Petrochem/Utilities Industry Trends

The Importance of Workplace Safety

Issue Table of Contents

The Importance of Workplace Safety Q&A with Mark Hansen Understanding Ergonomics

Workplace safety is important to companies in the petrochemical industry, and it shows. According to a report by the American Petroleum Institute (API), “Workplace Safety for the U.S. Petroleum Industry: 1990-1999,” job-related injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time U.S. petroleum workers fell 31 percent during the decade, while the rate for U.S. private sector workers as a whole declined 28 percent over the same period.

Such numbers can be directly attributed to companies’ more rigorous emphasis on safety as well as more stringent government regulations, such as those issued by the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Over the years, the agency has issued a number of standards that directly affect the petrochemical industry. Some of the more prominent ones include standards associated with:

• Confined spaces. These standards regulate conditions for employees working in small areas who may be in danger of becoming trapped during an emergency or who may be affected by problems with ventilation.
• Electricity. These standards provide guidelines on insulation, guarding, electrical protective devices, and safe work practices in order to help control electrical hazards.
• Fall protection. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, falls are one of the leading causes of death in the workplace. OSHA believes that workers should be protected anytime they are working at least six feet off the ground. One specific standard for the petrochemical industry regarding fall protection is 29 CFR 1910.66 Appendix C, Personal Fall Arrest System.

• Hazardous energy. Known as Lockout/Tagout, this standard is designed to prevent workplace injuries that may be associated with the unexpected energizing or startup of equipment.

• Noise. These standards are designed to reduce the risk of hearing loss associated with hazardous noise levels.
• Walking and working surfaces. There are several standards petrochemical companies must abide by in order to minimize the risk of slipping or tripping in the workplace. These include those associated with walking and working surfaces, industrial stairs, and fixed ladders.

In addition to the federal standards, several states have their own OSHA-approved plans regulating petrochemical companies, including Alaska, California, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. By law, states with their own plans must set standards that are at least as effective as the comparable federal standards.

But the government is not the only one dedicated to improving workplace safety. Industry associations such as API, the Association of Energy Service Companies (AESC), the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), the National Petroleum Refiner’s Association (NPRA), the Chemical Manufacturer’s Association (CMA), the Gas Processor’s Association (GPA), etc., along with the consensus standards organization American National Standards Institute (ANSI), have also developed their own voluntary recommended practices and safety standards for their members. In many cases, these standards are referenced by the OSHA regulations.

Industry Concerns
It’s not all good news, though. The same report by API pointed out that while the overall safety numbers showed considerable improvement, injuries and illnesses had increased among oil pipeline workers. According to the report, the number of job-related injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time U.S. oil pipeline workers rose 50 percent between 1990 and 1999. In comparison, the rate for all transportation workers fell 24 percent during the same period.

And now petrochemical companies are in OSHA’s sights. In 2003, the agency announced it would be concentrating its resources on seven specific industries where there are many severe injuries. Among the seven is the oil and gas field services industry. OSHA plans on conducting nearly 1,400 inspections at the workplace sites of companies in these industries, along with more than 1,000 consultation visits. In doing so, it hopes to make a difference in safety rates.