WELCOME

Welcome to the website for North Texas Exploration and Production Safety Network (NTEPS)!

We hope you will join us at our next meeting. Meetings are held on the third Friday of each month from 9 AM to 11 AM. 

Meetings are held via Zoom.

 

Join Our Next Meeting On April 21, 2023
We will meeting from 9:00am to 11:00am via Zoom. Please check your email invite for the link, meeting ID and password.

See the invite here http://nteps.com/index.php/contact/view-this-months-newsletter

Upcoming Meeting April 21, 2023
Guest Speaker 1:  Jase Herring, Law Enforcement Liaison with the Texas Municipal Police Association will be presenting "Distracted Driving".

Upcoming Meeting July 21, 2023
Guest Speaker 1:  TBA
Guest Speaker 2:  TBA  

Upcoming Meeting October 20, 2023
Guest Speaker 1:  TBA
Guest Speaker 2:  TBA  

 

Hot Topics

Hazard Alert - Minimizing Risk During Fluids Transfer

Hazard Alert letter created by the National STEPS Network, OSHA Alliance, Energy Workforce & Technology Council, and Veriforce on Minimizing Risk During Fluids Transfer.

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HAZARD ALERT - SUDDEN UNCONTROLLED PRESSURE RELEASE PRECAUTIONS

Hazard Alert letter created by the National STEPS network, The Association of Energy Service Companies, and Veriforce on Sudden Uncontrolled Pressure Release Precautions in the upstream oil and gas industry.

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HAZARD ALERT - GROUND DISTURBANCE

8,000 natural gas line strikes in 2016 and 5 deaths from 2006-2016 in U.S. Onshore Upstream industry

Striking any line while excavating, digging, grading, driving stakes, or doing other ground disturbance activities near underground utilities can harm workers, the public, and the environment. These incidents can occur immediately, or months or years later if damage is not reported or repaired.

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LIMITATIONS OF MULTI-GAS MONITORS HAZARD ALERT

Multi-Gas Monitors for Oil and Gas Industry: Understanding the Proper Use and Monitor Capabilities

An H2S monitor is likely not enough...Multi-gas monitors can protect workers from unseen workplace hazards, such as toxic, flammable, and oxygen deficient atmospheres. By alarming in the presence of harmful atmospheres, a properly calibrated multi-gas monitor can alert the worker to unsafe conditions.

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HAZARD ALERT - OILFIELD HOT WORK

Fatalities Associated with Hot Work on Oilfield Tanks, Tankers, and other related equipment

Between 2005 and 2015 "85" DEATHS due to fires or explosions, Including 28 hot work deaths

Produced fluids, such as crude oil, flowback water, and produced water are brought to the surface, along with hydrocarbon vapors and gases during production operations.

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News

Working Safety With Silica

CPWR created a very useful website to assist the construction industry in complying with the new silica regulations. 

 

 

 

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Permian Road Safety Coalition Forum

Wednesday, August 26th 10:45 am – 1:00 pm

Permian Road Safety Coalition Forum  Via Zoom

Register Now For PRSC's Quarterly Road Safety Forum

PRSC is pleased to announce the opening of registration for the August 26 Road Safety Forum to be held via Zoom. The presentation begins at 10:45 a.m. and will conclude by 1:00 p.m.

The Forum's agenda includes:

10:45 a.m. – Welcome and Safety Moment

11:00 a.m. – Keynote Address – “WhenSeanSpeaks” – Jenny Carter and Sean Carter, presented by Texas A&M Transportation Institute through a grant from Texas Department of Transportation

11:50 p.m. – TxDOT Permian Basin Freight and Energy Sector Transportation Plan Update and Initial Findings – Casey Wells with TxDOT’s Freight Planning Branch and Paula Dowell, Ph.D., Principal, National Practice Leader, Freight and Economic at Cambridge Systematics

12:20 p.m. – NSC Distracted Driving Presentation – Lisa Robinson, Senior Program Manager, Transportation Safety, Roadway Practice with National Safety Council

12:50 p.m. – Review of YTD Road Safety Statistics and Announcements 1:00 p.m. – Adjourn/Log Off

Update (Rescheduled) - 2020 OSHA Oil and Gas Safety and Health Conference

Update (Rescheduled) - 2020 OSHA Oil and Gas Safety and Health Conference
After a great deal of thoughtful consideration and review of the market, we have made the difficult decision to reschedule the 2020 OSHA Oil and Gas Safety and Health Conference. The new conference dates will be Tuesday, December 14 – Wednesday, December 15, 2021 and the location will remain the same at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, Houston, Texas.

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Ladder Safety Symposium Simulcast

Every year, over 300 people die in ladder-related accidents and thousands suffer disabling injuries. What is National Ladder Safety Month? National Ladder Safety Month is the only movement dedicated exclusively to the promotion of ladder safety, at home, and at work.

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OSHA Penalties Raised for 2020

OSHA raised its civil penalties by approximately 1.8 percent on January 15, 2020. The final rule implements annual inflation adjustments of civil monetary penalties assessed or enforced by OSHA and other agencies within the Department of Labor in 2020, as required by the Inflation Adjustment Act (Public Law 114-74). OSHA's penalty increases for workplace safety and health violations include:

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Free OSHA Training Opportunities

In recognition of Safe and Sound Week, Labor Rights Week, Workers’ Memorial Day, and OSHA’s National Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, The University of Texas at Arlington OSHA Education Center is offering a series of free short courses throughout the Region.

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Learn More about Electricity - Free Training Video

This video is brought to on behalf of the Region Six OSHA Training Institute Education Centers.

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SAFE + SOUND WEEK - AUGUST 10-16, 2020

Last year, Safe + Sound Week was a success by all measures. Hundreds of businesses across the country participated to showcase elements of their safety and health programs during the week, or took a step in the right direction by starting to build their safety and health program. We are pleased to announce that this year Safe + Sound Week will take place August 10-16. Leading up to Safe + Sound Week, there will be opportunities to learn more about safety and health programs and get exclusive content from Safe + Sound Organizers.

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ANNOUNCING OSHA-NIOSH HEAT SAFETY TOOL

As part of our effort to keep you informed of new OSHA resources, we wanted to let you know about the release of the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool. The new app, available for both Android and iPhone, is a collaborative effort between OSHA and NIOSH to update the OSHA Heat Safety Tool. Since its launch in 2011, more than 450,000 users have downloaded the OSHA Heat Safety Tool.

With the release of the co-branded version, which provides a new and refreshed interface, both agencies expect to reach even more users. Anyone using the current version of the OSHA Heat Safety Tool is encouraged to download the new OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool. The OSHA Heat Safety Tool will no longer be available for download after September 30, 2017.

Employers should encourage workers exposed to hot and humid conditions to use the app to check the heat index and relevant protective measures. The app displays the heat index in the user’s location and shows the current risk level. The app also forecasts the hourly heat index throughout the entire workday, giving employers information they can use to adjust the work environment as needed to protect workers.

For more information, see the NIOSH Science Blog post: Heat Index: When humidity makes it feel hotter.

Heat Index: When humidity makes it feel hotter

NIOSH and OSHA recently released the redesigned, co-branded OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App. This version replaces the app previously created by OSHA in 2011. The app calculates the heat index at outdoor worksites using the smartphone’s geolocation capabilities to pull current weather conditions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellites. Based on the calculated heat index, users are provided specific sets of recommendations for protections against the heat. Workers and managers can use these recommendations to adjust their work environment. The app recommendations were updated to reflect information found in the NIOSH Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Heat and Hot Environments (published in 2016). Along with updated recommendations, the co-branded app has new features and improved usability. With a basic understanding of the heat index, the app is a useful tool for working safely outdoors.

WHAT IS THE HEAT INDEX?
The heat index is a measure of how hot it feels when relative humidity is taken into account along with the actual air temperature. It is important to note that since heat index values were devised for shady, light wind conditions, exposure to full sunshine can increase heat index values by up to 15°F.

The National Weather Service uses the heat index values to issue heat alerts, such as:

Excessive Heat Outlook – Extended excessive heat (heat index of 105°F-110°F [41°C-43°C]) over the next 3 to 7 days.
Excessive Heat Watch – Excessive heat may occur within the next 24 to 72 hours.
Excessive Heat Warning – The heat index will be life threatening in the next 24 hours. Excessive heat is imminent or has a high probability of occurring.
Excessive Heat Advisory – The heat index may be uncomfortable but not life threatening if precautions are taken.
Chart of heat and humidity for heat index
Heat index tiers
In addition, the heat index chart uses four bands of color associated with four risk levels.

Since workers in hot environments experience heat stress from a combination of environmental factors and metabolic heat from the tasks they are performing, OSHA modified some of the heat index cutoffs to create heat index-associated protective measure for worksites.

WHEN SHOULD I USE THE HEAT INDEX?
The heat index and wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) are both used to measure environmental temperature. NIOSH recommends the use of wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) to determine the Recommended Exposure Limits (RELs) for acclimatized workers and the Recommended Alert Limits (RALs) for unacclimatized workers in hot environments. However, we realize that workers and many small businesses will not have access to the resources necessary to determine WBGT. In these cases using the heat index is a viable alternative. WBGT is determined by measuring dry air temperature, humidity, and radiant energy; and used to calculate a thermal load on the worker. While the literature provides plenty of evidence regarding WBGT’s accuracy and common usage in industrial settings; the simplicity of the heat index makes it a good option for many outdoor work environments (as long as there are no additional radiant heat sources, such as, fires or hot machinery).

Is monitoring the heat index enough to keep workers safe? Use of the heat index (or WBGT) is important, but due to a variety of other factors affecting risk, it cannot be solely relied upon to prevent heat stress among workers. For example, employers should: (1) reduce workplace heat stress by implementing engineering and work practice controls; (2) train workers before hot outdoor work begins; (3) ensure that workers are acclimatized before they work in a hot environment; (4) provide the means for appropriate hydration of workers; (5) ensure and encourage workers to take appropriate rest breaks to cool down and hydrate; and (6) give workers the opportunity to limit exposure to direct sun or other radiant heat sources by providing shaded areas as needed.

The heat index can be used as a screening tool, so that supervisors and workers can more easily recognize when additional preventive options should be implemented. For example, as the heat index increases then more water and rest breaks may become necessary. In addition, if conditions are of extreme risk, then it may be necessary to reschedule non-essential work.

HOW DO I USE THE OSHA-NIOSH HEAT SAFETY TOOL APP?
This app provides recommendations to prevent heat-related illnesses and reduce heat stress in outdoor workers based on local weather conditions used to calculate the heat index.

Download the App Download for free at Apple Store and Google Play available in English and Spanish.

Heat Index When you open the app, if your location services is enabled, the temperature and humidity data will automatically download and the current heat index will be displayed. Beneath the calculated heat index is the associated “Precautions” button for the risk level. By clicking on “Precautions”, you will arrive on a screen with risk level-specific recommendations.

Hourly Heat Index Forecast If you are interested in planning your work activities for the entire shift around the heat index, there is an hourly feature that will allow you to scroll through and determine the hottest hours of the day along with the corresponding risk level and precautions.

Symptoms and First Aid At the bottom of your app screen you will always have easy access to heat-related illness symptoms and first aid.

More Additional information about the app can be found, along with contact information for both OSHA and NIOSH. The “More Tips” provides information about being prepared for emergencies, training, acclimatization, hydration, monitoring workers for heat-related illness, and breaks. There is also a list of risk factors associated with heat-related illnesses.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more information on heat stress and educational products for safety and health professionals, employers, and workers, visit the NIOSH Topic Page on Heat Stress.

Brenda Jacklitsch, MS, is a health scientist with the NIOSH Education and Information Division.

Posted on June 5, 2017 by Brenda Jacklitsch, MS

Categories Heat Stress, Technology

Submit A Photo

The NTEPS website is here to support the North Texas Oil and Gas Industry and one way of doing so is by showing everyone some awesome photos of industry. If you have a photo or photos, feel free to submit them!

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Submit An Employment Opportunity

Networking is one of the best ways to help each other out, especially when you're looking to make a career move or on the search for employment.

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Submit An Event

Do you know of the date to an important safety related event or conference and would like to share it, feel free to submit it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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