Region 6 - Alliance Annual Report - October 13, 2017

ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Corpus Christi Area Office
Texas Department of Insurance (OSHCON)
And the
South Texas Exploration and Production Safety Network
October 13, 2017

  1. Alliance Background

    1. Date Signed

      The original alliance was signed October 20, 2004, and the latest re-signing occurring April 19, 2017.

    2. Evaluation Period

      October 2016 – October 2017

    3. Overview

      The STEPS alliance was formed to establish a collaborative relationship between the oil and gas onshore exploration and production industry and the OSHA Corpus Christi Area Office (CCAO) to improve the safety performance in South Texas. Through the years the alliance has expanded its effect beyond South Texas and Region VI and has fostered the formation of similar networks in Oklahoma, West Texas, East Texas, Fort Worth, Houston, South Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas, Wyoming, Illinois, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Dakota, Montana, California, Utah, and New York.

    4. Implementation Team Members

      OSHA

      Marianne McGee, Compliance Specialist / Corpus Christi Area Office
      Travis Clark, Area Director, Corpus Christi Area Office

      OSHCON

      Jimmy Hudson, Texas Department of Insurance, OSHA Consultation

      Alliance participant

      Chris Williams, Kennedy Wire Rope and Sling and the President of the South Texas STEPS Network. In addition, other officers and executive committee members of the South Texas STEPS participated in the implementation meetings.

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    • October 19, 2016
    • January 25, 2017
    • April 19, 2017
    • June 21, 2017

     

    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.

  3. Results

    The following table summarizes the Alliance's activities in support of the goals in the Alliance agreement.

    Raising Awareness of OSHA's Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives: Goal 1: Share information on OSHA's National/Regional/Local Emphasis Programs, regulatory agenda and rulemaking process.
    Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported Number Reached
    Training OSHA's Inspection Process, Priorities, OSHCON, and Worker Rights Oil and gas

    17
    Training OSHA's Recordkeeping Modernization Update Oil and gas

    31
     
    Raising Awareness of OSHA's Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives: Goal 2: Share information on safety and health laws and standards including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers.
    Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported Number Reached
    Training OSHA update, the new electronic records submission, increased penalties, and the new silica standard  

    50
     
    Raising Awareness of OSHA's Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives: Goal 3: Convene or participate in stakeholder meetings on safety and health hazards to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.
    Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported Number Reached
    Meeting Participated in the National STEPS Network Emerging Issues conference calls to create 2 hazard alerts on hot work and mobile engines Oil and gas

    60
    Dissemination Distributed National STEPS Network Hazard Alert on Hot Work and Mobile Engines Oil and gas

    2400
     
    Raising Awareness of OSHA's Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives: Goal 4: Promote the OSHCON Program
    Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported Number Reached
    Training OSHA Updates, the Inspection Process, OSHCON, and Worker Rights Oil and gas

    17
     
    Training and Education: Goal 1: Deliver effective training for STEPS members regarding various safety and health topics for the industry.
    Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported Number Reached
    Training Conducted a training session on the new recordkeeping requirements Oil and gas

    75
    Training Conducted a training session on the hazards of tank gauging Oil and gas

    34
     
    Training and Education: Goal 2: Deliver effective training to promote an understanding of worker's rights, including the complaint process and employer's responsibilities.
    Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported Number Reached
    Training OSHA Update, The Inspection Process, OSHCON, and Worker Rights Oil and gas

    17
     
    Outreach and Communication: Goal 1: Speak, exhibit or appear at OSHA, OSHCON, STEPS, or conferences, meetings or other significant events.
    Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported Number Reached
    Other Served on the planning committee for the 201 OSHA Oil and Gas Conference Oil and gas

    100
    Other Served on the NIOSH NORA Oil and Gas Extraction Council Oil and gas

    1,000
     
    Outreach and Communication: Goal 2: Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding best practices or effective approaches through training programs, workshops, seminars and lectures.
    Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported Number Reached
    Other Assisted with the National STEPS Emerging Issues meetings where the hazards associated with tank gauging and hot work on oilfield tanks were addressed Oil and gas

    5,000
    Product Participated in writing the Mobile Engine Hazard Alert Oil and gas

    5,000
     
    Outreach and Communication: Goal 3: Work with others to continue the growth of the STEPS Network throughout the nation.
    Activity Type Activity Name/Summary OSHA Areas of Emphasis Supported Number Reached
    Other Participated in the National STEPS meeting at the OSHA Oil and Gas Safety and Health Conference. Oil and gas

    60
     
    TOTAL    

    [13,861]

    		  

  4. Evaluations

    An internal evaluation was performed on the alliance and recommendations were made. The industry is coming back slowly be we still face the challenge of getting participation in the current environment. The network has brought in other industries such as chemical and refining and various contractors to our monthly meetings.

  5. Upcoming Milestones

    The South Texas STEPS Networks plans to continue participating on the planning committee for the 2018 OSHA Oil and Gas Safety and Health Conference as well as on the NIOSH NORA Council.

    Report prepared by: Marianne McGee, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Corpus Christi Area Office, October 13, 2017