With safety in mind 

 

The project management continuously ran extensive risk analyses together with the contractors, to gain a picture of the problems that could arise.
 
Which events could create delays? Which situations might obstruct the way for ensuring that everything proceeded as described in the comprehensive plans?
 
When the project had acquired an overview of which risks could threaten the progress, and the potential consequences of the different events, the managers sat down to work on what might be done to avoid obstacles. And what would be required should an unforeseen situation nevertheless arise.
 
To maintain an overview of everything that had to be in place, Hydro’s in-house system for completion, ProCoSys™, was utilized. In the purchasing phase, 166,000 different parts were registered in a computer system – all pumps, valves, tanks, pipes, electric engines, measuring instruments.

Throughout the entire construction period the status of every single component could be checked at the push of a button. Thus the project ensured that every single part had precisely the attributes set out in the contracts – or else the shortcoming was remedied as soon as possible.

This provided virtually full transparency over everything to be delivered and assembled and the maximum security of everything working as it should, the day the stream was to be turned on.
 

Every single day, work was undertaken on health, environment and safety. On the first day at work, everyone was required to undergo a safety course. Over 20,000 people completed this course. Subsequently a number of programs were held to drill people in the safest possible working practise.

 Daily safe job analyses were conducted at the different parts of the site. These are exercises where the team discusses various tasks in advance – for example a lifting operation – to identify different danger elements. This ensures that everyone has a clear understanding of how the work can be carried out in a responsible manner.
 
A particular challenge was the fact that the workforce came from more than fifty nations. People with completely different backgrounds and frames of reference were expected to work according to the same safety method. It went as planned. Every single woman and man on the construction site received training in a language they understood.
 
Hydro’s safety inspectors were on site daily, talking to people, taking part in safe job analyses, ensuring maximum awareness at all times.
 
Hydro worked closely with the main contractors Aker Kværner, Aibel and Skanska, as well as the plethora of subcontractors participating in the pioneering work.