MINISTERIAL ORDER NO.(15) OF 2014

WITH RESPECT TO PROTECTING WORKERS FOR THE HAZARDS OF
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS AND LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES AT

ESTABLISHMENTS AND WORKSITES

 

 

The Minister of Labour,

Having reviewed the Law on Constructional Organisation of Buildings promulgated by Legislative Decree No.(13) of 1977, as amended, And Legislative Decree No.(5) of 1990 with respect to Civil Defence, And Legislative Decree No.(21) of 1996 with respect to the Environment, as amended by Legislative Decree No.(8) of 1997, And Legislative Decree No.(25) of 2009 with respect to the Accession of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the International Labour Organisation’s Convention No.(155) of 1981 with respect to Occupational Safety and Health, and Work Environment, And the Labour Law for the Private Sector promulgated by And Legislative Decree No.(36) of 2012, particularly Article (166) thereof, And Decree No.(7) of 1983 with respect to the Arabian Agreement No.(13) of 1981 with respect to the Work Environment, And Decree No.(2) of 1994 with respect to the Accession by the State of Bahrain to the Arabian Agreement No.(7) of 1977 and Recommendation No.(1) of 1977 with respect to the Occupational Safety and Health, And Ministerial Order No.(31) of 1977 with respect to Determining the Required Conditions and Precautionary Measures for the Protection of Workers from the Hazards of Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Gases,And having sought the opinion of the Concerned Authorities, And upon the submission of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour,

HEREBY ORDERS:

 

Article 1

In the application of the provisions of this Order, the terms and expressions shall have the meanings assigned against each unless the context otherwise requires:
- HIGHLY FLAMMABLE LIQUID: A chemical substance that ignites a fire once exposed to air or is converted, once it gets into contact with water, into a highly combusted gases.
- CYLINDER: A container designed and manufactured in accordance with the internationally approved compression container standards.
- FIRE RESISTING STRUCTURE: A store or workers room, chamber or any other closed place designed to become fire resisting in accordance with the fire resistance specifications and measures.

Article 2

The provisions of this Order shall apply to all establishments and worksites that are subject to the provisions of the Labour Law for the Private Sector promulgated by Law No.(36) of 2012 and all existing establishments and worksites at the enforcement time of this Order shall adjust their statuses in conformity with its provisions within three months from its enforcement date.

Article 3

Every employer shall adopt the necessary precautions for the protection of his workers or whoever available at the worksite from the chemical hazards and provide them with the protection means from their hazards in addition to rescue means as indicated in this Order.
An employer may not deduct any sum from the wages of the workers against the provisions of such protection.

Article 4

Every employer shall, in a suitable and effective manner, evaluate the chemical hazards at his establishment and worksite that threatens the safety and health of his workers and persons present therein or close by as follows:
1. To conduct an evaluation at least once every three years.
2. To conduct an evaluation in case of an occupational accident.
3. To conduct an evaluation in case any alteration if the establishment’s operations.
Provided the chemical hazards evaluation shall be assigned to an approved specialised authority specialised with the type of existing chemical hazards.

 

Article 5

The occupational safety and health conditions shall be observed in the following manner:
a) To isolate and separate work sites from the remaining worksites that are susceptible to chemical material hazards.
b) To replace the industrial operations using harmful substances with ones that are less harmful.
c) To conduct operations that generates harmful gases in securely sealed containers under suitable pressure.
d) To periodically and technically maintain the measuring, technical and industrial devices to ensure their safety.
e) To provide adequate discharge and suction ventilation systems at the worksite.
f) To train and educate workers with the chemical substances hazards at work environment.
g) To use chemical substances supplied with a clear and internationally approved hazard materials identification card (MSDS).
h) To comply with the cautions and warnings issued by the chemical materials producing and manufacturing companies.
i) To conduct the periodical measurements of chemical hazards at the worksite.
j) To observe the determination of daily shift hours and a schedule may be drawn to illustrate it.
k) To provide sufficient and appropriate places for workers washing after completing the shift period in addition to supplying an emergency sprinkler.
l) To provide personal safety equipment in conformity with the nature of work.
m) To conduct the periodical checkup on workers susceptible to chemical hazards and maintain a register thereof.

Article 6

To provide sufficient and secured safety means to prevent and escape from fire at any site where production, use or transport of any flammable chemical substances, gases or liquids is taking place.

The following conditions shall be observed at a worksite to protect from fire:
a) To prevent smoking inside the worksites especially the ones contain flammable material and to post directions in this respect at each of the factory entrances in a clear and suitable indication that smoking is strictly prohibited with the exception of places where a sign indicates permission
thereof.
b) To adopt the required safety measures upon carrying on welding and cutting jobs in barrels and containers that contains flammable materials or their residues.
c) To adopt necessary safety measures in the event of frictions, electromagnetic and electric charges.
d) To adopt the necessary safety and security measures upon using compressed gas cylinders provided they must be examined and supplied with safety certificates.

Article 7

The following conditions shall be observed whenever as a result of any process or operation involving any highly flammable liquid a deposit of any solid waste residue liable to give rise to a risk is liable to occur on any surface:
a) Steps shall be taken where reasonably practicable to prevent as far as possible the occurrence of all such deposits.
b) Where any such deposit occurs, effective steps shall be taken, as often as necessary to prevent danger, to remove all such residues as aforesaid and put them in a safe place.

Article 8

The following precautions shall be observed:
a) No highly flammable liquid shall be ignited except in a plant or apparatus suitable for the purpose of burning that highly flammable liquid safely and by the proper use of that plant or apparatus.
b) Where the sole purpose is to dispose of any highly flammable liquid as waste by burning it, it shall burnt either in a plant or apparatus suitable for the purpose of burning that highly flammable liquid safely and by a competent person.
c) The prohibition indicated in Clause (a) of this Article shall not be applicable where highly flammable liquid is burnt in order to provide persons with training in fighting fire provided the burning shall be carried out by a competent person in a safe manner and in a safe place and such

training shall be carried out under the direct and continuous supervision of a competent person.

Article 9

The following shall be observed:
a) Where a storeroom, workroom, cabinet or enclosure is fire resisting structure provision may be made in its structure for pressure relief in the case of any explosion.
b) The storeroom shall have adequate natural ventilation notwithstanding in either case, anything contained in any specification approved for the purposes of the definition of the expression “fire resisting structure”.
c) To observe the conditions related to the safety of storerooms and warehouses of chemical materials, liquids or highly flammable gas at worksites as follows:
1. To separate the storing locations from the manufacturing or circulating locations.
2. The storeroom or chamber where the chemical materials are stored shall be a solid and non-combustible structure.
3. To classify the chemical materials according to their nature, characteristics and to implement the directions that are written on the identification cards on each one and to observe their similarity while storing so as each specific type of material shall be stored
independently.
4. To provide independent storage for spoiled and expired chemical materials and to supply the storeroom with a laboratory in order to recycle some these chemicals and reuse them once again.
5. To provide adequate and suitable ventilation.
6. To maintain a suitable and appropriate temperature to avoid igniting the flammable materials.
7. To provide suitable and secure ventilation.
8. To avoid any igniting sources in the storeroom.
9. To adopt required measures to limit fire from spreading upon occurrence in the storeroom.
10.To educate the workers with the hazards of the stored chemicals and methods of prevention thereof.

11.To observe the stores order and arrangement together with adopting measures to prevent materials from or workers tripping.
12.To ensure the availability of safety supplies and personal safety equipment.
13.To draw up emergency and evacuation plan in case of leakage or fire.

d) The cabinets, boxes, apparatuses and containers used at any time to store highly flammable liquids shall be closed and sealed (whether or not containing any highly flammable liquid) unless a need may arise to use, operate of maintain such cabinet, boxes, apparatuses and containers.
e) To adopt all possible practical measures upon storing highly flammable liquids which may leaked, spilled or may be released in any method in order to avoid their leakage from their apparatus or containers by containing or draining them into a suitable container, a safe place or to be treated in any other method to become safe.

Article 10

The term “Flammable” or any other suitable term that indicates the flammable liability shall be written on every storeroom, cabinet, apparatus or container used to store flammable liquids.
If it is impractical to place a sign on the storeroom, cabinet, apparatus or container, the term (highly flammable liquid) shall be clearly placed at the nearest place.

Article 11

The following shall be observed:
a) Storage of all highly flammable gases or liquids which are not in use shall be made in accordance with the following conditions:
1. The storage shall be in suitable underground reservoirs, land or in the open air or in fixed or mobile storage tanks or vessels in safe areas.
2. It shall be in pipelines and pumps or other appliances forming a totally enclosed pipeline system.
3. It shall be in cylinders kept in safe areas in the open air, or where this is not reasonably practical, in a storeroom constructed of non- combustible material being a storeroom which is adequately ventilated, in a secure location or in fire resisting structure.

b) No gases or flammable liquids other than in suitable cylinders or suitable pipe-lines shall be present in any workplace and the number of gas cylinders or pipe-lines present at any one time shall be as small as is reasonably practicable having regard to the process or operations being
carried thereon.
c) Gas cylinders shall be stored until such time before first required for use or manipulation as is reasonable, and when its contents have been expended shall, as reasonably practical, be removed from the workplace and stored or filled without delay.
The provisions of the preceding provisions shall be applicable to the following two cases:
1. The gas or liquid in the fuel tanks of vehicles or engines for the purpose of operating such vehicles or engines.
2. Any small securely closed vessel containing not more than 500 cc of flammable gas or liquid.

 

Article 12

a) To observe using the least minimum and practical quantity of a highly flammable liquid at a workplace whether in production or being used in containers, apparatuses, pipe-lines, equipment or appliances in view of the process or operation being carried thereon.
b) All possible practical measures must be adopted to secure that no highly flammable gases have leaked from their containing apparatuses or appliances during their production, use, work with or during bottling process, maintenance of the apparatus or appliances. Every apparatus or appliance of this type must be design, install and placed in a manner to practically avoid the danger of spilling or draining it immediately to another suitable container or transfer it to a safe place or process it in any danger preventative manner.
c) Any apparatus, appliance or container - used to contain and flammable liquid, if not stable, and as soon as emptying it from its contents with the exception of cases where the vapors of such liquid were discharged in a safe open area or to be immediately used – should be transported without
any delay to a safe place in an open area or to a store constructed in a suitable place so as such store is designed to be fire-resistant or transported to an apparatus or appliance in a suitable place provided such apparatus or appliance is made of fire resistant material.
d) All abovementioned apparatuses or appliances which are discharged from any liquid vapor must be kept closed and maintained in a safe place, an apparatus or appliance of aforesaid type until they are once again required to be used or transported.

 

Article 13

a) No means likely to ignite vapour from any highly flammable liquid shall be present where a dangerous concentration of vapours from highly flammable liquids may reasonably be expected to be present.
b) Where in any place a dangerous concentration of vapours from highly flammable liquids may reasonably be expected to be present, any cotton waste or other material in that place has been used in such a manner as to render the cotton waste or other material liable to spontaneous combustion or is contaminated with any highly flammable liquid, shall be deposited without delay in a metal container having a suitable cover or be removed without delay to a safe place.

Article 14

a) Where any highly flammable liquid is present in any workplace, steps shall be taken t prevent so far as is reasonably practicable the escape of vapours from any such highly flammable liquid into the general atmosphere of that or any workplace.
b) Where a dangerous concentration of vapours from highly flammable liquids may reasonably be expected to be evolved in any process, the process or operation shall, where reasonably practicable, be carried on within a cabinet or other enclosure which in either case, is effective to
prevent the escape of such vapours into the general atmosphere of the workplace or any other place, is adequately ventilated by mechanical means and is a fire resisting structure.
Provided that in the case of a batch-loaded box-type oven used to evaporate highly flammable liquid being an oven with a cubic capacity of less than one and a half cc (11/2) and having natural ventilation sufficient to prevent the occurrence of a dangerous concentration of vapours in the oven, the oven shall be ventilated properly by mechanical means.
c) Where it is not reasonably practicable to comply with the requirement of the foregoing Clause where in any workroom any such dangerous concentration of vapours may reasonably be expected to be evolved in any process or operation, the workroom shall have exhaust ventilation provided by mechanical means, being exhaust ventilation adequate to remove such vapours from the room.
d) A workroom required by the foregoing Clause to have exhaust ventilation shall be a fire resisting structure with the exception of any of the following forming part thereof, that is to say, any external doors, external windows and external walls, any openings provided for ventilation and any tops or ceilings of single storey buildings or of top floor rooms.
e) Ventilation provided or secured in pursuance of this Article shall be kept in operation or use at all necessary times.

f) All ducts, trunks and casings used in connection with the ventilation provided or secured in pursuance of this Article shall be fire resisting structure.
g) All venting devices of fixed tank and fixed vessels containing highly flammable liquids shall discharge to a safe place, and where necessary, shall be provided with a suitable wire-gauze effective as a flame arrestor or other suitable flame arrestor.

Article 15

Fire-fighting appliances should be placed in visible areas and easy to be accessed.

Article 16

The following procedures and measures shall be observed when conveying chemicals:
a) Upon using vehicles for conveying chemicals, they shall be secured and appropriate to transport materials of that nature and extent of its hazardous.
b) To place warning signs on the chemical appliances, apparatuses and cabinets particularly the hazardous ones indicated by factories producing, importing and dealing with such materials.
c) To examine containers prior to their shipping and to carefully load and unload them.
d) Containers that are open or contents leaking therefrom should not be transported at all.
e) To use suitable and safe methods upon transferring the contents of big containers in small containers to prevent hazardous liquids spilling.
f) Workers conveying chemicals should be experienced and knowledge of the nature of such materials provided having a copy of the chemical identification card to be transported.
g) Transportation workers must have the knowledge of the first aid conditions, standards and procedures.
h) To ensure that workers are wearing the suitable personal protective clothing.
i) Chemical refuse containers must be conveyed from the production to the treatment place to be practically disposed of without being stored.

 

Article 17

a) Upon using pipe-lines for conveying, storing or producing highly flammable materials, the required occupational safety and health conditions must be observed particularly:
1. It should of safe specifications and appropriate for the nature of materials used therein.
2. It shall be made of durable and non-combustible materials.
3. It shall be made, to a practical limit, from heat insulating materials.
4. Pipes must be periodically be tested and ensure their resistance to chemical and natural factors.
5. Pipes must be maintained to prevent the occurrence of any cracks or expansion that may lead to leakage therefrom.
6. Preventative methods must be used to prevent breaking of any fire upon the leakage of substance inside such pipes.
7. To educate and train workers on fighting fires.
8. To use methods, measurements and indicators showing the pressure and heat inside such pipes.

b) The following conditions shall be observed upon using or conveying gas or compressed gas cylinders:
1. Cylinders must be made from durable and resistant materials.
2. Cylinders must be filled with gas in a secure manner in order to protect workers from any hazard.
3. Quantity of gas filled shall be in conformity with the cylinder’s size to avoid explosion or leakage.
4. Workers, upon using and filling cylinders, must be trained and educated.
5. Suitable tools must be used in filling cylinders with gas.
6. To observe the cylinders validity period.
7. Continuous periodical examination and maintenance of cylinders in terms or observing the pressure indicator, its efficiency and quantity of gas therein together with maintenance of connectors attached thereto.

8. Cylinders, during welding and fabrication process, should be safe from explosion and fire hazards and must be examined to ensure that no gas is leaking therefrom.
9. A register must be maintained to indicate the cylinders maintenance date.
10.Suitable and secure storage to avoid the hazard of fire or explosion.

 

Article 18

a) Where highly flammable liquids or gases are to be conveyed within a factory they shall, where it is reasonably practicable to do so, be conveyed through a totally enclosed system incorporating pipe-lines, pumps or any other similar appliances.
b) Where highly flammable liquids or gases are to be conveyed through a totally enclosed system is impractical, it shall be conveyed in vessels which are so designed and constructed as to avoid so far as is practical the risk of spilling.
c) A totally enclosed system used for such conveyance shall be so far as is practicable be so designed, constructed, installed, placed and maintained to avoid leakage.

Article 19

A worker shall not commit any act or omission with the object of preventing the execution of the instructions or the misuse or causing damage to the facilities installed for the protection of the health and safety of workers employed in the establishment where he is employed.

Article 20

A worker shall be required to use such means of protection and handle carefully whatever may be in his possession and to carry out the instructions laid down for the maintenance of his health and for his protection against the hazards of chemicals, gases and highly flammable liquids.

Article 21

Any person who violates the provisions of this Order shall be liable for the penalties provided for in Article (192) of the Labour Law for the Private Sector promulgated by Law No.(36) of 2012.

Article 22

Ministerial Order No.(31) of 1977 with respect to Determining the Required Conditions and Precautionary Measures for the Protection of Workers from the Hazards of Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Gases shall be revoked and any provision that contravene the provisions of this Order shall be revoked.

Article 23

The Ministry’s Undersecretary shall implement this Order which shall come into effect three months after the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

 

 

 

 

 

Signed: Jameel bin Mohamed Ali Humaidan.
Minister of Labour.
Issued on: 29th Rajab, 1435 Hijra,
Corresponding to: 28th May, 2014 A.D.

MINISTERIAL ORDER NO.(5) OF 2014

WITH RESPECT TO DETERMINING THE REQUIRED CONDITIONS AND
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF WORKERS FROM

THE HAZARDS OF WORK ON LIFTING EQUIPMENT

 

 

 

The Minister of Labour,

Having reviewed Law No.(25) of 2009 with respect to the Accession of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the International Labour Organisation’s Convention No.(155) of 1981 with respect to Occupational Safety and Health, and Work Environment, And the Labour Law for the Private Sector promulgated by And Legislative Decree No.(36) of 2012, particularly Article (166) thereof, And Decree No.(7) of 1983 with respect to the Arabian Agreement No.(13) of 1981 with respect to the Work Environment, And Decree No.(2) of 1994 with respect to the Accession by the State
of Bahrain to the Arabian Agreement No.(7) of 1977 and Recommendation No.(1) of 1977 with respect to the Occupational Safety and Health, And Order of the Minister of Labour No.(14) of 1977 with respect to the Organisation of Services and Precautionary Measures necessary for the Protection of Workers from the Hazards of Work on Lifting Equipment, And Order of the Minister of Labour No.(4) of 2014 with respect to Determining the Required Conditions and Precautionary Measures for the Protection of Workers Engaged in Building works, Construction and Civil Engineering, And having sought the opinion of the Concerned Authorities, And upon the submission of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour,

HEREBY ORDERS:

Article 1

In the application of the provisions of this Order, the terms and expressions shall have the meanings assigned against each unless the context otherwise requires: 

HOIST: a lifting machine with a carriage platform or cage and is operated by a driver or more.
LIFTING MACHINE: a crank, winch or pulley block used for raising or lowering and a hoist, crane, sheer legs, excavator, drag line, piling frame, aerial cableway or over-head with all the lifting gear necessary for the operations.
LIFTING GEAR: a chain sling, rope sling or similar and a ring, link, hook, plat clamp, shackle, swivel or eye bolt.
QUALIFIED PERSON: a properly trained person with sufficient work experience, no physical deficiency or disability preventing him from performing his duties.

Article 2

The provisions of this Order shall be applicable to all lifting machines where persons are required to operate or work on them.

Article 3

Every employer or any person acting on his behalf shall acquaint the worker before being employed of the hazards of working on lifting equipment and the precautions to be taken for protection against such hazards. He shall also take the necessary precautions for protecting the workers from the dangers of working on lifting equipment and shall provide them with the necessary services for such protection as well as the necessary means of rescue indicated in this Order. An employer may not charge or deduct any amounts from the workers wage in consideration of providing such protection.

Article 4

A worker shall not commit any action or negligence intended to hold up or misuse instructions or cause harm to the means provided for the protection and safety of the workers employed. He shall execute the instructions laid down for his safety and protection from the hazards of working on lifting equipment.

Article 5

The following shall be required for every lifting equipment piece including all fixing or anchoring arrangements or other supports:
1. It shall be properly installed and of solid and sound material, adequate strength, suitable quality and free from patent defects.
2. It shall be properly maintained in accordance with the established practices.
3. It shall be inspected, in case of operation, at least once a week by a competent person.

 

Article 6

On every stage, gantry or other place where a lifting machine having a travelling or slowing motion is in use, an unobstructed passageway not less than 60c.m. (2feet) wide shall be maintained between any moving party of the machined and any fixed object or fixtures or where this is impractical, access to the danger area shall be prevented by all practicable means.

Article 7

Any platform provided for a crane driver or signaler shall be treated as a scaffold and shall be subject to all the provisions of scaffolds provided for in the Order of the Minister of Labour No.(4) of 2014 with respect to Determining the Required Conditions and Precautionary Measures for the Protection of Workers Engaged in Building works, Construction and Civil Engineering.

Article 8

Every driver of a power driven lifting equipment shall be provided with a suitable cabin to provide adequate protection from the weather.

Article 9

Every drum or pulley around which the chain or wire rope of any lifting equipment is carried shall be of suitable diameter and construction for the chain or rope used. Every chain or rope which terminates at a winding drum of lifting equipment shall be properly secured thereto and at least two turns of such chain or rope shall remain on the drum in every operating position.

Article 10

Every crane, crab or winch shall be provided with an efficient brake or brakes or any other safety device which will prevent the fall of the load when suspended and by which the load can be effectively controlled whilst being lowered.

Article 11

No pulley block or gin wheel suspended from or supported by a pole or beam hall be used for lifting or lowering materials unless it is effectively secured to the pole or beam which shall themselves be properly secured.

Article 12

Where any crane or other lifting equipment is used on a soft or uneven surface or on a slope, appropriate precautions shall be taken to ensure stability which shall include:
1. Adequate and suitable ballasting.
2. Use of outriggers.

3. Anchoring and tying where necessary.
4. On soft surface use of wooden boards to prevent sinking.

Article 13

1. All rails and any track on which a crane moves shall:
a) To be supported on a surface sufficiently firm to prevent undue movement of rails or track.
b) To have an even running surface, be sufficiently and adequately supported and be of adequate section.
c) In the case of rails, they shall be jointed by fish plates or double chairs.
d) To securely fastened to sleepers and bearers.
e) To be laid in straight lines or in curves so that the extent of rotation allows free movement of the crane and without the risk of derailment.
f) It shall be provided with adequate stops or buffers on each rail at
each end of the track.

2. No person shall be employed or work on or near the wheel track of an overhead traveling crane in any place where he would be liable to be struck by the crane unless there is in operation a permit-to-work scheme ad the necessary precautions have been taken to ensure that the crane cannot approach within twenty feet of such person.

Article 14

1. Save from the cases where the hoisting drum and derricking drum are separately driven, or the mechanism driving the derricking drum is self locking, every crane having a clutch operated derricking boom shall be provided with an effective inter-locking arrangement. The Inter-lock shall
be such that the clutch can only be disengaged from the derricking drum when it is firmly held in a stationary position.
2. No crane having a derricking boom shall be used in a way contrary to the conditions of the certificate of test and examination required under Article (17) of this Order.

Article 15

No crane shall be erected except under the supervision of a competent person.

Article 16

1. No lifting or signaling equipment shall be operated otherwise than by a person trained and competent to operate such equipment and in the case of a crane, he shall be in possession of a certificate to that effect, except during training under the direct supervision of a competent person.
2. If the person operating lifting equipment has not a clear view of the load, or where there is no load at the point of attachment for a load, there shall be appointed and suitably stationed one or more competent persons as may be required to give the necessary signals to the operator.
3. An employer shall get all the lifting gear and equipment including the mechanical vehicles by an authority approved by the Ministry of Labour and in case of any technical defects or problems appeared after issuing and approving the technical certificate, the blame shall lye upon the inspecting authority in case the technical investigation confirms it.
4. An employer shall carry out the maintenance of all the materials and mechanical vehicles used to lift individuals or materials to ensure their safety provided a special register shall be maintained for this purpose.

Article 17

1. No lifting equipment shall initially be taken into use or be used unless it has been tested and thoroughly examined by a competent person. Such test and through examination to be repeated after every substantial alteration or repair affecting its strength or stability, and in any circumstances in the case of hoists, every six months, and in the case of cranes, crabs or winches every fourteen months. The reports of such test and through examination, as required by the Law, shall be signed by the person making the report. In any case, where the test and through examination reveals defects which would make the equipment unsafe in operation, a copy of the report shall be sent immediately to the responsible manager of the establishment for necessary action.
2. No lifting gear shall be initially taken into use or be used unless it has been tested and thoroughly examined by a competent person within the previous six months.

Article 18

No lifting equipment shall be used unless there is in existence a test certificate indicating its safe working load, and in the case of a crane of variable operating radius, indicating the safe working load at various radii of the boom, pulley or crane and the maximum radius at which any boom may be worked. Under no circumstances shall any lifting equipment be operated in a way which causes the safe working load so indicated to be exceeded.

Article 19

Precautions on raising or lowering of loads shall be as follows:

1. Where there is a lifted load which is equal to or slightly less than the safe working load of the lifting equipment, the load shall be halted after the load been raised a short distance before the operation is proceeded therewith.
2. When more than one crane, winch or other lifting equipment is used to raise or lower a load, the equipment shall so arranged and fixed that no such equipment shall at any time be loaded beyond its safe working load or be rendered unstable during the raising or lowering of the load.
3. A competent person shall be appointed to supervise all such operations.
4. Mechanical vehicles intended for excavation operations shall not be used in lifting whether for persons or materials.
5. The hoisting mechanism of a crane shall not be used for any purpose other than raising or lowering a load vertically unless such use will not endanger the stability of the crane and is supervised by a competent person.

Article 20

Every hook used for raising, lowering or as a mean of suspension shall be provided with an efficient device so as to prevent the displacement of the sling or load from the hook and a remote device shall be used to prevent, whenever practical, the occurrence of any danger to other workers.

Article 21

1. Every sling used for raising and lowering shall be securely attached to the hook of the equipment and the method of attachment shall be such as to ensure that no part of the sling is damaged thereby.
2. No double or multi-rope sling shall be used for raising or lowering except under the supervision of a competent person.
3. Suitable packing pieces shall be used to ensure that edges of the load shall not come into contact with the sling rope.

Article 22

1. A load shall not be raised, lowered or suspended on a chain or wire rope which has a knot tied in any part of the chain or rope under direct tension.
2. No chain which is shortened or joined to another by means of bolts and nuts inserted through the links shall be used for raising, lowering or suspending any load.

 

Article 23

No hoist shall be used unless it meets the following conditions:
1. The hoistway is suitably enclosed to prevent access at all points where any person is liable to be struck by any moving part of the hoist and to prevent the fall of objects from the platform to points outside the hoistway.
2. The hoistway enclosure at points where access is required to be provided with gates to be kept closed except when the platform is at rest or if it is necessary for the gates to be open to allow passage of persons, goods or materials.
3. To be provided with efficient automatic devices to prevent the hoist from falling in the event of a damage or defect of the hoist rope or ropes.
4. To be provided with efficient automatic devices which will ensure that the platform or cage does not over-run the highest point to which it is for the time being constructed to travel.
5. It shall be operated by a competent person.
6. The passage-way between the Hoist and the building shall be surrounded by a secure and safe fence to prevent tripping or falling of workers or materials.

Article 24

The hoist shall be so constructed and installed that it can be operated from one point only.

Article 25

Where a hoist is operated by means of a winch, it shall be so constructed that the brake is applied when the control lever, handle or switch is not held in the operating position.

Article 26

No person shall be carried by a power driven lifting appliance (hoist) unless it is provided with a cage that meets the following conditions:
1. It shall be so constructed to prevent, when the gates are shut, any person from falling out or striking against or being struck by any fixed or moving part of the hoistway or the hoist or by articles falling down the hoistway.
2. It is fitted on every side from which access is provided to a landing place with a gate which shall have efficient inter-locking or other devices to ensure that the gate cannot be opened except when the cage is at landing place and that the cage cannot be moved away from any landing place until the gates are shut.
3. It is provided with efficient automatic devices to ensure that the cage comes to rest above the lowest point to which the cage could otherwise travel.

Article 28

The approved inspection reports provided for in this Order shall be kept on site of the operations and a copy thereof shall be maintained with the employer upon sites and workplaces inspection by Occupational and Health Inspection Body of the Ministry of Labour.

Article 29

Any person who violates the provisions of this Order shall be liable for the penalties provided for in Article (192) of the Labour Law for the Private Sector promulgated by Law No.(36) of 2012.

Article 30

Order of the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs No.(14) of 1977 with respect to the Organisation of Services and Precautionary Measures necessary for the Protection of Workers from the Hazards of Work on Lifting Equipment shall be revoked and any provision that contravene the provisions of this Order shall be revoked.

Article 31

The Ministry’s Undersecretary shall implement this Order which shall come into effect three months after the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

 

 

 

Signed: Jameel bin Mohamed Ali Humaidan.
Minister of Labour.
Issued on: 2nd Jumada Al Akher, 1435 Hijra,
Corresponding to: 2nd February, 2014 A.D.

MINISTERIAL ORDER NO.(9) OF 2014

WITH RESPECT TO PROTECTING WORKERS FOR NATURAL (PHYSICAL)

HAZARDS AT ESTABLISHMENTS AND WORKSITES

 

 

The Minister of Labour,

Having reviewed the Law on Constructional Organisation of Buildings promulgated by Legislative Decree No.(13) of 1977, as amended, And Legislative Decree No.(5) of 1990 with respect to Civil Defence, And Legislative Decree No.(21) of 1996 with respect to the Environment, as amended by Legislative Decree No.(8) of 1997, And Legislative Decree No.(25) of 2009 with respect to the Accession of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the International Labour Organisation’s Convention No.(155) of 1981 with respect to Occupational Safety and Health, and Work Environment,
And the Labour Law for the Private Sector promulgated by And Legislative Decree No.(36) of 2012, particularly Article (166) thereof, And Decree No.(7) of 1983 with respect to the Arabian Agreement No.(13) of 1981 with respect to the Work Environment, And Decree No.(2) of 1994 with respect to the Accession by the State of Bahrain to the Arabian Agreement No.(7) of 1977 and
Recommendation No.(1) of 1977 with respect to the Occupational Safety and Health, And having sought the opinion of the Concerned Authorities, And upon the submission of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour,

HEREBY ORDERS:

Article 1

In the application of the provisions of this Order, the terms and expressions shall have the meanings assigned against each unless the context otherwise requires:

- HEAT: An increase in the temperature surrounding a worker to a limit that subjects him to health hazards and affects his health.
- COLD: A decrease in the temperature surrounding a worker to a limit that subjects him to health hazards and affects his safety.
- MOISTURE: Amount of steam surrounding a worker that subjects him to health hazards and affects his health with its increase and decrease.
- NOISE: Noise and sounds in a worker’s Perimeter that subjects him to health hazards and affects his safety.
- RADIATIONS: Energy in a form of eaves or particles from natural or industrial sources that may penetrate a worker’s body and subjects him to health hazards and affects his safety.
- VIBRATIONS: A vibration generated by machines within the worker’s perimeter subjects him to health hazards and affects his safety.
- ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE: Atmospheric pressure leys upon a worker’s body as a result of performing his duties in specific atmospheres or places, higher or lower, subjecting a worker to health hazards and affecting his safety.
- WORKERS ROTATION SYSTEM: A system where a worker is transferred from his profession to another or from one worksite to another between one period and another, and without violating the concluded employment contract or the law for the purpose of reducing the hazard he is subject
thereto and indicated in this Order.

Article 2

The provisions of this Order shall be applicable to all establishments subject to the Labour Law for the Private Sector No.(36) of 2012 in which workers may be subject to health hazards that may affect their safety due to Natural (Physical) hazard or damage.

Article 3

An employer shall protect his workers from heat, cold and radiation exposing hazards by adopting proper means that secure their protection and reducing their exposing thereto by adopting the following measures or others:
1. To isolate the heat, cold, radiation or production process radiation sources from other working places and production processes whenever practically possible.
2. To set up protective barriers designated to absorb or reduce heat, radiations and isolate their sources.

3. To provide adequate ventilation and suitable environmental improvement means.
4. To provide personal protection gear and suitable clothing to protect from the hazards of heat, cold or radiation.
5. To adopt workers rotation system.
6. To reduce working hours in which a worker is subject to hazards and increase rest periods.
7. To supply workers with suitable liquids and salt and encourage them to regularly have them in suitable quantities.
8. To create workers control slots in sealed places.
9. to increase the distance between the heat, cold and radiation sources, and the worker’s body whenever practically possible.
10.To isolate the places for having or storing food from the emitting heat, radiations and production process.
11.To carry out periodical maintenance of machines and equipment that emits heat and radiation.

Article 4

An employer shall take the necessary measures by providing suitable ear protecting gear and others for the workers to reduce the noise resulting from using such devices, machines and equipment in the worksite and taking into consideration the period permitted for subjecting to such noise in accordance with the table attached to this Order.

Article 5

An Employer shall protect his workers from being subject to the hazards of vibrations by adopting the proper methods to secure their protection and reduce being exposed thereto by adopting the following methods and others:
1. To supply good vibration and movement dampers to stop the vibration of the entire worker’s body.
2. Continuous maintenance of machines and tools to prevent the increase of their emitting vibrations.
3. To provide personal protective and vibration reduction clothing and equipment.

4. To organise the work in order to avoid subjecting a worker to vibration for over than (30%) in one single work shift.
5. To provide ideal temperature and moisture to carry out the work in which a worker is subject to vibrations.
6. To approve the workers rotation scheme.

Article 6

An employer shall protect his workers from the hazards of being subject to the increase and decrease of atmospheric pressure by adopting suitable means that warrant their protection and reduce their exposure thereto by following the following methods or others:
1. To provide personal protective clothing and gear to protect and reduce atmospheric pressure.
2. To provide suitable ear protection gear.
3. To provide suitable respirator machines.
4. To reduce working hours in which a worker is subject to increasing and decreasing atmospheric pressure together with increasing rest hours.
5. To train workers on methods to overcome the increase and decrease of atmospheric pressure.

Article 7

An employer shall protect his workers from the hazards of exposing to the increase and decrease in humidity by adopting the following suitable measures that secure their protection and reduce exposing thereto by adopting the following means or others:
1. To provide suitable ventilation and lighting inside the workplace.
2. To provide personal protective clothing and gear from the increase and decrease of humidity.
3. To provide suitable respirator machines.
4. To eliminate or reduce the high humidity sources like liquids.

Article 8

An employer shall protect his workers from the hazards of being exposed to intense lighting, winds and bad weather by adopting the proper means that secure their protection and reduce exposing thereto.

 

Article 9

An employer shall train his workers to use the protection gear, preserve, maintain and compel them to use them.

Article 10

All mechanical vehicles used to carrying out the work must be airconditioned whenever practically possible.

Article 11

An employer shall exclude workers with illnesses which natural hazards mayaffect their health provided an approved medical certificate from the Ministry of Health should be provided.

Article 12

Employers must modify their status in conformity of the provisions of this Order within the first three months from the enforcement date thereof.

 

Article 13

Any person who violates the provisions of this Order shall be liable for thepenalties indicated in Article (192) of the Labour Law for the Private Sector promulgated by Legislative Decree No.(36) of 2012.

Article 14

The Ministry’s Undersecretary shall implement this Order which shall come into effect from the day following the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

 

 

 

 

Signed: Jameel bin Mohamed Ali Humaidan.
Minister of Labour.
Issued on: 10th Jumada Awwal, 1435 Hijra,
Corresponding to: 11th March, 2014 A.D.

 

 

 

TABLE OF NOISE LEVELS AND DURATION OF EXPOSING THERETO
Exposing Time/Hour Noise Level/ Decibel

 

 

8 85
6 87
4 90
3 92
2 95
1.5 97
1 100
0.5 105
1 minute 115

MINISTERIAL ORDER NO.(4) OF 2014

WITH RESPECT TO DETERMINING THE REQUIRED CONDITIONS AND
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF WORKERS
ENGAGED IN BUIDLING WORKS, CONSTRUCTION AND CIVIL ENGINEERING

 

 

 

The Minister of Labour,

Having reviewed Law No.(25) of 2009 with respect to the Accession of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the International Labour Organisation’s Convention No.(155) of 1981 with respect to Occupational Safety and Health, and Work Environment, And the Labour Law for the Private Sector promulgated by And Legislative Decree No.(36) of 2012, particularly Article (166) thereof, And Decree No.(7) of 1983 with respect to the Arabian Agreement No.(13) of 1981 with respect to Work Environment,
And Decree No.(2) of 1994 with respect to the Accession by the State of Bahrain to the Arabian Agreement No.(7) of 1977 and Recommendation No.(1) of 1977 with respect to the Occupational
Safety and Health, And Order of the Minister of Labour No.(12) of 1977 with respect to
the Organisation of Precautionary Measures necessary for the Protection of Workers Engaged in Construction, Civil Engineering and Shipbuilding, And having sought the opinion of the Concerned Authorities, And upon the submission of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour, HEREBY

 

ORDERS:

Article 1

In the application of the provisions of this Order, the terms and expressions shall have the meanings assigned against each unless the context otherwise requires:
- BUILDING WORKS: Construction work of buildings, assembling factories, substantial change, rebuild or maintain them which include repainting, re-ornamentation, external cleaning, demolishing and all preliminary works to carry on the above works which shall not include engineering installations as indicated in its definition.
- CONSTRUCTION WORK: Steel or reinforced construction works with the exception of buildings, substantial changes or re-building (including re-painting) or demolishing. It includes road works, airport runways, wave breakers, reclamation, river works, used pipelines laying for any purpose,
constructing harbours, dry docks, reservoir, aqueduct, sewer, sewage works or gasholders and any civil or constructional engineering works of a similar nature to the foregoing.
- COMPETENT PERSON: a person who is properly trained and qualified and has sufficient experience for the work and is not suffering from any physical defect or disability that would prevent him from carrying out the work properly.
- WORK PLACE: A place prepared by an employer at which a worker shall perform his duties and also amongst one of the following work places:
1. Any part of the establishment workers may be available therein.
2. Any chamber, gangway, hall, room, staircase, road or any other place inside the establishment and is used as an entrance to the establishment or exit therefrom by the workers.
- SCAFFOLDING: A platform rose on or attached to pillars and structures used to carry out duties, moving vertically or horizontally and to carry equipment, materials and work material at a elevated place.
- TYING-IN: Rigidly connecting any scaffold to a building or fixed structure.

Article 2

The provisions of this Order shall be applicable to building works, construction and civil engineering works.

Article 3

The following shall be secured upon entrusting an entity or entities the executionof a project or task at a work place:
1. To ensure the capability of an entity entrusted with executing a project ortask and holding a licence to pursue such activity by the concerned authority.
2. To adopt suitable arrangements to adopt legal requirements of the occupational safety and health. Such arrangement must be documented and approved by all the concerned authorities and immediately inform the Ministry of Labour upon approval. Such action shall not relieve an
employer from observing all legal conditions.

3. To maintain, whenever possible, all necessary information about possible hazards at a work place.
4. To effectively co-ordinate with various concerned entities.
5. To periodically or whenever a need may arise, review the arrangements indicated in the preceding Clauses of this Article.
6. To identify the hazardous areas and ensure that no unauthorised personnel enter such areas by placing barricade or guard rails to prevent the presence of workers in such areas.

Article 4

The main-contractor at the work place shall co-ordinate with sub-contractors about the occupational safety and health issued.

Article 5

Work places shall meet the following conditions:
1. All entrances, exits, passages and roads used by the workers should be safe.
2. A work place shall be designed in a safe manner so as it shall not form any harm to any worker or any one available therein.
3. Necessary practical measures should be taken to prevent workers from using unsafe passages.
4. A work place area should be sufficient and adequate to carry out the work taking into consideration any equipment or instrument used for work.

Article 6

1. All hazards at a working place must be evaluated particularly elevated places, analyse previously adopted procedures and their effectiveness in addition to adopting the required measures that secures workers safety at a working place.
2. All permanent grounds and preventative guard rails or any other mean intended to prevent falling to any of the elevated places must previously been be inspected by a qualified person and should secure that in a practical manner.

 

Article 7

The following shall be observed at working places:
1. All construction working places must be arranged and in an accepted cleaning state.
2. A working place must be surrounded by a suitable fence and is identified by placing clear marks thereon.
3. Panels with visible nails or parts of sharp objects that may sustain injury to any worker should not be left.
4. To take suitable measures to store materials and objects in addition to proper procedures to dispose of garbage ad refuse in a manner that may avoid hazard to any person either by colliding or falling material.

Article 8

Without prejudice to other provisions of this Order, where work cannot safely be done from or on the ground or from part of a building or other permanent structure there shall be provided, places and kept in position for use and properly maintained either scaffolds, or where there can be used safety ladders, all of which shall be sufficient and suitable and safe for the purposes.

Article 9

1. Every scaffold and every part thereof shall be:
a) Of good construction.
b) Of suitable and sound material.
c) Of adequate strength, including where necessary bracing, strutting and tying-in, for the purpose which it is used.
d) It shall be properly maintained and supplied with a card indicating date of examination by a qualified person.
2. All material and parts for scaffolds shall not in use be kept under good condition and shall be properly maintained.
3. Where any part of the scaffold is incomplete or is not compliance with the requirement of this Order, access to such part shall be prevented.

Article 10

1. Standards or uprights shall be:

a) Vertical or slightly inclined towards the buildings.

b) Fixed sufficiently close together to secure the stability of the scaffold.

2. Ledgers and putlogs shall be securely connected together and to upright as necessary.

Article 11

Scaffold erecting or dismantling shall be made under the supervision of a qualified person while observing the safety of workers erecting such scaffold through training provided the following precautions shall be taken upon erecting or dismantling:
1. Awareness of the approved measurement and plan to dismantle or construct a scaffold.
2. Safety work awareness on a scaffold.
3. Taking precautionary measures to prevent workers or materials from falling.
4. Taking into consideration the weather conditions, their effect and extent of work safety on scaffolds.
5. Observe the permitted loads.

Article 12

Every scaffold fitted with wheels shall:
1. be constructed with due regard to stability, if necessary including weights at the base and tying-in,
2. be used only on a firm, level surface,
3. have a locking device for the wheels which shall be properly secured when the scaffold is in use.
4. be moved from one place to another only when it is unoccupied and then only by pressure at the bas.

Article 13

No scaffold shall be erected, add to, altered or dismantled except by competent scaffolders. All materials used for the work as well as the completed scaffold shall be inspected and passed by a foreman scaffolder before being taken into use. Thereafter every scaffold shall be inspected by a competent person at least once every week.

 

Article 14

The following shall be observed when working on a platform:
1. To be with sufficient diameters that allows workers passage, safe use of required materials and provide a suitable working area while observing the work in progress.
2. To be of a suitable surface with no gaps a worker or material may fall therefrom, or causes injury to a worker except if necessary measures and precautions are adopted to protect workers from hazards.
3. To be constructed and maintained in a manner that prevents sliding or stumbling and prevents workers falling between the work platform and the other adjacent platform.

Article 15

Loading on the platform that leads to collapsing or occurrence of any effect that leads to losing its balance, shall be prohibited.

Article 16 

Stairs shall be provided throughout their length with hand rails on the open side or sides, of sufficient strength to prevent to fall of persons therefrom.

Article 17

1. It shall not be permitted to use any scheme to prevent persons from falling except with the availability of the following conditions:
a) To conduct hazards analysis and evaluation that proves carrying out the work using this scheme is the most practical one to protect against hazards.
b) A user and all available persons in the working place have received suitable and proper training to pursue their duties in addition to the full knowledge of the protection steps and means.

2. Personal protection for falling persons scheme should observe the following:
a) It shall be suitable, appropriate with sufficient strength and durability for the purpose designed for and weights expected to be thereon.
b) It shall be suitable and appropriate for a user person
c) It shall be properly and correctly tied.

d) Tying means shall be suitable and of sufficient strength and durability provided it shall be tightly fastened.
3. The following shall be available in the falling protection means:
a) It shall be of appropriate strength and sufficient dimensions for the purposes intended thereof.
b) It shall be stable and secure.

Article 18

The following shall be observed upon working in elevated places:
1. Upper protective guard rails or any similar method should be at least one metre elevated from the surface edge that workers may possibly fall therefrom.
2. Foot guard rails shall be suitable and appropriate for protecting persons and preventing material and equipment from falling.
3. Side middle guard rails or any other mean shall be identical so as the gap between them, the upper side guard rails and foot guard rails shall not exceed one half metre.
4. Work shall be banned if the protection mean is not present unless other effective and secure safety means are present to carry out the job.

Article 19

The following shall be observed in protective guard rails:
a) In case of designing protective guard rails, they shall be connected to designed tie-in means and securely linked of strength and stability for the workers safety and materials falling.
b) In the presence of an air pillow or protective net, it shall be stable.
c) Suitable and appropriate measures shall be available to secure workers safety from injury in case of falling together with ensuring the practical suitability of such measures.

Article 20

The following shall be observed upon using ladders:
1. An employer must observe upon using ladders for work in elevated places,to analyse and evaluate hazards that prove using them are the proper practical means.

2. A surface where a ladder is placed shall be steady and does not skid to prevent its movement or tilting.
3. A ladder must be securely placed to secure its stability while carrying out the work.
4. Every Ladder used as part or an access to a working place must project above any landing or working point for a distance of one meter unless other adequate hand hold is provided.
5. Extendable ladders shall not be used unless the parts do not collapse while using.
6. Caution must be taken not to move mobile ladders with wheels while climbing and protection means to avoid falling while using them as work platform.
7. Suitable practical rest platforms must be maintained and added to the ladders with heights exceeding 9 metres from the base.
8. Ladders must not be used in the following cases:
a) If a ladder has been repaired by means of nails, wire or rope.
b) If any of its steps are broken, lost or misplaced.
c) If it is painted in such a manner that would render it difficult to find out any cracks therein.

 

Article 21

1. Necessary precautions must be taken to prevent any person at the working place to work on breakable material, pass through or nearby.
2. If impractical to avoid working on breakable material, avoid passing through or close by them, the following precautions must be adopted:
a) To ensure the availability of sufficient and appropriate work platforms, guard rails or any other method to prevent substances from falling through these materials.
b) To take the proper and suitable measures to reduce possible distances and damages for falling through safety nets or belts.
3. Warning and directing signs should be placed in areas where there breakable materials a worker is likely to pass through, close by, work on or alert worker by any other appropriate mean.

 

Article 22

1. Where any work is being done on a slopping roof exceeding 12.5 degrees, there shall be provided at the edge of the roof below the working place a working platform to be wide enough to prevent any person who slips down the roof from falling to the ground below.
2. It shall not be permitted to carry on any work on slopping roofs or movement thereon except by properly made sliding ladders.
3. Where any Work is being done on whatever slopping roof degree, weather conditions that may affect objects stability and steadiness must be observed.

Article 23

 

In case of carrying out any work that is likely to reduce or affect the stability and safety of any part of an existing building, existing or temporary construction, or under construction that may subject any person to risk, all necessary practical measures must be taken by designing pillars to securely stand weights and used for the purpose they were designed therefor so as to prevent any person from exposing to danger as a result of the collapse of a building, construction or any part thereof.

Article 24

1. Demolition, removal or any part thereof must be planned in a manner to prevent or reduce the hazard by adopting any practical operation possible.
2. Demolition shall only be carried out:
a) Under a licence from the competent authority.
b) Under the direct and constant supervision of a competent person.
c) So far as possible by workers trained and experienced in the work.
d) After all services, such as water, gas and electricity supplied to the building or structure being demolished have been disconnected by the relevant authority and a certificate to that effect has been given to the competent person carrying out the disconnection on behalf of the authority.

 

Article 25

1. All possible measures should be taken to protect persons from the hazards of excavations, collapsing or any part thereof by adopting the following:

a) To adopt all necessary practical measures to prevent works or materials from falling at the excavation place.
b) To take all proper and sufficient measures to prevent excess loading of materials and equipment on the outskirts of the excavations.
c) To provide sufficient number of entries, exits and safe access to the excavation.

2. Excavation shall not start except after adopting the following procedures:
a) Holes and trenches must be surrounded by a safe and secure guard rails together with placing warning signs thereon, provide suitable lighting that assist in knowing and identifying such holes at night in addition to providing each worker with a reflective jacket.
b) To examine the connector used in excavation by a qualified person prior to the commencement of the shift and after any incident that affects the strength and stability of the excavation or falling any materials inside the hole.

 

Article 26

The following shall be observed in dams:
1. It shall be properly designed and executable to reduce hazards whenever practically possible.
2. It shall be supplied with a system that permits a worker from exiting in case of an emergency like entry of water or materials.
3. It shall be periodically maintained.
4. A dam shall be examined by a qualified person prior to commencement of a work shift and after any incident that affects the dam’s strength and stability together with the availability of a qualified person having the authority to stop the work in case of any hazard to the workers.
5. Water suction carried out after the dam’s construction should be carried out by a qualified person with a sufficient expertise in this field.

Article 27

1. All electric mains, switches, fuse boxes cables and other electrical supply equipment shall be specially and adequately protected, installed and maintained to eliminate danger from electric shocks.
2. Before any operation or work to which this Order applies are commenced, and during the progress of such works, all practicable steps shall be taken to prevent danger to persons employed from any live electric cable whether under–ground or overhead or other apparatus, which is liable to be a source of such danger whether from the operation of a lifting or excavating appliance or otherwise. Steps to be taken shall include rendering the cable or apparatus electrically dead or the erection of suitable barriers to prevent approach to the dangerous area.

Article 28

1. When the worker is conveyed to or from any working place by a water vessel, proper measures shall be taken for his safe transport. Vessels used for this purpose shall be of suitable construction, properly maintained and in good working order, shall be in charge of competent persons and shall not be overloaded.
2. Where on or adjacent to the site of any industrial operations or workers there is water into which a worker is liable to fall with risk of drowning, suitable rescue equipment shall be provided and kept in any efficient state and ready for use and measures shall be taken to arrange for the prompt rescue of the workers who are in danger. Where there is a special risk of such fall from the edge of a land or off a structure adjacent to or above the water or off a floating stage secure fencing shall be provided near the edge to prevent such fall. Where there is required movement of workers or materials over or close to the edge, fencing may be removed for the time and to the extent necessary to permit such movement.

Article 29

Every construction site shall be safely organised in order to secure the workers safety upon their movement on the work place and all passages shall appropriate for the workers and vehicles in terms of suitable number, place, area and shall be supplied with direction signs.

Article 30

The following shall be observed when using vehicles:
1. To take suitable and safe measures to safely organise vehicles movement and parking at the work place.
2. To take suitable and sufficient measures to organise workers movement near such vehicles.
3. A worker must be at a safe place during loading, unloading and transport of materials at the work place.
4. To take suitable measures to prevent vehicles falling in the holes or water, or overturn at the sides.

 

Article 31

On using mechanically propelled vehicles, fork-lifts, trucks, tractors and bulldozers, no such vehicles shall be used unless:
1. It is in the charge of and being driven by a competent person properly trained and licensed to drive with a valid Bahraini licence.
2. It shall be in a good state, efficient working order and in good repair.
3. It is used only on proper manner and is not loaded in such a way as to interfere with the safe operation of the vehicle.
4. It shall be equipped with seats suitable for the number of passengers if it is intended for such purpose.

Article 32

Workers shall not be required to lift, carry or move any heavy load likely to cause injury to them.

Article 33

The following shall be observed in confined space in which there is reason to apprehend the presence of any dangerous fumes:
1. No person shall enter or remain in any confined space in which there is reason to apprehend the presence of any dangerous fumes to such extent as to involve risk of persons being overcome thereby, unless they are wearing breathing apparatus of a type approved for the purpose of this
Article, or a responsible person has certified the space as being, for a specified period, safe for entry without breathing apparatus, and the period so specified has nit expired; but no person shall enter or remain in the space without breathing apparatus unless he has been warned when
the period so specified will expire.
2. A space shall not be certified under paragraph (1) of this Article unless:
a) Effective steps have been taken to prevent any ingress of dangerous fumes.
b) Any sludge or other deposit liable to give off dangerous fumes has been removed and the space contains no other material liable to give off dangerous fumes.
c) The space has been adequately ventilated and tested for dangerous fumes and has a supply of air adequate for respiration; But no account shall be taken for the purposes of sub-paragraph (b) of
Paragraph (2) of any deposit or other material liable to give off dangerous fumes in insignificant quantities only.
3. Where any worker is employed in any space to which paragraph (1) of this Order applies, there shall be provided and kept readily available:
a) Not less than two sets of breathing apparatus of a type approved for the purpose of this Article at the site of operations.
b) Not less than two additional sets of such apparatus in nearby stores.
c) A suitable torch approved for the purpose of this Article with each set of breathing apparatus.
d) Two belts or ropes suitable for rescue purpose.

The apparatus, belts, ropes and torches shall be maintained and shall be thoroughly examined, at least once every month or at such other intervals as may be prescribed by a competent person; and a report on every such examination signed by the person making the examination and containing the prescribed particulars, shall be kept available for inspection
4. A sufficient number of workers shall be trained and practiced in the use of the apparatus mentioned in the preceding paragraph of this Article and in a method of restoring respiration.

Article 34

In case of an emergency, necessary precautions must be adopted to include steps toward vacating the worksite and take into consideration the presence of workers assembly point.

Article 35

Proper and suitable measures must be taken to combat fire hazards at worksites.

Article 36

Suitable and sufficient lighting must be available at the worksite and observe providing secondary lighting in case of any malfunction in the lighting that may affect the workers.

Article 37

Every worksite must be equipped with a suitable and proper shaded area to prevent workers in cases of any disorders and bad weather together with providing the necessary precautions from lightning hazards in case of working in high buildings. Work shall not be permitted in poor visibility due to dust or fog which does not permit carrying out the work.

Article 38

A suitable place must be prepared to eat food and rest away from any work hazards.

Article 39

Suitable quantity of fresh and drinkable water must be provided at suitable and easy to reach place by the workers.

Article 40

Every person who violates the provisions of this Order shall be liable for the punishment provided for in Article (192) of the Labour Law for the Private Sector promulgated by Law No.(36) of 2012.

Article 41

Order of the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs No.(12) of 1977 with respect to the Organisation of Precautionary Measures necessary for the Protection of Workers Engaged in Construction, Civil Engineering and Shipbuilding shall be revoked and any provision that contravene the provisions of this Order shall be revoked.

Article 42

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour shall implement this Order which shall come into effect after three months from the date of its publication in the

 

 

 

 

Official Gazette.

Signed: Jameel bin Mohamed Humaidan,
Minister of Labour.
Issued on: 2nd Rabie Al Akher, 1435 Hijra,
Corresponding to: 2nd February, 2014 A.D.