Failure to Plan

Everyone associated with the Stratus Team plays a part in planning work.  Project Managers lead teams that develop scopes of work.  Typically this includes outlining sequential tasks, identifying risks, assessing risk, confirming the right tool will be used, and preparing for the work.  But there’s more…

In general, we do a good job at planning and communicating our work.  But do we adequately plan for contingencies if the work doesn’t go as planned?  Have we adequately planned for credible emergency response scenarios?  Have we communicated the plan so that everyone knows what to do?  Have we communicated to other SIMOPS in the area?  Are we effectively engaged in STOP WORK when necessary?

Each part of a team has a role in planning each project.  We must all work together so that people in the field as well as office support understand the hazards and risks of our work.  We need to make sure technicians don’t work on electrically energized equipment, drilling locations have been cleared of utilities, and that our equipment is functional and safe.

What can you do to prevent incidents?

Preparation and planning are processes that never end.  Even when the task is complete, workers should review and document what went well and what didn’t.  We want to capture and communicate lessons so we can learn from them and not repeat mistakes.

You’ve heard the old saying…“Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan”.  The motto of this portal is “If you don’t know what is going to happen, there is no way to stop it. Plan ahead for safety”.  Well planned work greatly reduces the risk of accidents.  Having a plan to respond and minimize the impact of potential incidents is key to protecting people, the environment, and our assets.

Friday, January 31 – Emergency Response, Medical Case Management, Fire Safety

Friday, February 28 – Working at Heights

Friday, March 27 – Environmental Drilling/Ground Disturbance

Friday, April 24 – HASP, Daily Toolbox, Site Visitors, Job Zone Control

Friday, May 29 – Hot Work Defined Practice, Journey, Duty Fitness, Drug and Alcohol, Fatigue Management

Friday, June 26 – EHS Management and SIMOPS

Friday, July 31 – Heat Stress/Cold Stress

Friday, August 28 – Work Risk Assessment

Friday, September 25 – Hand and Power Tools

Friday, October 30 – Control of Work

Friday, November 27 – Stop Work Authority, Security Use of Weapons

All meetings are scheduled for the same time 10:30am until 12:00 pm unless otherwise noted.  If for some reason a date is changed, we will make every effort to give as much advance notice as possible.

Thank you, and stay safe out there.

Friday, July 26 – EHS Management and SIMOPS

Friday, August 30 – Work Risk Assessment

Friday, September 27 – Hand and Power Tools

Friday, October 25 – Control of Work

Friday, November 29 – Stop Work Authority, Security Use of Weapons

Friday, December 27 – Construction Ergonomics

All meetings are scheduled for the same time 10:30am until 11:00 pm unless otherwise noted.  If for some reason a date is changed, we will make every effort to give as much advance notice as possible.

Thank you, and stay safe out there.

Friday, June 28 – Hot Work Defined Practice

Friday, July 26 – EHS Management and SIMOPS

Friday, August 30 – Work Risk Assessment

Friday, September 27 – Hand and Power Tools

Friday, October 25 – Control of Work

Friday, November 29 – Stop Work Authority, Security Use of Weapons

Friday, December 27 – Construction Ergonomics

All meetings are scheduled for the same time 10:30am until 12:00 pm unless otherwise noted.  If for some reason a date is changed, we will make every effort to give as much advance notice as possible.

Thank you, and stay safe out there.

Friday, April 26 – HASP, Daily Toolbox, Site Visitors, Job Zone Control

Friday, May 31 – Hot Work Defined Practice, Journey, Duty Fitness, Drug and Alcohol, Fatigue Management

Friday, June 28 – EHS Management and SIMOPS

Friday, July 26 – Heat Stress/Cold Stress

Friday, August 30 – Work Risk Assessment

Friday, September 27 – Hand and Power Tools

Friday, October 25 – Control of Work

Friday, November 29 – Stop Work Authority, Security Use of Weapons

Friday, December 27 – Construction Ergonomics

All meetings are scheduled for the same time 10:30am until 12:00 pm unless otherwise noted.  If for some reason a date is changed, we will make every effort to give as much advance notice as possible.

Thank you, and stay safe out there.

Friday, March 29 – Environmental Drilling/Ground Disturbance

Friday, April 26 – HASP, Daily Toolbox, Site Visitors, Job Zone Control

Friday, May 31 – Hot Work Defined Practice, Journey, Duty Fitness, Drug and Alcohol, Fatigue Management

Friday, June 28 – EHS Management and SIMOPS

Friday, July 26 – Heat Stress/Cold Stress

Friday, August 30 – Work Risk Assessment

Friday, September 27 – Hand and Power Tools

Friday, October 25 – Control of Work

Friday, November 29 – Stop Work Authority, Security Use of Weapons

Friday, December 27 – Construction Ergonomics

All meetings are scheduled for the same time 10:30am until 12:00 pm unless otherwise noted.  If for some reason a date is changed, we will make every effort to give as much advance notice as possible.

Thank you, and stay safe out there.

So how do we prepare?  We conduct an Emergency Drill!!

“Remember – when disaster strikes, the time to prepare has passed” – Steven Cyros

What is a drill?  Drills are supervised activities that test, develop, or maintain skills in a single response procedure, and the possible/probable interaction with local government agency functions.  They help prepare for more complex exercises in which functions are coordinated and tested.

There are many reasons to conduct a drill: 1) its never been done before, 2) there is a new plan or procedure, 3) there is new staff or leadership, 4) there is a new facility or system, 5) there is a newly identified threat, or 6) there is a new assisting local or regulatory agency.

There are many different levels of drills and exercises to conduct depending on what you want to test and the complexity of your potential emergency:

1. Basic Drill
   1. Tests a single aspect of a program such as a fire drill, evacuation drill or testing emergency phone numbers.
2. Tabletop Exercise
   1. Integrates several drill considerations by simulating an emergency situation in an informal environment.
   2. It promotes discussion as participants examine problems based on existing plan documents.
3. Functional Exercise
   1. Fully simulated interactive exercise.
   2. Tests one or more functions in a time pressured situation focusing on policies, procedures, roles and responsibilities.
4. Full-Scale Exercise
   1. Tests total response capability by evaluating the operational capability of emergency systems in an interactive manner.
   2. Involves mobilization of emergency personnel.

Be prepared for your drill. The following steps may help you in developing your Emergency Drill:

1. Assess needs – What needs to be tested? How much prep time and resources will be needed?
2. Define the Scope – Identify the top 1 or 2 high priority threats to the site. What functions need to be tested? What type of drill will you conduct?
3. Write a Statement of Purpose and Objectives

“The purpose of the Critical Incident Exercise is to evaluate the following emergency functions…by involving these personnel and agencies…in a _____________ (exercise type)…simulating a _____________ (threat)…at ___________ (geographic location).”

4. Compose a Narrative – Detail what will be drilled. Build a scenario around it with specific examples of the threat you will be testing. Include a list of expected people involved.
5. Identify Expected Actions – The expected actions depend on your scenario. This list allows you to guide and evaluate the drill results. The site HASP or Emergency Response Plan are good resources for your expectations.
6. Document, Debrief, Share Lessons – Plan to conduct a post drill meeting. Document what was tested and how it went. Delegate action items for area of improvement. Share what you learned!! Plan the next drill.

You may be amazed what you discover during a drill. Sometimes the most unexpected people fall apart when a the drill starts.  You may discover that the training people have on emergencies isn’t remembered when it comes time to act. You may discover that your plan has holes that you didn’t anticipate (see below).  This is why we have drills.  Or, you may confirm that everyone knows what to do and who to call… which is the good news if those skills are actually needed.

So when is your next drill?

EXAMPLE FINDING: A few years ago I was involved in a project in tornado alley.  There were 50 people onsite, and we planned for everyone to muster into the only subgrade basement on site if needed.  We practiced this to make sure everyone would fit, and during the drill we asked, “What do you see missing?”  We had water, some food, flash lights, but the answer we got was easily overlooked.  “Where do we go to the bathroom?”

Friday, February 22 – Emergency Response, Medical Case Management, Fire Safety, Working at Heights

Friday, March 29 – Environmental Drilling/Ground Disturbance

Friday, April 26 – HASP, Daily Toolbox, Site Visitors, Job Zone Control

Friday, May 31 – Hot Work Defined Practice, Journey, Duty Fitness, Drug and Alcohol, Fatigue Management

Friday, June 28 – EHS Management and SIMOPS

Friday, July 26 – Heat Stress/Cold Stress

Friday, August 30 – Work Risk Assessment

Friday, September 27 – Hand and Power Tools

Friday, October 25 – Control of Work

Friday, November 29 – Stop Work Authority, Security Use of Weapons

Friday, December 27 – Construction Ergonomics

All meetings are scheduled for the same time 10:30am until 12:00 pm unless otherwise noted.  If for some reason a date is changed, we will make every effort to give as much advance notice as possible.

Thank you, and stay safe out there.

Friday, November 30 – Stop Work Authority, PPE

Friday, December 28 – Construction Ergonomics

All meetings are scheduled for the same time 10:30 am until 12:00 pm unless otherwise noted.  If for some reason a date is changed, we will make every effort to give as much advance notice as possible.

Thank you, and stay safe out there.

The idea behind this hierarchy is that the control methods at the top of graphic are potentially more effective and protective than those at the bottom. Following this hierarchy normally leads to the implementation of inherently safer systems, where the risk of illness or injury has been substantially reduced.The Hierarchy breaks down as follows, with the most effective measures at the top of the pyramid and the least effective at the bottom.

1. Elimination/substitution. At the very top is the best way to deal with a safety hazard, which is to eliminate it altogether by preventing exposure to the hazard before it even occurs.  In substitution, you seek to permanently reduce the risk by substitute a less hazardous material or reduction of system energy. These are process design solutions that require a permanent change to how a job is performed.
2. Engineering controls. Change the structure of the work area to reduce exposure using safety devices or barriers.  An example would be to place a high fence around a dangerous location to prevent access or adding plywood walls around jackhammer activities to stop flying debris.
3. Administrative & work practice controls. Implement procedures that require workers to do things to reduce their exposure to a risk.  A lockout/tagout program is an example of an administrative control.  Set expectations that workers will engage in safe work practices. Another example is the use of warning signs, sirens and alarms.
4. Personal protective equipment (PPE). Make sure employees wear the proper protective clothing, gloves and eyeglasses for the job.  Examples are safety goggles, respirators, fall protection and hearing protection.

It is easy when conducting work risk assessment  or incident investigations to focus on the use of PPE and administrative controls because these are often the easiest to see and implement.  But because these rely on human behavior, they are not always the best approaches to take.  During your work risk assessments you  should look further up the pyramid to the higher order engineering solutions and risk elimination strategies, which can prevent the exposure to a risk before it occurs and reduce the risk without relying on fallible human behavior.