101 SafetyTalk Topics Zeteky
101 SafetyTalk Topics Zeteky
101 SafetyTalk Topics Zeteky
Talk Topics
for Oil and Gas HSE Managers
zeteky.com
1. Executing Stop Work Authority
This four-part process to resolve unsafe conditions in the workplace requires
you to Stop, Notify, Correct and Resume. In the oil and gas industry, it has
become one of the most effective modern approaches to safety.
Upon observing an unsafe practice or process, all workers have the right to
ask their teammates to stop what they’re doing and quickly talk about what’s
happening, as well as a safer alternative.
One of the best times to enact the Stop Work Authority is as soon you’re
asked to do something that doesn’t seem safe, or when you’re asked to
complete a task you don’t understand how to perform
safely. Employers and employees should encourage
one another to come forward about unsafe situations
without repercussions.
2. Confined Spaces
Understanding the health risks of working in confined
spaces can help you to stay safe when exposed to
restricted entry or exit points.
zz Asphyxiation
Some confined spaces are more hazardous than others and are, therefore,
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classified as “permit spaces.” This means they require special permits to
enter, continuous monitoring and testing before entering and during work.
Dangers of permit spaces include but are not limited to:
zz Hazardous atmospheres
zz Converging walls
zz Heat stress
zz Unguarded machinery
zz Proper training
zz Respiratory protection
More than 20 deaths and nearly 200 annual injuries can be prevented
by staying aware and in compliance with strict OSHA, state and federal
standards.
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Whether you’re operating or simply working around these machines, it’s
crucial to understand the specific safety concerns for each type of general,
construction or maritime crane and derrick use. In general:
zz And always verify the OSHA safety standards with each load
When they’re being used in offshore oil and gas operations, cranes cannot
be operated when helicopters are active and must include personal flotation
devices. Special considerations and precautions must be taken for offshore
personnel transfer.
zz Carrier collisions
zz Tagline entanglement
zz And immersion
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4. Oil Well Derrick Stability: Guy-wire Anchor Systems
Anchored stability systems keep derricks stable in dynamic environments
where changing factors threaten personal safety and equipment.
zz No excessive movement
5. Fall Protection
Falls may seem simple to avoid, but they’re actually
the most common cause of work-related injury and
death. The risk for falling increases substantially
when your workplace includes elevated platforms or
workstations and holes in the walls or floors.
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To protect workers, your employer is required to cover or surround:
zz Floor holes
zz Floors or runways
Fall protection measures for those areas include railings, toe-boards, hole
covers, guard rails, safety nets or a safety harness and a line system.
Ensure drawworks drums include metal casings on the lower front, top and
sides of the machine for proper machine guarding. In addition, a removable
barrier guard or screen should be mounted in the front or on top of the
machine, extending at least seven feet above the working level and covering
all exposed sides. This extra safeguard protects workers from contact or
entanglement with the nip point between the moving fast line cable and the
drum.
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7. Well Site Ignition Sources
Understanding potential sources of ignition on a well
site is crucial to preventing fires and explosions. Some
hazards include hot work such as:
zz Welding
zz Open flames
zz Communication radios
zz Smoking
zz Power generators
zz Creating safe locations with guards where hot work is being performed
zz Assigning workers to perform duties as fire watchers, overseeing hot work areas
during the actual work and for the following half hour
zz Ensuring and inspecting adequate ventilation for hot work areas and other spaces
that could accumulate toxic fumes or smoke
zz Properly storing gas cylinders, away from flammable substances, with gauges
and regulators removed
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8. Static Electricity Buildup in Plastic Pipes
Unless vapor is completely removed from a storage tank before it’s cleared
for entry, asphyxiation, explosion, corrosion and more could result. In the case
of exposure, employers must have personnel who are trained to perform CPR
and have specialized personal protective and rescue equipment.
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10. Tank Isolation
Isolation is a process of removing a confined space, such as a petroleum
tank, from service while protecting the space from contamination by
methods including blanking, binding, removal of pipes or lines, double block
and bleed systems, lockout/tagout of energy sources and disconnecting or
blocking mechanical linkages.
Toxic exposure due to a thief hatch vapor release causes immediate and
serious health problems for workers including:
zz Dizziness
zz Loss of consciousness
zz Disorientation
Both employees and employers can prevent this deadly situation with smart
planning and safety precautions. Employers can protect workers by posting
appropriate hazard signage at tank access points; training workers on
related safety practices and emergency response procedures; as well as
conducting frequent evaluations of exposure levels as part of their ongoing
hazard assessment.
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Workers should wear personal protective equipment and only designated
breathing apparatuses along with a tested and calibrated gas monitor.
They should also remove anything that could cause a spark or ignite.
Before beginning work, they should notify designated personnel and
determine wind direction with a windsock. They must remain upwind and
ground themselves prior to contact with the catwalk by touching bare skin
to a metal handrail.
zz Maintain a workspace free of spills, oil, tools and debris that could pose tripping or
slipping hazards
zz Keep cords and hoses wrapped up and away from walking areas
Employers can minimize risks and remove hazards in their workspaces by:
zz Ensuring that stairs with handrails are installed, inspected and maintained where
needed
zz Providing floor plugs for machinery and equipment in order to minimize tripping
hazards and ground-level obstructions
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17. Tips for Preventing Sprains and Strains
Necessary ear protection can protect your hearing, but must also allow you
to communicate and hear warning or alert sounds of hazardous conditions
and equipment malfunctions.
zz Have regular hearing tests, particularly if your workspace exposes you to loud
equipment or environments
zz Protect your ears with approved hearing protection rated for the noise levels in
your work environment
zz Monitor yourself for the subtle signs of early hearing loss including difficult
conversations, problems using the telephone, tinnitus (constant ringing, buzzing,
humming or whistling noises), stress, sleep disturbances, hypertension and
anxiety
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21. Knowing Your Emergency Plans
Home isn’t the only place you need to plan for emergency situations
and extreme weather. Workplaces are required to have emergency and
evacuation plans for disasters and situations relevant to their area and
industry.
Plans for evacuation and emergencies should include contingencies for fire,
flooding, tornados, power outages, hurricanes, active shooters and industry-
related disaster situations. While each emergency plan will differ, they should
detail:
zz Safe spaces
zz Gather and store cords, lines, wires and hoses whenever they’re not in use.
zz Wear the right footwear for your workspace. That could include waterproof,
slip-resistant or steel-toed shoes.
zz Walk at a pace that allows you to pay attention to the environment you’re working
in.
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zz Mop up water and spills immediately while blocking and marking wet areas with
signage until completely dry.
zz Use signage and bright tape to identify elevation changes or uneven surfaces
such as steps, ramps and platforms.
zz Keep parking lots, entrances and outside walkways free of snow and ice with
frequent shoveling and salting as needed.
When slippery services can’t be avoided, walk very slowly with shuffling steps
and your arms at your side. Focus on keeping your balance using railings
or walls as support where possible. Keep your knees bent and feet pointed
outwards as you navigate slowly to a safer area where you can also remove
moisture from your shoes.
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zz Cutting or jagged tools
zz Avoiding wearing rings and jewelry when working with tools and machines
zz Electrical conduction
Every year, hands and fingers are lost unnecessarily because of jewelry
getting caught in moving machinery or conducting power. A simple arc flash
has the potential of melting a metal ring to the flesh of your finger, a very
serious injury that will likely require surgery.
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If you’re having a hard time with the idea of removing your wedding ring at
work, consult your employer or industry standards for alternatives including
rubber or stone rings. Another option may be to wrap your conductive metal
jewelry in non-conductive material such as wrappings or coverings.
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zz Resting frequently in shaded and air
conditioned areas
zz Avoiding sunburn
zz What refers to what procedure and equipment you should be seeking out.
zz When refers to the timing of your reaction and report of the incident.
zz Employees should review procedures upon being hired, then twice per year.
zz Test equipment to ensure it’s functioning and still meets industry safety standards.
zz Regularly share safety information and statistics that encourage your team to
take safety training seriously.
Employers and supervisors should consider the four W’s when developing
emergency plans for:
zz Floods
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zz Structural collapse
zz Radiation
zz Extreme temperatures
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52. The 5 S Safety Methodology
Basic safety standards can go a long way to prevent workplace hazards and
accidents, but it can be difficult to introduce and enforce new habits.
Encourage your team to keep your industrial work environment clean and
safe with the 5 “S” Methodology developed in Japanese manufacturing.
zz Sort: Eliminate obstacles by keeping only necessary items and materials in your
work area. Regularly review what you’ve stored and remove or dispose of what
you don’t need ready access to.
zz Straighten: Prevent loss, time wasting and hazardous clutter. Organize, label and
store equipment and materials in a way that’s easy for anyone using them to
maintain. For materials that expire, enact a first-in-first-out strategy.
zz Shine: Clean workspaces daily to ensure their safety and provide an opportunity
for safety inspections easy. This will help to identify required preventative
maintenance on your equipment and environment.
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59. Bug and Insects Protection
76. Tips for Driving Long Hours - Transportation of Oil & Gas
77. Response Tips for leaking gas for fire in storage area
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80. Offshore Operations
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97. Lockout & De-energization
There is a way.
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