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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 14, 2016
Alliance Background
Date Signed
The original alliance was signed October 20, 2004 with the latest re-signing occurring April 15, 2015.
Evaluation Period
October 2015 – October 2016
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.
Implementation Team Members
OSHA
Marianne McGee, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Corpus Christi Area Office
OSHCON
This position is open due to retirement of the Program Manager
Alliance participant
Chris Williams, Kennedy Wire Rope and Sling and the President of the South Texas STEPS Network. In addition, all officers and executive committee members of the South Texas STEPS Network
Implementation Team Meetings
- January 20, 2016
- April 20, 2016
- July 20, 2016
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.
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 60
Training OSHA update, the new electronic records submission, increased penalties, and the new silica standard Oil and gas 50
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 meeting where silica exposure and tank gauging hazards were discussed and products were created. Oil and gas 75
Dissemination Sent “Tank Gauging” hazard alert and “How Work on Oilfield Tanks” hazard alert to entire membership Oil and gas 1,200
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's Inspection Process, Priorities, OSHCON, and Worker Rights Oil and gas 60
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 silica hazards associated with hydraulic fracturing. Oil and gas 55
Training Conducted a training session on the hazards of tank gauging Oil and gas 45
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's Inspection Process, Priorities, OSHCON, and Worker Rights Oil and gas 60
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 2016 OSHA Oil and Gas Conference Oil and gas 800
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 silica hazard and dust mitigation were discussed. Additionally, the hazards associated with tank gauging and hot work on oilfield tanks were addressed Oil and gas 5,000
Product Participated in writing the Hot Work on Oilfield Tanks 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 Advised other networks on maintaining focus during the industry down turn. Oil and gas 300
TOTAL [13755]
- Evaluations
An internal evaluation was performed on the alliance and recommendations were made. The current challenge is maintaining the alliance during the industry down turn where a large percentage of jobs in the industry were lost. The network has reached out to other industries and included them in our monthly meetings.
- Upcoming Milestones
The South Texas STEPS Networks plans to continue participating on the planning committee for the 2016 OSHA Oil and Gas Safety and Health Conference as well as on the NIOSH NORA Council.
Due to the vast and effective efforts of the STEPS Network it is anticipated the alliance will be renewed in April 2017.
Report prepared by: Marianne McGee, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Corpus Christi Area Office, October 14, 2016