DC2021-06-0016 — Geothermal Safety, Health and Environment Code of Practice
Full title: Geothermal Safety, Health and Environment Code of Practice Issued: 11 June 2021 | Secretary: Alfonso Cusi (2,669 lines OCR) Basis: RESHERR (DC2012-11-009), Rule 2, Section 8 — requires DOE to issue technology-specific SHE codes of practice.
This circular establishes binding safety, health, and environmental requirements for geothermal RE operations. It is one of five simultaneously issued sub-codes under the RESHERR framework.
Scope
Applies to all employers, employees, contractors, and other entities engaged in geothermal RE operations in the Philippines.
Structure
| Section | Subject |
|---|---|
| I | Safety, Health and Environment Policy Statement |
| II | Definition of Terms |
| III | Safety, Health and Environment Practices (general) |
| IV | Power Plant Facilities |
| V | Geothermal Energy Operations |
| VI | Geothermal Well Maintenance Requirements |
| VII | Rig Safety |
| VIII | Separability Clause |
| IX | Resolution of Conflicts and Overlapping Jurisdictions |
| X | Repealing Clause |
| XI | Effectivity |
Key Sections
Section III — General SHE Practices: Contractor management; emergency response; incident investigation; first aid; housekeeping; fire safety; electrical safety; machinery/equipment; work permits; PPE; ergonomics; hazardous materials; security; environmental management.
Section IV — Power Plant Facilities: Civil, mechanical, and electrical facility standards applicable to geothermal power plants.
Section V — Geothermal Energy Operations: Well drilling and testing; steam field operations; H₂S monitoring and emergency response; chemical handling in geothermal processes [DC2021-06-0016, §V, 2021-06-11].
Section VI — Geothermal Well Maintenance: Well integrity testing requirements; workover operations; compliance schedules [DC2021-06-0016, §VI, 2021-06-11].
Section VII — Rig Safety: Lifting equipment; rigs; hoisting; drilling operations safety [DC2021-06-0016, §VII, 2021-06-11].
Employer Obligations
Employers bear primary responsibility for a safe workplace. All geothermal RE companies must designate an eligible Safety Officer and are subject to random safety inspections by REMB [DC2021-06-0016, §III, 2021-06-11].
The REMB has been ISO 9001:2015-certified since 2020 for processing Geothermal Safety Officer permits; this certification later expanded to other RE technologies [NREP 2020-2040, p.42, 2022].
Full text: Cleaned copy