Safe Tank Alliance - Alliance Annual Report - May 6, 2005

ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
and the Safe Tank Alliance
May 6, 2005

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    March 22, 2004

    Evaluation Period

    March 22, 2004 - March 21, 2005

    Overview

    Through the Safe Tank Alliance, OSHA, American Petroleum Institute (API) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) are promoting safe tank entry, cleaning, maintenance, and rescue operations and work within and around petroleum and petrochemical liquid storage tanks. The workers include, but are not limited to, tank owners and operators, tank maintenance and repair workers, tank contractors and rescue personnel.

    Implementation Team Members

    OSHA:

    Jay Arnoldus
    Office of Small Business Assistance
    Jess McCluer
    Office of Outreach Services and Alliances
    Paul Murphy
    Salt Lake Technical Center

    API:

    William J. Erny
    Manager of Safety Programs, Regulatory Affairs Department
    Karen Haase
    Senior Regulatory Analyst

    NFPA:

    Guy R. Colonna
    Assistant Vice President, Fire Protection Applications & Chemical Engineering

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    March 29, 2004
    Kick-off meeting, OSHA, Washington, DC
    July 14, 2004
    Meeting, API, Washington, DC
    January 19, 2005
    Meeting, API, Washington, DC

  3. Results

    1. Events and Products

      Outreach and Communication Goals

      • Encourage petroleum and petrochemical industry workers including tank owners and operations supervisors, tank repair and maintenance supervisors, tank contractor supervisors and confined space rescue leaders to take the OSHA train-the-trainer course on occupational safety and health standards and to carry that knowledge back into field to train operators, workers and rescuers in safe work practices in the petroleum and petrochemical liquid storage industry.

        The OSHA and Safe Tank Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to address this goal.

      • Share information on best practices and lessons learned, as jointly determined by OSHA, API, and NFPA, with others in the industry and publicize the results through outreach by API and through OSHA-, API- or NFPA-developed training programs and materials.

      Events

      Safe Tank Entry Best Practices Seminar

      OSHA and the Safe Tank Alliance are currently developing a one and half day Safe Tank Entry Best Practices Seminar. The event is scheduled to take place April 7-8, 2005 at the API member, ChevronTexaco Richmond Technology Center in Richmond, California. The seminar will include one full day of technical presentations on safe work practices, lessons learned and new technology that is being employed during tank entry and cleaning operations in the oil and gas industry. A tour of the ChevronTexaco facility with special emphasis on above ground petroleum storage tank operations will also be conducted.

      Products

      Confined Space and Hot Work Brochures

      Safe Tank Alliance member, NFPA is in the process of updating a maritime-oriented hot work and confined space brochure so that it can be used by the petrochemical industry.

      • Develop and disseminate information through print and electronic media, including electronic assistance tools and links from OSHA's, API's, and NFPA's Web sites.

      Products

      OSHA and Safe Tank Alliance Web site

      OSHA developed an OSHA and Safe Tank Alliance Web site that is posted on the Agency's Web page that includes the OSHA and Safe Tank Alliance agreement, news releases, and milestones and successes. This Web site is updated on a regular basis.

      Publications and Newsletters

      Information and news releases on the OSHA and Safe Tank Entry Alliance signing and the activities of the Alliance have appeared in a number of printed and online publications, including: BNA Occupational Safety and Health Reporter, Facility Safety Management, and NFPA Journal. For more information on the articles, see the "Alliance Program Reach" table on page 6.

      OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages

      The following API staff and members are participating on the editorial board of the OSHA Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Safety and Health Topics page:

      • Ray Cook, Marathon Oil; Houston, TX

      • Bill Erny, API, Washington, DC

      • Lane Smith, Chevron Texaco; Houston, TX

      The following API staff and members are serving on the editorial board of the OSHA Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing eTool:

      • Bill Erny, API, Washington, DC

      • Lane Smith, Chevron Texaco; Houston, TX

      • Ray Cook, Marathon Oil, Houston, TX

      • Charlie Curlee, Marathon Oil, Houston, TX

      • Joe Sologub, Marathon Oil, Houston, TX

      The following NFPA staff member is participating on the editorial board of the OSHA Confined Spaces Safety and Health Topics page:

      • Guy R. Colonna, P.E., NFPA, Quincy, MA

      • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA or industry conferences such as the API/NFPA Safety Tank Entry Workshop.

      Events

      2004 Storage Tank Management and Technology Conference and Safe Tank Entry Workshop, November 1-4, 2004, Nashville, Tennessee

      Jess McCluer, Program Analyst, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, manned an Alliance Program tabletop exhibit at the November 1-4, 2004, 2004 Storage Tank Management and Technology Conference and Safe Tank Entry Workshop in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. McCluer distributed copies of the OSHA-Safe Tank Alliance Fact Sheet along with the Alliance Program brochure and All About OSHA to over 120 attendees.

      Mr. McCluer also addressed the 2004 Storage Tank Management and Technology Conference on November 3, 2004. He made a presentation to over 100 attendees on the Alliance Program and the activities of the Safe Tank Alliance.

      • Promote and encourage the petroleum and petrochemical industry's participation in OSHA cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Programs, and Consultation and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.

        The OSHA and Safe Tank Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to address this goal.

    2. Executive Summary

      During the OSHA and Safe Tank Alliance's first year a very productive working relationship was established between the organizations. OSHA learned more about tank entry and tank cleaning operations in the oil and gas industry and the Safe Tank Alliance learned more about the compliance assistance resources that the Agency has developed. In addition, through the Alliance, the Safe Tank Alliance members have had the opportunity to hear from OSHA's national staff about the activities of the Safe Tank Alliance. For example:

      • Jess McCluer, Program Analyst, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances manned an Alliance Program tabletop exhibit during the November 1-4, 2004 Storage Tank Management and Technology Conference and Safe Tank Entry Workshop in Nashville, Tennessee. In addition, he made a presentation on the Alliance Program and the activities of the Safe Tank Alliance.

      • API and NFPA members and staff serve on OSHA's Confined Space and Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Safety and Health Topics and eTool editorial boards.

      OSHA and the Safe Tank Alliance are developing a one and half day Safe Tank Entry Best Practices Seminar. The event is scheduled to take place April 7-8, 2005 at the API member, ChevronTexaco Richmond Technology Center in Richmond, California. The seminar will address safe work practices, lessons learned and new technology that is being employed during tank entry and cleaning operations in the oil and gas industry and will also include a tour of the ChevronTexaco facility.

      OSHA and the Safe Tank Alliance have also discussed creating a tank entry module for the OSHA Confined Space Safety and Health Topics page and modifying the OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour courses for the petroleum industry. In addition, the Alliance will focus on safety and health at petroleum and petrochemical liquid storage facilities.

      Safe Tank Alliance signatory, NFPA is interested in reserving space for an OSHA representative to make a presentation at the 2006 NFPA World Safety Conference and Exposition. Since the theme for the 2006 NFPA conference is Industrial Fire Safety/Fire Protection, NFPA suggested that other Alliances such as the maritime Alliances including the America Shipbuilding Association, National Shipbuilding Research Program and the Shipbuilders Council of America along with the American Pyrotechnics Association Alliance could participate in workshops. The workshops would be similar to the maritime industry workshop held at the 2004 National Safety Congress, which promoted the maritime Alliances and the products created through the Alliance Program.

      NFPA is also in the process of updating a maritime-oriented hot work and confined space brochure so that it can be used by the petrochemical industry.

      Overall, through activities such as the Alliance Program exhibit and the Alliance signatories' participation on OSHA's Confined Space and Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Safety and Health Topics pages and eTool editorial boards, the Alliance members have learned about OSHA's numerous compliance assistance materials and resources available for use and distribution throughout the petrochemical industry.

    3. Alliance Program Reach

      Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
      OSHA and Safe Tank Alliance Web site on OSHA's Web page 3,444
      Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Safety and Health Topics page 23,981
      Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing eTool 19,619
      Confined Spaces Safety and Health Topics page 76,741
      November 1-4, 2004, 2004 Storage Tank Management and Technology Conference and Safe Tank Entry Workshop, Nashville, Tennessee

      Alliance Program Exhibit      		 150
      November 3, 2004, 2004 Storage Tank Management and Technology Conference and Safe Tank Entry Workshop, Nashville, Tennessee

      Speaker: Jess McCluer Program Analyst, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, USDOL-OSHA      		 100
      July/August 2004 - "NFPA Strengthens its Maritime Partnerships," NFPA Journal 79,000
      April 1, 2004 - OSHA includes information on the OSHA/Safe Tank Alliance signing in its bi-weekly e-newsletter; QuickTakes 38,000
      April 1, 2004 - "OSHA Signs Alliance with Fire, Petroleum Groups," BNA Occupational Safety and Health Reporter Data Not Available
      March 30, 2004 - "API, NFPA Sign Alliance with OSHA for Storage Facilities," Facility Safety Management Data Not Available
      March 29, 2004 - "NFPA joins OSHA and API in alliance to promote safety for workers in petroleum and petrochemical industries," NFPA press release announcing Alliance Data Not Available
      March 29, 2004 - "American Petroleum Institute/National Fire Protection Association Sign Joint Alliance with OSHA," OSHA press release announcing Alliance 25 News Services
      TOTAL 241,035

  4. Upcoming Milestones

    The OSHA and Safe Tank Alliance Implementation Team has discussed a number of activities that will be undertaken in the upcoming year. OSHA and the Safe Tank Alliance will hold a one and half day Safe Tank Entry Best Practices Seminar on April 7-8, 2005 at the API member, ChevronTexaco Richmond Technology Center in Richmond, California. The seminar will address safe work practices, lessons learned and new technology that is being employed during tank entry and cleaning operations in the oil and gas industry and will also include a tour of the ChevronTexaco facility.

    In addition, representatives from signatory organizations will continue to be members of OSHA's Confined Space and Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Safety and Health Topics and eTool editorial boards and review and provide comments on the pages. The Safe Tank Alliance would like to work with OSHA to modify the OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour courses for the petroleum industry to increase its focus on safety and health at petroleum and petrochemical liquid storage facilities.

    Safe Tank Alliance member, NFPA has expressed interest in inviting an OSHA representative to make a presentation at the 2006 NFPA World Safety Conference and Exposition. Since the theme for the 2006 NFPA conference is Industrial Fire Safety/Fire Protection, NFPA has suggested that other Alliances such as the maritime Alliances including the America Shipbuilding Association, National Shipbuilding Research Program and the Shipbuilders Council of America along with the American Pyrotechnics Association Alliance could participate in workshops. The workshops would be similar to maritime industry workshop held at the 2004 National Safety Congress, which promoted the maritime Alliances and the products created through the Alliance Program.

    NFPA will update a maritime- oriented hot work and confined space brochure so that it can be used by the petrochemical industry. Once a draft is complete, NFPA will share it with OSHA for feedback.

    The Safe Tank Alliance has also expressed interest in working with OSHA to develop a Fall Protection Fact Sheet focusing on Safe Tank Entry and to develop a Tank Entry module for OSHA's Confined Space Safety and Health Topics page.

    Finally, the Safe Tank Alliance plans to promote OSHA compliance assistance materials through the API and NFPA Web pages, industry publications and the NFPA monthly publication, NFPA Journal.

Report prepared by: Jess McCluer, Alliance Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, May 6, 2005