Safe Tank Alliance - Alliance Annual Report - May 30, 2008
ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the
Safe Tank Alliance
May 30, 2008
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Alliance Background
Date Signed
March 22, 2004
Date Renewed
October 2, 2006
Evaluation Period
March 29, 2007 - March 28, 2008
Overview
Through the OSHA and Safe Tank Alliance, OSHA, American Petroleum Institute (API), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Steel Tank Institute (STI) 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:
- Lee Anne Jillings
- Office of Outreach Services and Alliance (OOSA)
- Russell Jones
- Office of Small Business Assistance
- Tony Mapes*****
- OOSA
- Jess McCluer*
- OOSA
- Lisa Ramber****
- OOSA
- Rob Swick**
- OOSA
- Daniel Youhas***
- OOSA
Safe Tank:
- Guy R. Colona
- Assistant Vice President, NFPA
- William J. Erny
- Senior Policy Advisor, Safety and Security Issues, API
- Wayne Geyer
- Executive Vice President, STI/SPFA
- Will Sauer
- Research Assistant, API
* Jess McCluer served as the Alliance Coordinator until May 29, 2007.
** Rob Swick served as the Alliance Coordinator from May 29, 2007 to June 25, 2007.
*** Daniel Youhas served as the Alliance Coordinator from June 25, 2007 to August 31, 2007.
**** Lisa Ramber served as the Alliance Coordinator from August 31, 2007 to January 22, 2008.
*****Tony Mapes serves as the Alliance Coordinator since January 22, 2008. -
Implementation Team Meetings
- June 27, 2007
- Implementation Team Meeting
- August 8, 2007
- Implementation Team Meeting
- January 7, 2008
- Implementation Team Meeting
In addition to these formal meetings, the Alliance coordinators from all groups maintained regular contact throughout the reporting period to monitor the Alliance's progress and results.
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Results
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Events and Products
Outreach and Communication Goals
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Work with OSHA to provide expertise in developing information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to provide expertise in developing ways of communicating such information (e.g. print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools, and OSHA's, API's, NFPA's and STI's Products Web sites) to employees and employers in the industry.
Publications
Information on the activities of the OSHA and Safe Tank Alliance has appeared in publications such as Thompson's Aboveground Storage Tank Guide and Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA) Regulatory Update. For more information on the articles, see the "Alliance Program Reach Table."
OSHA and Safe Tank Alliance Web Page
OSHA is continuing to update the OSHA and Safe Tank Alliance Web page that is posted on the Agency's Web site. It includes the OSHA and Safe Tank Alliance agreements, news releases, activities and events, and milestones and successes.
API and OSHA Alliance Web Page
The API and OSHA Alliance Web page has information on the OSHA and Safe Tank Alliance. In addition, the link to the API's Fall Protection for Aboveground Storage Tanks Fact Sheet is posted on the Web page; the fact sheet was developed through the OSHA and Safe Tank Alliance.
STI/SPFA Web Site
The STI/SPFA Web site has information on the OSHA and Safe Tank Alliance along with links to OSHA's compliance assistance resources.
OSHA's Electronic Assistance Tools
Representatives from API, NFPA and STI/SPFA serve on the editorial boards of the following OSHA Safety and Health Topics pages and eTool, providing OSHA with their expertise and technical review:
Safety and Health Topics Pages:
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Confined Spaces- Guy R. Colonna, P.E., Assistant Vice President, Fire Protection Applications and Chemical Engineering, NFPA, Quincy, MA
- Emergency Preparedness and Response
- David Fritz, Crisis Management Coordinator, BP America, Inc., Naperville, IL
- Fall Protection
- Bill Donovan, OSHA Chicago Regional Office, Chicago, IL
- Sherman Williamson, OSHA Directorate of Enforcement Programs, Washington, DC
- Fire Safety
- Guy R. Colonna, P.E., Assistant Vice President, Fire Protection Applications and Chemical Engineering, NFPA, Quincy, MA
- Oil and Gas Drilling, Servicing and Storage, Storage Tanks Module
- Patrick Kapust, OSHA Directorate of Enforcement Programs, Office of General Industry Enforcement, Washington, DCSanji Kanth, OSHA Directorate of Enforcement Programs, Office of General Industry Enforcement, Washington, DC
- Oil and Gas Drilling, Servicing and Storage
- Ray Cook, Marathon Oil, Houston, TX
- Bill Erny, API, Washington, DC
- Lane Smith, Chevron Texaco, Houston, TX
- Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing eTool
- Ray Cook, Marathon Oil, Houston, TX
- Charlie Curlee, Marathon Oil, Houston, TX
- Bill Erny, API, Washington, DC
- Lane Smith, Chevron Texaco, Houston, TX
- Joe Sologub, Marathon Oil, Houston, TX
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Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA or industry conferences such as the API/NFPA Safe Tank Entry Workshop.
Events
2008 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, May 4-10, 2008
Safe Tank Alliance representatives are working with more than 40 other Alliance Program participants to support 2008 NAOSH Week that will be held May 4-10. Sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers, another Alliance Program participant, and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the Week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. The theme of the 2008 NAOSH Week is "Safety is Good Business."
2007 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, May 6-12, 2007
NFPA and a number of other Alliance Program participants supported 2007 NAOSH Week, May 6-12, 2007. Sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), an Alliance Program participant, and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the Week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. The theme of the 2007 NAOSH Week was "All Modes of Transportation."
NFPA World Safety Congress and Exposition, June 3-7, 2007, Boston Massachusetts
During NFPA's World Safety Congress and Exposition in Boston, Massachusetts, the following OSHA staff members and Safe Tank representatives made presentations:
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Dana Schmidt, Project Engineer, STI/SPFA, presented "Prevention of Spills from Aboveground Tanks," to 25 attendees on June 3, 2007.
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Lee Anne Jillings, Director, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, USDOL-OSHA and Guy Colona, Assistant Vice President, NFPA, presented "OSHA's Compliance Assistance Resources," which highlighted OSHA's products and training programs, including materials developed through the OSHA and Safe Tank Alliance to 40 attendees on June 5, 2007.
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Mat Chibbaro, Fire Protection Engineer, Directorate of Standards and Guidance, USDOL-OSHA, presented "Fire Service Features of Buildings and Fire Protection Systems," to 21 attendees on June 5, 2007.
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Share information among OSHA personnel and industry and safety and health professionals regarding API's, NFPA's, and STI's best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by API, NFPA, and STI and through OSHA- or API, NFPA and STI - developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars and lectures (or any other applicable forum).
Products
"Safe Tank Entry: When Entering Above Ground Storage Tanks" Brochure
The OSHA and Safe Tank Alliance is working with the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA) Alliance to develop a compliance assistance resource; Safe Tank Entry: When Entering Above Ground Storage Tanks brochure. The Safe Tank and ILMA brochure has information on preventing injuries when working in confined spaces in and around aboveground storage tanks such as how to keep employees safe and good practices for entering tanks.
Storage Tank Module for Oil and Gas Well Drilling, Servicing and Storage Safety and Health Topics page
Through the Alliance, the Safe Tank Alliance representatives provided their expertise to OSHA during the agency's development of the Storage Tank Module for the Oil and Gas Well Drilling, Servicing and Storage Safety and Health Topics page. The module which addresses requirements and solutions for working in permit and non-permit required confined spaces in above ground storage tanks was posted on the agency's Web site in June 2007. OSHA issued a news release about the product, "OSHA introduces a new Safety and Health Topic page module," on June 14, 2007.
Events
STI/SPFA Pressure Vessel Conference, October 29-30, 2007, Houston, Texas
James Shelton, Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, Region VI, Houston North Texas, Area Office, USDOL-OSHA, attended the STI/SPFA Pressure Vessel Conference, October 29-30, 2007 in Houston, Texas. The conference included a certification class for aboveground tank inspectors and a tour of an aboveground tank facility.
API/NFPA Safe Tank Entry Workshop, April 27-28, 2007, Atlantic City, New Jersey
OSHA staff from Region II attended the Safe Tank Entry Workshop, April 27-28, 2007 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The workshop focused on learning and applying best practices for safe entry and work in petroleum and petrochemical storage tanks.
Safe Tank Entry Best Practices Seminar, April 17-18, 2007, Houston, Texas
Through the Alliance, OSHA and Safe Tank developed the Safe Tank Entry Best Practices Seminar for OSHA staff and oil refinery professionals held at the Houston Area Safety Council in Houston, Texas. The seminar includes information on safe work practices and new technology being used by the oil and gas industry during tank entry and cleaning operations. The seminar had a total of 80 attendees and a link to the seminars' presentations is posted the OSHA and Safe Tank Alliance Web page on the agency's Web site.
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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.
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Executive Summary
Through the Alliance Program, OSHA and the Safe Tank organizations are working together to develop resources for employers in the petroleum and petrochemical industries to protect employees' health and safety, particularly in the areas of petroleum and petrochemical liquid storage tank entry, cleaning, maintenance, and rescue operations and work within them. The positive relationship that the signatories have developed over the past four years has led to the development of the many programs and projects that the team is currently working on or has produced.
For example, through the Alliance, Safe Tank is working with ILMA to develop the draft "Safe Tank Entry: When Entering Above Ground Storage Tanks," brochure which will provide assistance to employers in the petroleum and petrochemical industries for hazards involved with confined space entry in aboveground storage tanks. In addition, the Safe Tank representatives provided OSHA with their expertise during the agency's development of the Storage Tank Module for the Oil and Gas Well Drilling, Servicing and Storage Safety and Health Topics page. The module which addresses requirements and solutions for working in permit and non-permit required confined spaces in above ground storage tanks was posted on the agency's Web site in June 2007.
As part of their outreach efforts, NFPA and a number of Alliance Program participants supported 2007 NAOSH Week, May 6-12 and are supporting 2008 NAOSH Week, May 4-10. In addition, Safe Tank representatives are sharing their expertise with OSHA through participation on the editorial boards for the following OSHA Safety and Health Topics pages and eTool:
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Confined Spaces
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Emergency Preparedness and Response
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Fall Protection
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Oil and Gas Well Drilling, Servicing and Storage
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Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing eTool
Further, OSHA, NFPA, and STI/SPFA shared safety and health information and OSHA's compliance assistance resources at NFPA's World Safety Congress and Expostion, June 3-7, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts.
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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 4,206 API and OSHA Alliance Web site on API's Web page Data not available OSHA Confined Spaces Safety and Health Topics page 110,472 OSHA Emergency Preparedness and Response Safety and Health Topics page 121,832 OSHA Fire Safety and Health Topics page 93,164 OSHA Oil and Gas Well Drilling, Servicing and Storage Safety and Health Topics page 22,444 OSHA Oil and Gas Well Drilling, Servicing and Storage eTool 48,936 June 2007- "Maintaining safe tank working environment focus of training program," Alliance Quarterly Review 600 June 3, 2007- NFPA World Safety Congress and Exposition, June 3-7, 2007, Boston, Massachusetts
Speaker: Dana Schmidt, Project Engineer, STI/SPFA, presented "Prevention of Spills from Aboveground Tanks."25 June 5, 2007- NFPA World Safety Congress and Exposition, June 3-7, 2007, Boston, Massachusetts
Speaker: Lee Anne Jillings, Director, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, USDOL-OSHA and Guy Colona, Assistant Vice President, NFPA, presented " OSHA's Compliance Assistance Resources," and Mat Chibarro, Fire Protection Engineer, Directorate of Standards and Guidance, USDOL-OSHA, presented "Fire Service Features of Buildings and Fire Protection Systems."61 June 14, 2007- "OSHA introduces new Safety and Health Topics Page module," OSHA News Release Data not available June 25, 2007- "New Module Tells All About Working in Storage Tanks," CCH Netnews Data not available July 2007- "Safety Best Practices Presented at Safe Tank Alliance Conference," Thompson's Aboveground Storage Tank Guide Data not available July 6, 2007- "OSHA Alliance Creates Online Guide for Storage Tank Entry," New England Oilheat News Data not available July 7, 2007- "OSHA Introduces New Safety and Health Topics Page Module," Oklahoma Safety Council's Safety Connections Newsletter Data not available July 9, 2007- "Tip of the Week," Occupational Health and Safety E-News Data not available July 9, 2007- "Aboveground Storage Tanks," PMAA Regulatory Update Data not available July 9, 2007- "OSHA and ASTS," MPCA News Online Data not available November 2, 2007- "Latest in OSHA Compliance Assistance Tools," ASSE Government Affairs Update Data not available TOTAL 401,740
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Upcoming Milestones
As a result of the Alliance's successes over the last four years, OSHA and the Safe Tank Alliance participants will renew the agreement for two years. Through the renewal agreement, the organizations will encourage employers in the petroleum and petrochemical liquid storage industries to increase employee access to safety and health information and training resources on workplace issues, including tank entry, cleaning, maintenance, and rescue operations and work within and around petroleum and petrochemical liquid storage tanks. For example, through the Alliance, Safe Tank and ILMA representatives will finalize the "Safe Tank Entry: When Entering Above Ground Storage Tanks" brochure. In addition, the Alliance will begin developing additional compliance assistance resources on confined space tank entry and hot work in aboveground storage tanks.
As part of the Alliance's outreach efforts, Safe Tank representatives will be joining with more than 40 other Alliance Program participants to support 2008 North American Occupational Safety and Health Week, May 4-10. In addition, Safe Tank representatives will continue to provide OSHA with their expertise and serve on a number of OSHA's Safety and Health Topics pages' and eTool editorial boards including Confined Spaces, Emergency Preparedness and Response and Fire Safety.
Finally, Safe Tank will continue to work with ILMA through the Alliance Program on projects including fact sheet development and the 2009 Safe Tank Best Practices Seminar.
Report prepared by: Tony Mapes, Alliance Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, on May 30, 2008.