Confined space entry in a frac tank:

Confined spaces are common in our industry. The recognition of hazards that can emerge prior to entering the space is a critical step in preventing unsafe incidents. Injuries and fatalities can result from poor planning and not being properly prepared. It is a requirement that the atmosphere be tested prior to entry and monitored throughout the entirety of the entry. These atmospheric hazards can include oxygen-deficiency/enrichment, toxicity, and combustibility. EWMI makes it a practice to write a permit for all confined space entries.

EWMI recently added a frac tank rental and service line. Frac tanks are large heavy gauged steel tanks that hold either sludge, liquids, or a combination of the two. These tanks are beneficial for construction sites, agricultural sites, environmental remediation, oil, and gas applications as well as manufacturing facilities for temporary storage. We also perform tank cleanings where our crew decontaminates frac tanks.

Requirements for working in a confined space:

Knowing the hazards of confined spaces and what is required to work within them will prepare the team for a safe entry. EWMI treats all confined spaces as “Permit Required” to maximize health and safety precautions and practices when entering the space. These spaces can potentially be dangerous and require training in safety measures. Arming the crews with the knowledge needed for proper entry methods.

EWMI works in a variety of confined spaces including but not limited to frac tanks, vertical and horizontal tanks, underground tanks, and vaults. Our field technicians are prepared for any project-specific protocols prior to entering the field. Each job is carefully vetted prior to a job beginning along with a site-specific Health and Safety Plan (HASP). Once on site the permitting begins prior to beginning work.

Before entering a confined space, the confined space supervisor ensures that initial air monitoring is performed. A four-gas meter is used to measure oxygen content, lower explosive limit, hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide to ensure that the space is safe for entry. There are times when EWMI uses photoionization detectors, colorimetric tubes and other tools depending on site-specific hazards and conditions. The conditions within the confined space are monitored continuously throughout work, and readings are taken every fifteen minutes and recorded on the permit.

Training day at EWMI:

The training began early in the EWMI conference room lead by our Health and Safety Director. Teams were divided and assigned specific areas of confined space safety which included definitions, hazards, levels of PPE including the types of respiratory protection. Later types of knots required for rescue were discussed and practiced. Each team was given a scenario and required to come up with plan for their mission. Prior to executing the plan, it had to be approved by the H&S Director.

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

Once each team’s plan was approved the rescue drills began. A rescue drill is required at least annually by OSHA. Providing personnel, the experience of working through different scenarios to familiarize themselves with situations they could encounter during a confined space rescue. There are two types of categories involved with rescue: time sensitive (emergency) and non-time sensitive. Time sensitive rescues involve oxygen-deficient atmospheres where there is a small window of time, typically six minutes, to get someone out. An example of a non—time sensitive rescue would be when a crew member falls and injuries themselves, in this circumstance there are no atmospheric hazards.

In the warehouse a clean EWMI frac tank was staged for the teams to perform their emergency rescue scenarios. The teams previously discussed the best approach to save their teammate during the planning phase and were ready to suit up and make entry. Rescuing someone in a timely manner requires in-depth knowledge of the conditions, potential hazards, location, and configuration of the confined space, these all lend to determination of the rescue strategy.

Following proper protocols, knowing your space, knowing your hazards, training for success and being prepared will ensure that your team works safely and efficiently in any confined space emergency.

The post Confined Space Rescue Training appeared first on EWMI.

At EWMI, safety is our core value. We take pride in our stellar safety record, which includes a 0.0 Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIR) in 2018 and a 0.2 average TRIR over the last five years. We’ve also been honored with the Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for Safety Excellence, a highly competitive award that commends comprehensive, exceptional safety programs in the state.

Environmental Waste Minimization, Inc., sets the safety standard for environmental management companies, but our safety strategies can be employed in any industry. Check out these three simple tips to improve the safety strategy at your company for the good of your people, your projects and your reputation.

Empowering Employees with Stop Work Authority

While robust written safety plans lay the groundwork for a safe worksite, they cannot always account for unexpected events in the field. An environment can become hazardous at any moment and employees need to be trained to recognize and react to potential danger.

At EWMI, every employee is issued a “Stop Work Authority” card when they’re brought onto the team. If an employee observes something potentially unsafe at any time on the jobsite, they can utilize their Stop Work Authority card. This allows for immediate work stoppage.

After a Stop Work Authority card is used, the potential hazard is investigated by EWMI’s Safety team. If an issue is discovered, work does not resume until the hazard is mitigated. If the investigation shows that everything on-site was safe, there are no repercussions for the employee who used their Stop Work Authority card.

Stop Work Authority is an important facet of EWMI’s safety strategy because it empowers employees to open a line of communication without fear of repercussions and allows hazards to be resolved before anyone gets hurt. 

Blue Card Program Incentivizes Behavior Based Safety

Behavior Based Safety (BBS) is a hot topic in the field, partially because it is challenging to implement effective BBS safety strategies. At EWMI, our Blue Card program embodies the tenets of Behavior Based Safety by allowing our employees to celebrate safe choices while learning from unsafe decisions.

Any time an employee, on-site contractor, sub-contractor or anyone on a jobsite makes a safe or unsafe decision, employees are encouraged to submit a Blue Card that describes the incident or safe act. 

If the act is unsafe, the employee filling out the Blue Card will note what corrective action was taken. If the Blue Card was for recognition of a safe act, the employee filling out the Blue Card will note the act and recognize the individual.

Both positive and negative Blue Cards are analyzed during EWMI’s state-certified Safety Meetings, allowing for employees to understand and consider their actions.

The Blue Card program is incentivized through a monthly giveaway – anyone that fills out a Blue Card recognizing safe or unsafe actions is entered into a drawing for prizes.

This proactive approach allows employees to recognize their peers for exceptional work and allows them to report anomalies that could potentially turn into incidents – saving employees from injuries down the road.

Training for Success

How can someone know how to be safe if they’re not educated? At EWMI, training and education is a critical factor in our safety success.

Every member of EWMI’s Field crew goes through at least two weeks of training as soon as they join the team. Here are just a few of the training sessions new employees at EWMI receive prior to working in the field:

• 40 hours HAZWOPER training, with annual eight-hour updates,
• Ten- and 30-hour OSHA training,
• CPR/AED First Aid training,
• DOT and RCRA training, and
• Driver training and equipment training.

This training ensures our employees are fully educated on best safety practices and EWMI safety culture prior to stepping into the field.

Information retention in the classroom can be difficult, especially with long days of learning. That’s why EWMI believes in constant re-education, hands-on learning and testing to ensure full information retention.

Hands-on training is also performed in the field to ensure employees are fully educated on any job, piece of equipment, proper body mechanics and potential dangers prior to performing any work.

EWMI’s safety strategy is built on empowering employees, incentivizing Behavior Based Safety and training for success. We’re proud to share our tips for safety strategy success, and are excited to continue improving safety culture at our company.

The post Three Ways to Improve Your Safety Strategy appeared first on EWMI.