Contractor Pre-Task Safety Engagement

“Welcome to this Contractor Pre Task Safety Engagement Session. Today’s discussion is about more than compliance — it is about ensuring that every contractor, supervisor, and employee returns home safely every single day. <break time='500ms'/> Across our Snacks, Dairies, and S-W-A-N factories, safety remains a shared responsibility and a non negotiable expectation. This session will align us on the standards required before any work begins. And that sets the foundation for everything that follows.”.

[Audio] “Let’s begin with an overview of today’s session. We will walk through the critical safety expectations that apply to all contractor activities — from permits and risk assessments to emergency response and behavioural safety. The goal is to ensure every contractor clearly understands both the hazards and the controls required before stepping into any work environment. Because informed workers make safer decisions.”.

[Audio] “Now let’s hear the core message from management. At U-A-C Foods, safety is treated as a value — not just a priority that changes with business demands. Every contractor is empowered to stop unsafe work, regardless of schedule pressures or operational urgency. That commitment from leadership is intentional, because no task is ever more important than protecting lives.”.

[Audio] “This slide highlights the principles that define our H-S-E culture. Zero harm, visible leadership, and shared responsibility are expectations for everyone on site. Just as important are the zero tolerance behaviours listed here. Actions such as bypassing safety systems, working without permits, or reporting to work under the influence will result in immediate removal from site. And that clarity helps protect every person working around us.”.

[Audio] “So what are the key objectives of this engagement session? First, to ensure contractors understand our H-S-E expectations and legal obligations before work begins. Secondly, to reinforce the importance of permits, risk assessments, emergency readiness, and competent supervision across all activities. Compliance is not optional — it is both a legal and operational requirement. And that’s what enables safe execution across our sites.”.

[Audio] “Let’s now focus on the life saving rules. These are the critical controls designed to prevent serious injuries and fatalities during high risk work. Whether it is lockout tagout, confined space entry, work at height, or excavation activities, these rules are non negotiable. Violating them places lives at risk and will attract immediate action. Because the safest job is the one done correctly the first time.”.

[Audio] “Now let’s look at the site H-S-E rules that apply to every contractor and visitor across our operations. These requirements are designed to maintain safe, controlled, and compliant working environments always. From P-P-E usage and permit control to housekeeping, site movement, and environmental protection, every rule plays a role in preventing incidents and operational disruptions. Consistent compliance with these expectations is what allows work to be carried out safely and professionally every day.”.

[Audio] “This message is one of the most important in the entire session. Every person on site has both the right and the responsibility to stop unsafe work. If conditions change, hazards emerge, or controls fail, work must stop immediately until it is safe to continue. There will be no retaliation for exercising stop work authority in good faith. And that empowerment strengthens our overall safety culture.”.

[Audio] “Now let’s look at the major high risk task categories managed within our operations. These activities carry elevated potential for serious incidents if not properly controlled. From electrical work and confined space entry to demolition and chemical handling, each category requires specific permits, competencies, and safety controls. Recognizing the level of risk is the first step toward managing it effectively.”.

[Audio] “Work at height remains one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities globally. That is why strict controls are required for any activity above 1.8 metres. Harness use, scaffold inspections, exclusion zones, and rescue planning are all mandatory before work begins. Importantly, rescue capability must already be in place before anyone leaves the ground. Because prevention alone is not enough without emergency preparedness.”.

[Audio] “Electrical work introduces hazards that can become fatal within seconds if controls fail. This is why lockout tagout, energy isolation, and verification of zero energy are mandatory for all electrical activities. Only authorized and competent personnel are permitted to perform these tasks. Every conductor must be treated as live until proven otherwise. And that disciplined approach is what prevents catastrophic incidents.”.

[Audio] “Hot work activities such as welding and grinding create significant fire and explosion risks, especially in manufacturing environments. Effective controls include hot work permits, fire watches, gas testing, and removal of combustible materials before ignition begins. The goal is to eliminate opportunities for sparks to escalate into major incidents. Because one uncontrolled ignition source can impact an entire facility.”.

[Audio] “Confined space entry is one of the highest risk activities covered within this programme. Oxygen deficiency, toxic gases, and restricted escape routes can quickly become fatal. Continuous gas monitoring, standby attendants, rescue readiness, and valid permits are mandatory before entry. Most importantly, unplanned rescue attempts often create additional casualties. And that is why strict compliance is essential at every stage.”.

[Audio] “Excavation work presents hazards that are often underestimated. Ground collapse, underground utilities, and water ingress can all create life threatening conditions within moments. Proper shoring, barricading, inspections, and service detection must be completed before anyone enters an excavation. No trench deeper than 1.2 metres should ever be entered without adequate support. Because stable ground can become unstable without warning.”.

[Audio] “This section addresses demolition and chemical handling activities. Demolition work requires engineered planning, utility isolation, exclusion zones, and structural assessment before work begins. Chemical handling activities demand proper labelling, secondary containment, P-P-E--, and emergency response readiness. In a food manufacturing environment, chemical control is especially critical to prevent both safety incidents and product contamination. And that dual responsibility cannot be compromised.”.

[Audio] “Now let’s walk through the Permit to Work process. Every high risk activity must follow a structured workflow — from work request and risk assessment through approval, execution, monitoring, and closeout. This process ensures hazards are identified and controlled before work starts. It also creates accountability across contractors, supervisors, area owners, and H-S-E teams. Because safe work does not happen by assumption — it happens through control.”.

[Audio] “Emergency preparedness is critical because response time often determines outcome severity. Whether dealing with fire, electric shock, chemical exposure, or a fall from height, every worker must understand the immediate actions required. Knowing alarms, emergency contacts, assembly points, and first response procedures can save lives during critical moments. Preparation before an incident is what drives effective response during an incident.”.

[Audio] “Contractor safety performance is measured not only by productivity, but also by compliance with H-S-E expectations. Contractors are expected to demonstrate competency, maintain permits, participate in toolbox talks, and report incidents immediately. Repeated violations will lead to suspension or removal from site, especially where life saving rules are breached. Because strong contractor management protects both people and operations.”.

[Audio] “Every incident and near miss provides valuable information that can prevent future harm. Immediate reporting allows hazards to be investigated, lessons to be learned, and corrective actions to be implemented quickly. Near misses are especially important because they reveal weaknesses before someone gets injured. Creating a strong reporting culture is not about blame — it is about prevention. And prevention is always the better outcome.”.

[Audio] “Working safely in a food manufacturing environment also means protecting product integrity and the environment around us. Controls around hygiene, contamination prevention, chemical management, and waste segregation are essential to maintaining both operational safety and food quality standards. Every contractor activity must consider its impact beyond the immediate task. Because safety and quality are closely connected.”.

[Audio] “Let’s now reflect on these real life case studies. Each incident shown here resulted from failures to follow established safety controls — whether related to work at height, confined space entry, or hot work activities. These events demonstrate how quickly routine tasks can escalate into life changing incidents when procedures are ignored. The lessons are clear: rules exist because people have already been injured or lost their lives without them.”.

[Audio] “Safety culture is shaped by everyday behaviours and decisions. Speaking up, intervening positively, managing fatigue, and communicating clearly all contribute to safer operations. Leadership is not limited to job titles — every worker influences the safety environment around them. The strongest safety cultures are built when people consistently choose to do the right thing, even when nobody is watching.”.

[Audio] “This final commitment slide represents personal accountability. By signing this document, contractors confirm their understanding of the site H-S-E requirements and their commitment to comply fully with them. It also reinforces the expectation to stop unsafe work, report hazards immediately, and accept responsibility for safe execution. Because safety commitments only become meaningful when they are demonstrated through actions.”.

[Audio] “As we conclude this engagement session, remember that safety is a shared responsibility across every site, every task, and every individual involved. The goal is simple: every person goes home safe, every single day. Thank you for your commitment, professionalism, and partnership in maintaining safe operations across U-A-C Foods facilities. And together, we build a stronger and safer workplace.”.