An Obsession
Unprecedented safety figures obtained on the San Francisco project and at the Macaé Base reflect Odebrecht’s constant pursuit of excellence in workplace safety Six months ahead of schedule
written by ◦ Cláudio Lovato Filho photos by ◦ Américo Vermelho

The San Francisco Hydroelectric Project in Ecuador and the Odebrecht Base at Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, in June respectively reached the milestones of 5 million and 12 million person-hours worked without any lost-time accidents. These figures, which were reached by calculating the number of hours worked by each project’s crew, correspond to 18 months with zero lost-time accidents for the project in Ecuador and three years for the base in Brazil. The reason for these achievements goes well beyond the correct use of individual protection equipment (IPE).

“It takes persistence to raise people’s awareness, sensitize them about the importance of following safety guidelines and educate them to do so,” says Orlando Santini. As the officer responsible for Workplace Safety on the San Francisco Project, Orlando heads a 40-person team, including safety engineers and technicians, doctors and support personnel. “Above all, these results are due to support from management, the involvement of everyone on the team, and individual attitudes and actions,” he adds.

According to Contract Director José Conceição Santos, safety protocols have to be an integral part of the project from the very beginning, including the budgeting stage. “You can’t improvise that sort of thing.” He says that the team’s maturity and a strong sense of unity among the people building the hydroelectric plant are key factors for the success of the San Francisco Project’s safety program. José Conceição’s experience with mining projects is a great help. “This is a dangerous project. We are working at depths of up to 800 meters underground. Therefore, we are applying safety concepts used on mining projects, where high risks require strict protocols and procedures and special precautions, including ventilation and visibility.”

There are 1,360 people working on the project. Most are local hires with no prior experience of working on major construction projects. They underwent extensive education and training before being hired, and safety was a critical part of that process. By July 2005, the safety team had carried out 1,500 training and educational procedures and 1,040 inspections of the site, vehicles and equipment. Over 100 risk analyses involving specific training and 70 procedures were developed and implemented in the same period.

Daily work training sessions, or DWTs, are a highly important part of this process. Called charlas in Spanish, these safety chats take just a few minutes. Held by the supervisors before an activity begins, they provide instructions and reminders and ensure that everyone grasps the spirit of the task ahead.

Civil construction works supervisor Nain Galarza Bermeo says that the most important thing is instilling confidence in the work team. “The workers have to understand that everything has been carefully planned and thought out ahead of time. A leader must win people’s trust in order to be followed.”

Luís Joel Burgos Bernal is an Ecuadorian safety engineer who has been with Odebrecht since 1998. He says that it is important to maintain “objective communication and a clear focus.” Burgos was a construction worker for 16 years until he earned a degree in Industrial Engineering in 1980. “We do our best to identify the risks involved in each job, determine the procedures to be followed and provide the necessary guidelines. After that, we conscientiously and respectfully ensure that they are followed.” And Burgos’s fellow countryman Vitor Mosquéra, also a Safety Engineer, observes: “It is important to display knowledge and experience and approach the subject respectfully, with a focus on education.”

According to Eduardo Barbosa, the officer responsible for Administration and Finance, one of the factors that helped the project achieve the milestone of 5 million person-hours worked without any lost-time accidents was the synergy between teams from all the different programs involved, obtained through an effective communication system.

He points out the intensive work being done with the supervisors, who are on the front lines and serve as a link with the work crews. Through their supervisors, Eduardo adds, the workers realize just how much attention the management team is paying to them, and this motivates them to take preventive measures. “By achieving credibility and setting an example, we are laying down the basic safety guidelines that must permeate all levels of the project. And that is what we are doing here in San Francisco.”

Safety is also a value at Macaé

The same safety precautions can also be seen in the day-to-day operations at Odebrecht’s Macaé Base, which provides support to Petrobras for the maintenance of offshore platforms installed in the Campos Basin, off the coast of Rio de Janeiro State, that produce 80% of Brazil’s oil output. The Macaé Base is currently carrying out three contracts, the biggest of which is the Petrobras South Asset, made up of four platforms where Odebrecht keeps a crew of about 600 professionals. Both for the people working onshore and the workers aboard the platforms, safety procedures are almost an obsession.

“We want to get people to be more and more committed,” says Edney Coutinho, the officer responsible for Workplace Safety at the Macaé Base. The main tools used to achieve this are training and information, but the team also carries out a Behavioral Audit program and a Zero-Accident Campaign, offering prizes and bonuses to encourage the proper use of safety equipment.

The measures being taken to ensure the safety of Odebrecht members at the Macaé Base begin at the office of Dr. Nelson Salen, the physician who coordinates periodic check-ups, physical conditioning programs, psychological tests (to determine their ability to work in confined spaces, for example) and occupational safety information campaigns. The goal is zero personnel sent ashore due to illness. The flu is the most frequent reason for leaving the platform early to return to the mainland. Providing support for offshore workers’ families is one feature of the work of the Macaé Base’s medical area. “The doctor’s office is always open to company members’ relatives,” says Nelson. “Workers spend 15 days at a time on the platform. If they know that their families are being well taken care of, they won’t worry as much about them and will be able to concentrate on their work. We have to be proactive.”

Occupational Safety Technician Augusto César Raguzzoni knows how important it is to be proactive in the offshore sector. “We have to know all about each individual’s health: if they’re fit to work in confined spaces, have high blood pressure or some other problem.” Augusto spends most of his time offshore. Even on Petrobras platforms, when more than 50 Odebrecht members are working there, the presence of the company’s occupational safety technicians is mandatory. They take turns on the platforms, working in shifts. “On the platforms, each procedure depends on PTs (work authorizations), which gives you a good idea of the precautions taken with the work being done there.”

“Examples that must be followed”

Contract Director Miguel Gradin is convinced that achieving results like 12 million person-hours with zero lost-time accidents depends on a combination of factors, such as a competent team, an understanding with the client, ongoing education, awareness raising and training, and the managers’ presence at the work fronts. “But more than anything else, it is key to believe it is possible,” he stresses. “For us, safety is a value that originates from a real concern for the welfare of each and every one of our company members. We prioritize prevention and strive to ensure that people have peace of mind and can do their job well and effectively. In this context, our work with members’ families has been fundamental.”

The idea of family also permeates the environment at the Macaé Base. “Here our co-workers are always demanding that everyone use safety equipment and have a preventive attitude. We know that accidents can happen any time and that is why we are always on the alert, watching out for ourselves and others,” says Boilermaking Supervisor Valdecir Botelho, better known as “Badeco.” “We’re like a very close family.”