Safety Programs
A Corporate Safety and Loss Prevention Program has been established for all natural gas processing facilities, product handling and storage terminals, and pipeline operating centers owned and/or operated by Enterprise Products Operating L.P. and its affiliated companies. The multiple elements of the program are designed to include all disciplines of operations to ensure the safety and health of employees and contractors, prevention of public adverse exposure and protection of company assets. Elements of the program referred to as “management tools” include: (1) an extensive and detailed employee safety handbook of safe work practices, policies and procedures; (2) a hazard communication program; (3) medical health surveillance; (4) industrial hygiene surveys; (5) a drug and alcohol awareness and control program; (6) monthly safety topic and meeting schedules; and (7) a multitude of safety training programs.
In addition, program elements have been implemented to maximize employee participation and involvement to ensure compliance of both the physical and performance-based requirements of applicable federal OSHA, DOT, and EPA regulations, as well as all applicable state regulations in the states Enterprise owns and/or operates a facility. Employees participate in conducting facility hazard assessments, inspection/audit of facilities and processes, review and update of safety practices and procedures, incident investigations, hazard and operability studies and other safety related activities.
Contractor safety is an integral part of the program. Contractors go through a pre-qualification review and evaluation process. Each contractor interested in doing business with Enterprise must provide specific information relative to their safety performance history, employee training program, drug and alcohol prevention policy and written safety program or manual. Safety orientation training is conducted for the contractor's employees that are scheduled to perform work at a facility. Job-site inspections, worker observations and joint safety meetings are conducted to ensure safe performance and compliance with company work standards.
Another critical element of the program is the Emergency Preparedness Plan developed for each facility to contain, control and mitigate the various types of emergency conditions/situations that could occur at a facility. The company utilizes the First Responder/Emergency Response Team concept to handle emergency incidents at its facilities. Employees receive hands-on training in fire fighting, hazardous material spill response and rescue/medical/first aid training. Drills are conducted to test the effectiveness of the plan. In addition, the company maintains a well-trained team of employees from various company locations as members of the Corporate Emergency Organization. This team, as well as an array of emergency response equipment, can be mobilized and deployed to assist in handling emergency situations that may occur at a company facility or pipeline location.
Training is an on-going process at all Enterprise facilities. Computerized operator and maintenance employee training programs are utilized to ensure a well-trained and qualified workforce. Both outside and in-house resources are utilized for the training of supervisory and hourly employees in specific areas of expertise. Both groups attend various types of safety training seminars and conferences throughout the year.
Safety posters, bulletins and pamphlets, as well as safety incentive award programs, are used to continuously promote and recognize the safety awareness and safe job performance of the Enterprise employees.
The application and implementation of the elements of the Enterprise Safety and Loss Prevention Program in managing the risk and hazards associated with and inherent to the processing, storage and distribution of natural gas and natural gas liquids continues to contribute to the growth and success of Enterprise.