In this series I take questions from the Basic Safety Rules section of the Saudi Aramco Safety Handbook. There are 34 basic safety rules in this section. This lesson covers the last set of questions. If you are preparing for an interview on an Aramco project, learn these well.
Q1: What is work at height?
According to the handbook, approved fall protection (a personal fall arrest system) must be used when the working height is more than 1.8 metres (6 feet). Above this height, a full body harness is required.
Interview answer: Working at 1.8 metres (6 feet) or more above the ground is considered work at height.
Q2: What precautions should be taken near rotating equipment and electrical switchgear?
- Use proper PPE.
- Follow the lockout tagout (LOTO) system.
- Make sure guards and switches are in place and working.
Q3: What PPE is approved by Saudi Aramco for restricted areas?
- Hard hat (safety helmet)
- Safety eyewear: safety glasses with side shields, so dust cannot enter the eyes
- Safety boots
- Goggles
- Face shield (for example, during welding)
- Respiratory protection equipment
- Apron (worn during welding)
- Hearing protection: ear plugs or ear muffs when noise levels are high
Q4: How do you find out which PPE to use for a specific chemical?
When handling chemicals or hazardous materials, you learn the specific PPE and handling instructions from two documents:
- CHB: Chemical Hazard Bulletin, which gives instructions for a specific chemical hazard.
- SDS: Safety Data Sheet, which gives full details of the chemical, its hazards and the PPE required.
How to prepare
Keep a copy of the Saudi Aramco Safety Handbook, take a printout if you can, and note down the questions and answers from each lesson as you go. The next section of the handbook covers operational safety procedures.
Also read: Safety Officer Interview for Freshers, and take the Aramco basic safety rules quiz.