TRAFFIC POLICY Version Number: 4

Transcription

1 INTRODUCTION: This procedure related to general traffic rules, regulations and Rio Tinto HSE standards are issued as a control measure to ensure the safety of all those operating a motor vehicle on Iron Ore Company of Canada s Labrador City facilities. Everyone entering these facilities must be familiar and in compliance with Government regulations and in conformance with Company rules and procedures and Rio Tinto HSE standards as documented below. 1) OPERATION OF VEHICLES: Any vehicles, whether privately or company owned, rented or leased, must, when being driven within the boundaries of the Iron Ore Company of Canada s Labrador City facilities be operated in compliance Government regulations, and in conformance with Company rules and procedures, and Rio Tinto HSE standards..drivers are reminded that they are required to operate their vehicles in such a manner as dictated by road, weather and or visibility conditions. 1.1) DRIVING LICENCES, CERTIFICATES AND PERMITS: IOC employees and contractor employees must be trained, tested and proven competent to operate the type of vehicle and or mobile equipment being operated while on IOC property. This means that the operator of any vehicle or piece of mobile equipment must have a valid Provincial license and or IOC recognized certificate available for inspection at any time. Private (and contractors) motor vehicles must be insured and drivers are required to produce evidence of this insurance when asked. If an operator loses his or her Provincial driving license, they are required to inform the Emergency and Security Services department who in turn will notify the Human Resources department. A decision on the applicability of the individual s right to operate a motor vehicle on private property will be made by the human resources department. 1.2) PRE-USE INSPECTIONS Rio Tinto Safety Standards and IOC associated procedures demand that all vehicles and mobile equipment other than private vehicles that operate on IOC property receive a pre-use safety inspection on a shift by shift basis by the operator or by the department responsible for the vehicle or piece of mobile equipment. Company vehicles operated by only one operator will be required to conduct a pre-use inspection on a daily basis. Page 1 of 14

2 The operator receiving the violation will be required to conduct the pre-use inspection prior to putting the vehicle or piece of mobile equipment back into service. 1.3) SEATBELTS: Seatbelts or approved restraint devices are required to be properly used and applied by all occupants of all vehicles and at all times while on IOC property. Anyone found inside an operating vehicle or piece of mobile equipment on IOC property while not wearing a properly fitted and operational seat belt or an approved form of restraint will be issued a violation. Anyone operating a vehicle or piece of mobile equipment while transporting passengers, and whose passenger(s) is not wearing a properly fitted and operational seatbelt or an approved form of restraint will be issued a violation. 1.4) CELLULAR PHONES: Cellular phones are not permitted to be used on the IOC property while operating any vehicle or piece of mobile equipment. This also includes hands free cellular phone operation. Drivers are required to pull over in a safe manner and in a safe location, stop their vehicle and applying the signal light before answering their cellular phone. 1.5) SPEED LIMITS Speed limits are strictly enforced and controlled by radar. Failure to comply with posted limits in relation to the existing conditions will result in a level one violation. Posted speed limits are the maximum allowable speed for that particular area. Drivers must adjust their speed lower when conditions are less than ideal. The following are maximum speed limits for specific areas: 40 KM/H All main roads on site up to Butler s crossing on the Mine road. 50 KM/H Restricted areas (Tailings, ATO Road, and Mine Pits) 70 KM/H - Mine road only after Butler s crossing 20 KM/H- All Parking lots on site Page 2 of 14

3 1.6) IMPRUDENT DRIVING Anyone found to be operating a vehicle in an imprudent manner under the existing conditions and having no regard to actual and potential hazards can be issued a violation for imprudent driving. IOC adopts the definition for Imprudent Driving from the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Traffic Act. The provincial traffic act defines Imprudent Driving as follows; (1) a person shall not drive a vehicle on a highway or in another place (a) at a speed which is greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to actual and potential hazards existing on the highway or other place (b) without due care and attention (c) without reasonable consideration for other persons; or (d) Where that person suffers from a disease or physical or mental disability which might cause his or her driving of a vehicle to be a source of danger to other persons. An imprudent driving violation will result in the immediate suspension of driving privileges on IOC property. In the case where an officer finds the operation of a vehicle or piece of mobile equipment to be imprudent that officer will ensure the vehicle or piece of mobile equipment is immediately and safely parked. In the event the operator is an IOC employee he or she is to be transported to his or her place of work. The immediate superior of the employee is to be notified of the occurrence and must take appropriate action. A detailed report describing the reason for the violation must be forwarded by the officer in question to Human Resources department manager within 24 hours of the event. In the event the operator is a contractor employee, found to be operating a vehicle or piece of mobile equipment imprudently, the vehicle being operated must be immediately and safely parked. The contractor employee is to be transported to the main gate and required to leave the site. The contractor s superior must be informed of the situation. A detailed report describing the reason for the violation must be forwarded to the Superintendent of Contractor Management for follow-up within 24 hours of the event. Page 3 of 14

4 1.7) REFUELLING OF VEHICLES OR MOBILE EQUIPMENT Isolation standards are in place to protect operators from all forms of hazardous energy. Refuelling a vehicle or piece of mobile equipment is a procedure that must include isolation to ensure the safety of those involved and those in the immediate vicinity. As a minimum safety control, all vehicles and pieces of mobile equipment are to be shut off and the key removed from the ignition during refuelling on site. In the case of pieces of mobile equipment (especially heavy equipment) the operator must shut the vehicle down and apply the predetermined isolation procedure for that piece of equipment. An operator shall not transfer gasoline or associated products from a storage tank to a vehicle or from a vehicle to a storage tank system without supervising the transfer at all times in a manner that allows that person to immediately shut off the flow of gasoline or associated products during the transfer; i.e. fueling nozzles have to be manually operated at all times. 1.8) PARKING EQUIPMENT: The following rules are in place regarding parking of vehicles and or mobile equipment on IOC property. A. Park on level ground whenever possible. This is determined by what is referred to as a neutral roll test. The vehicle or piece of mobile equipment is put in neutral and brakes released. If the vehicle does not roll in either direction it is considered to be parked on level ground. If this is not possible; B. Park your vehicle in area with the wheels turned toward an embankment, apply the hand brake and chock your wheels. C. It is the driver s responsibility to ensure that the vehicle is parked in a safe location. D. When using the parking lots, all vehicles must park in the parking stalls, and not outside the end of the rails or in areas that obstruct the normal flow of traffic. E. Private vehicles are to be parked in designated parking lots only. F. Parking in areas designated for expectant mothers, first aid visitors and or Emergency / Security vehicles will result in the issuance of a violation. Page 4 of 14

5 G. All company and contractor vehicles must back in to their parking spot when possible.. 1.9) EMERGENCY PARKING: All equipment that has broken down must be clearly identified with warning lights or reflective triangles. Operators are required to contact the Emergency and Security Services department whenever a vehicle or piece of mobile equipment must be abandoned on a main road or major parking area for any amount of time. 1.10) VEHICLE CLEARANCE: It is the driver s responsibility to see that the vehicle has adequate clearance when reversing, parking, passing another moving or stationery vehicle, or passing underneath overhead obstructions. Contact Emergency and Security for cable standards and over head obstructions. Power distribution may have to be contacted as well. 1.11) LIGHTING: At night, all lights including the buggy whip/beacon and dash lights must be fully operational. This is also includes both front head lights, both rear tail lights, both rear brake lights, and both front and rear signal lights. Vehicles operating in operational areas are to be equipped with yellow amber light. The yellow amber light is permitted in operational areas only and must be turned off when in main traffic areas. Additionally, anyone operating a vehicle or piece of mobile equipment must observe the following rules: A. Always keep clearance or distance lights on. B. Use turn signals at all times to indicate the intended direction of movement. C. Keep lights free of snow and mud build-up. D. When approaching other vehicles, dim the headlights. E. When parked, turn off the headlights and use the parking or hazard lights. F. Equipment must shut off the rear back-up flood lights when travelling from one work area to another. G. Buggy whips and beacons are required to be used in the pit at all times. Page 5 of 14

6 1.12) OVERTAKING: At all times, exercise extreme caution when overtaking a vehicle on IOC property. Never pass when there is a possibility that the vehicle may make a left turn or when visibility of the road ahead is impaired. If in the Primary Ore area, contact the specific piece of heavy equipment via channel 5 using the vehicle # and ask for clearance to pass. Never pass on a crest or hill. Never pass a bus unless directed to do so by the operator of the bus or by an Officer during an emergency. Never pass at a railway or pedestrian crossing. 1.13) OPERATING A VEHICLE OR PIECE OF MOBILE EQUIPMENT Security NEAR OR ACROSS RAILWAY TRACKS Crossing between railway cars is extremely dangerous and it is forbidden on IOC property unless directed by a representative of the railway or a Emergency and Security Services Officer (during an emergency). Only designated safe crossing points shall be used by all employees and contractors. When operating any mobile equipment near railway tracks, operators must exercise caution at all times. Operators of a vehicle or piece of mobile equipment must not stop on railway tracks at any time. When required by signage, stop before the tracks such that no part of the vehicle is compromised. Obey signals given by the railway official guarding the crossing. Traffic signs apply equally to all vehicles unless otherwise specified. These signs, including warning lights, barricades, markers, etc., are to be strictly observed. Exercise extreme caution at all railway crossings. (1) Where a driver of a vehicle is approaching a railway crossing at a time when; Page 6 of 14

7 (a) a clearly visible electrical or mechanical signal device gives warning of the approach of a railway train; (b) a crossing gate is lowered or a person holding a flag is giving a signal of the approach or passage of a railway train; or (c) a railway train in dangerous proximity to a crossing is approaching the crossing and emits an audible signal or is visible, The driver shall stop the vehicle not less than 5 metres from the nearest rail of the railway and shall not proceed until it is safe to do so. A driver shall not drive a vehicle through, around or under a crossing gate or barrier at a railway crossing while the gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed. 1.14) CROSSING TRACKS (1) A driver of; (a) A vehicle carrying passengers for compensation; (b) A bus carrying passengers; or (c) A vehicle carrying explosive substances or inflammable liquids as cargo before crossing a track of a railway, shall stop the vehicle not less than 5 meters from the nearest rail and, remain stopped, shall listen and look in both directions along the track for an approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train and shall not proceed until it is safe to do so. (2) The driver shall always cross the railway tracks in a gear that will not need to be changed while crossing the tracks. Never change gears while crossing. 1.15) RESTRICTION ON VEHCILES FOLLOWING ANOTHER The driver of a vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent having regard for the speed of the vehicles and the amount and nature of traffic upon the condition of the roadway. For HME the minimum distance is three times the length of the HME. Page 7 of 14

8 1.16) SLOW DRIVING, ESCORTING AND ESCORTING A WIDE LOAD A driver shall not drive a vehicle at such a slow rate of speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except where it is necessary to so for safe operation. In cases where safe operation is the major concern and speeds are slower than posted limits, an escort must be used in front of and behind the vehicles in question. Escorting vehicles must have the capability of displaying flashing amber or red lights to the front and to the rear of the escorting vehicles. These lights must be actively working during the entire escorting process. In cases where the escorted vehicle is transporting a wide load, the vehicle to the front must carry a cautionary sign with the letter W prominently displayed on the front of the leading escort vehicle unless the vehicle on the lead is the IOC Emergency and Security Services vehicle in which case activated emergency lighting will suffice. 1.17) SIGNALLING CHANGE OF DIRECTION A driver of a vehicle who intends to pull in to or out from a curb, slow down, turn or change directions shall not do so without giving the appropriate signal. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a violation being issued that carries a minimum level one discipline. A person shall not turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in the proper position upon the roadway, or turn a vehicle to enter a off-road, or otherwise turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway unless and until that movement can be made with reasonable safety, and without giving an appropriate signal to traffic which may be affected by that movement. A signal of intention to turn left or right when required shall be given continuously for a sufficient distance before making the turn to warn traffic. A person shall not turn a vehicle that is stopped, standing or parked into a lane of traffic unless the movement can be made with reasonable safety and without giving a left turn signal or a right turn signal, whichever is appropriate, to the intended direction of travel. Page 8 of 14

9 1.18) TOWING A person shall not tow any vehicle or piece of equipment unless the truck performing the towing is properly equipped to perform the job safely with all safety devices applied and in good order. The vehicle being towed must also be equipped and have all safety devices applied and in good order. Any towed equipment such as that which can be towed with a standard pick-up equipped with a towing package, must have working driving, brake and signal lights that are clearly visible by traffic. 1.19) HEAVY EQUIPMENT TRAFFIC ON ROADS AT SHIFT CHANGE With the exception of snow clearing equipment, no heavy equipment is permitted on the roads on the project during the following times: Hours Hours Hours Hours These times are shift changes at IOCC, and due to the amount of light vehicular traffic, the presence of heavy equipment on the road would impede the flow of traffic. 2) EMERGENCY VEHICLES 2.1) RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES Upon the immediate approach of an emergency vehicle giving an audible signal by a bell, siren or exhaust whistle and showing a visible flashing red light, except where otherwise directed by a traffic officer, the driver of a vehicle shall (a) Yield the right-of-way to the emergency vehicle; (b) Drive immediately to a position parallel to and close as practicable to the righthand curb or edge of the roadway, clear of an intersection; and (c) Stop and remain in that position until the emergency vehicle has passed. Page 9 of 14

10 2.2) OPERATING AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE ON-SITE (1) The driver of an emergency vehicle when responding to, but not when returning from, an emergency call or alarm, or when in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law may; (a) Exceed the speed limit; (b) Stop or stand (2) The driver of an emergency vehicle shall not exceed that speed limit unless he or she is sounding an audible signal by bell, horn, siren or exhaust whistle and is showing a flashing red light where the vehicle is so equipped. (3) The driver of an emergency vehicle who is exceeding the speed limit shall drive with due regard for safety having regard to all the circumstances of the case, including (a) The nature, condition and use of the highway; (b) The amount of traffic that is on or might reasonably be expected to be on the highway; and (c) The nature of the use being made of the emergency vehicle at that time. (d) The eventual destination of the vehicle being pursued in that pursuit may not be necessary. (2) A driver of an ambulance is considered to be responding to an emergency call from the time the driver receives the call until he or she arrives at the destination of the call. (3) A driver of a vehicle, other than the driver of an emergency vehicle who is responding to an emergency call or alarm, shall not sound a siren. (4) A driver of a vehicle, other than a vehicle carrying firefighting equipment returning from a fire alarm or other than the driver of an emergency vehicle who is responding to an emergency call or alarm, or when in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law shall not show a flashing red light. 3) PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINARY SYSTEM Page 10 of 14

11 Anyone violating a rule, regulation, standard or procedure, as it applies to the operation of a motor vehicle, while on the Iron Ore Company of Canada s property, can be subject to disciplinary action. This disciplinary action will come in the form of progressive discipline aligned with IOC s disciplinary policy. 3.1 NOTIFICATION OF VIOLATIONS The Emergency and Security Officer issuing the violation will inform the employees of the reason for the violation at the time of the event whenever possible. Notification will be sent to the individual s Team Leader, Superintendent and General Manager, the General Manager of the HSE department and Superintendent of Safety. Notification will be forwarded to the HR department manager by the immediate supervisor of the employee or, in the case of a contractor; the Emergency and Security Officer will forward notification of the violation to the Superintendent of Safety. Discipline will be issued by the employee s manager for all violations given to IOC employees and by the Superintendent of Safety for all non-ioc employees. IOC employees and contractors have the right to appeal the violation issued. See the procedure below. 3.2) DISCIPLINARY LEVELS FOR EMPLOYEES and CATEGORY-ONE CONTRACTORS OF THE IRON ORE COMPANY OF CANADA The four disciplinary levels are aligned with the Iron Clad Commitment to safety and consistent with the Company s progressive disciplinary system for moderate violations and are as follows; Level One: A written warning Level Two: A suspension from work for a period not to exceed a maximum of two weeks Levels Three: A suspension from work for a period not to exceed a maximum of 90 days Level Four: Discharge 3.3) CONSEQUENCES FOR CONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS Page 11 of 14

12 As with IOC employees, contractor employees will be issued a written warning for first offenses which will be kept on file at the Emergency and Security Services department database with a copy of the violation being sent the Company Representative assigned to the contractor in question, a second copy is sent to the owner or most senior local manager for the contractor in question. The violation will be recorded on the performance evaluation form for that particular contractor as well as under the name of the individual to whom the ticket was issued. All contractors are made aware of the rules, regulation, Rio Tinto HSE standards and IOC procedures associated with operating a vehicle or piece of mobile equipment on IOC property. Contractors who receive multiple traffic violations have an obligation to take immediate corrective action to ensure their employees are aware of the hazards and risks associated with their substandard behaviors while operating vehicles or mobile equipment on an industrial site. Any contractor with multiple violations recorded on their performance evaluation form is subject to removal from site until a satisfactory corrective action and performance improvement plan has been submitted and accepted. The decision to remove a contractor from site for multiple traffic violations will rest with the superintendent of contractor management. Subsequent violations will result in increased levels of disciplinary action taken against the contractor and or supplier. Any contractor employee receiving more than one ticket within a twelve month period or receiving a violation for a breach of a rule, regulation or RT HSE standards that is deemed to be more serious in nature will automatically receive a level two discipline. A third violation, or any second violation that is deemed serious enough in nature, will result in the removal of site access for that individual for a period of one year. This violation will be factored into the performance evaluation of the contractor and or supplier in question. In extreme cases violation will affect the status of that contractor or supplier s prequalification status. 3.4) A SUMMARY OF THE DISCIPLINARY ACTION AS IT APPLIES TO CONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS; Level One: Written warning Level Two: Suspensions from site for a period of not less than one week (seven days) but not to exceed two weeks (14 days). Level Three: Suspension from site for a period of up to six months. Level Four: Suspension from site permanently. Page 12 of 14

13 3.5) Disciplinary Action for Identified Violations Item Violation With no prior violations Minimum Level of Disciplinary Action 1 Operating a vehicle without license and or permit To be determined by HR upon review 2 Failure to perform Pre-use equipment check Level 1 3 Inside an operating vehicle or piece of mobile Level 1 equipment without wearing properly fitted seat belts or some other form of approved restraint. 4 Operating a vehicle or piece of mobile equipment while Level 1 transporting a passenger(s) whose passenger(s) is not wearing a properly fitted seatbelt or some other form of approved restraint. 5 Using a cellular phone while operating a vehicle Level 1 6 Speeding (less than 25 km/h over the posted speed Level 1 limit). 7 Speeding (25 km/h or more over the posted speed Level 2 limit). 8 Operating a vehicle or piece of mobile equipment Level 2 imprudently 9 Not shutting a vehicle or piece of mobile equipment off Level 1 while re-fuelling 10 Attempting to (or actually) alter the nozzle at any Level 1 fuelling station such that it can dispense fuel other than intended (manual control) 11 Failure to perform established isolation procedures for Level 1 mobile equipment including wheel chock application. 12 Unauthorised parking Level 1 13 Operating a vehicle unsafely - Lighting Level 1 14 Operating a vehicle unsafely Overtaking Level 1 15 Operating a vehicle unsafely Railway Crossing Level 1 16 Operating a vehicle unsafely Tailgating Level 1 17 Operating a vehicle unsafely Deliberate slow driving Level 1 18 Operating a vehicle unsafely Escorting Level 1 19 Operating a vehicle unsafely Failure to signal Level 1 20 Operating a vehicle unsafely - Towing Level 1 21 Failure to yield for emergency vehicles Level 1 Page 13 of 14

14 3.6) VIOLATION DISPUTE PROCEDURE If an IOC employee feels they have a legitimate dispute regarding a traffic violation they will file a grievance as per the established Labour Relations procedure. If a contractor employee or contractor manager feels they have a legitimate dispute regarding a traffic violation, they will request a review meeting with the Superintendent of Safety. 4. Amendments V Michael Tost Alignment of violations with Disciplinary Policy V Rick Blundon Michael Tost Iron Clad Commitment alignment V David Guy Moores Change in speed limits onsite Carol Version Version Date Combden Project Revised By Approved By Reason for Change 5. Approval Position HSE General Manager Signature Page 14 of 14