QHSE

BLRT Repair Yards operates an Integrated Management System that covers quality management, occupational health and safety, and environmental management.

The system is based on the principles and requirements of:

• ISO 9001 for quality management
• ISO 14001 for environmental management
• ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety
• AQAP 2110 NATO quality assurance requirements for design, development and production

Our Integrated Management System supports structured planning, clear responsibilities, risk management, legal and regulatory compliance, project communication, QHSE performance monitoring, corrective actions and continuous improvement.

The IMS policy is regularly reviewed and updated when required. It is communicated throughout the organisation and made available to employees, customers, partners and other relevant stakeholders.

A reliable ship repair business begins with clear standards, responsible decisions and the ability to learn and improve continuously.

Quality in ship repair begins long before the vessel enters the yard. It starts with understanding the vessel’s technical condition, operational priorities, repair specification, class requirements, schedule, budget and expected return-to-service date.

Our quality management approach focuses on:

• reviewing customer specifications and technical requirements
• defining project scope and responsibilities
• planning and coordinating multi-discipline repair activities
• controlling work processes, materials and documentation
• carrying out inspections and quality checks during project execution
• coordinating work with customers, class representatives and equipment suppliers
• managing additional findings and project changes transparently
• identifying non-conformities and implementing corrective actions
• using customer feedback to improve future projects

We aim to deliver what has been agreed and to keep our customers informed throughout the repair period. Unexpected technical findings can arise during any docking or repair project. When they do, our focus is on clear communication, practical technical solutions and responsible decision-making. Long-term partnerships are built through competence, reliability, mutual understanding and trust.

Every detail matters because every detail can affect safety, reliability, compliance of the vessel and its readiness to return to service.

Ship repair is a complex industrial environment. Work may involve cranes and lifting operations, heavy machinery, hot work, confined spaces, electrical systems, hazardous substances, work at height and several technical disciplines running simultaneously.

Mission Zero approach reflects our commitment to preventing accidents, injuries and work-related ill health. The health and safety of our employees, customers, vessel crews, contractors, subcontractors and visitors is a fundamental priority across all BLRT Repair Yards locations.

Occupational health and safety approach includes hazard identification, risk assessment, workplace induction, safe working methods, toolbox talks, work permits, emergency preparedness, near-miss reporting, incident investigation and continuous safety improvement.

Every person working at or visiting our yards has a role in maintaining a safe working environment.

Safe ship repair depends not only on procedures and personal protective equipment. It also depends on the knowledge, preparedness and practical competence of every person involved in the project.

Across BLRT Repair Yards, safety development is organised through training, task-specific briefings, refresher courses, contractor and visitor induction, toolbox talks, near-miss reviews and practical emergency exercises.

Regular drills allow our teams to practise communication, coordination, evacuation, rescue and the correct use of emergency equipment under controlled conditions. Exercises may include fire response, first aid, evacuation from a vessel or dock, rescue from confined spaces, rescue from height, oil spill response, hazardous substance response and coordination with external emergency services. Following each drill, observations and lessons learned are reviewed and used to improve procedures, training and future exercises.

Our goal: everyone should return home safely after every shift!

The drills involved Estonian Rescue Services Agency rescue crews, Tallinn ambulance crews, operational supervisors, site security, and the shipyard’s dock operations team.

The training scenario focused on rescuing an injured person from a confined compartment inside the floating dock, including access to a hard-to-reach area, initial medical assessment, safe evacuation, and handover to the ambulance crew.

The aim was to practice coordination between external emergency services, authorities and shipyard teams in a realistic ship repair environment.

See how yard personnel and vessel representatives worked together during a planned evacuation scenario. The drill involved operational supervisors, site security, the shipyard employees and the crew of ferry TÕLL.

BLRT Repair Yards is committed to carrying out ship repair, maintenance and modernisation activities responsibly and in accordance with applicable environmental legislation and other relevant requirements. Environmental Management System helps identify environmental risks, establish operational controls and improve environmental performance across our yards:

• preventing pollution of water, soil and air
• managing waste responsibly
• supporting waste segregation and recycling
• controlling hazardous materials and substances
• preventing and responding to spills
• reducing unnecessary consumption of energy and water
• using natural resources responsibly
• developing environmental awareness among employees and contractors

Environmental requirements are considered during project preparation and execution, especially in activities such as surface treatment, painting, tank cleaning, machinery repair, steel replacement, piping works and the handling of oils, chemicals or other materials.

By combining responsible shipyard operations with technical solutions that improve vessel efficiency and environmental performance, we also support shipowners in preparing their fleets for evolving operational and regulatory requirements.

Environmental responsibility is therefore part of both how we operate and how we support the future development of our customers’ vessels.