The “Safe To Work in Trinidad & Tobago” (STOW-TT) initiative has emerged as the predominant certification program for health, safety, and environmental (HSE) management systems among key players in the energy sector of Trinidad & Tobago.
My interest in STOW stems from my background in Quality Management, Process Control, and HSE systems. Consequently, I decided to delve into research and share my findings.
STOW is an initiative jointly led by the Energy Chamber of Trinidad & Tobago, in collaboration with oil and gas entities. It has garnered substantial industry support from prominent organizations such as the Association of Upstream Operators of Trinidad and Tobago (AUOTT) and the Point Lisas Energy Association (PLEA).
STOW-TT doesn’t just establish a uniform benchmark for certifying contractor HSE systems but also ensures that certified companies meet the rigorous requirements of a robust HSE Management System. This underscores the commitment to safety and environmental responsibility within the Trinidad & Tobago energy sector.
According to www.hse.gov.uk, “ISO 45001 is an international standard for health and safety at work developed by national and international standards committees independent of the government. Implementing ISO 45001 may help your organization demonstrate compliance with health and safety law.”
- STOW (Safe To Work) and ISO 45001 both relate to health, safety, and environmental (HSE) management but differ significantly in several key aspects.
- STOW is a certification program specifically designed for contractors, especially in Trinidad & Tobago’s energy sector. Its goal is to ensure that contractors meet specific health, safety, and environmental standards, rendering them eligible to work with major clients in the region. In contrast, ISO 45001 is an international standard for occupational health and safety management systems, applicable to organizations worldwide, irrespective of their industry or location.
- STOW primarily focuses on the Trinidad & Tobago energy sector and contractor certification, whereas ISO 45001 is intended for organizations of all types and sizes, regardless of their industry or location.
- STOW caters to contractors and their specific HSE needs, frequently utilized by clients in Trinidad & Tobago’s energy industry to prequalify their contractors. On the other hand, ISO 45001 applies to organizations of all kinds and their employees, establishing a framework for identifying, controlling, and minimizing risks related to occupational health and safety.
- STOW is predominantly employed in Trinidad & Tobago, concentrating on the energy sector within that region. In contrast, ISO 45001 is a globally recognized standard applicable to organizations worldwide, offering a common language for HSE management.
These two standards operate within different regulatory frameworks. STOW compliance is frequently mandated for contractors in the Trinidad & Tobago energy sector. ISO 45001 is a voluntary standard that organizations worldwide can choose to adopt to enhance their occupational health and safety management.
In conclusion, STOW is a specialized certification program tailored for contractors in Trinidad & Tobago’s energy sector, emphasizing regional compliance and contractor prequalification. Conversely, ISO 45001 is a global standard providing a framework for organizations of all types. The choice between these two depends on the specific needs, industry, and geographical scope of the organization or project.
