3.36. Occupational Safety Regulatory Norms (NRs): NR 37 - Safety and Health on Oil Platforms

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3.36. Occupational Safety Regulatory Norms (NRs): NR 37 - Safety and Health on Oil Platforms

Norma Regulamentadora 37 (NR 37) is one of the norms established by the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE) of Brazil that aims to guarantee the safety and health of workers who work on oil platforms. This standard establishes the minimum requirements and measures to protect safety, health and the work environment in the activities of the oil and natural gas industry.

Objective of NR 37

The main objective of NR 37 is to prevent accidents and occupational diseases on oil platforms, protecting the physical integrity of workers and providing a safe and healthy work environment. For this, the standard establishes a series of guidelines and procedures that must be followed by companies in the sector.

Main Guidelines of NR 37

NR 37 is composed of several guidelines that range from the design phase of an oil platform to its decommissioning. Among the main guidelines, we can highlight:

• Design, construction and assembly: The standard establishes that platforms must be designed, built and assembled in order to guarantee the safety and health of workers. This includes installing safety equipment, carrying out risk analyzes and defining escape routes and meeting points.
• Operation and maintenance: NR 37 also determines that platform operations and maintenance must be carried out in a safe manner, avoiding exposure of workers to risks. For this, safe work procedures must be established and periodic training carried out.
• Emergencies: The standard also provides for the need to establish an emergency response plan, which should include evacuation, firefighting and first aid actions. In addition, workers must be trained to act correctly in the event of an emergency.

Company Responsibilities

Companies that operate on oil platforms have a series of responsibilities according to NR 37. Among them, we can highlight the obligation to provide workers with personal protective equipment (PPE), perform periodic medical examinations, promote training in safety and health at work, among others.

In addition, companies must also implement an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (SGSST), which must be constantly updated and improved. This system must include the identification of hazards and risks, the definition of safety goals and objectives, the implementation of control measures, among other aspects.

Importance of NR 37

NR 37 is extremely important to ensure the safety and health of workers working on oil platforms. The oil and gas industry is known for its occupational hazards, which include explosions, fires, gas leaks, falls from heights, among others. Therefore, the adoption of risk prevention and control measures is essential to avoid accidents and occupational diseases.

In addition, the standard also contributes to the preservation of the environment, as it provides for the adoption of pollution control and waste management measures. In this way, NR 37 contributes not only to the safety and health of workers, but also to the sustainability of the oil and gas industry.

In conclusion, NR 37 is a fundamental standard for safety and health at work on oil platforms. Therefore, it is essential that companies in the sector know and comply with all its guidelines and requirements.

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403.37. Regulatory Norms (NRs) for Occupational Safety: NR 38 - Occupational Safety and Health in Financial Institutions