Self-Protection Plans (SPP)
Self-protection plans or SPP are documents aimed at preventing and keeping under control the risks that may affect people, the environment and the assets present in a given facility. The SPPs, which are regulated by Royal Decree 393/2007, must also provide for the necessary coordination of internal preventive activity with the local civil protection public services.
The self-protection plans must have the following elements:
- Identification and evaluation of the existing risks.
- Actions and measures to prevent and control those risks.
- Protection measures in case of accident, like the action plan in case of emergency.
- Implementation and update of the plan.
The self-protection plan is mandatory in the cases listed in the RD 393/2007 and those specifically listed in the SEVESO regulations (prevention of serious accidents).
In a self-protection plan or SPP, the different risk scenarios that we can imagine are reflected and the guidelines to be followed to face those scenarios are established. A good self-protection plan should evaluate
- the origin of the risks;
- the causes that can provoke them;
- their consequences;
- how can we prevent them from occurring, and
- what to do to minimize the consequences in case the accident occurs?
The self-protection plans have to be revised every 3 years (4 in the case of Catalonia).
The SPP must be written and signed by a competent technician. It is necessary to follow the specifications included in Annex II of Royal Decree 393/2007, which details all the technical and material aspects that a self-protection plan must address. This annex is the basic guide for its writing.
The self-protection plan must also include a real dissemination and implementation plan in the company. It should not be left alone in the documentary phase of it.
Once the document has been prepared, an appropriate training and information strategy must be carried out so that the SPP is fully operational. In this sense, it should include:
- Information to workers and users through talks, brochures and signage, etc.
- Trainingon how to act in case of emergencies. Emergency measures must be known throughout the company. Everyone should know how to act in case of an accident.
- Proceed to a correct installation and signaling of the fire protection elements.
- Development of action drills in case of emergencies.
Tandem HSE Takes Care of the Self-Protection Plan of your Company.
Tandem HSE has qualified prevention engineers and technicians for the elaboration and implementation of self-protection plans. All our personnel is trained and accredited by the civil protection and we have an extensive work experience in major chemical and industrial plants, with highly complex risks like the chemical ones.
Our action in this area includes the elaboration of the different specific self-protection plans:
- Self-protection complying with the regulations of the RD 393/2007.
- Self-protection for activities subject to the SEVESO regulations (serious accidents).
- Self-protection in case of environmental emergencies. The risk not only affects the installation, but can also have serious consequences for the environment.
- Self-protection for the logistic and transport companies subject to ADR regulations (transport of dangerous merchandise on the road).
The self-protection plan or SPP is a fundamental element for the safety of people, to avoid environmental tragedies and to minimize material costs. Only companies that work in the most critical sectors from the point of view of security, such as Tandem HSE, can give an adequate response to these needs.
Training in the Self-protection Plan
The implementation of the self-protection plan also implies the education and training of the personnel. This means the theoretical and practical training of the personnel assigned to the self-protection plan.
Thus, two different types of training related to self-protection plans must be carried out.
First, a general one to raise awareness and train all company personnel in matters of occupational health and safety (emergency and evacuation plan) as part of the implementation of the plan.
And, secondly, another specific one to raise awareness and train the personnel that is part of the second intervention team. Both in its procedures of action and in the responsibilities during an emergency. The course will be part of the implementation of the self-protection plan.
