CHAD EXPORT PROJECT - IFC

4 WORKERS AND COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY
4.1 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES (EEPCI AND COTCO PERSONNEL)
Project Update
The visits conducted at the OFDA and permanent facilities in Cameroon confirmed that the Health and
Safety measures in place are in line with the current best industry practices and with the EMP requirements
in force. No particular observation or suggestion for improvement was raised.
4.2 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES (COTCO CONTRACTORS)
Project Update
As previously discussed, the newly issued ROWIP in Cameroon has required an increase of workforce
from the local communities to conduct the periodical maintenance (grass cutting and erosion control) and
inspection (foot patrolling) activities along the pipeline easement. Both activities have started in April
2011.
At the present time, COTCO has three contractors (one per maintenance area) in charge of the ROW
maintenance, plus another three contractors in charge of performing the ROW inspection activities. These
contractors are hiring the needed workforce at the villages located along the pipeline and the local workers
are in charge of inspecting or maintaining the ROW sections pertinent to the relevant village (e.g., the
ROW monitoring and maintenance work load is split based on the length of pipeline section falling within
the territory of the each village). Further details on the ROWIP scope, content and implementation status
are provided under a dedicated section in the present report.
Observations
During the ECMG mission, a sample of villages located in MA4, around the town of Yaoundé, and in
MA3, around the Belabo area, have been visited (see Annex A for details) in order to gather some follow
up from local representatives on the implementation of the ROWIP.
Based on the information provided by the local chiefs and interviewed workers, it appears that all of the
appropriate Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) was not provided to the workers during the campaigns
conducted in 2011. Further discussion with COTCO EMP representatives has confirmed the concern raised
during the villages visit and the need of further investigating, with the appointed Contractors, that adequate
Health and Safety measures are put in place (including training and provision of PPE). In this sense the
planned contracting of ROW surveyors (see previous section on EMP staffing) could help to provide more
adequate follow up on the quality of the work performed by COTCO contractors.
Recommendation
2. COTCO shall ensure that all the required training and needed PPE (including coverall, boots,
gloves, safety glasses, etc) are provided by the appointed contractors to the locally employed
worker. In general, it is recommended that the monitoring of the COTCO contractors
involved in the ROWIP is further enhanced through the existing CROs and through the
planned new staff to be hired (ROW surveyors).
4.3 REPORTED THEFTS OF EQUIPMENT (CHAD)
Project Update
In the period between December 2010 and August 2011 (data set provided), EEPCI has recorded a total of
441 cases of thefts of equipment, mainly cables and transformer oil at well pads. Particular concern was
raised by the Project regarding the increasing episodes of thefts of transformer oil (average of 23 cases per
month since May 2011), which is causing the sudden shut downs of the wells and consequent loss of
production during the time needed for maintenance and repair works.
Observations
This oil, which is a hydrotreated light naphthenic distillate, has known toxicological properties and can
pose risk for human health through skin exposure, inhalation and ingestion (but also presents slow
degradation when released to the environment). Based on the information provided, it is stolen for various
purposes, including mixing with fuel and even use for cooking purposes.
EXTERNAL COMPLIANCE MONITORING GROUP (ECMG)
EIGHTH POST-PROJECT COMPLETION VISIT OF THE D’APPOLONIA ECMG, OCTOBER 2011
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