Safety - Occupational Health & Environmental Protection

QHSE

QHSE PROTECTION

Objective

The purpose of the Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental Protection System is to eliminate accidents, injuries,

and occupational illnesses among WEPCO employees, contractors, and the wider community. This is achieved through the implementation of the most up-to-date standards and best practices. Furthermore, the system is committed to protecting the environment and conserving natural resources by preventing any adverse impacts—whether direct or indirect—on the areas surrounding WEPCO’s various operational sites. By continuously improving the system in accordance with both Egyptian and international standards, WEPCO ensures the safety of its activities and the integrity of its operational processes.

Goals and Egypt Vision

2030

Scope

The Safety, Occupational Health, and Environmental Protection System is to be applied comprehensively across all WEPCO facilities, with a focus on:

Ensuring full adherence to all relevant Egyptian and international standards.
Safeguarding the company’s assets and infrastructure.
Achieving consistent implementation across the company’s diverse operational sites.

Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental Protection Management Systems

WEPCO implements internationally recognized systems in the domains of safety, operational excellence, and environmental protection, in full alignment with applicable local and global standards and regulatory requirements. Through the effective integration of these systems, the company has achieved multiple internationally accredited certifications, including:

Operations

Safety System

The Operations Safety System of the Western Desert Operating Petroleum Company (WEPCO) is meticulously crafted to integrate the most advanced standards and systems, ensuring the highest level of safety across its operations.

The system is rigorously applied to fully address and mitigate Major Accident Hazards (MAH) that may arise throughout operational processes. It is grounded in process safety management methodologies, design specifications, and engineering frameworks as set forth by the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and the U.S. Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS). The Operations Safety Management Program incorporates the following twenty critical elements:

Contractor Management System & Life Preservation Rules

WEPCO has instituted a Safety Instruction Manual for contractors in accordance with the Egyptian General Petroleum Authority’s directives, incorporating life-preservation rules. The manual, which includes updated provisions on fines and violations related to life-preservation, is annexed to all contracts.
A monthly awareness campaign is conducted on life-preservation rules for both company personnel and contractors.
Contractor personnel are trained on various fire suppression scenarios.
The Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental Protection department of contractors is regularly assessed to ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards.

Early Warning and Fire Extinguisher System

The Early Warning and Fire Suppression System is strategically designed to safeguard all personnel ,installations, buildings, and critical infrastructure through the integration of specialized fire suppression systems, smoke and flame detection technologies, and early warning mechanisms. This system is complemented by fixed firefighting solutions, such as foam systems, and mobile firefighting units.
The firefighting and alarm systems are fully automated, engaging instantly in the event of a fire via the fire and alarm panels located within the control room. These systems are continuously monitored around the clock, ensuring immediate response capability.
WEPCO maintains a diverse fleet of firefighting apparatus, including a telescopic fire truck and two rapid intervention vehicles, ensuring a swift and effective emergency response.
A cutting-edge training facility, equipped with advanced technologies, is dedicated to conducting regular drills, ensuring that both personnel and equipment remain at peak readiness to address emergencies and implement effective control measures with maximum efficiency in the shortest possible time.

Marine Pollution Control System

WEPCO – Al Hamra Terminal is establishing an accredited branch equipped with state-of-the-art resources dedicated to combating marine pollution from crude oil in the Mediterranean Sea. Designed to the highest standards, The terminal is upgrading and expanding its marine pollution control infrastructure, ensuring the provision of advanced containment, recovery, storage, and insurance systems. These enhancements are in alignment with the findings of the oil spill risk analysis (3R Study) and adhere to the OPRC guidelines for marine pollution control.

The Emergency Contingency Plan for marine pollution is periodically reviewed and updated to maintain optimal preparedness.
Comprehensive training programs are conducted regularly to ensure that both personnel and equipment are fully equipped to execute emergency interventions swiftly, achieving maximum control in the shortest possible timeframe.
WEPCO also engages in joint drills with relevant authorities to rigorously assess the effectiveness of the emergency plan. These exercises, which incorporate a variety of simulated scenarios, are designed to pinpoint areas for improvement, ensuring the continuous refinement of the plan for enhanced response capabilities.

Operational safety system

Emergency Readiness and Response Plan

Introduction

WEPCO is dedicated to ensuring that both personnel and equipment are fully equipped for emergency response, achieving optimal control in the shortest possible time across all its locations. This commitment is realized through the implementation of comprehensive contingency plans, which encompass a range of scenarios. These plans clearly outline the distribution of roles and responsibilities in response to various emergencies stemming from the company’s diverse operations and activities at its sites.

Objectives

The core objectives of the Emergency Readiness and Response Plan are as follows:

Preservation of Life – Ensuring the safety and well-being of all personnel and stakeholders.
Environmental Safeguarding – Minimizing environmental impact and preventing pollution during emergency events.
Asset Protection – Securing the company’s infrastructure, equipment, and operational continuity.

These objectives are achieved through the following measures

Implementation of a comprehensive Emergency Contingency Plan encompassing a range of scenarios related to occupational safety, health, and environmental protection (e.g., fires, explosions, crude oil spills, etc.).
Deployment of a dedicated Marine Oil Spill Response Plan for offshore and coastal facilities, incorporating various marine pollution scenarios.
Execution of regular emergency drills simulating both land-based and marine incidents to evaluate readiness, response effectiveness, and the capacity to manage emergency situations.
Comprehensive training programs for all personnel, covering firefighting techniques and marine pollution response operations.

Illustrative diagram

Waste Management Department

In alignment with the Department of Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental Protection’s commitment to environmental preservation, and in compliance with Environmental Law No. 4/1994 and its amendments under Law No. 9/2009, waste generated at WEPCO sites is managed as follows to prevent soil and water pollution:

Hazardous solid and liquid wastes are safely disposed of through a contract with the Hazardous Waste Management Authority in Al Nasiriyah.
Medical and hazardous waste is managed in coordination with the Directorate of Health Affairs in Marsa Matrouh.
General solid waste is handled by the Cooperative Production Association for Facility Maintenance and Cleaning.
Produced water from crude oil recovery is transported and treated by Green Valley Company.