Working on ice gets new guidelines
January 26, 2010 by J. Swiss · Comments Off
Working on ice is a cold reality for many oilfield workers and while much has been published about the hazards of frostbite and hypothermia, there is a major risk below the ice’s surface that until recently, has been largely misunderstood.
A fall through the ice into the freezing water below presents a “risk that can have potentially life-threatening consequences” for truckers, oil well drillers, survey and scientific crews and anyone else who must work outside during the winter. But surprisingly, a person dressed in winter clothing can survive emersion in cold water for as long as one hour, and as long as two hours if they can get above the surface of the water.
When someone falls through the ice, they have:
- One minute to control breathing. For about one minute, the person gasps for air in reaction to contact with the cold water. After one minute, the gasping subsides, the skin numbs and the sensation of intense cold decreases.
- Ten minutes of meaningful movement. The person has about 10 minutes to get out of the water before they are unable to help themselves.
- One hour before losing consciousness. If the person manages to hang on to the ice or stay afloat after 10 minutes, the muscles in their arms and legs lose the strength to get them out of the water. Eventually they lose consciousness as their core body temperature decreases to about 30°C.
- Two hours to be found. If the person stays above the surface of the water, rescue is still possible within two hours. After that time, death due to hypothermic cardiac arrest occurs when the body’s core temperature falls below 28°C.
(Giesbrecht, G. and A. W. Walker, 2006)
To improve the protection of workers on ice, an Alberta-based multi-stakeholder advisory committee with experience in designing, building, maintaining and operating on ice covers was formed to create workplace guidelines and supporting materials for ice covers. In October 2009, the committee released a document titled Best Practice for Building and Working Safely on Ice Covers in Alberta.
When the LibraSystem™ is updated in late January, a new safe work practice dealing with working on ice will be added.
Sources:
- Bill Corbett, Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Magazine, January 2010.
- Giesbrecht, G. and A. W. Walker, Hypothermia, Frostbite and other Cold Injuries: Prevention, Survival, Rescue and Treatment, 2nd edition. The Mountaineers Books, 2006.
Global warming coming up cold on public support
January 26, 2010 by J. Swiss · Comments Off
As people throughout the northern hemisphere shiver through a prolonged cold snap, recent polls conducted by Angus Reid (January 5, 2010) suggest that “the people of Canada, the United States and Britain are rapidly losing confidence in the whole enterprise” of climate change. One of the most significant opinions uncovered in the poll is that there is a “general lack of any confidence or hope, or belief” that the Copenhagen Global Warming Conference “would ever produce a binding agreement that would force the world’s countries to reduce carbon emissions.”
In addition, the “drop off in public support for the idea that global warming is a fact mostly caused by human activity looks most pronounced in Canada.” All three countries seem to be more sceptical about the whole issue especially since thousands of e-mails from the University of East Anglia’s Climate Research Unit (CRU) were made public demonstrating an un-scientific approach to the whole enterprise.
Meanwhile, the Pew Center for the People & the Press has released an annual poll of American priorities showing global warming coming in dead last behind the economy, jobs, terrorism and even reducing the influence of lobbyists. Only 28% of those polled ranked it among the top priorities for U.S. President Barack Obama and Congress. In 2007, the same poll found that 38% of Americans believed that dealing with global warming was a top priority.
As this issue continues to develop, it could have significant impacts on how the oil and gas industry is required to manage its carbon emissions.
Sources:
- The cooldown in climate polls, Terrence Corcoran, Financial Post, January 5, 2010.
- Public’s Priorities for 2010: Economy, Jobs, Terrorism, The Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, January 25, 2010.
B.C. Oil & Gas Commission may adopt CSA Security Standard
January 5, 2010 by J. Swiss · Comments Off
The B.C. Oil & Gas Commission (OGC) is considering making it a requirement for oil and gas operators in British Columbia to adopt the requirements of Canadian Standards Association CSA Z246.1-09. This new Standard was released in August 2009 and deals with Security Management for Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry Systems. The Standard describes a risk-based approach for managing security throughout the Canadian oil and gas industry. It applies to most types of oil and gas operations and to all operators regardless of size or number of assets.
The Standard is based on the premise that security risks should be managed using risk-based and performance-based management processes. It addresses a wide range of security issues including security risk assessment, personal threats, physical security measures (e.g., fencing, gates, signage) and incident management. It also identifies specific security risk reduction measures to be implemented.
If the OGC makes compliance with the new Standard a requirement, operators in B.C. may have to significantly change the way they manage their security issues. The OGC is presently in discussions with a number of B.C. operators to determine whether they will make compliance with Standard, or parts of it, a requirement.
To obtain a copy of the new Standard (CSA Z246.1-09) visit the CSA web site at:
Cell phone use illegal while driving in B.C. and Saskatchewan
January 5, 2010 by J. Swiss · Comments Off
As of January 1, 2010, it is illegal to talk on a cell phone or send text messages while driving in British Columbia and Saskatchewan. Both Provinces have enacted distracted-driving legislation that came into effect at the beginning of the New Year. The legislation makes it illegal to use hand-held cell phones and a variety of other devices for talking, texting and surfing. In both jurisdictions drivers can use hands-free devices if they are properly mounted and can be accessed by voice or with a single touch.
Although Saskatchewan is already handing out tickets ($280 fine plus four demerit points), B.C. is providing a one month grace period until February 1, 2010, before it starts ticketing offending drivers ($167 fine plus three demerit points).
The “Cell Phone Safety” practice in LibraSystemTM will be modified to reflect these new restrictions during our next update at the end of January.
For more information on these new restrictions, visit the following sites.
British Columbia:
http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/osmv/publications/docs/electronic-devices-while-driving-info.pdf
Saskatchewan: