Health & Safety Policy

Health & Safety Policy

Our Commitment to Health, Safety & Well-Being

At OUACHITA OIL & STORAGE LLC, the health and safety of our employees, clients, contractors, and partners are of utmost importance. As a maritime and logistics service provider, we operate in environments that require the highest level of vigilance, responsibility, and compliance with international safety standards.

Our Health & Safety Policy reflects our commitment to providing a safe, secure, and supportive work environment across all operational locations, vessels, and transport activities.

Safety as a Core Value

Safety is integral to our operations. We strive to:

  • Maintain a zero-incident and zero-harm workplace
  • Promote a proactive safety culture at all levels
  • Ensure all personnel understand their responsibilities in upholding safety
  • Embed safety considerations into every planning and decision-making process

We believe that all workplace injuries are preventable with the right systems and behaviors in place.

Compliance With International Standards

OUACHITA OIL & STORAGE LLC complies fully with:

  • International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations
  • MARPOL safety standards
  • ISM Code (International Safety Management)
  • National and international transport safety laws
  • Industry best practices for logistics and maritime operations

We continuously monitor regulatory changes to ensure every aspect of our operations remains compliant.

Safe Working Environment

We work to minimize operational risks by ensuring:

  • All equipment, vessels, trucks, and facilities are properly maintained
  • Safety devices and emergency systems are regularly inspected and functional
  • Work areas are clean, orderly, and free from avoidable hazards
  • Adequate lighting, ventilation, and protective barriers are in place

No task is considered too urgent to compromise safety.

Employee Training & Competency

Competence and awareness are key to preventing accidents. Our approach includes:

  • Regular safety briefings and drills
  • Continuous training on safe operational procedures
  • Emergency response and first-aid training
  • Familiarization with equipment handling and hazard prevention
  • Ensuring only qualified staff operate specialized machinery or vessels

We invest in our team to ensure they have the skills and knowledge required to work safely.

Risk Assessment & Hazard Control

We proactively identify, assess, and control risks by:

  • Conducting routine and task-specific risk assessments
  • Implementing preventive measures to eliminate or minimize hazards
  • Reviewing incidents and near-miss reports to improve future safety
  • Ensuring all safety measures meet international guidelines
  • Updating protocols as operations evolve

Risk management is an ongoing responsibility shared by all personnel.

Emergency Preparedness

We maintain strong emergency response capabilities by:

  • Developing comprehensive emergency plans for all operational areas
  • Training employees on evacuation and emergency response procedures
  • Conducting scheduled drills for fire, spills, vessel incidents, and accidents
  • Coordinating with local authorities, ports, and emergency services

Our goal is to respond swiftly and effectively in any emergency scenario.

Health & Well-Being

The well-being of our employees is essential. We promote:

  • Access to health support and medical services
  • A work environment free from harassment and excessive pressure
  • Fatigue-management policies for shift and vessel workers
  • Mental health awareness and supportive workplace culture

Healthy employees are productive, confident, and safe employees.

Incident Reporting & Continuous Improvement

We encourage transparency and accountability by:

  • Establishing easy, confidential methods for reporting incidents or concerns
  • Investigating all incidents thoroughly and without bias
  • Sharing lessons learned across the organization
  • Updating procedures and training to prevent recurrence

Continuous improvement drives our health and safety excellence.

Responsibilities at All Levels

Health and safety is a shared responsibility:

Management

  • Ensures adequate resources, training, and planning

  • Promotes adherence to safety protocols

  • Leads by example

Supervisors

  • Monitor operations for compliance

  • Address hazards immediately

  • Support training and mentoring

Employees

  • Follow safety instructions and use PPE correctly

  • Report hazards, near-misses, or unsafe conditions immediately

  • Protect their own safety and that of others

Every employee has the authority to stop any activity they believe is unsafe.

Commitment to a Safer Future

OUACHITA OIL & STORAGE LLC is dedicated to continually improving our health and safety performance. We will maintain open communication, foster a culture of mutual responsibility, and ensure that our policies evolve with industry advancements and global standards.