When a tank farm explosion in Karnes County, Texas, on Oct. 8 sent a worker to the hospital with third-degree burns, it was a painful reminder following best industry practices for safety at tank farms is a critical part of operations.
Improved technological advances in hydraulic fracturing have led to the rapid growth of the natural gas industry and an increase in supporting assets and equipment such as tank batteries. It is more important than ever the industry, together with governing bodies like OSHA, continue to educate workers about safe operating practices at tank storage sites.
Typically used in production facilities, tank batteries or tank farms are a group of storage tanks that hold crude oil or produced oil before it is trans-ported via tanker truck. Composed of either steel or fiberglass, individual tanks may hold up to 400 barrels of production fluid. Before the oil is trucked or transported into the pipeline system, oil and gas workers measure and test the fluid volume in the tank battery. Since oil or condensate emits volatile organic compounds, volume testing poses a constant safety hazard to workers. Because the task of gauging the fluid levels involves breaking the integrity of the enclosed storage system, there is always potential for exposure to hydrogen sulfide (H2S), low oxygen levels, benzene, NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) and flammable atmospheres while gauging the depth of the tanks.
The industry is currently in the process of developing new regulations that will govern engineering control measures to reduce volatile organic compound exposure. To date, adoption of engineering control measures is voluntary. However, OSHA standards provide guidelines for workers in hazardous conditions and environments, and require that workers use supplied air when gauging tanks that have potential to contain a hazardous substance such as H2S.
Best practices for tank farm safety
In addition, to using the proper safety equipment, employers can also encourage and communicate safety awareness at tank facilities to help protect employees and contractors who are performing fluid measurement and testing of fluid storage facilities. Best practices include:
• Ensure all team members understand safety rules, policies, regulations and instructions at each facility. Foster education and train people at each facility. Under the revised Hazard Communication Standard, employees and contractors have a right to understand what kind of material they are handling. The updated material safety data sheets (MSDS) can serve as communication tools to help teach and explain what kind of material they are working with. For example, at a tank battery site, encourage team members to read the crude oil MSDS, so they are better prepared.
• Adopt a comprehensive and engaging personal protective equipment program with management support, proper maintenance and selection of appropriate controls and training.
• Use a mobile source of breathing air to help protect workers who are entering tanks to measure the depth. Take care of the equipment, too. Proper and regular inspection of air cylinders, breathing air regulation, breathing air supply lines and breathing apparatuses can help protect equipment.
• Verify each worker wears rubber-sole shoes. Tools should be earth-grounded for operations.
• Tanks should be checked periodically and gas detection must be done every day. Using a reliable third party to conduct periodic inspections may help mitigate spills.
• Absolutely no smoking and no cell phone use at the facility. The easier it is for the employees to understand, the greater the chance of compliance, and that is in everyone’s best interest.
For more information, email mail@TotalSafety.com, visit www.TotalSafety.com or call (888) 448-6825.
