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46 ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE REPORT 2020 ENSURING HEALTH AND SAFETY 47

As a result of our efforts, serious gas-related accidents To build on the process risk assessment skills of our
Comprehensive Monitoring Progress have decreased 84 per cent in last five years. staff, we have been developing a HAZOP Studies
Areas Talent Pool and organised a two-day HAZOP Practical
We continuously monitor our facilities in order to identify
potential hazards and mitigate risks while looking for Serious gas-related accidents Tournament. A total of 26 staff members started
ways to make improvements. Safety Performance 2016 13 the certification process and are expected to obtain
HAZOP Professional Certification by the China
Hong Kong Chemical Safety Association in 2021.
From our 24-hour Grid Control Centre at our North 2017 8
Point headquarters in Hong Kong, we are able to Throughout the year, we conducted 141,427 trench 2018 10
monitor our network in real time. We also conduct a inspections at 8,866 active sites and surveyed Safer Operations through Technology
gas pipe leakage survey at least once a year and carry 6,662 km of pipeline in order to reduce gas incidents. 2019 8
out regular trench inspections of our gas pipes and At Towngas, harnessing new technology allows us to
other facilities. Gas incidents reported by the public 2020 2 ensure our facilities are safe and operating properly, in
per 10 km of gas pipes keeping with our philosophy of “Growth = innovation x

In mainland China, the general managers of mainland 2016 0.180 New Energy implementation”.
utility business JVs conduct a safety inspection 2017 0.165
every month to identify and address any issues that In 2020, we conducted safety inspections for all our In 2020, we applied
may arise. Safety and risk management audits of 2018 0.145 chemical plants in mainland China that were either AI to monitor third party
our utility JV partners are conducted once every two in operation or under construction and organised six construction works near
years, while PSM audits for our chemical plants are 2019 0.117 safety audits of our ECO gas filling stations. our network to reduce
conducted annually. 2020 0.092 the risk of pipe damage.
Three comprehensive safety inspection programmes The AI system can identify

In addition, regular safety and risk management In 2020, Towngas kept third party damage to its gas were specially organised across major JVs to assess heavy machinery that may
workshops are organised to improve safety pipes to a relatively low level. The number of third COVID-19 safety measures, as well as lessons learned endanger our pipelines
management practices and safety awareness. party damage incidents in 2020 was seven. from the 2020 Beirut port explosion and other major and trigger visual and
incidents in mainland China. audio alarms at sites and
Community and Industrial Relations To reduce the risk of mechanical joint leakage and send alert messages or
corrosion, we decommissioned 17 km of aged metal By adhering to best practices in PSM, such as emails to our site staff for
We connect with stakeholders to enhance their pipes in our network. In addition, our replacement of following inherent safety designs and conducting in- instant follow-up.
safety awareness and build trust. We also work corroded risers project launched in 2019 is expected depth HAZOP studies and Bowtie Analysis, there were
closely with the government authorities to formulate to be completed by 2022. no major incidents at our chemical plants in 2020. For our pipeline asset records, we adopted an
strategic plans, such as a facilities utilisation innovative photogrammetry methodology. By
framework and preventive maintenance index, to To enhance operational resilience, we renovated Training and Awareness taking photographic images on site, a three-
ensure optimal safety. and upgraded the back-up Corporate Crisis Control dimensional (3D) as-built model of the pipeline can
Centre and Grid Control Centre. In 2020, many training activities were moved online in be generated to record and store information on
In order to maintain a high standard of safety not just mainland China in response to the social distancing our pipeline assets accurately and efficiently. This
within Towngas but across the industry, we share our Mainland Utilities measures implemented during the pandemic. approach also eliminates tedious traditional manual
safety experience and standards with corporations, work.
contractors and professional organisations. In 2020, 37 safety and risk management audits were These included the e-learning platforms that we launched
undertaken; the safety performance of our JVs have been for self-learning and self-assessment by our staff. Web-
In mainland China, we have taken part in the steadily improving since the implementation of our audits. based Safety and Risk Management Workshops were
compilation and revision of relevant standards and also organised to share experiences on gas pipe
specifications on both the national and industry levels. During the pandemic, the general manager of each JV safety, PSM and good engineering practices. Other
We have also shared our experience to promote the increased safety inspections to twice a month and added online activities included a Gas Engineering Knowledge
development of the gas industry in mainland China. an item on “Special Inspection for the Prevention and Competition to enhance gas engineering knowledge
Control of COVID-19” to ensure all JVs were implemented and strengthen operational safety.
the specified sanitation and anti-viral measures.