Criterion: Control of OHS Hazards
Application of the hierarchy of controls to eliminate or reduce OHS hazard exposures, including safe work programs, work permits, hazardous product management, PPE, and gender-responsive measures.
Full Description
OHS03 Control of OHS Hazards
Standard Section: 8.3 Category: Occupational Health Safety Scheme: Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP) Standard Version: 2.0 for Piloting (effective April 30, 2025)
Overview
Application of the hierarchy of controls to eliminate or reduce OHS hazard exposures, including safe work programs, work permits, hazardous product management, PPE, and gender-responsive measures.
Requirements
The Facility shall:
- 8.3.1 Plan actions to eliminate or reduce exposures to the Facility's OHS hazards identified utilizing the hierarchy of controls.
- 8.3.2 Develop safe work programs and procedures that establish requirements and outline the operational controls specific to each hazard identified.
- 8.3.3 Verify that safe work permits are issued prior to commencing any activities with high risk of exposure to OHS hazards, including hot work activities and confined space entry.
- 8.3.4 Maintain an up-to-date inventory of all hazardous products used and stored within the Facility and other areas of the operation, and ensure safety information for hazardous products, including safety data sheets, is available and accessible to all workers.
- 8.3.5 Identify opportunities to substitute hazardous products with an equivalent less hazardous alternative, where feasible and practicable.
- 8.3.6 Separate incompatible products and materials during storage, and segregate combustible, flammable and explosive materials from sources of potential heat, sparks, ignition, or chemical reaction.
- 8.3.7 Install clearly marked, legible warning signs and labels, in the appropriate language(s) for the workforce, in all areas where OHS hazards are present.
- 8.3.8 Identify designated smoking areas at least 50 feet from areas where flammable and combustible materials are used, transferred, or stored using clearly marked and legible signage.
- 8.3.9 Install and maintain fire safety equipment, such as fire alarms, sprinklers, hoses, and fire extinguishers, in the appropriate number and location for the size and nature of the Facility based on applicable laws and verify that equipment is unlocked, and access not blocked.
- 8.3.10 Where hazards cannot be adequately controlled through elimination, substitution, engineering controls, or administrative controls, workers shall be provided with well-maintained, personal protective equipment (PPE), at no cost to workers, that is appropriate for the Facility and the worker's job function and fit tested, with consideration for gender.
- 8.3.11 Develop a documented PPE program that identifies the specific PPE requirements for each type of OHS hazard that may be present at the Facility.
- 8.3.12 Ensure PPE is accessible and appropriately stored, with PPE storage areas clearly marked and visible. Regular documented inspections of PPE shall be conducted to ensure it remains in good working condition. Tag, report and replace PPE that is not fit for use.
- 8.3.13 Take gender-responsive measures to ensure pregnant women and nursing mothers are not exposed to working conditions which could be hazardous to them or their child and provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant women and nursing mothers.
- 8.3.14 Implement periodic medical examinations for workers to ensure early detection and treatment of health issues related to work.
Source: RMI Facility Standard for Social, Environmental, OHS and Governance Risks, Version 2.0 for Piloting (April 2025), Section 8.3
Profiles using this criterion
Responsible Minerals Assurance Process
Conformity Alignment
Meets
Pass: Yes
Definition: "Facility has implemented controls for all identified OHS hazards using the hierarchy of controls, safe work programs and procedures are documented for each hazard, safe work permits are issued for high-risk activities, an up-to-date hazardous product inventory with accessible safety data sheets is maintained, incompatible materials are segregated, warning signs are installed, fire safety equipment is maintained and accessible, and appropriate PPE is provided free of charge with a documented PPE program, regular inspections, and gender-responsive measures."
Partially Meets
Pass: No
Definition: "OHS hazard controls exist but are incomplete: e.g., controls are in place for major hazards but not all identified hazards, safe work procedures are documented for some activities but not all high-risk tasks, safe work permits are issued inconsistently, hazardous product inventory is incomplete, PPE is provided but not fit-tested or not gender-appropriate, or fire safety equipment is present but access is blocked or quantity is insufficient."
Remediation: 180 days
Does Not Meet
Pass: No
Definition: "No documented safe work programs or procedures for identified hazards, no safe work permits for high-risk activities, no hazardous product inventory, no fire safety equipment, or no PPE program."
Remediation: 90 days
Priority
Pass: No
Definition: "A Priority finding is raised for immediate and substantial threats to worker safety including: locked, blocked, or insufficient emergency exits; potential for fire emergency or explosion due to absent controls; mechanical hazards posing immediate risk; lack of appropriate PPE posing immediate risk to workers; or lack of access to potable water."
Remediation: 30 days
Not Applicable
Pass: Yes
Definition: "This criterion is not applicable to any facility - all workplaces with identified OHS hazards require controls."
Not Able To Assess
Pass: No
Definition: "The assessor was unable to inspect work areas, access safe work procedures, review hazardous product inventory or safety data sheets, or verify PPE program implementation."
Change Log
1.0.0 (2026-06-24)
Initial release.