Apr 6, 2022
The purpose of this activity is to ensure the incorporation of Industrial Hygiene and Ergonomic standards into every step of Ecopetrol Group projects.
The Industrial Hygiene and Ergonomic technical analysis in projects, it is based in the control of uncertainty and anticipation of the effects of a variable work system.
Assistance steps in projects
Assistance steps for projects outline.
In 2022 Ecopetrol Health Department started the assistance and technical advice to the following projects to ensure the Industrial Hygiene and Ergonomic Standard compliance.
MANAGEMENT |
PROJECTS |
GRB |
REPLACEMENT SYSTEM B-2880" SULFUR |
GRB |
ADAPTATION OF DELIVERY CAPACITY TO MULTIPLE PIPELINES - DIESEL-JET SYSTEM |
GRB |
BASIC ENGINEERING OF THE NEW LABORATORY PROJECT |
GRB |
GRB PROJECT - IB GRB OVEN SAFEGUARD / PRESENTATION OF ERGONOMIC ASPECTS H-4301 OVENS |
GRB |
GRB PROJECT – UOP II |
GRB |
PIPING ARRANGEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH T2655 AND T2654 HCM PROJECT |
GRC |
ASSURANCE OF THE RELIABILITY OF THE BOILER FEEDWATER SYSTEM IN THE U-031 OF THE CARTAGENA REFINERY |
GRC |
INTERCONNECTION OF CRUDE PLANTS OF THE CARTAGENA REFINERY - IPCC |
GRC |
LOAD LIFTING FACILITIES |
GRC |
CARTAGENA GREEN HYDROGEN |
GRC |
LPG FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEM / INTEGRAL MANAGEMENT OF LPG |
GRC |
DOCKS FIRE-FIGHTING SYSTEM |
VAO |
CAÑO SUR JOBS |
Projects supported in 2022
The next graphic illustrates the Industrial Hygiene and Ergonomic technical advice advances for each project.
Industrial Hygiene and Ergonomic technical advice advances
This indicator contributes to proactively manage the occupational risk in the working environment preventing Occupational Diseases through impact assessment of the intervention plans established for chemical, physical and ergonomic agents.
The Occupational Health Risk Level Control Indicator includes occupations and tasks evaluated by physical strain analysis methodology and the identification of physical and chemical risks. The purpose of Occupational Health Department is to help company areas to manage risk level eliminating or reducing it.
In 2022 the indicator included 35 very high, high, and medium risk occupations according to the Industrial Hygiene and Ergonomic conditions as follow:
18 Downstream jobs, distributed as follows:
Vice-presidency |
Area |
Category |
Target |
VRP |
Cartagena Refinery General Management |
Ergonomics |
12 |
Cartagena Refinery General Management |
Industrial hygiene |
1 |
|
Barrancabermeja Refinery General Management |
Ergonomics |
3 |
|
Barrancabermeja Refinery General Management |
Industrial hygiene |
2 |
1 job in the Center for Innovation and Technology - Colombian Petroleum Institute:
Vice-presidency |
Area |
Category |
Target |
ICP |
Production Optimization and Enhanced Recovery Laboratory |
Industrial hygiene |
1 |
17 Upstream jobs, distributed as follows:
Vice-presidency |
Dependence |
Theme |
Target |
VPU |
Vice-presidencies Regional Andina Oriente / GPA |
Ergonomics |
7 |
Vice-presidencies Regional Andina Oriente / GPO |
Ergonomics |
3 |
|
Orinoquía Regional Vice Presidency |
Ergonomics |
5 |
|
Piedmont Regional Vice Presidency |
Ergonomics |
1 |
By the end of 2022 the company achieved the reduction or elimination of the Industrial Hygiene and Ergonomic Risks identified in 100% of the occupations intervened and planned for the period.
Risk Level Control Strategy Results – 2022
Example about Occupational Health Risk Level Control occupation of ergonomic conditions:
LPG Operator – Downstream
a. Ergonomic: TSG strategy
The Occupational Health Department defined the diagnosis of high-risk operation management occupations as an Ergonomic TSG strategy milestone for 2022 (valve operation, control rooms, equipment, and tools). The implemented strategy had 3 stages:
Stage I – Initial Diagnosis: Create a data base according to the occupational characteristics of each role considering the previous ergonomic interventions that had been done by the specialists to each of the Ecopetrol S.A departments.
Stage II: Completed information for the final diagnosis: Assisted the departments reviewing and updating milestone information.
Stage III - Final diagnosis and inventory. Data bases created and critical scenario were identified.
This is the accumulated results of ergonomic milestone for valve operation, control rooms, equipment, and tools:
Ergonomic milestone results diagram.
b. Industrial Hygiene – TSG strategy
The activities planned for 2022 are described as follow and report 100% compliance.
Get the information of the counter displays process and watertight tanks measures in the field.
Open and close counter display gap identification, and measure tanks potentially risky due to systematic explosion because of chemical agents.
Final diagnosis, findings, and general recommendations.
Business diagnosis presentation to building sense of commitment to find solutions.
Occupational Health assistance for remote working employees:
Occupational Health Department defined a strategy to assist volunteer employees who decided to work remotely to identify risk conditions and stipulate work environment intervention.
The strategy included remote workstations initial evaluation by ergonomic professionals which purpose was:
Clear up remote workers questions about their workstation.
Provide basic recommendations to improve the workstation immediately.
Report the recommendations for a safe and adequate workstation according to the employee activities.
By the end of 2022 the company achieved 97,3% assistance to remote nationwide employees of Ecopetrol S.A
Remote workstations evaluation
On the other hand, the strategy included a second evaluation to check the correct implementation of the recommendations by remote employees according to initial evaluation.
Validation of remote workstations:
Prove successful implementation of initial recommendations to adjust the Workstation.
Workstation elements adopted by employees.
Clarify employee’s questions about Workstation.
By the end of 2022 the company achieved a 93,1% remote workstation inspection nationwide.
Remote Workstation improvements compliance inspection
Mental Health and Psychosocial Risk Management
Psychosocial group strategy workshops assisted and advised employees about pandemic and remote work. Some topics were: emotional management, coping strategies, stress control, time management, resilience, fear and uncertainty management, psychosocial tips, and present awareness. In the course of 2022, 4.408 employees participated in 264 psychosocial workshops.
Individual psychosocial intervention strategy helped employees and their families through self-care awareness, new habits, and healthy lifestyle. 1.277 employees participated in individual interventions throughout 2022.
Individual assistance strategy for leaders brought tools to develop teamwork and work balance. In 2022, 1.126 leaders joined the initiative (94.4% of the target population)
Implementation of psychosocial risk intervention plans
Comparative percentage of psychosocial risk intervention plans 2018 – 2022
The Collective Labour Agreement in force (2018 - 2022) in its chapter X: Occupational Health, defines the scope agreed with the unions about Health and Safety management in Ecopetrol. As stated in article 78: "OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH in Ecopetrol S.A. contributes to developing the human potential of the workforce; promotes, improves and maintains the physical, mental and social health of workers; prevents occupational diseases and accidents. It also promotes the placement of the worker in work environments that are consistent with his physical and psychological conditions." and ensure operation of regional and local occupational health committees.
There are 10 occupational health committees and 23 Local occupational health committees throughout the organization with representatives of the administration and workers. The COPASOS are advisors who promote and watch over occupational health programs compliance. The local occupational health committees are participation scenarios for workers' representatives to collaborate with the administration, in actions of promotion, prevention and control of occupational risk factors, with measures and solutions that are within their reach or, if not, propose what is necessary to the competent authorities.
The occupational health committees and local occupational health committees have 100% of workers representation.