Company Magazine for the Odfjell Group - March 2005

Quality Section
Safety initiatives in Rotterdam
QHSE-MATTERS DO MATTER
By Toon Ruizendaal, QHSE Manager OTR
Odfjell Terminals
(Rotterdam) B.V.
has put in a lot of
resources to further
enhance
safety, as part of
the overall rehabilitation
of the
terminal. The
summary below
outlines the most
important safety initiatives taken or
still in progress at the terminal:
• In 2003 we appointed a full-time
safety supervisor, who makes
inspection rounds on the entire
terminal twice a day.
• Since February 2004 we publish a
monthly QHSE newsletter on our
local intranet, informing all our staff
and contractors about QHSE-matters.
• We have since April 2004 conducted
frequent “communication meetings
involving all operational staff,
focussing on quality and safety.
• In 2004 we completed a revision of
the emergency organisation,
including training of the staff.
• We have initialised several projects
increasing the safety standards on
the terminal, either completed or in
progress:
• Fall protection at truck/rail loading
areas and jetties.
• Renovation of the fixed foam and
sprinkler installations at several
jetties.
• During 2005 we will move PID’s
central control room to a more safe
distance from the distillation plant.
• In 2004, we appointed five manipulation
co-ordinators to organise
unloading and transfers. These are
working in shifts 24/7 to further
improve the control of operational
execution.
• Since third quarter of 2004 we are
reviewing all operational procedures,
including training of the staff
involved. This work is expected to be
completed by mid 2005.
• As from the first quarter of 2005 we
will offer comprehensive mandatory
induction training for all contractors,
as part of our efforts to enhance contractor
safety at the terminal.
• During third quarter of 2004 we
commenced cleaning and de-bottlenecking
of the firewater network
and pumps, to be completed by mid
2005.
• We are doing a Hazard and
Operability study (HAZOP) of all
“old” vapour recovery systems
(from Q4 2004 - 2005).
• We are at the moment reorganising
the Working Permit Department and
the related procedures.
• We have launched a PR campaign on
safety and quality issues, to increase
the general safety-awareness and to
achieve a continuous upgrade of the
safety culture for all staff.
It goes without saying that these initiatives
require a lot of effort as well as
substantial investments, and we still
have quite a way to go. The complex
terminal infrastructure at OTR, and the
necessity to maintain our ongoing
business, means that work is going on
"everywhere on the terminal", hence
making any upgrade quite a challenge.
However, this process is necessary to
keep such a large and busy terminal to
the highest safety standards.
26 ODFJELL Quarterly March 2005