre shift Job Safety Analysis (J-S-A--) is the perfect opportunity to remind crew members to gather and wear the appropriate P-P-E for their assigned tasks. Even basic P-P-E can significantly reduce the risk of injury, reinforcing the importance of preparation and compliance at the start of every shift..

[Audio] To continue with tasks specific PPE; harnesses, respirators, and others must be inspected before use by the user. The Site Safety and Health Officer (S-S-H-O-) is responsible for ensuring that all equipment inspections are performed according to established schedules and regulatory guidelines. Inspection intervals vary depending on the type of equipment and its usage, and may occur on a daily, monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. The S-S-H-O oversees these inspections to verify equipment integrity, identify potential hazards, and maintain compliance with safety standards. All identified deficiencies are recorded in the Deficiency Tracking Log (D-T-L--) for documentation and follow up. When deficiencies can be corrected by the crew, they should be promptly reported to the captain to initiate corrective action. For deficiencies that require ordering parts or will take extended time to resolve, it is the responsibility of the S-S-H-O to ensure that affected crew members are informed—particularly if the deficiency may impact their safety or job performance. Clear communication and timely reporting are essential to maintaining a safe and compliant work environment..

[Audio] When immediate reporting of near misses, property damages, or injuries, our goal is not to assign blame, but rather to learn from what happened and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. This means that investigations are led by the safety team, with input and statements from the crew, to identify the root causes of the issue and implement effective solutions. Mike Hooks safety Director will be your first point of contact when reporting incidents. Additional contacts to report incidents differ in different projects. Your Safety trainer will give you a list of contacts for the project..

[Audio] SSHOs conduct regular audits and observations. Actively observing work as it is being performed—such as shifting anchors, crane operations to load supplies, or cleaning the cutter—is essential for identifying both unsafe conditions and positive safety practices. Being present in the field allows the S-S-H-O to assess real time risks, reinforce safe behaviors, and intervene when necessary to prevent incidents. Regular engagement with field activities also strengthens communication with the crew and promotes a proactive safety culture. By conducting these site visits, we can identify areas where we need to take corrective action and recognize and celebrate safe behaviors. This collaborative approach between safety personnel and crew leaders helps to foster a culture of continuous improvement, where everyone is working together towards a safer workplace..

[Audio] In the next slides, we will look at your responsibilities as an S-S-H-O-. Knowing the landing location and updating the landing locations is important to be able to inform emergency responders of where you plan to meet them in the case of an emergency. U-S Coast guard will need to be notified of marine emergencies like Collisions, Allisions or emergency spills of chemicals into the water ways. When working around underwater utility lines like gas lines, phone lines, oil lines emergency contacts will be given to stay in contact with the utility owner when crossing these lines..

[Audio] S-S-H-O and Captains should hold monthly emergency drills the first week of the month, at start up of a new project, or before dredging over utility lines. Before the drills, a meeting is held to remind employees of the emergency plan for the dredge plant. This will cover the whistles and employee duties during an emergency. The Monthly Drills form is used to document the performance of the crews during an emergency. Results of the drills are shared with the crew in safety meetings. Safety meetings are a good time to discuss issues that the crew may have encountered during the drills..

[Audio] Its a lot to take in. Continuous training will be given to you to be able to help you grow in this field. It is always a good idea to note questions that you may have during your training and during your actual shift to discuss with your trainer. This will help you be ready when an emergency arises..

[Audio] In this section we will look at how Mike Hooks safety can help your growth in the safety field. The more you grow in this field, so will the safety culture around you..

[Audio] “Don’t just go through the motions. Ask yourself: ‘What could go wrong here? As a new S-S-H-O-, feel free and stop work and ask the crew how they are planning to complete tasks they are going to be performing. This will give you a better understanding on how to explain to new hires of their safe job procedures. Attending meetings will help you stay in the loop of what events are happening around the company so you can pass it on to the crew in safety meetings. This will also help you grow in your position..

[Audio] SSHOs are responsible for the Safety orientation section of the New Hire Orientation. Make yourself familiar with the policies and procedures. ahas are a good way to look at the tasks, the hazards, and precautions to take. Once you become familiar with these you will be able to remind employees to grab safety equipment like wip checks for air hoses or additional P-P-E for a task like tyvec suits in the J-S-A's while the task is being discussed. “People will watch what you do, more than what you say. If you follow the policies, stay alert, and treat others with respect, the crew will do the same. Be the person the crew can come to with questions—they’re looking for guidance.”.

[Audio] “A true safety first culture means we don’t cut corners just to save time. It’s about making safety the norm. That means speaking up, slowing down when needed, and always making safe choices—even when no one’s watching.”.

[Audio] “Safety isn’t just a job—it can be a career. You’ll learn every day on the job, which provides valuable insights into real world scenarios, allowing you to develop a deeper understanding of safety protocols and procedures. Getting trained in Safety related programs opens doors. The more you know, the more valuable you are.” Remaining curious and continuing to learn throughout your career allows you to adapt to changing circumstances and stay ahead of emerging risks. Mike Hooks Offers classes that will help you achieve your personal goals and that of our company..

[Audio] Lets wrap this up !. Section 6 Wrap up & Expectations.

[Audio] Here’s the bottom line— Hazards come in many forms—from obvious physical dangers like machinery to less visible threats like workplace heat, cold stress or chemical exposure. Identifying these hazards before they cause harm is crucial. This can be done through regular workplace inspections, analyzing job tasks for potential risks, and learning from past incidents. Remember, a hazard that isn't identified can't be controlled.”.

[Audio] Don’t hold back—if you have concerns, ideas, or questions, speak up. Safety works best when we talk to each other. Discuss issues with the captain, Safety Director, or other S-S-H-O's on other dredges. We are all here to help..

[Audio] As a site safety and health officer, it's essential to recognize that safety is not just a single responsibility but rather a shared duty among all team members. We're all part of this journey together, working towards a common goal ensuring a safe and healthy work environment. By understanding our roles and responsibilities, we can effectively mitigate risks and prevent accidents from occurring. Let's focus on building a culture where everyone feels empowered to speak up and take ownership of their own safety. “By being here, you’re committing to the expectations we’ve talked about. This isn’t just about rules—it’s about responsibility. You’re part of the team now, and that means watching out for each other and leading by example.”.

[Audio] If there are any other questions you may have on your role as an S-S-H-O please feel free to ask. Remember, your commitment to safety is essential in preventing accidents and ensuring a safe working environment...