ISSUE
O4 WINTER 2016 S A FETY I N A C T I O N
Cover story
FIRST RESPONDERS
Safe company
TAKING SAFETY TO ANOTHER LEVEL
Intelligent gear
BUILD THE EMERGENCY KIT YOU NEED
COMPLIMENTARY COPY
5 EMERGENCIES 5 RESPONSES Doing the right thing if things go wrong
REACTION TIME
ENFORM.CA2
RAISE YOUR HAND FOR SAFETY100% effort. Its what Canadians expect from us.
In fact, in 2013 alone, more than $1.4 billion was spent
on pipeline safety across Canada. As we move our energy
to new markets we will never stop working to protect our
environment, our people and our communities.
Think oil and natural gas developed the Canadian way
is good for Canada? Then now is the time to say so at
energycitizens.ca
FILENAME I2-CAPP-RYH-PIPELINE_SAFETY-FRONTLINE-2015-11-EN1 MODIFIED NOvEMbER 27, 2015 4:31 PM APPROvED 11/05/2015 2015
AP
PR
Ov
AL
S CLIENT CAPP ---
PUb
LIC
ATIO
N vENDOR /PROPERTY FRONTLINE MAGAZINEACCOUNT REP. JANE KENNEDY ---
ART DIRECTOR ADRIAN JEAN CGD --- TRIM SIZE 8.25X10.75
PRODUCTION --- ---
SPEC
S INSERTION TYPE FULL PAGE
COMMENTS PIPELINE SAFETY INSERTION DATE ---
Not actors. Real Canadians.
President & CEOCameron MacGillivray
Vice President, Communications & PetroLMICarol Howes
Manager, CommunicationsAmy Krueger
EditorTerry Bullick, Bullick Communications
Design, Production & Project ManagementKylie Henry & Katherine Stewart,Studio Forum Inc.
Contributors Jennifer Allford, Beaver Drilling, Lavonne Boutcher, Brian Burton, Mike Fisher, Anne Georg, Doug Horner, Steven Hughes, Larry MacDougal, Scott Rollans, Amy Sawchenko, Jason Stang, Frankie Thornhill
Printing McAra Printing, Calgary, Alta.
Statements, opinions and viewpoints expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of Enform. Copyright 2016 by Enform. Canada Post Publication Mail Agreement #40006922 For advertising rates or for consent to reprint or redistribute content in the publication, contact Enform at: [email protected].
Head Office: 5055 - 11 Street NE, Calgary, Alta, T2E 8N4P 403.516.8000 | F 403.516.8166 Enrolment Services & Certificate of Recognition: 1.800.667.5557
enform.ca
PUBLISHED BY TABLE OF CONTENTS
ON THE COVER First responders: from left to right, Jason Worsnop, Matthew J. Maitre, Phillip Marasco and Brandi Sandquist were photographed in High River by Jason Stang. See story on page 25.
WINTER 2016
S A F ETY I N A CTI O N
To learn more about your safety and what Enform is doing to help you protect yourself, follow us on
22SAFE COMPANY
Taking safety to another level
25 COVER STORY: FIELD NOTES
First responders
28ENFORM Q & A
Oilpatch air travel, safe at any size
30HOME SAFE
Learning to live without fear after a heart attack
3Frontline Winter 2016
4ON AND OFF
THE JOBPreparation
reduces panic
5LIFELINES Arrive alive
Spot the hazardsGood times,
bad timesThe weekend
warrior syndrome
8SHIFT YOUR WORK
Working alone
10INTELLIGENT GEAR
Build the emergency kit
you need
12NATURAL CAN
BE HAZARDOUS Fire
To read this publication online visit enform.ca
17REACTION TIME
FIVE EMERGENCIES,
FIVE RESPONSES
On and off the job
4
PREPARATION REDUCES PANIC
enform.ca
The size of an emergency is often directly linked to how well prepared you are for it. A flat tire is usually no big deal when you have a spare and a jack. A two-hour delay in a snowstorm is relatively painless as long as you topped up the gas tank and have a couple of blankets. Whether you work at a wellsite, gas plant or pipeline operation, dealing with an emergency is much more effective when everyone on-site knows exactly what to do.
Several stories in this issue of Frontline revolve around preparing for and responding to emergencies of all descriptions. At home, work, play, and on the road.
As anyone in the business of dealing with emergencies will tell you, preparing for them will reduce panic. And panic can be more harmful than the emergency itself. The more prepared you are, the lower the risk of injury and loss of life and propertywhatever the situation.
By law, where you work must have an emergency response plan to rescue or evacuate people on the job. And your company has probably spent lots of time making sure you know that plan.
You can do the same for your family and home. An annual emergency drill will make sure your family knows what to do if theres a fire, flood or other crisis. And will help protect what's important in your life.
Cameron MacGillivray Enform President & CEO
LIFELINESHighway tips
5Frontline Winter 2016
WRITTEN BY JENNIFER ALLFORD
Check the road conditions before you hit the road.
Always pack warm clothes, a charged cellphone and a charger. You may not need them, but if you do, they could save your life.
Hit the gas station to make sure your tank is at least half full. That will prevent your fuel line from freezing in cold Canadian winters and ensure you dont run out of gas.
Meanwhile, some concerned citizens have formed the Highway 63 Coalition and are encouraging drivers to take a safety pledge, posted at safer63and881.com. The coalition also recommends these tips for driving on highways 61 and 881 and any other road you may travel.
Clean your windshield, windows and headlights to make sure you can see the road and other drivers can see you.
If youre driving at night, slow down. You can only see as far as your headlights shine, and slowing down gives you more time to react if you have to stop.
Highways 63 and 881 near Fort McMurray, Alta. are two of the most notorious highways in Canadas oilpatch. Crowded, dangerous and flat-out deadly, the roads are being twinned and the government expects to have 240 kilometres completed by the fall of 2016.
01 CHECK ROADS 02 BE PREPARED 03CLEAR VISION 04 FILL UP 05 SLOW DOWN
Road risks
6
Picture this
enform.ca
SPOT THE HAZARDS
Whatever the time, date or place, if youre not buckled up, youre four times more likely to be hurt in a crash than someone whos wearing a seatbelt.
When it comes to being on the road, when you drive can be as important as how you
drive. Consider these stats:
GOOD TIMES, BAD TIMES
Your chances of crashing are highest in the afternoon rush hour. Nearly 28 per cent of all vehicle collisions happen between 3 and 7 p.m.
Most collisions happen on Fridays, but most fatal collisions happen on Saturdays.
The highest number of fatal collisions happen in June and September.
More injury collisions happen in December, over the holidays, than any other time of the year.
Long weekends can be deadly. On Canada Day 2012, 15 people died driving in Alberta.
Top three causes of collisions and injuries: #1 Following too closely #2 Driving off the road #3 Improper left turn.
One in five drivers killed behind the wheel had been drinking alcohol.
Slips, trips and falls are major causes of injuries in the oilpatch.
Looking out for the hazards that cause them will help you keep your footing and balance and, most importantly, keep you on the job. How many slip, trip and fall hazards can you find in this illustration?
Clue: We counted eight.
SPOT THE HAZARDS ANSWERS: 1. Worker jumping from truck trailer. 2. Fluids on rig mat. 3. Sloppy footwearuntied shoelace and flapping boot tongue. 4. Muck and dirt on rig
mat. 5. Scattered pipe on rig mat. 6. Burned out light. 7. Leaking drums. 8. Uneven rig mats.
ILLUSTRATION BY STEVEN HUGHES
Road risks
7
LIFELINESSurviving Saturday & Sunday
Frontline Winter 2016
It's the weekend and you're ready to go hard. Hockey, soccer, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, kickboxing - you've got big plans. But your weekend warrior activities can kick back: a recent Calgary study found your chances of injuries go up on Saturdays and Sundays. The researchers described weekend warriors as people who go out and go hard on weekends but dont do much physical activity during the week.
To avoid crashing, falling, colliding or otherwise injuring yourself while getting physical over the weekend, make sure youre well rested and have the energy and strength you need for that hockey game or motocross ride. Also make sure you have the skill to tackle that rock face or snowshoe trail. And, dont try to make up for not doing 30 minutes of exercise Monday through Friday by doing a whole weeks worth of activity on Saturday.
IF YOU WALK OUT OF WORK ON FRIDAY
AND LIMP BACK IN ON MONDAY, YOU MAY HAVE
THE WEEKEND WARRIOR SYNDROME
Shift your work
8 enform.ca
IT I S B E T T E R T O B E C A R E F U L O N E H U N D R E D T I M E S T H A N T O G E T K I L L E D O N C E . M A R K T W A I N
W O R K I N G A L O N E
CODE ALONEIn Canadas oilpatch, lots of jobs are solitary: instrumentation, pipeline maintenance, mechanical and driving.
The Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code has dedicated rules for anyone working alone, which is defined as no ones readily available to help you when you need it. These rules also mean whomever youre working with has to assess and reduce all hazards and give you a way to check in regularly.
ON THE ROADGoing solo? Take some tips from professional truck drivers:
Inspect your vehicle each time you get into it.
Carry a first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, toolkit, emergency clothing and blanket, candles and flares. Winter also calls for a snow shovel, boots, snacks and drinking water.
Keep cellphones and radios charged and in good working order.
YOURE ALL GROWN UP, RIGHT? NOT AFRAID OF THE DARK. NOT AFRAID TO GET THE JOB DONE. NOT AFRAID OF WORKING ALONE. BUT HANG ON A MINUTE. If it cant be done safely, we dont do it, says Brad Gushlak, an environment, health and safety manager with Encana, of his companys approach. That includes working alone.
9Frontline Winter 2016
WRITTEN BY BRIAN BURTON
CHECKING IN The check-in interval in the oilpatch is every two hours.
Its not whether you think you should do it or you want to do it. Its the law, Gushlak says. And it makes total sense.
Plus, technology has made it easier. Gone are the days when workers had to find a phone every two hours to call in. Gushlak says Encana uses two check-in systems.
One system sounds a reminder on a workers cellphone. If the worker fails to send an all-clear answer within 15 minutes, a monitoring company calls to check the workers status. If theres no answer, first responders are dispatched immediately to the cellphones GPS location.
For more remote sites, Encana uses satellite communications in vehicles and personal safety monitors (PSMs) that workers carry. If workers stop moving, their motion-sensor monitor sends a signal to the truck thats relayed to first responders.
Its a little more costly, but it works everywhere," Gushlak says of the satellite setup. But it only works if people use it.
Encana, he says, was careful to choose systems that employees rated as hassle free.
Lots of companies monitor workers use of such systems by reviewing monthly electronic records from cellphones and PSMs. So fudging it doesnt wash.
At the same time, Patrick Delaney, the vice president of health and safety with the Petroleum Services Association of Canada (PSAC), says its important for both workers and managers to remember work is fluid.
Situations can very quickly go from working with someone to working alone, Delaney says. Thats why everyone needs to think about potential hazards and workers need to be equipped to respond.
BE READY TO BE ALONE Heres how you can be prepared for tackling any job on your own:
Know when and where youll be alone.
Know the potential risks and how to avoid them.
Have the gear you needand know how to use it.
Let someone know where youll be, what youre doing and when youre expected back. (Notes and emails left for the next shift may not be read until its too late.)
Have a way of calling in regularly and in case of an emergency.
Derek Tisdale of the Canadian Association of Geophysical Contractors (CAGC) says most of his associations members have strict rules about avoiding situations where anyone is working solo.
Tisdale says the biggest single exposure to danger foremployees with geophysical companies is crew change, when people are driving to and from a worksite, both alone and in groups.
Delaney notes that your vehicle is a work location and driving on a dark rural road can be especially hazardous after a long day or in bad weather.
STUCK ALONEIf you get stuck on the road alone, attempting to walk for help can be deceptive.
A visible light can be kilometres away but doesnt guarantee someone is around it. Its usually best to stay with your vehicle.
If youre stuck in snow, always check that your tailpipe is clear before running the engine. A snow-plugged exhaust can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Save fuel with candles. Burning a candle can keep your vehicles cabin warm and give off light.
GO THE EXTRA MILE BY: Assess your routes risks (snow, fog, rain,
construction, wildlife and the like) before setting out.
Be alertif youre tired, a short sleep is better than a permanent one.
Take breaksyou can get some air and check your vehicle again.
Check sites before driving onto them; make sure you can get out again.
BUDDY UPWhen you can, reduce the risk of working alone by taking someone with you. Even when the job itself only needs one person.
Other sound safety advice: work with your team to schedule multiple jobs at the same location and same time, so that two or more people are on site.
10
Intelligent gear
enform.ca
BUILD THE EMERGENCY KIT YOU NEED Think of it as insurance for when disaster strikes
People buy house insurance in case they have a flood or a fire. They buy car insurance in case they have a car accident. Preparing an emergency kit is no different from having another type of insurance", says Debra Molesworth, a training coordinator for disaster management at the Canadian Red Cross.
Figuring out your emergency kit depends on where you are and what youre doing. For both ideas and sound advice, Public Safety Canadas website, getprepared.gc.ca, is a reliable source.
To get you going, Frontline offers these tips on making your own emergency kit.
WRITTEN BY DOUG HORNER
PHOTOGRAPHED BY AMY SAWCHENKO
1
11Frontline Winter 2016
1 VEHICLETrue story: people have been stuck in their vehicles for three days and lived to tell about it. Thats just one reason Public Safety Canada recommends carrying enough gear in the trunk or back seat to survive for 72 hours.
2 OIf youre day tripping in the backcountry (on foot, ATV or snowmobile), what you carry in your emergency kit will vary. The items shown here are a starting point; your kit can evolve with each trip.
3 WORKSITE From roughnecks and engineers to accountants and land agents, Canadian oil and gas workers operate in all kinds of places. Take Cenovus, for example. The emergency kits in its head offices in downtown Calgary are worlds apart from those at the Foster Creek SAGD facility near Cold Lake.
You can probably guess which site has a standby fire brigade. Prevention is as big a part of our toolbox as any of the equipment, says Cenovus spokesperson Reg Curren.
4 HOMEFlood, wildfire, ice storm, tornado or even a pandemic influenza or nuclear emergency. Dont wait for one of these to hit you to get a smartly stocked emergency kit for your home.
Public Safety Canada offers a handy checklist and recommends buying a couple of items each time you shop. Consider it an excuse to go to Canadian Tire.
2
3
4
UTDOOR ADVENTURE
12 enform.ca
Natural can be hazardous
E O N S A G O, W H E N O U R F O R E B E A R S L E A R N E D T O C O N T R O L F I R E ,
H U M A N I T Y M A D E A G I A N T L E A P F O R W A R D. T O D A Y, F I R EI N V A R I O U S
F O R M S O F C O M B U S T I O NC O N T I N U E S T O P O W E R C I V I L I Z A T I O N.
WRITTEN BY SCOTT ROLLANS
13Frontline Winter 2016
T H R O U GHOUT H I S T O R Y, F I R E H A S
B EEN H U M A N K I N DS V A L U E D B U T
FI C KLE FR I E N D. I T C A N T U R N O N
YOU I N A N I N S T A N T. H E R E A R E W A Y S
YO U C A N B E T T E R U N D E R S T A N D,
PREVENT AND R E S P O N D T O F I R E S.
Professional engineer Brian R. Thicke of Edmontons Anderson Associates Consulting Engineers is a top investigator (and frequent expert witness) of
industrial and commercial fires and explosions. Frontline asked him to describe some causes of fire in the oilpatch. Thickes simple advice: Good maintenance and sound operating procedures can save a lot of grief.
H OT H A Z A R D S I N T H E
O I L PAT C H
COMPRESSOR1
FIRE TUBE LEAK2
FIRE TUBE LEVEL3
PLANT PIPING4
Dead legs in plant piping can collect waterand then freeze and rupture
in winter. The resulting leak may catch fire and cause widespread damage.
If you look after oilfield atmospheric storage tanks with fire tube heaters,
never empty them below the fire-tube level. If you do, youll likely end up
blowing the lid off.
Heater treaters can develop fire tube leaks that burn past the flame arrestor. When this happens, and an oil leak runs
downhill, the entire plant can quickly become involved.
Compressor parts can vibrate loose or break from fatigue. If this creates a gas leak, you can end up with an explosion.
IT'S A DRIVER'S
NIGHTMARE: YOURE
BEHIND THE WHEEL AND
YOUR VEHICLE CATCHES
FIRE. ITS IMPORTANT TO
DO TWO THINGS: REMAIN
CALM AND ACT QUICKLY TO:
14 enform.ca
Natural can be hazardous
14 enform.ca
Arm position Researchers found stop, drop and roll is most effective with the arms crossed. Its a bad idea to cover your face with your hands if your sleeves are on fire.
The fabric factor Polyester tends to slow the spread of flames, while cotton and cotton blends tend to speed it. Whatever youre wearing, however, the critical element is time. The sooner you stop, drop and roll, the better your chances of escaping or minimizing injury.
Stop, drop, rolland cool Once flames are out, prompt coolingcool water within 27 seconds after the burnhas a huge influence on the severity of the resulting injuries. The researchers recommended adding this important fourth step to the safety slogan.
S T O P D R O P & R O L L T H E
R I G H T WAY
H E L L O N F O U R
W H E E L SENGINE FIRE
1. Signal and move to the right lane, shoulder or median. Stop the car and shut off the engine.
2. Get out of the vehicle and move to a safe spot as far away as possible (preferably at least 30 metres). Do not return to the vehicle under any circumstances.
3. Dial 911 (or your local emergency number).
4. Keep bystanders away and, if possible, use a signalling device to warn oncoming traffic.
5. Do not attempt to put out the fire yourself. By opening the hood or the doors, you can end up adding oxygen to the fire.
Stop, drop and roll! Those words are more than a catchy slogan. Theyre about
the best advice you can follow when someone is actually on fire.
Source: Fire Losses in Canada, Alberta Municipal Affairs
H O M E F I R E S
B U R N I N GCANADIAN TOP FIVE
IT WORKS Remembering the catchphrase often prevents deaths and serious injuries.
PLUS, IT'S EASY TO FOLLOW:
STOPThis prevents fanning
the flames
DROPThis stops flames from
moving up the body
ROLLTurning over and over smothers the flames
A 2006 study dug into the science behind the simple slogan and found:
Cooking
Heating equipment
Arson/set fire
Electrical equipment
Smoking
HOME FIRE
CAUSES
Chimney/venting
Kitchen
Outside area
Bedroom
Living room
HOME FIRE ORIGINS
15Frontline Winter 2016 15
More than half of Canadas wildfires are caused by humans, meaning
theyre totally preventable.
Most of these are reported and put out quickly, but why be careless and add to this sorry statistic? Smokey the Bear is right: Only YOU can prevent forest fires. Smokey also advises:
S M O K E Y THE BEAR HAD
I T R I G H T
Before you burn anything
Check to ensure no fire bans are in place.
Check the weather forecast to avoid unexpected wind gusts.
Choose a safe site for your firepit, away from trees, buildings and equipmentwith plenty of vertical clearance and surrounded by three metres of gravel or dirt.
Stay with your fire until its completely out (see To Extinguish a Fire).
Burn only wood or paper.
Double-check the burn site later, especially if the weather is dry and windy.
To extinguish a fire
Ideally, let the wood burn completely to ash.
Otherwise, drown all embers (not just the red ones) with plenty of water until the hissing sound stops.
Scrape any sticks and logs to remove embers.
Drown the fire pit again.
Stir everything until it is wet and cool to the touch.
Bust sparks
When operating any equipment or machinery in a wooded area, make sure it is properly maintained and includes a spark arrestor.
Spark arrestors are particularly important on machinery such as tractors, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, but even equipment as small as a chainsaw or leaf blower can produce sparks hot enough to kindle a blaze.
FIRST AID FOR
BURNS
Heres a quick first aid refresher for burns:
I F Y O UR E A T A W O R K S I T E
W H E R E B U R N S A R E A
H A Z A R D, I T H E L P S T O
H A V E S O M E B A S I C F I R S T-
A I D T R A I N I N GN O T
T O M E N T I O N A W E L L-
S T O C K E D F I R S T-A I D K I T .
For minor burns
Hold the burned area under cool running water for 10 to 15 minutes.
Gently remove any rings or other tight items before swelling sets in.
Dont break small blisters. If blisters break, clean with mild soap and water, apply a mild antibiotic ointment and cover with a gauze bandage.
For major burns
Call 911 or your local emergency line.
If you can, get the burned person away from sources of heat or smoke.
Check for signs of circulation and begin CPR if necessary.
Remove jewelry, belts and other restrictive items especially from burned areas and around the neck.
Elevate the burned area above heart level, if possible, and cover it with a moist bandage or clean cloth.
Do NOT attempt to remove burned clothing or materials stuck to the skin, or immerse large severe burns in cold water (doing so could cause hypothermia or shock).
W O R K I N G I N T H E
O I L P A T C H A N D F I G H T I N G
F I R E S I S T H E B E S T
O F B O T H W O R L D S
16 enform.ca
Natural can be hazardous
Ryan Herman has spent 17 years as an oilfield firefighter in
northern Albertathe last 11 years with Firemaster. A second-generation firefighter, he got into the business after spending his high school years working part time in the shop with his father.
Q Why did you join the family business?
A I love the atmosphere. By working in the oilpatch and fighting fires, I get the best of both worlds.
Q Whats your favourite part of the job?
A The spontaneity. You never know what the next call is going to bring. You dont know what youre getting into until you get your boots on the ground.
Q Whats the biggest misconception about oilfield firefighters?
A That we dont actually do anythingthat we just stand around and watch other people work. When something happens, then were busybut our customers definitely dont want us to be busy.
Also, a lot of people will say, well, youre only out there to protect the equipment. Thats not true. Its lives, the environment and equipmentin that order. Equipment can burn downyou dont want that to happenbut as long as everyone goes home at the end of the day, and theres no huge environmental impact, thats fine by me.
M E E T T H E O I L F I E L D
F I R E F I G H T E R
17Frontline Winter 2016
Reaction time
WRITTEN BY LAVONNE BOUTCHER
When all hell breaks loose, what you do can mean the difference between getting through it safely and not getting through it at all. Knowing the right way to respond will reduce the chance that youll panic and make matters worse. Here are five emergencies and tips that could save your life.
1
5 EMERGENCIES 5 RESPONSES DOING THE RIGHT THING IF THINGS GO WRONG HEART ATTACK
A heart attack is bad news. The good news is that responding to one the right way can dramatically boost the chances of survival.
If the worst happens, do this:
GET TO A HOSPITAL, STAT!
Early diagnosis is key, says Dr. James Andruchow, an emergency medicine specialist at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary. Get help if you start feeling:
Dont hold off, thinking it cant be happening to you. The longer you wait, the higher the chances therell be lasting damage to your heart.
TAKE AN ASPIRIN
Andruchow says one in 20 heart attack victims can be saved by simply taking an aspirin. Aspirin acts as a mild blood thinner and keeps any blockage in the heart from getting worse.
RESPOND WITH CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can mean the difference between life and death for anyone having a heart attack, especially if it happens in a remote location. If someone collapses with a heart attack, having someone use CPR and an automated external defibrillator (AED) can definitely save that persons life, says Andruchow.
Chest pain (pressure
or squeezing)
Shortness of breath
Sweating
Lightheadedness
Nausea.
HIGHWAY COLLISIONReaction time
2
HIGHWAY COLLISION
If the worst happens, do this:
KNOW WHO TO CALL
Depending on the seriousness of the collision and where it happens, your first call may not be 911. You may need to call an industrial response team. Know your companys policies and carry a contact list.
KNOW WHERE YOU ARE
Reset the odometer when youre leaving a worksite or when you pass identifiable landmarks or turnoffs. Help will arrive faster if you can tell responders exactly where you are.
KNOW HOW TO STAY SAFE
Reduce the chances of causing another incident by taking a few precautions:
KNOW THE HAZARDS
Size up the situation so you know what hazards to report to responders. By knowing how many victims are involved, how badly theyre hurt and if there are hazardous materials around, emergency dispatchers can respond with the right people and equipment.
KNOW HOW TO HELP OTHERS
By starting first aid, you can expand a persons so-called golden hour, says Rick Cartier, a veteran paramedic in Rainbow Lake, Alta. Cartier says after one hour, the chance of someone surviving a serious injury starts to go down. But dont go beyond your training. Sometimes more harm can be done by doing the wrong thing than by doing nothing.
Put the parking brake on
Activate emergency (four-way) flashers
Turn off your vehicle
Get everyone out (if its safe)
Wear reflective clothing
Put out small fires with a fire extinguisher (if its safe)
Place safety reflective triangles on the road
Stay upwind of the vehicle.
Knowing how to respond to a collision can help you (and others) survive it, whether youre on or off the job.
5 EME
RGEN
CIES 5
RESP
ONSES
18 enform.ca
19
3
WELLSITE BLOWOUT
A wellsite blowout is one of the most dangerous emergency situations you can face working in the upstream oil and gas industry.
If the worst happens, do this:
PROTECT YOURSELF
If a blowout happens, get out. If theres anything outside the norm, activate the emergency process right away just to make sure that youre protecting your own safety, advises John Conley, the training manager at Behr Energy Services in Calgary.
SOUND THE ALARM
Alert others to the danger as quickly as you can.
PROTECT YOUR CO-WORKERS
See that everyone gets to the designated muster point. Do a head count and make sure everyone is safe. We always say you can replace metal but you cant replace lives, Conley says.
ISOLATE THE AREA Secure the area to prevent anyone except authorized workers from going anywhere near the wellsite.
KNOW THE PLAN
When a sites emergency response plan (ERP) is activated, you need to know your role. From a flaming inferno to the release of hydrogen sulphide (H2S), the fallout from a wellsite blowout can be destructive and deadly. Emergency response training for all of the possible dangers is crucial.
Frontline Winter 2016
WELLSITE BLOWOUT
5 EME
RGEN
CIES 5
RESP
ONSES
H2S EXPOSURE
20 enform.ca
4
Reaction time
Anywhere theres oil and gas activity theres a potential for H2S, says Dwayne Arneson, H2S Alive program manager at Enform. You cant let your guard down at all.
H 2S EXPOSURE
If the worst happens, do this:
EVACUATE
Move to a safe area either on higher ground or upwind or crosswind, depending on the direction of the release.
ACTIVATE THE ALARM Call for help using a bell, whistle or radio and alert others of the danger.
ASSESS THE SITUATION
Look around for other dangers and make sure everyone is accounted for. Find out if anyones been hurt and assess the potential for further harm.
PROTECT YOURSELF
Dont attempt any rescue or repair work unless youre wearing respiratory protection, either a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or a supplied air breathing apparatus (SABA).
RESCUE
If someone has been knocked down, move the person to a safe area.
START FIRST AID & GET MEDICAL HELP Begin first-aid procedures on anyone injured, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), if its needed.Arrange for the injured to be transported to a hospital and tell EMS responders exactly what happened.
5 EME
RGEN
CIES 5
RESP
ONSES
POWER LINE INCIDENT
21Frontline Winter 2016
If the worst happens, do this:
KEEP AWAY
Always assume a downed power line is live even if there are no sparks, smoke or buzzing sounds. Stay at least 10 metres away because the ground around it and any object touching it could be energized.
DONT TOUCH ANYTHING OR ANYONE
Even if someone has been electrocuted, dont touch him because the electricity will go through you too.
SHUFFLE TO SAFETY
If a power line comes down near you while youre working, keep your feet together and shuffle away until youre a safe distance (10 metres) away. Make sure both feet never leave the ground. You literally need to stay grounded.
CALL FOR HELP
Notify the utility company right away. Emergency response teams have the right equipment and training to de-energize the line and make the area safe. If someone has been hurt, call 911 or the local emergency line.
STAY IN THE VEHICLE
If youre in a vehicle that has made contact with a power line, stay put until help arrives. The area around it is energized, so only get out if staying inside puts your life at risk. If you have to get out, jump with both feet together and slowly shuffle away, keeping both feet on the ground.
TRY TO BREAK FREE
You can try to drive away from the power line if your vehicle or the equipment youre operating hits a line. But only do so if its safe and dont stop until youre at least 10 metres away.
Power lines get knocked down by storms, ice buildup or vehicles. "Electricity is deadly, if you dont know how to work around it, says Kevin Haslbeck, communications advisor at FortisAlberta.
POWER LINE INCIDENT
5
5 EME
RGEN
CIES 5
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ONSES
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Safe company
enform.ca
TAKING SAFETY TO ANOTHER LEVEL
WRITTEN BY ANNE GEORG PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY BEAVER DRILLING
THE DAYS OF YELLING AT PEOPLE ARE OVER
23Frontline Winter 2016
Times have changed. Safety on the rigs is not what it was in your granddads dayor even your dads.
No one knows that better than Beaver Drillings Rodney Ewing, a second-generation rig manager. Ewing pretty much grew up with Beaver, working with his father, Walter, also a rig manager, long before he was on the payroll. Hes been an employee for 25 years and in his current job for 14 years.
The days of yelling at people to get out of there are over, he says. Nowadays, we stop and explain why someones in the wrong spot or why youre not supposed to put your hand somewhere or lean on something .
WEVE MOVED TO APPROACHING
EVERY INCIDENT AS A SAFETY
OPPORTUNITY. IT IS NOT
ABOUT FINDING SOMETHING OR
SOMEONE TO BLAME
Safe company
24
WA L K I N G T H E TA L K Driller Ras Evarts and five other workers on his team at Beaver Drilling have learned to walk the safety talk. They begin and end each 12-hour shift with a job safety analysis. Workers coming off shift pass on information to those coming on shift. Coupled with a hazard hunt at the beginning of each shift, these routines encourage workers to be vigilant and contribute to team safety.
Were always re-evaluating safety as a group, says Evarts, a 2015 CAODC Safety Leadership Award winner. If someone doesnt understand something during a hazard hunt, we take the time right there to review the hazard step by step until everyone understands.
The workers learn quickly that no one takes shortcuts.
Were not in a hurry, hurry environment, says Evarts, whos been with Beaver on and off since 1998. We always take the time for precaution, to prepare for a task and consider safety. If we dont take care around all of the chemicals and equipment we work with, it could come back to haunt us.
I T S A B O U T T H E P E O P L E For Krausert, its about cultivating the right employees, such as Evarts and Ewing. He leads this relatively small company with an eye to keeping employees working in a notoriously cyclical industry.
Our employees are well trained in our processes because we dont have the same crew turnover as some other companies. We promote a culture where everyone is part of the team and everyone is looking out for everyone else, Krausert explains.
Thats the secret behind the success weve had with our safety record.
B U S Y AT B E AV E R In the past five years, Beaver has rolled out several new safety programs, including:
A proactive approach to safety that holds everyone responsible for every team members safety.
A loss control manual (the companys sixth edition) that reflects Beavers newest approaches to safety.
A process for workers to identify and reduce hazards in their everyday activities.
Process safety: all staff, including management and engineers, analyze processes and safety risks, and their effects across the entire operation.
enform.ca
In the past decade, Beaver has made some big changes to improve its safety record, with many driven by customers, says company president Kevin Krausert.
Safety is a major factor in winning or not winning work, he says. For example, the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 brought an intense safety focus to operational processes that oil companies throughout North America passed down to contractors.
In turn, Beavers safety culture also changed. We moved from having a rules-based safety policy (you cant do this, you mustnt do that) to approaching every incident as a learning opportunity that helps us fill gaps in our safety program, Krausert says. It is not about finding something or someone to blame.
A drilling rigs hazardsamong them moving parts, heavy equipment, long hours, bad weather and hazardous materialsdemand that rig workers work safely and efficiently.
Safety is not seen as something we have to do; it is seen as an integral part of the job, Krausert says.
T H E N U M B E R S The Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors reports injuries on the job among its members dropped 70 per cent over the past five years. Beavers injury rate was half the industry rate and in 2014, the company had less than one injury for every 100,000 hours worked.
Our safety record shows that Beaver is taking safety to another level, Ewing says. Management has done what they can to make sure their people are as safe as possible. Now its up to us in the field. From the greenest to the most experienced, we all have to look 360 degrees at all times to watch out for our buddy beside us, not just ourselves.
S H I F T I N G T H E C U LT U R E
WE HAVE TO WATCH OUT FOR OUR BUDDY BESIDE US, NOT JUST OURSELVES
Beaver Drilling's Rig 3 rig manager Rodney Ewing (right) speaks with field personnel.
Awarding safety: Mark Scholz, CAODC president; Ras Evarts, Rig 7 driller; Simon Monette, Rig 7 driller; Terry Adams, Rig 7 rig manager; Robb Phillips, Rig 7 driller; Kevin Krausert, Beaver Drilling president; Randy Hawkings, CAODC chairman.
Field notes
25Frontline Winter 2016
When things go wrong, a cool head and first-aid training are essential. When things go seriously wrong, paramedics, firefighters, police and other first responders have your back.
WHERE TO CALL IN AN EMERGENCY
911
For any emergency in most areas in Alberta, Saskatchewan and B.C.
1.888.888.4567
For any emergency in remote areas of Alberta, Sakatchewan and eastern B.C. with telephone or cellphone service.
1.800.461.9911
For air ambulance in B.C.
1.800.642.3800
To report problem or injured wildlife in Alberta.
1.877.952.7277
To report problem or injured wildlife in B.C.
FIRST RESPONDERS
WRITTEN BY BRIAN BURTON & TERRY BULLICK
PHOTOGRAPHED BY JASON STANG
Always ready for an emergency: (left to right) firefighter Jason Worsnop, police officer Matthew J. Maitre, fish and wildlife officer Phillip Marasco and paramedic Brandi Sandquist.
Field notes
26 enform.ca
FIREFIGHTERS
Trained firefighters do more than turn vicious blazes into soggy ashes. Theyre also experts in first aid, hazardous materials cleanup and dealing with the chaos of floods, tornados, power outages, ice storms and other natural disasters. And some firefighters tackle forest fires.
WHEN TO CALL: At work: as site policy dictates.
If someone is trapped in a vehicle.
If a vehicle collision results in gasoline or other chemical/ hazmat spills or threats.
If you spot smoke or uncontrolled fire in forests or on grasslands.
When a natural disaster strikes.
Pictured: Jason Worsnop Firefighter & Emergency Medical Responder High River Fire Department
PARAMEDICS
When it comes to calling for emergency medical help, err on the side of caution, says Russell Bardak, a STARS paramedic in Grande Prairie. Better to have called for help and not need it than to need help and not have called for it," he adds.
WHEN TO CALL: Someone has significant
trauma such as a crush injury, serious penetrating injuries to the torso or head, or loss of a limb.
Someone has stopped breathing or lost consciousness.
You are overwhelmed by or unable to react to an injury and illness (yours or someone elses).
At oil and gas production sites
across Canada, well-trained, well-equipped
industrial fire crews are on constant standby. Theyre
backed up by crews at other sites and nearby
cities and towns.
When life hangs by a thread,
paramedics can keep it from
snapping.
Pictured: Brandi Sundquist Paramedic Alberta Health Services, High River
27Frontline Winter 2016
POLICE
Staff Sgt. Brent Meyer of the Peace River RCMP says that in most remote vehicle crashes, the Mounties are the first trained help on scene. That training includes first aid.
And, of course, police officers tend to the law and order side of emergencies such as directing traffic, gathering statements and evidence, and detaining or pursuing suspected wrongdoers.
WHEN TO CALL: In any situation that results
in significant property damage or personal injury at work, home or anywhere else.
If you witness or suspect illegal activityanywhere.
When a natural disaster strikes.
I cant stress enough not to feed any wildlife . . . and a fed bear is a dead bear. Rarely does it end well, says problem wildlife specialist Mike Ewald, with the Barrhead office of Alberta Fish & Wildlife.
WHEN TO CALL: Large wildlife is
consistently hanging around homes or worksites.
Any large wild animal follows people or is not acting normally.
Any large wildlife is hit by a vehicle and flees.
For police officers working in
rural Canadian communities,
fighting crime is only part of the job.
WILDLIFE OFFICERS Cougars, moose, elk, deer and other large
animals can seriously damage people,
vehicles, equipment and buildings. And vice
versa. Spotting large game may not seem like a life and death situation, but it can
be. The more wild animals and humans mix, the higher the
risk, especially when food is involved.
Pictured: Officer Phillip Marasco Alberta Fish & Wildlife High River
Pictured: Const. Matthew J. Maitre High River RCMP
Enform Q & A
28
It enables productivity, which equates to safety and efficiency. One Dash 8 aircraft can take 50 workers to work and take another 50 people out. That saves at least a day of travel each way. Workers arrive at the site fresh, fed and ready for work rather than being exhausted from days of travel. One flight gives the company an extra 100 days of work on a site. Air travel is also a far safer option than ground travelthats something you cant measure in dollars.
HOW ARE PRIVATE OILPATCH FLIGHTS DIFFERENT FROM
COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS?
Private flights give companies flexibility. For one flight, a customer may need to move 90 people, but for the next, they may only need to move 15 people. We use appropriate aircraft to meet that need efficientlyfrom eight passengers up to 101and on their schedule. Otherwise, the regulations and expectations that we fly to are the same as any airline in Canada.
Q
HOW DOES AVIATION CONTRIBUTE TO OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION
IN CANADA?
Q
AA
enform.ca
When people need to get to distant or remote oilpatch
locations pronto, James Wakulchyk (pictured) helps get
them there and back. Quickly and safely.
OILPATCH AIR TRAVEL, SAFE AT ANY SIZE
The Calgary-based fixed-wing pilot works across Alberta. In a 25-year career, hes logged almost 7,800 flight hours since earning his pilots licence at 17. Hes now a Dash 8 captain, quality assurance manager for flight operations and flight data monitoring manager for North Cariboo Air.
JAMES WAKULCHYK INTERVIEWED BY MIKE FISHER PHOTOGRAPHED BY LARRY MACDOUGAL
29
Most of the airstrips we fly to are remote only in name. What may have been considered a remote area just a few years ago has become controlled airspace with more structure. Oil companies in the last several years have invested heavily in safety at their own airports. They have large runways suited for aircraft the size of Boeing 737s. They are fully serviced by instrument approaches similar to a large airport. They have full runway servicing and maintenance, along with fuel and de-icing. When flying to these mini-international airports, the size of aircraft is irrelevant.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE SAFETY CHECKS YOU MAKE BEFORE (AND
DURING) EACH FLIGHT?
DOES PASSENGER SAFETY VARY ON FLIGHTS WITH SMALL AIRCRAFT
IN REMOTE AREAS?
WHATS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE FLIGHT?
A few years ago, I was captain of an air ambulance flight to Edmonton. We picked up a special pediatric team and premature twins in critical condition. It was nighttime and a snowstorm, the only light outside the aircraft was the bare minimum needed to depart and land. Everyone's lives were in the hands of my first officer and me. The passengers were unique, the weather terrible, yet for us, it was another day at the office. Today it's no different. I still expect high standards, no matter who the passengers are.
The checks we conduct as part of any flight are to the standard operating procedures for that aircraft. Flight crew are trained and assessed to this standard regularly. So two pilots who may have never met before can hop into the aircraft and fly with complete trust in the expectations of each other's performance in the cockpit. Every aircraft also meets maintenance requirements, which are at the same level.
A A A
Q QQ
Frontline Winter 2016
Three years ago, Juan Garcia was living a busy life. An engineer in Albertas bustling oil and gas industry and the father of two young children, he didnt have a lot of time for much else.
30
HOME SAFE
A heart attack was the farthest thing from his mind, even though he had a couple of risk factors: a family history of high cholesterol (his father had two heart surgeries because of it) and he was under a lot of stress. But he was trying to manage both and thought he was doing a good job.
I never thought at 42 I would have been faced with that, Garcia says.
Pipeline companies have a goal of zero incidents, however incidents do occur from time to time. Which is why we are prepared 24/7. Pipeline companies have stringent emergency response procedures,conduct regular inspections and work together for efficient incident response to protect Canadians and reduce impacts to the environment.
Delivering Canadas energy. Every day.
Pipeline companies have a goal of zero incidents, however incidents do
PREPARED
Learn more about our preparedness measures at:aboutpipelines.com
enform.ca
Then it happened. He woke up one night with a persistent pain in his chest. And it kept getting worse. I have never felt pain like that, he recalls. Its really strong pressure in your chest that you just cant handle.
After a call to 911, he was taken by ambulance to hospital. During the ride, Garcia still wasnt convinced it was a heart attack.
But it was. And within days, he was operated on to clear three clogged arteries.
Looking back, he considers himself lucky. He acted fast and his heart had no lasting damage. A three-month rehab program got him back on his feet and back to work.
But the experience changed him. Physically, Im not different. But you take a different view. You pay more attention to managing stress and exercising regularly.
Hes had his heart checked four times since and has found a balance between being aware of the warning signs and not living in constant fear. He does that by setting goals that challenge him physically. In 2015, it was the Ride to Conquer Cancer. Training for and competing in the two-day, 200-kilometre cycling event has helped him trust his body again.
It took the fear away that theres still something that may not be right. It told me, Youre fixed. Stop worrying.
LEARNING TO LIVE WITHOUT FEAR AFTER A HEART ATTACK
WRITTEN BY LAVONNE BOUTCHER
PHOTOGRAPHED BY LARRY MACDOUGAL
Pipeline companies have a goal of zero incidents, however incidents do occur from time to time. Which is why we are prepared 24/7. Pipeline companies have stringent emergency response procedures,conduct regular inspections and work together for efficient incident response to protect Canadians and reduce impacts to the environment.
Delivering Canadas energy. Every day.
Pipeline companies have a goal of zero incidents, however incidents do
PREPARED
Learn more about our preparedness measures at:aboutpipelines.com
65th annual petroleum safety conference
1
May 3 5, 2016 The Banff CentreBanff, Alberta
Safety through it all
Join Enform for the 65th annual Petroleum Safety Conference
Be part of the traditionBe part of the future
RE G I S T E R TO D A Y A T
Learn | Connect | Exhibit
