Occupational Health & Safety

Infrared (IR) thermal imaging cameras have been used for decades for a variety of oil and gas applications, including electrical/ mechanical inspections, tank level inspections, and even examinations of pipe integrity within process equipment. In recent years, new optical gas imaging (OGI) technology has been developed which can "see" hydrocarbon gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are venting or leaking to the atmosphere. OGI can be used for meeting regulatory emission reduction requirements, while also helping to reduce product loss, which in turn provides positive return on investment. OGI cameras are a huge time saver compared to other inspection technologies and also offer safety advantages for operators. Major energy companies are using OGI cameras like the FLIR GF320 to quickly check thousands of components and identify potential gas leaks in real-time.

BossTek has updated its family of self-powered dust suppression equipment with Tier IV Final-compliant generators, ensuring compliance in all 50 states and Canada.  BossTek made the announcement with the debut of the new DustBoss DB-60 Fusion, a field-proven suppression system driven by a high-reliability 25 HP electric motor and paired with a gen set powered by a heavy-duty 4-cycle indirect injection diesel engine.  Designed, engineered and assembled in the USA, the generator features a dual-containment fuel cell, heavy gauge lockable enclosure and oversized brushless alternator for easy starting.  

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) will host Forum 2019: The Changing World of Work, March 5-6, 2019, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. CCOHS' Forum is a unique event that will bring together leaders, change-makers, and subject experts representing government, labour, and workplaces to share their knowledge and experience around current and emerging health and safety issues. The event will focus on the workplace of today and tomorrow, in which accommodation, diversity, and inclusivity are not just nice-to-haves, but a must for any organization. 

Preventing low-frequency, high-consequence events such as catastrophic fires, explosions, chemical releases, and structural collapses is the focus of WorkSafeBC's new Process Safety initiative. Process safety is a form of risk assessment that aims to identify any significant hazards and threats at a worksite and implement critical controls to mitigate any harm. The goal is to prevent the release of any highly hazardous substances — such as flammable and explosive chemicals, toxic gases, and combustible dust — that could lead to catastrophic consequences for workers and the public.

As the Canadian oil and gas industry adapts and changes its business to remain globally competitive, new skills and job opportunities are emerging and replacing more traditional occupations, according to the latest report released today by PetroLMI, a division of Energy Safety Canada.

Energy Safety Canada and the Construction Owners Association of Alberta (COAA) have jointly released an updated alcohol and drug policy model to support employers in safety-sensitive workplaces.

One of the most common causes of injury and death for site workers is being struck by plant machinery. In fact, site workers are two times more likely to be injured at work compared to those in other occupations. Research carried out in Europe has also found that the construction, transportation, manufacturing and agricultural trades recorded more workplace deaths in 2017 than all other industries combined. 

Honeywell has announced a handsfree, wearable Connected Plant technology that allows industrial workers to more safely, reliably and efficiently accomplish their tasks in the plant or the field. Honeywell's Skills Insight Intelligent Wearables feature a head-mounted visual display that responds to voice and brings live data, documents, work procedures, as well as health and safety information into view. 

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions announces the launch of a new metal end cap seal specifically engineered for High Temperature High Pressure (HTHP) wellhead, tubing and casing hanger sealing environments, which combines the pressure and extrusion resistance of a metal-to-metal bonded component with the flexibility of an elastomer.

Trelleborg's offshore operation launches its next-generation Firestop material. The newly developed fire-resistant material is thinner and lighter than any current passive fire protection materials available to the market. 

The Petroleum Services Association of Canada (PSAC) announced the addition of a new scholarship to the Association's annual Scholarship Program. The "Remember Jordan" scholarship, created in memory of Jordan Roppel, aims to remind workers of the dangers of shock load vehicle recovery while supporting Canadian post-secondary education. More details about Vehicle Recovery Safety can be found on the Energy Safety Canada's website.

A new study on industrial accident prevention has shown that broadband sound reversing alarms for commerical vehicles, are nearly twice as effective than their tonal equivalents; making broadband sound the most effective audible reversing safety solution for a variety of industries.

Protecting workers from harmful noise on the job is an important component to worker safety programs. Honeywell has released a new earplug dispenser for commercial-industrial use that makes it easier than ever for companies to achieve better hearing protection for their employees.

Honeywell now offers a cloud-based simulation tool that uses a combination of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to train plant personnel on critical industrial work activities. With as much as 50 percent of industrial plant personnel due to retire within the next five years, the Honeywell Connected Plant Skills Insight Immersive Competency is designed to bring new industrial workers up to speed quickly by enhancing training and delivering it in new and contemporary ways. 

Hamilton, ON - Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) --- To help employers better understand the value of workplace wellness programs, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has launched the e-course, Business Case for Workplace Wellness. With many workers in Canada spending the majority of their waking hours at work each day, employers are starting to realize the importance of offering workplace wellness programs and the positive impact they can have. If the success of an organization depends heavily on the productivity of its workers, then it makes sense to ensure that the employees have a work environment that is healthy in which they can thrive.

Enform Canada (Enform) and Oil Sands Safety Association (OSSA) have completed the merger between the two safety associations. The new organization is called Energy Safety Canada.

Honeywell offers a new line of lightweight, cut-resistant gloves that allow industrial workers to perform delicate tactile work while providing heavy-duty protection against lacerations. Honeywell Perfect Fit A6 glove gives workers excellent tactile sensitivity and dexterity for performing precise manual tasks, such as small parts assembly, while also preventing cuts and lacerations.

As of June 1, 2017, Leavitt Machinery has officially acquired the Edmonton-based training company Crane Safety Limited.

The MSA ULTIMA X5000 Gas Monitor features a touch control organic LED (OLED) display, dual sensor inputs and MSA's innovative XCell Sensors with advanced TruCal technology.

United Electric Controls has added two DC-voltage switching models to its One Series Safety Transmitter (ST) line. With its ability to directly switch 24 VDC and 125 VDC as well as 250 VAC loads, the One Series ST models can now provide SIL 2-certified control for many types of final elements including pilot valves, actuators, motor controllers and other SIS elements, without involving a DCS or safety PLC. 

Emerson Automation Solutions has introduced the Enardo ES-665 spring-loaded thief hatch for use on low-pressure storage tanks in oil and gas and other industries. Storage tanks can emit vapours to the environment, which has resulted in tighter regulations and the need for improved emissions control from storage tank devices.

Jobsite safety on any construction site is serious business. Site work requires an enormous amount of manpower and heavy equipment, such as dozers, pipe layers, excavators, and work trucks. Add in the additional hazards that come with harsh winter conditions, and the potential for an incident increases.

Gear Keeper's two new wrist lanyard systems can safely handle tools up to 5 lbs. Productivity is significantly increased by the company's patented Quick Connect tool attachment connecting devices that permit secure, fast and easy connection / disconnection of tools. Users can easily change out and use many tools with just one lanyard by fitting additional male connectors to all tools being used and merely unclick one tool and attach another.  

Intertec has launched an advance in antistatic surface coating treatment for its GRP (glassfiber reinforced polyester) outdoor enclosures. Developed specially for Intertec by the chemical specialist BÜFA, the new nanotechnology-based coating also boosts protection against damage from ultraviolet radiation - helping to achieve extended maintenance-free lifecycles of field-based control and instrumentation equipment in processing industries such as oil, gas, chemicals and petrochemicals. Intertec's weathering tests in an environmental test chamber have demonstrated that the new coating can withstand extended exposure to very high UV levels - providing a new level of protection particularly for GRP field enclosures destined for environments such as deserts, the tropics or the Arctic.

Honeywell's new OELD (Optima Excel Local Display) attaches to Searchpoint Optima Plus, a staple safety device for more than 20 years on offshore drilling platforms and in operation at more than 250,000 points of detection throughout the oil and gas industry; in addition, the OELD will soon be available as an accessory for the company's flagship open-path infrared detectdor, Searchline Excel. With the attached display, workers can view gas information from the detector on the display screen or wirelessly from up to 10 meters on an intrinsically safe smart phone. Workers can wirelessly perform a host of diagnostic work on the detector, including calibration, configuring alarm set points, specifying target gases and checking gas concentration levels and sensor performance.

The new Honeywell Howard Leight Sync Wireless protective earmuffs integrate Bluetooth wireless technology allowing workers to talk on the phone, connect with co-workers, get instructions and perform tasks without sacrificing hearing protection in noisy or dangerously loud environments.

In Booth 1639 at OTC, held from May 1-4 in Houston, TX, E2S Warning Signals will be demonstrating a selection of its portfolio of more than 250 different explosion proof and intrinsically safe warning devices for use in hazardous locations. E2S alarm horns, PA loudspeakers, LED and Xenon strobes and integrated horn/strobe warning units employ the latest electronic technology and acoustic engineering to ensure high output, low current draw and extended reliability.

The BW Clip4, a new four-gas, portable monitor from Honeywell that, once turned on, can operate continuously for two years without the need to change sensors or charge batteries, can help customers boost safety compliance and reduce maintenance costs.

United Electric Controls has won the 2016 exida safety award for its One Series Safety Transmitter — the first SIL 2-certified transmitter designed solely for safety system applications. Selected in the sensor category, the United Electric Safety Transmitter (ST) is the first transmitter to incorporate a logic solver and high capacity safety relay output (SRO) in addition to an industry standard transmitter – all in one explosion-proof enclosure.

What are the top barriers and issues affecting the health and safety of workplaces in Canada, and what can we do about them? The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is inviting workers and employers to take part in an online survey that continues the conversation sparked at CCOHS’ Forum 2016: The Changing World of Work, held earlier this year in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has released an app that provides instant access on mobile devices to useful workplace health and safety advice and information.

Learning from failures and incidents is essential in a lean and cost effective organization and is often a fundamental requirement in regulations. However, incidents should not be seen in isolation as the broader view and key industry learnings might get lost. DNV GL has investigated over 2000 incidents and failures globally, identifying trends among the data and invites the oil and gas industry to join and share experiences. To further strengthen DNV GL’s global lab capabilities for failure investigation, a new lab in Bergen is opening, including one of the world’s largest tensile testing machines.

Forest fires are more than a common occurrence – they are a necessary part of a forest’s natural life cycle. In Alberta, where 57 percent of the province is boreal forest, both controlled and uncontrolled burns are the norm. This is why when the blaze initially erupted near Fort McMurray on May 1, Albertans did not panic. After all, the area had faced many fires before, such as the 1995 fire that engulfed Highway 63, cutting off the only route into the city, and in 2011, The Richardson fire wiped out a record-breaking 700,000 hectares just north of the city’s limits. Fort Mac learned from their experiences; a fireguard had been built around the city, underbrush was routinely being removed, and the city’s emergency operations centre was built in the municipal water-treatment plant, a location assumed to be safe from potential fires.

Every owner and manager of a company wants to ensure that their employees are kept safe when they’re on the job; however, development of safety policies and emergency plans can be a time-sink for professionals in the safety department.

Cryopeak's LNG Safety training has been delivered to over 100 mariners from BC Ferries and Seaspan Ferries. The safety training helps prepare mariners for LNG emergency case scenarios by teaching practical methods to address potential emergencies. "At Seaspan Ferries, we take great pride in living out our Core Values of Care and Safety for the customers and communities we serve, the environment, and the habitat around us," said Steve Roth, Vice President - Seaspan Ferries Corporation. "We are thrilled to have participated in, and received state-of-the art LNG training from Cryopeak and feel this is a significant investment in our world-class safety culture."

Tyco Gas & Flame Detection's GMI PS200 portable gas detector is now available with a new catalytic bead sensor option that provides an increased battery life of up to 80 hours in diffusion mode and 20 hours in pump mode. Both lightweight and durable, the instrument is ideal for protection in hotworks and confined space applications.

Newson Gale’s latest series of articles that contain case studies of fires and explosions caused by static electricity draw attention to the wide range of processes that are susceptible to electrostatic charge generation and accumulation on portable and fixed plant equipment.

Oilennium Ltd., a Petrofac company that provides eLearning training services to the oil and gas industry, has completed the Well Control Awareness Course (Level 1), which was developed for the International Well Control Forum (IWCF).

Site managers are always looking for ways to track operations more closely as a method of protecting their employees from potentially dangerous situations and improving efficiency. When dozens – or hundreds – of employees are moving around during their various tasks, it's virtually impossible to know where they all are or communicate when there's a need to do so.