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Increased activity in the Bakken field of North Dakota has sparked greater demand for its crude oil. The Bakken field does not have the pipeline infrastructure to support the transportation of large quantities of crude oil. This region is heavily reliant on the use of rails in order to ship the crude oil to the port facilities on the east coast of the United States.
The increase in rail activity has raised some safety concerns for the oil and gas industry and the surrounding communities. A train carrying Bakken crude oil was involved in an accident last year that killed 47 people. This incident, along with a few others, has brought increased attention to the safety of these rails.
In April, the NTSB hosted a panel on rail safety with attendees including service providers, consultants, manufacturers, and the API. Attendees collaborated to discuss topics such as risk management and emergency responses to spills. The forum provided insight into possible changes and areas for improvement.
In response to the recent safety concerns, the Department of Transportation will require railroads to notify emergency responders when oil shipments travel through their states. Trains carrying more than one million gallons of Bakken crude oil need to notify emergency commissions within 30 days of the shipment. Thought leaders in the industry feel that measures like this will decrease the likelihood of another railroad disaster.
Safety regulations will constantly change and update in the oil and gas industry. To see how Accupoint’s solutions help organizations in the oil and gas industry manage evolving safety requirements visit accupointsoftware.com or call (800)563-6250.
The increase in rail activity has raised some safety concerns for the oil and gas industry and the surrounding communities. A train carrying Bakken crude oil was involved in an accident last year that killed 47 people. This incident, along with a few others, has brought increased attention to the safety of these rails.
In April, the NTSB hosted a panel on rail safety with attendees including service providers, consultants, manufacturers, and the API. Attendees collaborated to discuss topics such as risk management and emergency responses to spills. The forum provided insight into possible changes and areas for improvement.
In response to the recent safety concerns, the Department of Transportation will require railroads to notify emergency responders when oil shipments travel through their states. Trains carrying more than one million gallons of Bakken crude oil need to notify emergency commissions within 30 days of the shipment. Thought leaders in the industry feel that measures like this will decrease the likelihood of another railroad disaster.
Safety regulations will constantly change and update in the oil and gas industry. To see how Accupoint’s solutions help organizations in the oil and gas industry manage evolving safety requirements visit accupointsoftware.com or call (800)563-6250.
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Shell Oil Co.’s vice president of health, safety and environment, Dwight Johnston, thinks he has found the key to offshore safety. Shell has experienced a decrease in injuries since they implemented a program to improve the quality of life for its workers on its offshore facilities.
Shell’s “Care Councils”, which consist of workers from various disciplines, meet to discuss how to improve the facilities where workers live for two or three-week stretches.
The workers on these offshore facilities are either working, eating or sleeping while offshore. Johnston feels that if you give employees a comfortable bed that it will translate into a more well-rested, and ultimately safer worker. Shell has supplied foam mattresses to offshore workers and has already experienced four straight months without an injury.
These “Care Councils” seem to be an effective way to increase safety and improve employee morale. Shell plans to continue “Care Councils” and expand into areas such as which workers get priority on the helicopter rides home for family events.
To see how Accupoint can improve organizational safety and efficiency visit accupointsoftware.com or call (800) 563-6250.
Shell’s “Care Councils”, which consist of workers from various disciplines, meet to discuss how to improve the facilities where workers live for two or three-week stretches.
The workers on these offshore facilities are either working, eating or sleeping while offshore. Johnston feels that if you give employees a comfortable bed that it will translate into a more well-rested, and ultimately safer worker. Shell has supplied foam mattresses to offshore workers and has already experienced four straight months without an injury.
These “Care Councils” seem to be an effective way to increase safety and improve employee morale. Shell plans to continue “Care Councils” and expand into areas such as which workers get priority on the helicopter rides home for family events.
To see how Accupoint can improve organizational safety and efficiency visit accupointsoftware.com or call (800) 563-6250.
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We are in the midst of the dog days of summer and staying cool is on the top of everyone’s mind. It is the perfect time of the year to take a dip in a pool or relax in the air conditioning. But many of us have to work during August, so we must keep cool while on the job.
It isn’t difficult to imagine a scenario where workers will be dealing with extreme heat this time of year. When a person is exposed to a hot environment, his/her body must find a way to release the heat. If this heat isn’t released, workers can experience some serious side effects.
Workers that are more likely to be affected by heat related illness are those who are 65 years of age or older, are overweight or take medications that may cause an adverse reaction to excessive heat. Of course, this does not mean that if these do not apply to you that you are safe from heat related illness.
Heat related illnesses are a significant concern in the workplace and it is important that we take the appropriate steps in order to mitigate the risk.
Extreme heat should be avoided whenever possible. If exposure cannot be avoided, employers should:
It isn’t difficult to imagine a scenario where workers will be dealing with extreme heat this time of year. When a person is exposed to a hot environment, his/her body must find a way to release the heat. If this heat isn’t released, workers can experience some serious side effects.
Workers that are more likely to be affected by heat related illness are those who are 65 years of age or older, are overweight or take medications that may cause an adverse reaction to excessive heat. Of course, this does not mean that if these do not apply to you that you are safe from heat related illness.
Heat related illnesses are a significant concern in the workplace and it is important that we take the appropriate steps in order to mitigate the risk.
Extreme heat should be avoided whenever possible. If exposure cannot be avoided, employers should:
- Provide liquids to workers
- Give rest periods
- Monitor workers who are at greater risk
- Gradually build into heavy work
- Avoid drinks with large amounts of caffeine or sugar
- Wear light-colored, breathable clothing
