EMERGENCY INFORMATION

• Fire alarm pull stations are located alongside each designated emergency exit.
  
  
• Contractor personnel must abide by all Emergency Evacuation Procedures (evacuate immediately at the sound of an alarm) and proceed to the facility meeting point.
  
  
• Building evacuation meeting points: In designated area in front of main building, or to an alternate location designated by the incident leader.
  
  
• In view of accounting for people in the case of an emergency evacuation, each contractor on site must designate a person who will account for that contractor’s personnel and immediately report the head count to the designated person (will be wearing an orange vest). Please consult with your FFT Project Manager prior to beginning work and inform all of your staff of the location and reporting for head count procedures.
  
  
• FFT facilities are connected to both fire and police by 911.   Use any phone, punch in a line and dial 9-911.
  
  
• All injuries to contractor personnel or damage to the FFT facility or FFT equipment shall be reported to the FFT Project Manager - the person responsible for engaging and supervising the services of the contractor.
  
  
• Twenty-four hours phone contact numbers for appropriate FFT staff will be provided by the FFT Project Manager at the start of each project.
  
  

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Formed Fiber Technologies.   We are pleased to have selected you and your company to provide specialized services to us.   You have been selected from among many who can provide similar services and we believe that we only engage the “best”.

The purpose of these guidelines is not to tell you how to do what you do best.  They are simply a way of helping you to learn some of our primary values as we all work together here.   Getting the job done either unsafely or with injury or damage is not, in our view, getting a quality job done.   Briefly stated, our goal is to produce our product to meet and/or surpass the highest quality expectations of our customers, in the most cost effective way, safely - without risk of generating loss from injury to people, damage to equipment or to our facilities.   Working safely is a prime value.   It is a value which we expect our contractors to share with us.   In our view, the only acceptable and successful project is one which is completed as designed, on time, and with no loss resulting from damage to people, equipment or facilities.   All contractors are expected to adopt this definition of an “acceptable” and a “successful” project.   The purpose of these guidelines is to outline for you, the contractor, the kinds and range of safe work practices we, at FFT, require of our own associates and, by extension, of all of those who work in our operations.

Our environmental, health and safety management practices are strict.   We expect that they be followed by everyone who enters our facility.   Each of our managers and supervisors are specifically required to enforce these standards with all employees, contractors, vendors and anyone engaged in activities on company premises.

These procedures have been brought together to inform / remind all contractors of FFT’s minimum safety requirements.   However, the procedures outlined in this policy cannot and do not attempt to delineate all safety standards and requirements that may apply to specific contractor operations.   They are all based on standard regulations and commonly recognized industrial safe work practices.   They are established to prevent loss and to fulfill our duty as a responsible employer and responsible environmental citizen.   As a contractor, FFT holds you responsible for knowing and following all applicable regulatory standards regarding the work you are doing and to ensure that you and your employees comply with them.   Failure to abide by these procedures will result in an FFT-initiated work stoppage until the violation is corrected.   Similarly, we, at FFT, in view of our commitment to do all of our work safely and without loss of any kind, have established some procedures which go beyond regulatory standards.   We are hereby communicating these to you and we expect that they will be adhered to.   We will stop the progress of any project which fails to meet our safe work standards.

Finally, it is our expectation that you, as the contractor, inform all your employees and sub-contractors who you will assign to work at our site of these standards.   We reserve the right to ask any contractor employee to leave the premises should there be disregard of our standards.   “I did not know” is not an acceptable excuse.   Such action could result in the work contract being suspended and the contractor being suspended.

We look forward to working with you and for both of us to produce an “acceptable” and “successful” project which meets and/or surpasses all of our expectations.

DEFINITIONS

Contractor:   Any individual or firm engaged by FFT to perform construction and/or any other type of work or service on FFT premises.   This group would include suppliers, repair/maintenance personnel, equipment installers and service personnel, construction contractors, utility, communications and service representatives.

Sub-Contractor:   Any individual or firm hired by a “contractor” and not an employee of the contractor.   The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that any sub-contractor is informed of these procedures prior to beginning work in an FFT facility.   The “contractor” is, further, responsible for ensuring that the sub-contractor complies with these procedures.

FFT Project Manager:   An FFT employee or someone in the service of FFT responsible for the contractor’s work.

INFORMATION PRIOR TO ENTERING ANY FORMED FIBER PRODUCTION OR WAREHOUSING FACILITY

• The contractor’s senior person or supervisor must report to the FFT Project Manager at the beginning of each shift.
  
  
• All contract (and sub-contract) personnel must:
  
  • wear steel-toed footwear (or, wear steel toe protectors over their shoes) - Auburn, Maine facility only
  • wear eye protection
  • wear hearing protection (ear plugs or ear muffs)
  • wear shirts
  • wear appropriate protective clothing
  
  
• The following actions are prohibited in FFT facilities:
  
  • storage of clothing and personal belongings
  • eating or drinking except in designated lunch or break areas
  • smoking or use of smokeless tobacco, except as designated smoking areas as designated by the FFT representative
  • offensive language and harassment of any kind
  • use of any kind of an illegal or controlled substance (unless under a physician’s order) or use of alcohol
  • “wandering” into areas of the FFT operation where the specific contractor’s work does not require

FFT WILL:

• Take positive measures to ensure that contract workers who perform work near or around hazardous processes remaining in operation are protected from the hazards. This may include: shutting down the process temporarily “roping” off hazardous areas; establishing temporary guarding procedures.
  
  
• Inform the contractor of known potential fire, explosion, or toxic release hazards related to the contractor’s work. The accountability for transmitting this information lies with the FFT Project Manager in all instances.
  
  
• Protection from the hazard(s) will be a mutual responsibility of the contractor and the FFT Project Manager - in collaboration with the manager of the area of work.
  
  
• Through the FFT Project Manager, evaluate contractor personnel safe work procedures and safe work behavior of contractor personnel.   The FFT Project Manager is required to discuss any consistent / repeated non-compliance with standards (OSHA, FFT or agreed upon job specific) with the Plant Manager for possible exclusion of that contractor from FFT work - either immediately or in the future.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

• Contractors are expected to know and to comply with all federal, state and local regulations, including but not limited to OSHA and hazardous and solid waste regulations, applicable to their operations at FFT.   The Contractor is also expected to comply with, or cooperate with the FFT Project Manager’s efforts to comply with all applicable federal, state and local recordkeeping requirements.
  
  
• Upon request, contractors shall meet with the FFT Project Manager prior to the start of their work at FFT to review and discuss the contractor’s planned activities, any safety and /or environmental issues presented, and appropriate procedures.
  
  
• Contractors are expected to provide ALL of their own tools and equipment including ladders and all personal protective equipment (except ear plugs).   "Borrowing” FFT tools or equipment is not permitted unless specifically agreed to by the FFT Project Manager.   The FFT Project Manager will establish a place to store tools, equipment or supplies.   All contractor materials shall be removed from FFT property immediately upon completion of the job.
  
  
• Contractors are responsible for keeping their work area(s) organized and clean. Contractor-generated debris shall be removed from FFT property at the end of each shift.   Work areas must be left broom-clean.   Each contractor is account-able for the housekeeping condition of his/her work area.   Expected “good housekeeping” means: debris is constantly removed or placed in trash containers; debris is not permitted to accumulate; power lines (electricity, air, welding leads, cutting gases, water, etc.) are suspended or specifically routed so as not to present trip or fall hazards. Tools and equipment are organized.
  

  NOTE:   Poor housekeeping as determined by any FFT management official (the Department Manager where the work is being done, the FFT Project Manager, the Plant Manager, or the Maintenance Manager) could be cause for shutting down the job until the area in question is rendered satisfactory and safe.
  

• FFT is very serious about its obligations regarding generation, storage and disposal of hazardous waste materials. We are a licensed ISO 14001 Company and Certified small waste generator. Should a contracted job involve generation of Hazardous Waste Materials, the contractor and FFT Project Manager must meet with the Project Manager and the Facilities Maintenance Supervisor to establish how the waste will be stored and removed from the facilities - BEFORE the waste is generated.
  

  NOTE:   Please take note, hazardous waste is not limited to and includes:

  • fluorescent tubes,
  • batteries (of all kinds and sizes),
  • paint,
  • and solvents.
• Plant vehicles (fork lifts, scissor lifts or other personnel lifts) shall only be operated by contractor employees who have been specifically trained or authorized to do so by the FFT Project Manager.
  
  
• All emergency exits (both on the inside and outside), fire extinguishers, pull stations, passageways must be kept clear and accessible at all times.
  
  
• Any contractor working on or needing to disconnect fire alarms or the sprinkler systems must coordinate work with the Facilities Maintenance Supervisor DAILY (FFT has a specific procedure which must be followed when working on or disconnecting these systems).   When a system is disconnected, FFT will require that the contractor establish an alternate system so that the same level of protection is maintained.
  
  
• Powder-activated tools shall not be used unless specifically authorized by the FFT Project Manager, in writing.
  
  
• Any tools or equipment brought into an FFT facility must meet OSHA standards for the tool.   Electric tools must be grounded or double insulated.   It is strongly urged that contractors make use of GFI pigtails between their tools and building power.   Ladders must be rated for the task.

SPECIFIC REGULATIONS CONTRACTOR EQUIPMENT OR SUPPLIES:

Contractors are not authorized to store their equipment or supplies within FFT facilities without specific authorization (what, where and how much) by the FFT Project Manager.   The FFT Project Manager is accountable for ensuring that the contractor’s storage practices do not interfere with the daily operating business of FFT.   No flammable materials - beyond those needed for the day - will ever be permitted to be stored within the facilities without adequate fire prevention or explosion protection.

FIRE MANAGEMENT:

• Observe "no smoking" rules
• No hot work of any kind without a hot work permit (issued for each individual job, for each day, not for a multi-day job). See below: Hot Work procedure
  
  
• Know locations of fire alarm pull stations - use as appropriate
  
  
• Evacuate upon alarm; stay at the evacuation meeting place until dismissed by designated FFT personnel. The senior contractor employee shall report contractor head count to the designated FFT person (wears an orange vest at the meeting place)
  
  
• Providing you do not put yourself at risk, switch off electrical and gas supplies.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS:

• MSDS materials for FFT hazardous materials are available from the FFT Project Manager
  
  
• If contractor is bringing hazardous materials on site, the contractor must:
  
  
  • Secure specific approval from the FFT Hazardous Materials Program Supervisor prior to bringing materials on site and prior to setting up a storage area
    
    
  • Provide the FFT Project Manager with applicable MSDS sheets and ensure that all containers are labeled
    
    
  • Dispose of hazardous materials waste legally and off site, or in coordination with the Hazardous Materials Program Manager.
    
    
  • Tanks of hazardous gas (example: acetylene) may not be inside any FFT facility unless properly connected with a valve or held in a cart with the oxygen tank. Regulators shall be removed from the tanks and the valve capped when the contractor leaves for the day. No unconnected acetylene tanks or LPG tanks (empty or full) shall be stored inside any FFT building. If the contractor has extra tanks on site, storage must be arranged outside under the direction of the Hazardous Materials Program Supervisor.

LOCK-OUT / TAG-OUT

Prior to working on energized equipment the equipment must be locked-out and tagged-out (or positively blocked) at the source. EACH person working on an item of equipment must apply a lock and tag.

• “Energy” means: electricity, mechanical energy, pneumatic, thermal, hydraulic, chemical or ability to fall or slip from a place.
  
  
• Contractors must provide their own locks and tags.
  
  
• The contractor is accountable for requesting information on lock-out procedures and points from the FFT Project Manager.   (Note: lock-out procedures and lock-out points for each piece of equipment are generally attached to the equipment at the control point.)

HOT WORK:

• A hot work permit (issued daily for each job) must be secured prior to any welding, cutting, brazing or soldering - or for any work involving a potential ignition source.
  
  
• A single project may require several permits.   The FFT Project Manager is accountable for ensuring that the contractor is assisted in obtaining the required permit and in establishing procedures specific for the job.
  
  
• Special attention must be paid to the trajectory of sparks and slag to ensure that these do not fall on unprotected product, raw materials, production-generated dust or people.   Liberal use of fire-retardant covers may be required of the contractor. Alternately, materials may be required to be moved no closer than 35 feet to the hot work source to prevent ignition.
  
  
• The FFT Project Manager will direct the contractor in determining the need for a fire watch, where and how many.   If any fire watch is required for the job, the contractor is responsible for supplying the fire watch(es) (who may not be assigned to another task during his/her period as fire watch and the fire watch must remain on duty at the site of the hot work for thirty minutes after the hot work is done).
  
  
• Oxy-acetylene cutting units shall be discharged when not in use “discharged” means: valves closed, line discharged after valve closure, gauges reading “0”.   No unit may be left charged and unattended for more than 10 minutes.   Cutting torches must be equipped with flash back devices.

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY:

• All Confined Spaces at FFT are clearly posted as such.   ALL "Permit Required" confined space work / entry must be done under a specific FFT permit.   The FFT Project Manager will assist the contractor in securing any permit - the permit is in addition to any permit used by the contractor.
  
  
• Entry conditions for each job must be developed (trained and properly equipped personnel and completion of a pre-entry checklist) have been established by the Confined Space Entry Program Manager.   If a confined space entry is planned as part of the job, the contractor must consult with the confined space entry program manager (through the FFT Project Manager) - especially if it involves entry into any space where the internal hazard(s) cannot be eliminated, perhaps requiring the use of respirators and rescue arrangements.

FALL PROTECTION:

• Fall protection (means: harness and life line tied to a secure building structure, or railed work platform) is required where working surfaces are 6 feet or more above lower levels.
  
  
• Ladders must be tied off to a secure part of the structure.
  
  
• For roof work, warning lines and / or fall protection must be installed prior to beginning roofing work.

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION:

Should a particular job require contract personnel to use tight fitting negative pressure respirators, contractor personnel must be able to demonstrate to the FFT Project Manager that users have been medically cleared for their use, trained, fit tested and that the proper filter is being used.   The contractor is responsible for providing his/her own respirators and filters for maintaining them and for storing them in a sanitary location.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:

• The contractor must supply - and use - personal protective equipment as required by the nature of the work.   Attention shall be paid to: head, eye, face, respiratory system, hands and foot hazards
  
  
• Eye and face protection shall always be used when grinding or doing any kind of hot work.

NOTE:

This outline is designed to meet the vast majority of contractor projects.   The FFT Project Manager has the discretion to require additional or alternative procedures if warranted in the specific circumstances presented by a contractor’s project.

It is entirely probable that at some time a contractor will be hired to do a very specific task (e.g.: service or install the radiation measuring units on the production lines).   In such unusual situations, FFT expects that there will be a mutual sharing of information between the contractor and FFT to ensure that contractor personnel are not injured due to our work processes and the contractor must outline for us what we have to do to protect our associates from exposure to the specific hazards associated with their work.   Agreed upon procedures will be seen as mandatory.

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NOTE:

Failure to comply with any of the published contractor work standards may result in the work being stopped or delayed until work standards are met, and/or the contractor being removed from the company’s contractor list.

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