Safety is essential to the petroleum field operation.
 
The importance of collecting and analyzing large amounts of data and providing solutions or recommendations based on that data is essential to the oil and gas industry. Accurate analysis is a make or break scenario for field crews and managers alike. Software that automates inspections of existing equipment and throughput while alerting key employees to problems that may arise is the first line of defense for a streamlined oil and gas operation.
 
Oil and Gas: Risky Heavy Industry.
 
The oil and gas industry has to meet stringent federal and state strictures to operate. Environmental, safety and social aspects of field operations cannot be ignored. The regulations can be convoluted in their complexity. Software applications that monitor all aspects of a drilling venture or transfer station simplify all processes while meeting regulatory criteria effortlessly. Even if you don't know how often you should be checking your release valve, the compliance software will, and can perform that task automatically.
 
Safety inspections are the backbone of a field operation.
 
Without them you can be shut down. Whether the shut-down is triggered by an independent inspection that fails, or a faulty mechanism that went unnoticed, the costs associated with a work stoppage are enormous. When you use inspection compliance software you are providing a vanguard against the possibility of failed inspections or machinery. Every aspect of your operation will be monitored and analyzed. Developing problems can be corrected before they turn into a disaster. Inspections can be scheduled according to your circumstances.
 
Software flexibility, a long-term solution.
 
No one wants to pay thousands for inspection compliance software only to have it become outdated within a few months. Regulatory mandates can change overnight; your inspection compliance software needs to respond to those changes just as quickly. Software with a built-in protocol for shifting and adding data blocks effortlessly solves the problem of the ever-changing regulatory atmosphere for the operator. When you can diversify and streamline your software to fit changing needs, you have a flexible application that works with your operation.
 
The four most important tasks of automated inspection software:

1. Manage all the data and information in a high performance operation seamlessly. Analyze that data and pass information on to key people
2. Perform automated inspections of the entire operation or a specific component of it based on the client’s needs. Generate full reports of these inspections.
3. Be flexible enough to meet compliance standards and regulations that change constantly. The need to reconfigure inspection software in the field is continuous, make sure to choose inspections software that has a flexibility feature.
4. Mitigate risk. By applying inspection software to your operation, you reduce risk one thousand fold. Because these solutions are so inclusive and exhaustive in their data collection and analysis, potentially dangerous problems are caught well before they manifest.

 
Get the help you need.
 
The petroleum industry is filled with complexity and regulatory oversight. Not to mention the dangers associated with field operations. Attempting to run your inspections without the help of compliance software is a one way ticket to failure. When you are ready for more information please contact us.

Depending on the industry under discussion, there are varying levels of incidents that can occur which make having an effective incident management plan a necessity. The petroleum industry most certainly falls into the category of operations where establishing and consistently maintaining an effective incident management response is of paramount importance. Understanding that there is no way to completely prevent incidents -- only to successfully and completely prepare for them when they do occur -- is often the difference between a brief interruption in operations and a long-lasting, expensive situation that negatively impacts a firm's reputation. Read on as we outline four basic steps in any solid effective incident management plan.

Develop a communication plan

This pertains to internal and external communication. Internally, the specifics of the plan are dependent on different factors unique to your organization (size, location, company culture), but whatever form the communication plan takes, it should be well-defined and able to be acted upon immediately. All internal employees should refer questions to your company spokesperson, with no exceptions.
Externally, an honest assessment with a realistic timeline is the best course of action. Ensuring stakeholders and the public in general that you are taking every step necessary to deal with the incident in the timeliest manner possible is vital at this point. 

Understand how to classify (and respond to) the incident

At this juncture, the severity of the incident is quantified. Will it affect operations in just one location, or at multiple company locations? Obviously this step will no doubt be drastically different depending upon the circumstances, but the key here is to understand what threats can result from the incident, and gauge the response accordingly.

Formulate a basic framework for costs

There's no question that any incident needs a successful resolution. However, a cost analysis is necessary to ensure that the response and recovery to the incident are not out of proportion to the severity of the situation. As with any business decision, a budget helps immensely for this step.

Ensure your team is complete

Probably the most important step in any effective incident management plan, having the right people in the right places is of utmost importance. The key here is to have a clearly defined plan of action, where all the members of the incident management team understand their role -- without any ambiguity -- and are ready to jump into action immediately.

Developing an effective incident management response is certainly an important consideration, especially for companies operating in the petroleum industry. As is the case with any successful concept, ample planning will ensure that your organization is ready to respond -- and act quickly -- should an unexpected incident occur.

If you have any questions about developing or maintaining your incident management plan, please don't hesitate to reach out to us -- there's a reason why our compliance management solutions are so highly touted!

Companies relying on the traditional spreadsheet to manage their QMS often find it to be overwhelming to manage as the data volume continues to grow. Those using spreadsheets have to contend with issues like how best to collaborate when working within the same sheet or how to maintain data integrity.  Integrated quality management software can be advantageous for organizations that want to save time and improve productivity when managing data.

Barriers with the traditional spreadsheet

Traditional spreadsheets can be challenging to keep updated. Different individuals working on the same spreadsheet can lead to versioning issues where it’s difficult to keep track of the most current file. Collaboration within a spreadsheet is also limited. Comments can be hidden or mistakenly overlooked due to the very layout of the spreadsheet. Working within multiple spreadsheets can lead to difficulty when reconciling data. One version may have been edited with the current information, while a team member works concurrently on a different file at the same time, making updates to a different item. It can be challenging to reconcile the two versions. Integrated quality management software makes for a good alternative to the long and often cumbersome spreadsheet.

Top advantages of a quality management software solution

Millions of companies are utilizing integrated quality management solutions to answer the need for a better way to manage data and information. Both management and team members alike recognize the value in being able to better manage large volumes of data in order to improve their information flow.

Adopting Integrated Quality Management Software

Accupoint’s quality management solutions can automate your program updates based on parameters set. This means that you don’t have to worry about changing and overhauling your system because the solution evolves as your business needs do.

1. Our solutions improve data integrity. Redundancy of data, entry protocols, system updates and records maintenance can all be done conveniently from within the  solution. Pulling accurate reporting is easiest when information is consolidated and entered uniformly.
   
2. Detecting emerging trends across different areas of the organization is simplified with our quality management system. The information is securely stored within the centralized web-based platform, which makes all of the data is available for review in real-time. Accessibility to real-time data enables smart, quick decision-making across the board.
   
3. While spreadsheets can hold a large amount of data, keeping information secure and reliable as data continues to grow presents its share of challenges. Scalable quality manage systems empower teams to seamlessly expand their solutions to accommodate growing customer and regulatory requirements.
   
4. The Accupoint solution offer flexibility in how data is entered. Individuals can choose to enter data traditionally or through other methods such as scanning or geo-tagging. These options facilitate collaboration and reduce error rates among those handling information. Embracing spreadsheet alternatives reduces the risks associated in having multiple hands involved with the data management process.
   
5.  User-friendly methods to track a range of different types of information are an additional advantage to transitioning to an Accupoint solution.  Tracking training progress, quality standard updates, testing cycles, and auditing results can all be done conveniently through one single user interface.
   

Cutting costs with accurate real-time data and improved collaboration are the most common reasons for making the switch to an integrated quality management software solution. Better reporting, collaboration, data integrity, and automated program updates become possible with the right  solution in place. Excel spreadsheets can serve a purpose for a specified amount of time; when data is limited in volume. As the amount of data grows, management must be prepared to evaluate an integrated quality management system if they are to remain productive.
 
For more information on Accupoint solutions or to schedule a platform demonstration, please call us toll-free 800.563.6250 or visit us at www.accupointsoftware.com

It's never a fun thing when somebody in your workplace experiences an accident on the job. Accidents and injuries happen in all industries that require a lot of physical work and stamina, and the petroleum industry is no exception. It's how we respond to an injury that makes all the difference in preventing future accidents.

Prompt injury reporting to OSHA is a regulatory requirement that must be taken care of as soon as possible. If the injury results in a fatality, you only have an eight-hour window of time to report the injury to OSHA. This is true even if the accident results in a fatality later on. All deaths within 30 days of a work-related incident must be reported.

Employers with more than ten employees and whose establishments are not classified as a partially exempt industry must record work-related injuries and illnesses using OSHA forms. These forms must be submitted within a very specific time frame.

If you are not exempt, you must record all work-related injuries and illnesses that result in time off from work, restricted work and even in transfers to another job, such as some time behind a desk instead of in the field. Any loss of consciousness or medical treatment beyond first aid must be recorded in company records and reported to OSHA.

Employers are also expected to record significant work-related injuries or illnesses that are diagnosed by a physicians or medical team, even if they don't cause time away from the job.
What does OSHA considered to be an injury? Pretty much anything: this includes cuts, sprains, broken bones, and amputations and of course anything requiring surgery. Work-related illnesses include both acute and chronic conditions, and usually involve long-term exposure to toxins and contaminants. These include skin diseases, respiratory disorders, and sometimes even poisoning such as solvent intoxication.

Some injuries are considered serious enough to merit reporting within 24 hours. These typically include work-related inpatient hospitalizations, amputations, and injuries resulting in the loss of an eye.

Regulatory requirements are often easy to meet when you're using an integrated reporting solution to manage the paperwork. For more information on how Accupoint can help streamline your injury reporting process, please contact us at 800.563.6250 or visit us at www.accupointsoftware.com.

Visitors to public buildings pose a substantial security risk. This affects the oil & gas industry as much as any federal facility. A smart company can reduce that risk, however, by managing its visitors.

Some visitor management systems are "low-tech"; that is, the person signs her name, the time she enters the building, what office/employee she will visit, and signs out when leaving the building - all done using pen and paper.

The most successful visitor management relies on computerized systems to confirm visitor identity, conduct background checks, confirm security clearances and otherwise obtain information with regard to the person that may affect his or her ability to visit or that impacts the company.

To be successful, a visitor management system should combine security checks with access control. The low-tech method used keys, key cards, and badges to limit access to sensitive areas. Comprehensive visitor management systems now use smart software technology and web-based programs able to document a visitor's whereabouts in the building and track building usage by specific visitors. Some include registration through a portal before the visit. This technique helps the business check the identity and security clearance to fast-track the visitor when he arrives. The visitor management process begins several days before the actual visit and isn't completed until after the visit is over and all information analyzed.

For more information on how Accupoint’s solutions can help you manage your visitor management process, visit www.accupointsoftware.com or call us at (800) 563-6250. We always appreciate the opportunity to share information on systems that can help your business become more efficient and positioned to meet global business standards.