Occupational Health

In order to minimize risks and impact of the Company on occupational health, we have set a number of targets. The results of their implementation are presented further

Tab. 15. Our targets in health protection

IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF EMERGENCY CARE

Health Department activities during the COVID-19 pandemic

For the period from January to September 2021, 88 patients with COVID-19 were monitored by medical personnel in the KPO medical facility at Czech Camp. 53 patients with COVID were evacuated from their workplaces in Aksai and the Field. PPE (masks, gloves, hand-sanitizers) was provided to all KPO employees on a monthly basis.

The COVID Care Team consisting of Health Department staff and volunteers from other departments continued helping the Company in its efforts to manage the pandemic’s impact.

KPO and Contractors conducted over 170,000 PCR tests in 2021. It helped control the spread of disease in the workplace and community.

During 2021, the Sanitary Laboratory has conducted 47 inspections throughout the Company facilities to check compliance with infection control measures.

Disinfection of workplaces after the COVID cases was arranged by outsourcing the activity.

Vaccination Programme

In 2021, KPO supported the RoQ vaccination efforts against COVID-19 by setting up a Vaccination Centre at the Aksai Hospital. More than 94 % of eligible employees have been fully vaccinated. This was achieved thanks to using a range of tools:

• Communication and education (dedicated webpage, “Ask the Doctor” sessions, posters, banners and pop-up messaging, vaccination stories, etc.);
• Exemption from PCR testing for the vaccinated;
• Lottery with valuable gifts;
• Bonus for achieving the vaccination targets.

Aksai Hospital Upgrade Project

The Aksai Hospital Upgrade Project was launched in January 2020, with the aim to upgrade the Aksai Hospital’s emergency and intensive care capability by achieving international standards within five years (2020 – 2025) via the KPO’s Social Infrastructure Projects. It includes improvements in equipment and infrastructure, as well as development of competence, and management systems.

Good progress was demonstrated on project delivery, as well as a significant impact on objective health outcomes (e.g. surgical mortality rates, and overall mortality rates). Positive case reports actual lives saved from new techniques and protocols. There was an overwhelming positive response from the medics and local community on social media.

The co-operation between KPO Health team, the Health Department of the WQO Akimat and the management of the Aksai District Hospital steer the activities of a joint effort for the benefit of the Burlin District’s community and KPO. The Project is overseen by the Joint Operators’ Oversight (JOO) comprised of health experts that had been established through the joint provision of technical advice to support achieving the goal.

MANAGEMENT OF ILL HEALTH

Medical insurance

A medical insurance benefit is offered to KPO employees that covers medical services in addition to those available through guaranteed free health care and mandatory medical insurance. Health insurance covers a range of services, from outpatient care to inpatient care and reimbursement of medicines and dental services. Employees with chronic conditions are referred to medical surveillance for regular check-ups and treatment.

Automated external defibrillators

In a cardiac arrest, chances of survival are reduced by 10 % every minute of delay. In KPO, delays to defibrillation can be as long as 15 minutes. Automated External Defibrillators (AED) allow First Aiders (i.e. trained laypersons) to defibrillate the patient. In 2021, the following activities were implemented:

• Re-training of KPO First Aiders completed;
• 10 AEDs are purchased and installed in Aksai-based KPO offices;
• Budget for more AEDs is requested.

Electronic System of Medical Examination

Electronic system of medical examination (ESME) – the project of digitalization and optimization of the process of pre-shift medical examination, which will replace the manual examinations. In 2021, ESME units were purchased and installed in five KPO clinics.

Absenteeism monitoring

In 2021, absenteeism at KPO was slightly down from the previous year.

Graph 5. KPO absenteeism rate, 2015–2021

Occupational diseases

Oil and gas industry features various occupational hazards (hydrogen sulphide, chemical reagents, noise and vibration, climatic factors, biological and psychosocial factors, etc.) that require identifying, assessing and managing associated health risks. These processes in KPO are well established and provide robust control mechanisms.

During 2021, Health risk assessments were carried out at Eco Centre. The results were used to prepare a corrective action plan that was handed over for implementation.

In 2021, there were no occupational diseases registered among KPO employees.

Fitness to work

Through pre-employment fitness to work assessments (FTW) providing a baseline and periodic medical examinations monitoring for any adverse changes, KPO strives to ensure that employees can complete tasks safely, without unacceptable risks to themselves, the Company or a third party.

The relevant Republic of Qazaqstan regulations as well as International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) guidelines provide the legal and technical framework for KPO’s Fitness to Work procedure.

One of the key elements is the provision for employees of access to an appeal process in cases where they are unsatisfied with their FTW evaluation outcomes.

PROMOTION OF HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee Assistance programme is aimed at preventing harm to KPO employees arising from mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicides.

The programme involves confidential consultations by qualified third-party psychologists using multimedia, video, or face to face sessions available 24/7 via a set hotline. The programme also offers group sessions, lectures, discussions, and mental health education. Urgent psychological support is provided in cases of post-traumatic stress disorders resulted from a disaster, multiple casualty accidents, terrorism or other.

Fatigue Risk Management

Fatigue is a lack of mental alertness arising from lack of sleep. The oil and gas industry has a number of characteristics, which can contribute to fatigue.

In 2021, the results of pilot application of the FRM were considered in planning of drivers’ work schedules by Transport department. KPO has implemented a Fatigue Risk Management Procedure that outlines the management processes that minimise the risks of work-related injury or incidents due to fatigue.

OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES

Both a statutory requirement, and one of the staples of industrial hygiene, sanitary compliance monitoring is conducted in KPO production facilities. Table 17 shows the monitoring data for the last three years.

Every case of non-compliance with the regulatory limits is analysed and relevant actions are taken. For example, fluorescent lamps that were responsible for low lighting levels started being phased out.

Noise is intrinsic in production facilities such as compressor houses. The Hearing Conservation Programme implemented in KPO is an example of control measures aimed at reducing worker exposure to excessive noise.

Workplace attestation

Statutory attestation of production facilities, which is conducted every five years, is aimed to evaluate working conditions.

In 2021, attestation of Eco centre was carried out by a licensed contractor company. 14 jobs were evaluated, of which 5 were graded as harmful. Corrective action plans were prepared following the outcomes of the attestation and submitted to the responsible persons for further actions. In 2022, large facilities such as KPC, Unit 2 and Unit 3 are due for the attestation.

Tab. 17. Monitoring of physical factors, 2019–2021