Safety training is an important component of pre entry into the Alberta Oil and Gas Industry. Recently, a newspaper article pointed out the alarming increase in accidents and fatalities in 2007 in this sector. The conclusive evidence pinpointed the lack of safety training as a deadly combination when coupled with working in a high hazard environment.

 

New, young, inexperienced and illiterate workers are particularly at risk. They need time to learn how to predict and manage many invisible hazards on site, such as H2S. There seems to be a lack of manpower, so workers are being promoted to hazardous jobs with greater responsibility, yet they are often not capable of managing at risk yet.

 

Experienced workers may become complacent and become disabled. They also may send the new staff to do the work that needs greater training and supervision.

 

Experienced workers may grow complacent, which can lead to an increased risk of disabling accidents.

 

Alberta Occupational Health and Safety has increased fines and jail times for Supervisors and Staff that fail to meet the Regulatory requirements.

 

C-45 is a recent Federal law that has taken a hard hitting approach to violators.  A director or supervisor who fails to meet their due diligence requirements could face life imprisonment.

 

Publishing negative media about violators, requiring them to attend safety programs, creating codes of practice, fines and remedies are other alternative punishments which can impact companies that fail to meet the expected safe work practices.

 

In 2005, the Alberta Oil and Gas Industry set out Industry Recommended Practices for companies to meet. There are currently 23 IRPs and three Guides to Safe Work. Staff, whether new or experienced , are required to have the following programs when entering a many oil and gas sites:

 

H2S Alive
Standard First Aid/CPR/AED
WHMIS
TDG
PST

 

H2S Alive	An ENFORM certified program ranging 6-8 hours regarding the dangers of Hydrogen Sulphide gas. Any oil and gas site , whether sweet or sour, requires this ticket, good for 3 years
Standard First Aid	Our Red Cross oriented program is listed under the First Aid Regulations as a work requirement, as well as first aid kits and signage. It includes CPR and AED. 3 year renewal. (CPR – suggested annual recertification)
WHMIS	The Chemical Hazard Regulation outlines that all workers exposed to Controlled Products at the workplace must be trained and understand the WHMIS labels and Material Safety Data Sheets. Regular or annual renewal suggested, as per company policy. Compressed gases (fire extinguishers), Flammables (diesel), Oxidizers (Oxygen), Toxins ( Invert), Corrosives (drilling muds) and Dangerously Reactive Chemicals (Acetylene) are common products in gas plants and rigs.
TDG	Anyone who offers for transport, receives or sends out a dangerous good must be certified in Transportation of Dangerous Goods. This is now required for all personnel on these types of job sites, even if they are not actively involved in transport. Receptionists sending out an order of dangerous goods, drivers taking packages to a worksite for a refill and loading dock personnel receiving a shipment are examples of people requiring training. Up to 3 year expiry if you are still working for the company. Documentation, Safety Marking, Training and Packaging requirements, Dangerous occurrence reporting and Emergency Response Accident Plans are components of the program.
PST 2.0	The new Petroleum Safety Training 2.0 is an ENFORM certified program which can be done in our computer lab, online at your own facility, or in a classroom with prebooking. It takes 4-6 hours approximately to complete. A Completion report can be printed and a permanent ticket will be mailed to the address you registered shortly afterwards. No expiry. Strong internet capacity and ability of your computer to function with a video and multimedia program are necessary.
Ground Disturbance Level I/II – IRP 17	Ground Disturbance in the Vicinity of Buried Facilities requires training prior to digging. Level I is a short awareness program, up to a half day in length. Level II is a 6-8 hour program, certified through Global Training Centre. It is a lecture style program that shows preventative steps when planning to dig.
Confined Space	As part of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, a worker must be competent in entire procedures before entering a Confined Space. This 6-8 hour full day program offered by Allstar Enviro Safety is part physical skills and a portion lecture, movies or multi media format. Three year certification.
Fall Protection Basics	The Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Regulations has amended the Code for Fall Protection requirements. A Fall Protection system must be in place from 1.2 – 3 M on a job site. At 3 M and greater, workers must have Fall Protection training and appropriate equipment on hand. This program, certified by Allstar Enviro Safety has movies, theory, exercises and physical skills. In the program the hands on and theoretical analysis of anchor, body harness, connecting devices and rescue plans are employed. Three year certification

 

You Can Call Us at:

Ph: 403-214-1558 Fax: 403-253-1806

www.safetymom.ca