Industry News

Transportation Is Becoming Safer In Canada

April 16th, 2012 · ISN Team - Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Canadian employers are greatly concerned with transportation accidents. These accidents mainly affect, but are not limited to, marine, aviation, railway and pipeline industries. Although the numbers fluctuate annually, statistics show accidents have decreased over time. This positive change largely stems from increased concern from health and safety professionals and enhanced regulations.

Due to ongoing efforts from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, the decrease in accidents and incidents can be attributed to an increase in awareness from the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act and the Transportation Safety Board Regulations. The following statistics show evidence of the downward trend resulting from these acts and regulations.

Updated regulations lead to fewer accidents and incidents over time. The evidence above shows that continued efforts to create safer working environments are leading to more workers returning safely to their families every day.

Resources:
http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/medias-media/communiques/autres-other/2012/comm-20120404.asp
http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/stats/marine/prelim-2011/index.asp
http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/stats/aviation/prelim-2011/index.asp
http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/stats/rail/prelim-2011/index.asp
http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/stats/pipeline/prelim-2011/index.asp

ISN Speaks

Spring Storms

April 4th, 2012 · ISN Team - Tags: , , , , ,

After a cold winter, we all look forward to the coming of spring. However, with the pleasures of spring also comes the severity of dangerous weather. Spring is the most common time of year for severe thunderstorms and tornados to occur.

Severe thunderstorms are thunderstorms that reach a predetermined level of severity, depending on the storm’s inclination to inflict lightning, wind or hail damage. A storm is considered severe if winds reach more than 58 mph, hail is one inch or larger in diameter or if funnel clouds and/or tornadoes are reported.

One of Mother Nature’s most violent storms, tornado winds can reach up to 300 mph and leave paths of destruction in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. Tornadoes generally appear near the edge of a thunderstorm and may be preceded by clear, sunlit skies.

Tornado Facts:

  • The average tornado moves Southwest to Northeast, but can move in any direction
  • A  tornado travels at an average speed of 30mph, but can increase to 70mph
  • Peak tornado season is in late spring through early summer
  • Tornados are most likely to occur between 3:00 pm and 9:00 pm
  • At any given moment, there are more than 1,800 thunderstorms occurring worldwide
  • The odds of becoming a lightning victim in any one year are one in 700,000. The odds of being struck in your lifetime are one in 3,000.

Severe Weather – Helpful Tips:

1. Build an emergency kit, including:

  • water/food
  • first aid kit
  • flashlight
  • extra batteries
  • radio
  • medication
  • cell phone
  • blankets

2. Make an emergency plan and establish a meeting place

3. Listen to the local radio or newscast for weather updates

4. Know your communities warning sirens

5. Be alert to changing weather conditions and look for approaching storms

6. Look for danger signs:

  • Dark, greenish sky
  • Large hail
  • A large, dark, low-lying cloud
  • Loud roar, similar to a freight train

7. If you see approaching storms or any of these danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately

8. Do not use electrical equipment during a lightning storm

Resources:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/hazstats.shtml
http://www.ready.gov/tornadoes
http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.86f46a12f382290517a8f210b80f78a0/?vgnextoid=91435d795323b110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderstorm
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/06/0623_040623_lightningfacts.html
http://www.severe-weather-fan.com/thunderstorm-facts.html

ISN News

A Look at the Keystone XL Pipeline

March 27th, 2012 · ISN Team - Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Past
In 2008, TransCanada Corporation proposed a plan for the longest pipeline in North America, the Keystone XL Pipeline. With a starting point in Alberta’s Oil Sands, the Keystone XL Pipeline would carry the tar-sands crude through the Great Plains to the Gulf of Mexico, bringing an additional 830,000 barrels of oil per day to U.S. refineries.

The pipeline requires approval in two parts: upper and lower. While the upper portion of the pipeline requires U.S. State Department approval since the pipeline crosses an international border, the lower portion will need federal permits for approval. The approval process has been complicated, with environmental, safety and time concerns restricting the project.

Present
In January, President Barack Obama rejected the project, advising the decision was “not based on [the] merits of the pipeline,” but having a short deadline to make a decision on the project. He also cited the need to find a route that would avoid the Nebraska Sandhills region and Ogallala Aquifer, which provides water to eight U. S. states.

TransCanada has been working with the State of Nebraska since November 2011 to find alternate routes that will avoid the environmentally sensitive Ogallala Aquifer and Sandhills, stating it will be reapplying for permission to build the pipeline from Canada to Oklahoma using this alternate route.

Advocates in favor of the Keystone XL Pipeline, argue it will employ thousands of workers, deliver more oil to U.S. refineries in the Gulf of Mexico, reduce U.S. reliance on oil from the Persian Gulf and increase the amount of oil imported from Canada.

Future
While TransCanada pursues a new permit, it will proceed with building the southern portion of the pipeline, from Cushing, Oklahoma to the Gulf of Mexico. This portion is located entirely within the U.S. and therefore does not require U.S. State Department approval.

This 435-mile section of the pipeline is expected to produce several benefits including:

  • Moving 700,000+ barrels of oil per day
  • Generating approximately 4,000 jobs
  • Reducing the large surplus of oil stored in Cushing, OK

With the decision to begin expansion in the south, it is expected pipeline construction will continue on at a steady pace, even during the reapplication process and while alternate route decisions are being made.

If the Keystone XL Pipeline moves forward as expected, U.S. crude imports from Canada could reach 4 million barrels per day by 2020, doubling what we currently import from the Persian Gulf.

http://www.transcanada.com/keystone.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2012-01-18/obama-rejects-keystone-pipeline/52655762/1
http://www.consumerenergyreport.com/2012/03/04/keystone-pipeline-moving-forward/
http://www.isnetworld.com/~isn/blog/2011/12/09/the-current-status-of-the-keystone-xl-pipeline/
http://news.yahoo.com/obama-lobbying-against-keystone-pipeline-201208007.html
http://facefwd.com/tag/oil-surplus
http://www.api.org/policy-and-issues/policy-items/keystone-xl/keystone-xl-pipeline.aspx

Industry News

U.S. Economy Boosted by Shale Drilling

March 1st, 2012 · ISN Team - Tags: , , , , ,

Shale is finding itself more and more in the media as an important resource for natural gas. Recently, the media focused on shale as a stimulus for another resource – jobs.

According to a recent study, for every new oil and gas job, another four are supported by the energy supply chain. Additionally, over the past five years, more than 158,000 new oil and gas jobs have been added across the United States. Now, with access to new natural gas supplies from shale deposits and increased U.S. competitive advantage in the global marketplace, the oil and gas industry expects the job creation trend to continue.

In 2010, the global market for oilfield specialty chemicals reached $16 billion, with the United States and Canada making up 52 percent. As drilling and production have increased, prices have inversely begun to decline in the United States, causing gas to be more competitive for electricity and chemical production.

Shale drilling could have the following economic impacts:

  • More than 400,000 new jobs in the chemical sector
  • $32 billion of chemical production growth in the U.S.
  • New ethylene production facilities
  • Increased exports
  • Overall increase of investments in the chemical industry
  • Increase in total U.S. economic output: approximately $27.3 billion
  • Demand for oil field chemicals: an increase of 3.5% in the next five years

With these potential changes on the horizon, and more than $145 billion estimated to be spent drilling and completing U.S. wells within the next year, the oil and gas industry can look forward to new work opportunities along the energy supply chain.

Resources:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204652904577195303471199234.html?mod=dist_smartbrief
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2012/02/07/Shale-boom-has-spillover-effect-IHS-says/UPI-88131328619342/
http://www.ogj.com/articles/2012/02/ihs-shale-plays-driving-demand-for-oil-field-chemicals.html http://www.americanchemistry.com/shalegasimpact http://www.americanchemistry.com/Policy/Energy/Shale-Gas/ACC-Shale-Gas-National-Infographic.pdf  
http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2012/02/06/us-shale-boom-grows-demand-for-oil.html

Industry News

Risk Awareness: Hazards in Grain Handling Facilities

February 24th, 2012 · ISN Team - Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

There is danger to be found on every worksite, including agricultural facilities. Over the last 35 years there have been more than 180 fatalities and 675 injuries associated with grain dust explosions. To help prevent deadly explosions, OSHA requires grain dust and all ignition sources to be controlled in grain elevators.

Hazardous gases, suffocation and engulfment are also serious concerns for agricultural workers. OSHA advises grain workers to minimize their exposure to harmful gas emitted from either spoiling grain or fumigation (pesticides).

Exposure to harmful fumigants can cause:

  • Permanent central nervous system damage
  • Heart and vascular disease
  • Lung edema
  • Cancer

 A documented trend, suffocation by engulfment is one of the leading causes of death in grain bin-related accidents. In 2010, 51 workers were engulfed inside grain bins; 26 of these workers died.

OSHA offers several best practices when entering grain storage bins:

  • Turn off and lock out all powered equipment to prevent grain flow
  • Prohibit walking down grain and similar actions used to increase grain flow
  • Provide the proper personal protective equipment
  • Appoint an observer to be stationed outside the grain bin
  • Test the air inside the bin for hazardous gases and ensure sufficient oxygen levels
  • Obtain a permit certifying the proper steps have been taken to ensure a safe work environment

Additional resources and a fact sheet on preventing grain bin incidents can be found below.

Resources:
http://www.osha.gov/asst-sec/Grain-Letter-2-1-2011.html
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/grainstorageFACTSHEET.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/grainhandling/index.html
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/grainhandling/explosionchart.html
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/grainhandling/hazard_alert.html