Technical Shared Services
TSS Contractor Environmental, Health, and Safety (EH&S) Specifications / Generation EH&S Procedures
The TSS Contractor Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) Specifications are a key component in the execution of all Technical Shared Services (TSS) construction projects. Prospective contractors are required to fully understand and adhere to the provisions set forth by these specifications. Contractors will be required to meet the Contractor Quality Requirements, as listed at the bottom of this webpage, under “Additional Resource Files”.
In addition, the Contractor's EH&S program shall meet or exceed the requirements of the Southern Company Generation EH&S procedures. Contractor shall submit their own manual EH&S and Quality manuals for review and approval of Purchaser prior to the commencement of work.
For Technical Shared Services (TSS) construction projects on Hydro Generation Sites ONLY, the Contractor’s EH&S program shall meet or exceed the Hydro Modernization Project EH&S Specifications.
Drug/Alcohol Testing and Background Investigation Requirements
This provides information on the drug/alcohol testing and background investigation program that Southern Company requires of all contractors.
Contractor Compliance Background Form (CCBF)
This form is provided to the contractor to request certain information concerning its compliance history and compliance programs. Upon receipt, the completed and signed background form is reviewed for suspect or problematic responses. Instead of the CCBF, some entities within Southern Company may obtain equivalent information via the Avetta Program that is used for contractor prequalification.
Contractor Safety Qualification Questionnaire (CSQQ)
This form is provided to the contractor to request certain information concerning its safety performance and program. Upon receipt, the completed and signed questionnaire is reviewed for conformance with Southern Company requirements. Instead of the CSQQ, some entities within Southern Company may obtain equivalent information via the Avetta Program that is used for contractor prequalification.
Safety Orientation Requirements for Contractors
Southern Company has eliminated the requirement for Contractors to complete PowerSafe Training. It is still the contractual responsibility of all Contractors to ensure their employees have met all required (1) basic safety and (2) site-specific training. Southern Company expects that all Contractors will maintain a high standard of safety. Contractors can refer to their contracts or contract administrator with questions regarding required safety training.
The Contractors are responsible for communicating the designated Southern Company Generation Lockout Tagout Procedure Awareness Training to their employees. An additional resource, Lockout Tagout Training Video, has also been developed for use by Contractors. Lockout Tagout Procedures are lock-out/tag-out programs in compliance with OSHA 1910.147 Lock-Out/Tag-Out and OSHA 1910.269 (the OSHA Standard Governing Electric Utility Work). These procedures provide a system of accountability for non-plant personnel and maintain communications between working parties. Strict adherence to the designated clearance/lockout tagout procedure is a condition of employment for everyone working on plant equipment at Southern Company facilities. Violation of procedure will lead to being barred from all Southern Company facilities. The Lockout Tagout Procedure will be communicated to Contractors during the pre-bid and/or plant safety orientation. The Southern Company contract administrator will provide additional details.
Switchyard Access Awareness Training
For Contractors working in and around Switchyards, they are responsible for communicating the designated Southern Company Generation Switchyard Access Awareness Training to their employees. This training defines the process for safe access into generating plant switchyards and substations located on a Generation site.
Hot Work Training
Contractors shall follow the generation hot work procedure. They are responsible for communicating the designated Southern Company hot work training to their employees. This training is required to perform hot work on generation plant sites.
STEP – Safety Through Everyone’s Participation
STEP is Southern Company’s behavioral-based safety (BBS) observation program. STEP has been developed and is owned by Southern Company. Contractors working for TSS unless contractually exempt must utilize Southern Company’s STEP program. Contractors with their own established BBS program must still participate in STEP, although they can concurrently utilize their program. Contractor user licenses for the STEP database will be provided by Southern Company at no cost to the Contractor. Refer to the link above for additional details related to STEP.
Southern Company will provide “train the trainer” instruction on STEP for Contractors. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that their workers are fully trained and compliant with STEP. Contractor personnel that have completed STEP “train the trainer” instruction can teach other Contractor workers. Several training resources are available to Contractor trainers: STEP General Observer, STEP Overview, STEP Data Usage, STEP Observer Refresher. A Process Map for STEP Implementation is available for reference.
Additional Resource Files
- Guideline for Creating a Quality Document Submittal Plan, revision 08/08/2019
- TSS Quality Document Submittal Plan Template, revision 08/08/2019
- Contractor Quality Requirements – General (CQR-1), Rev. 06/08/2015
- Contractor Quality Requirements - Outsourced Construction Management or EPC Contractor (CQR-2) Rev. 02/01/2018
- Supplier Quality Assurance Requirements – Outsourced Design and Procurement Services (SQAR-1), Rev. 3, 06/30/2022
- Supplier Quality Assurance Requirements – General (SQAR-2), Rev. 19, 01/27/2023
- Supplier Quality Assurance Requirements – General (SQAR-2), Rev. 18, 01/10/2020
- Standard Quality Language, Rev. 7, 02/21/2020
- Foreign Material Specification, Rev. 1, 07/13/2022
