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ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT South Texas Exploration and Production Safety Network (STEPS) December 15, 2008
Alliance Background Date signed. October 28, 2004 Date Renewed. October 15, 2008 Overview The purpose of the STEPS Network / OSHA Alliance is the establish a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful workplaces in the oil and gas industry in South Texas through training, outreach, and communication. Implementation Team Members Marianne McGee, OSHA Rick Ingram, BP America Production Co. Phil Brazil, H&P Drilling Contributors Pat Marshall, SoTex Fuels Phil Brazil, H&P Drilling John Cantu, El Paso Oil and Gas Bobby Baber, BP America Production Co. Evaluation Period October 16, 2007 through September 30, 2008   Implementation Team Meetings January 16, 2008 Following STEPS meeting Person to person April 23, 2008 Following STEPS meeting Person to person August 20, 2008 Following STEPS meeting Person to person   Events and Products Training and Education Events The goal of delivering hazard recognition training was met through the STEPS Network monthly meetings. Approximately three training sessions were conducted at each of the 12 monthly meetings. The subjects include but are not limited to fatigue in the workplace, safety around wireline explosives, fall protection, suspension trauma, machine guarding, MRSA, diesel theft, and the elements of an effective safety and health program. Best practices such as hand safety, ergonomics, and safe driving were shared at the STEPS Network and subsequently posted on the website. From the STEPS Network a workgroup was formed to address the possibility of developing a common orientation in order to reduce the redundancy required of contractors by the majors. Currently in order to work for any of the major oil companies a contractor is required to send his employees to a separate orientation for each of the majors. With the upcoming approval of the common orientation program, SafeLandUSA, the contractor will only have to attend one orientation program. SafeLandUSA will piloted in South Texas beginning January 2009. Additional details can be found at www.Safelandusa.org.   Products The STEPS Network has a website that consists of the meeting minutes and PowerPoint presentations of many of the topics presented at the monthly meetings. The website also contains safety alerts, recent incidents, best practices, etc. The website address is www.stepsnetwork.com On the SafeLandUSA website one of the STEPS member companies has posted a Contractor HS&E toolbox to assist small employer in developing safety and health polices. Additional details can be found at www.Safelandusa.org.   Outreach and Communication Events Similar industry networks have been formed in Oklahoma, West Texas, East Texas, New Mexico and Wyoming. Currently other geographical areas such as Louisiana, Houston, Colorado are beginning to organize similar networks. Numerous STEPS members have assisted in the development of the various networks through advising and mentoring. Several STEPS members were involved in planning the First Annual OSHA Oil and Gas Safety Conference in Houston December 2-3, 2008.   Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health Events One STEPS member is on the advisory committee for the NIOSH National Occupational Research Agenda for exploration and production.   Results The STEPS Network / OSHA Alliance has been very effective in creating an open dialogue between the local oil and gas industry and OSHA as is illustrated by the expansion of the network to other areas and the forming of the National Exploration and Production Safety Network. The participation of the STEPS membership in promoting safety and health in the oil and gas industry has been visible through the OSHA Oil and Gas Conference, SafeLandUSA, NIOSH NORA participation, and industry benchmarking. Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) 77,607 English     3,866 Spanish 53,769 English     3,049 Spanish Training and outreach at the STEPS Network Monthly meetings (12) Approximately 75 attendees each month Outreach to Devon contractors during annual meeting 100 Outreach to El Paso Production contractors during annual meeting 20 Numerous presentations by the STEPS President, Vice-President and Secretary and OSHA to industry representatives   International Association of Drilling Contractors Rig Move Committee 75 Outreach to other areas interested in developing a STEPS Network in their area. 300 Participation by OSHA and STEPS members in the Texas Oil and Gas Association Roundtables. 50 TOTAL 1,445 Activities October 17, 2007 STEPS meeting, fatality update, and presentations on fatigue in the workplace, hunting safety, OSHA recordkeeping requirements. November 21, 2007 STEPS Meeting, fatality update. December 19, 2007 STEPS Meeting, fatality update. January 16, 2008 STEPS Meeting, fatality update, and presentations on incident trends for US land drilling operations, non-fatal statistics in the oil and gas industry, and developing a safety and health program. February 20, 2008 STEPS Meeting, fatality update, and presentations on pipeline damage prevention and the national one call number, tension limiter device, and suspension trauma. March 19, 2008 STEPS Meeting, fatality update, and presentations on the OSHA inspection process, and rigging. April 23, 2007 STEPS Meeting, fatality update and presentation on severe weather, planning for severe weather. May 21, 2008 STEPS Meeting, fatality update and presentation on rigging. June 18, 2008 STEPS Meeting, fatality update, and presentations on case management, and heat related illnesses. July 16, 2008 STEPS Meeting, fatality update, and presentations on MRSA, diesel theft and mismatched hammer unions. August 20, 2008 STEPS Meeting, fatality update, and presentations on the new employer paid PPE standard, innovations in driver safety and working safely with wireline explosives. September 17, 2008 STEPS Meeting, fatality update, and presentations on composite risk management, fire safety and prevention.