LET'S TALK ROYALTIES Workplace Safety Programs
Let's Talk Royalties commits to protecting employees, contractors, communities, and the environment through measurable safety and health performance. The policy sets zero tolerance for fatality risk, targets continuous reduction in injury and illness rates, and aligns with U.S. federal law including the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and its implementing regulations at 29 CFR 1910 and 29 CFR 1926. Performance targets reference the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figure of 5,190 workplace fatalities in 2022 and aim to lower company fatality exposure to zero through systematic prevention.
Governance, Roles, and Responsibilities and Legal Compliance
Safety governance assigns clear accountability at executive, site, and team levels. Executive leadership approves the policy, allocates budget, and reviews performance quarterly. Site managers implement controls, supervise permit systems, and confirm contractor compliance. Supervisors conduct daily briefings and verify training completion. Legal and regulatory compliance covers OSHA standards, the Environmental Protection Agency Clean Air and Clean Water statutes, and applicable state rules such as Cal/OSHA where operations occur in California. Programs include recordkeeping under 29 CFR 1904, respiratory programs per 29 CFR 1910.134, and lockout/tagout under 29 CFR 1910.147.
Risk Assessment, Controls, PPE, Machine and Chemical Safety, Ergonomics, Health Surveillance
Risk assessment uses job hazard analysis and quantitative exposure monitoring. Hazard identification relies on routine audits, near miss reporting, and industrial hygiene sampling. Controls follow the established hierarchy: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative measures, and personal protective equipment. Respiratory protection follows NIOSH recommendations and OSHA fit testing. Lockout procedures, machine guarding, emergency stop systems, and routine preventive maintenance reduce mechanical hazards. Chemical safety implements Safety Data Sheet compliance, hazard communication, and compliance with permissible exposure limits including silica and lead standards. Ergonomics programs reduce musculoskeletal disorders through workstation design, lifting aids, and rotation plans. Occupational health surveillance includes baseline and periodic exams where required for exposures, vaccination campaigns, and referral pathways for advanced care.
PPE standards include mandatory programs with documented selection, fit testing, inspection, and replacement schedules. Typical categories and expectations:
- Head protection, eye protection, hearing protection, and high visibility apparel selected to ANSI standards.
- Respirators managed under a written program with medical clearance, training, and fit testing.
- Gloves and protective clothing specified per chemical resistance and cut resistance standards.
Permit-to-work systems control hot work, confined space entry, and energy isolation. Permit issuance requires hazard controls verified by competent persons and documented acceptance before work begins.
Training, Competency, Contractors, Inspections, Incident Management
Training blends classroom, practical, and online modules. Core certifications include OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 for site leadership, and task competency verification for high risk operations. Contractor management enforces prequalification, safety plans, safety performance reviews, and site orientation. Site inspection programs cover housekeeping, electrical integrity, and fire prevention with daily walkdowns and weekly documented audits. Incident reporting uses a standardized form and digital system to capture immediate actions, root cause analysis, and corrective actions. Root cause analysis follows accepted methods to identify latent system failures and to prevent recurrence.
Emergency Response, Environmental Protection, Waste, and Monitoring
Emergency preparedness integrates response teams, local emergency services coordination, spill response caches, and business continuity plans. Environmental protection targets pollution prevention at source and compliance with EPA National Ambient Air Quality Standards, including the PM2.5 annual standard of 12 micrograms per cubic meter. Waste management emphasizes source reduction, segregation, and recycling with hazardous waste handled per Resource Conservation and Recovery Act requirements. Regular environmental monitoring tracks air emissions, effluent quality against Clean Water Act limits, and soil sampling in sensitive areas.
Performance Measurement, Audits, Continuous Improvement, Leadership, Communication, Technology, Return-to-Work, Resources, Rollout
Performance is measured with leading and lagging indicators, reviewed monthly by management. Audits include internal compliance checks and external third party assessments. Leadership behaviors and employee engagement drive culture change through visible safety leadership rounds and recognition programs. Technology supports hazard detection with sensors, predictive analytics, and digital permit systems. Return-to-work programs emphasize early intervention, modified duty, and coordination with healthcare providers.
Below is a snapshot of key performance indicators and common benchmarks used on U.S. sites for continuous monitoring and target setting. Values shown reflect typical corporate targets and national benchmarks used for comparative planning.
| KPI | What is measured | Typical corporate target | U.S. benchmark (2022) | Review frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) | Recordable cases per 100 full time workers | ≤1.5 | Varies by industry; national private sector ~2.6 per 100 FTE | Monthly |
| Days Away, Restricted or Transferred rate (DART) | Cases with days away or restricted work | ≤0.8 | Industry specific; manufacturing lower, construction higher | Monthly |
| Fatality rate | Fatal work injuries per 100,000 FTE | 0 | U.S. 2022: 3.8 per 100,000 FTE (5,190 fatalities) | Quarterly |
| Near miss reports | Reported near misses per 100 workers per year | ≥10 | No national mandate; higher reporting correlates with lower injury rates | Monthly |
| Safety observations | Positive observations and coaching events per worker | ≥20 per year | Internal benchmark varies | Monthly |
| Training hours per employee | Hours of safety training annually | ≥16 hours | Varies by role; higher for high risk tasks | Annual |
Following audits, corrective action plans specify root cause, assigned owner, deadline, and verification steps. Continuous improvement uses Plan Do Check Act cycles and tracks closure rates.
Communication strategy relies on multilingual briefings, visual controls, and scheduled safety campaigns tied to risk priorities. Leadership commitment is reinforced by measurable goals tied to performance reviews and incentives.
Implementation follows a phased rollout plan: pilot sites, training of trainers, regional scale up, and full program handoff with documented metrics. Resources include operations manuals, checklists, and standard operating procedures that support consistent execution.
Real world success depends on sustained leadership, measurable targets, competent workforce, and transparent communication. These elements create resilient operations that protect people and the environment while enabling business continuity and compliance with U.S. regulatory expectations.