Thou shalt not lay thy hand upon any valve, hose, or coupling whilst product flows or pressure endures. One careless move can tear flesh, blind eyes, or drown a site in toxic fire. Pressure is no respecter of persons. Thou must isolate, verify, and make safe before thou proceedest.

Why: A live circuit / system is any chain / part of equipment that is not at rest, where energy or flow is presently or ready to move. In our case, even at 0 bar gauge pressure, the product flows between the tank and the storage by gravity at 80-90 litres per minute, which, while slow, can still lead to significant spills and cleaning efforts if released uncontrolled. Under pressure, the flow rate increases dramatically: approximately 450 litres per minute at 1 bar gauge (unloading in ~48 minutes), around 600 litres per minute at 1.8 bar gauge (~36 minutes), and about 635 litres per minute at 2 bar gauge (~34 minutes). Even if you contain the product release, the difference in cleanup between 80 and 600 litres per minute is substantial in terms of time and exposure. Due to the increased flow strength at higher pressures, it is extremely dangerous to manoeuvre connections or hoses during product flow, especially when the system is pressurized. In case of accidental release, if you are in the line of fire it’s unlikely you will remain standing or get away unscathed. Since you are in control of both pressure and flow, you must prioritize safety over time or convenience and never adjust live systems.

If thou hearest a whispering hiss, or a sudden change in rhythm; if thine ears catch a new or strange sound, or thy nostrils scent a foul and foreign odor; if thou feelest unnatural heat or frost upon thy hand, or thine eyes behold frost or flame where none should dwell—halt thy work and cease the flow. Let not haste blind thee, for when the shadow of doubt falleth upon thy senses, it is a silent herald of peril yet unseen. Delay not, for a moment’s pause guardeth thee from a lifetime’s regret.

Why: Safety depends on fully engaging all your senses—hearing, sight, touch, smell, and sometimes even taste. A strange or unexplained change is the harbinger of doom. When something feels “off,” that shadow of a doubt is your subconscious alerting you to danger. Trust it. Always stop and cautiously evaluate before proceeding. The rule of STC20—Stop, Think, Check with a 20-second pause—helps ensure you move forward only when all the risks are managed appropriately. After every STC20 pause, restart the production process following the proper checklist, do not retrace your steps!

Thou shalt not wander willingly within the path where wrathful forces may be loosed. Lo, linger not in such places longer than need be, lest thou invite harm upon thyself. But if thy duty calleth thee there in times of direst need, gird thyself in full armor, with watchful eyes and a mind alert. For that path is fraught with peril, and only the cautious shall pass unscathed.

Why: The “line of fire” is any area in the expected path of a sudden, forceful release—whether sprays from pressurized hoses, bursts from valves, or moving machinery parts that swings or shift unexpectedly. This expected path is where product, energy, or equipment would most likely travel if something goes wrong. Standing voluntarily in these zones during normal operations or lingering longer than necessary puts you directly in harm’s way, increasing the risk of serious injury from high-pressure sprays, flying debris, or crushing motions. Always avoid these danger zones unless an emergency demands your presence—and then, only with full protective gear and complete focus.

The checklist is thy covenant. Thou shalt complete it in full, without haste, and with reverence. If even one step seemeth unclear, thou shalt not proceed—but return to the beginning.

Why: Your brain is good at making assumptions—it’s how we naturally save time and effort in processing information. But relying on assumptions in safety-critical work can lead to failure and accidents. Assuming something is safe or correct without checking risks missing important details and causing serious mistakes. That’s why the checklist exists: to remove assumptions and guide you clearly, step by step. Always follow it fully and carefully. If something is unclear or you doubt, don’t try to fix it by retracing steps—restart the entire checklist from the beginning. This ensures nothing is overlooked and no errors carry forward. Use confirmed, clear information—not assumptions. Remember STC20: Stop, Think, Check—take 20 seconds to be sure before proceeding.

The guards and chains thou findest irksome are thy bulwark against the tempest of harm. Though they chafe and slow thy steps, they stand sentinel to keep thee whole. To cast them down is to summon sorrow, for the wound self-wrought shall never cease to speak, and the burden of folly shall cling ever to thy soul.

Why: Safety engineering systems—such as interlocks, guards, and alarms—are built to protect you by preventing errors before they happen. Unlike checklists, which rely on human behavior and can be forgotten or rushed, these systems are designed to be fail-safe and “stupid proof.” They are often overdesigned intentionally, adding extra layers of protection because humans make mistakes. Though they may seem annoying or slow you down, their presence signals high danger or severe consequences if ignored. They exist to save your PPE if nothing else—and in worst cases, to save your limbs. Becoming disabled from your own mistake is a harsher punishment than death, as you are forced to remember that mistake every day. Tampering with or bypassing these systems removes critical protections and greatly increases accident risk. Improvisation is the leading cause of serious injuries in the workplace. Trust the safety systems.

Thou shalt guard the sacred boundary of danger during all operations. Let no man enter unbidden. Let no soul trespass without protection. For the area around thee is holy ground—guarded by reason and marked by injury past.

Why: The safety exclusion zone defines a critical safety perimeter—commonly extending six meters around the operation—where hazardous materials may unexpectedly spray, spill, or release energy. This zone must be clearly delineated with physical barriers and visible signage to restrict unauthorized public access and protect personnel from potential exposure and injury.

Operations must be halted immediately upon any unauthorised breach of this boundary or if the exclusion zone is left unsupervised, for example, when the operator is positioned beyond effective monitoring range. To ensure maximum safety, no non-essential activities—including instructions, conversations, or distractions—are permitted within the safety exclusion zone during active operations.

Enter not the realm of peril unguarded, but gird thyself fully with the armor befitting the danger. For to stand half-clad is to invite harm; be steadfast in thy protection, or yield the path to those prepared.

Why: While a range of personal protective equipment (PPE) options may be provided, it is imperative the appropriate gear based on the specific hazards is utilised. Proper PPE protects not only against immediate risks such as burns and chemical exposure but also guards against chronic, long-term health effects that are frequently underestimated. Correct use and diligent maintenance of PPE are essential to ensure its effectiveness. Attention to signs of wear and damage is critical, as compromised protective equipment may fail under stress. Practices that expose skin to conserve PPE compromise long-term safety and must be avoided. Making Informed, responsible decisions about PPE is vital to protect both your immediate well-being and long-term health.

Climb not into the heights unshielded, nor trust thy steps to chance or weakness. Let platforms be thy throne, and rails thy faithful guard. When perchance the heights defy prevention, gird thyself with harness and tether— For only thus shalt thou defy the fall and keep thy bones whole.

Why: Understanding the protection hierarchy for working at height is vital to keeping yourself alive. First, avoid working at height whenever possible by performing the tasks below chest level. When working at height is necessary, use fixed or mobile platforms that allow positions that come naturally to the body and reduce strain. Employ fall prevention systems such as guardrails and barriers to eliminate or reduce the risk of falling. If fall prevention alone cannot fully eliminate the risk, then fall arrest systems like harnesses, anchors, and lanyards must be used to stop a fall and minimize injury. Often, a combination of these measures offers the best protection and significantly reduces risk.

Working above chest level is considered working at height and carries increased risk. Always assess the task carefully and apply the proper controls to protect yourself.

Thy foot shall press brake pedal, or thy hand shall bind the parking brake. No other way shall be found righteous. Trust not slope, nor curb, nor gear—for trucks do roll, and lives do crush, when hands grow lazy.

Why: A vehicle must always be either under full driver control or fully secured with the parking brake—there is no in-between. Whether at a red light, stopped briefly to reach for a phone or document, or parked on a slope, the rule is the same: press the brake pedal firmly or apply the parking brake. The driver must never shift focus away from the vehicle—whether to check a mirror, answer a call, or step out—without first applying the parking brake. 

Partial control, such as resting against a curb, relying on gears, or assuming the vehicle will stay put because it’s quiet, is never enough. Vehicles can roll silently and without warning. Trailers must also be treated the same: they are considered secured only when their parking brake is engaged. This discipline ensures full control or complete security at all times. No exceptions.

If weariness beset thee, or thy mind be troubled, declare thy weakness and remove thyself from peril. For the weary driver driveth as the drunken man, and he who hideth his frailty layeth snares for his brethren.

Why: High-risk operations demand unwavering alertness and sharp focus. Your body’s natural circadian rhythm governs cycles of wakefulness and drowsiness, with predictable low points in the early afternoon and late night. Fatigue and accumulated sleep debt impair your ability to perform safely, significantly increasing the risk of accidents. 

Beyond natural rhythms, lifestyle factors such as long TV binge sessions, alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, and misuse of stimulants can drastically deplete your energy reserves. These habits contribute to chronic fatigue and burnout, which undermine the judgment, slow reaction times, and jeopardize your safety and that of others. Effective energy management and honest self-awareness are critical to maintaining peak performance and preventing harm. Avoid scheduling or performing high-risk tasks during these low-energy periods whenever possible.