Community Health and Safety in Projects

Community Health and Safety

• ESS4 recognizes that project activities, equipment, and infrastructure can increase community exposure to risks and impacts
• Communities already experiencing climate change impacts may experience an acceleration or intensification of these impacts due to project activities
• ESS4 addresses the health, safety, and security risks and impacts on project-affected communities
• Borrowers are responsible for avoiding or minimizing these risks, particularly for vulnerable populations
• Objectives: anticipate and avoid adverse impacts on community health and safety
• Objectives: promote quality and safety, considering climate change in infrastructure design
• Objectives: avoid or minimize community exposure to project-related risks, diseases, and materials
• Objectives: ensure effective measures for emergency events
• Objectives: ensure safeguarding of personnel and property to minimize risks to project-affected communities
• Scope of application: applicability is established during the environmental and social assessment (ESS1)
• Scope of application: addresses potential risks and impacts on communities affected by project activities
• Occupational health and safety requirements for project workers are outlined in ESS2
• Measures to avoid environmental impacts due to existing or potential pollution are set out in ESS3

Requirements

• Borrower will evaluate project risks and impacts on community health and safety, including vulnerable populations.
• Mitigation measures will be identified and proposed in accordance with the mitigation hierarchy
• Infrastructure and equipment design and safety considerations will comply with legal requirements, EHSGs, and GIIPs
• Safety risks to third parties and affected communities are considered in the design and construction of structural elements
• Structural elements are designed and constructed by competent professionals and certified by competent authorities
• Climate change considerations are incorporated into structural design
• Public access buildings and structures need to account for risks and natural hazards, with consideration for access needs for all
• Experts review structural elements in high-risk locations with similar project experience
• If a new or existing dam is part of the project, Borrower will comply with dam safety requirements
• Project services will implement quality management systems to anticipate and minimize health and safety risks (universal access where applicable and feasible)
• Traffic risks to workers, communities, and road users will be identified, evaluated, and monitored
• Road safety measures are incorporated into project design
• Road safety assessments are undertaken
• Incidents and accidents are monitored and reports are produced
• Vehicle safety systems, including driver training, are in place
• Safety measures are taken where project equipment affects public roads or infrastructure

Community Exposure to Health Issues

• Potential for water-borne, vector-borne, communicable and non-communicable diseases is minimized
• Exposure to higher-risk vulnerable groups will be considered
• Opportunities will be explored to improve environmental conditions to minimize disease incidence in communities affected
• Measures are taken to avoid or minimize the spread of communicable diseases during influx of temporary or permanent project labor

Management and Safety of Hazardous Materials

• Potential community exposure to hazardous materials and substances will be minimized
• Measures will be taken to control the safety of hazardous material deliveries, storage, transportation and disposal
• Special care to avoid and minimize hazards will be taken, particularly those that are life-threatening
• Existing project infrastructure and components are managed carefully to avoid community exposure to hazardous materials, especially during construction, operation, and decommissioning

Emergency Preparedness and Response

• Measures to address emergency events will be identified and implemented
• Emergency events include natural and man-made hazards, such as fire, explosions, or spills
• Risk hazard assessments (RHAs) are conducted
• Emergency response plans (ERPs) are prepared in coordination with local authorities and communities
• ERPs include engineering controls, emergency equipment, notification procedures, training, and evacuation procedures
• Project workers are included in ERP efforts based on ESS2
• Measures for communication with affected communities and other parties are detailed in ERP
• A written record of findings and actions will be documented.

Safety of Dams and Existing Dams

• New dam safety measures: experienced professionals for dam design and safety, procedures are applied during design, bidding, construction, operation and maintenance.
• Applicable safety requirements based on size and complexity.
• If a dam or DUC is utilized, safety status and performance history (appurtenances) are assessed on a regular basis.
• If needed, remedial works are recommended by specialists
• If applicable, plans and instructions on dam safety are prepared and reviewed prior to project implementation. Emergency preparedness is considered in these plans.