Annually, Brunei Shell Petroleum organizes four “Safety Takes Priority Week” exhibitions on a quarterly basis. The first quarter of 2009, STPW theme was “Transportation” with various BSP subcontractors taking part, and SKSWood being one of them.
The exhibition, which was held from the 2nd to the 6th of March at the Cenderawaseh Hall in BSRC, focused on road, marine and air transportation modes. Senior managment members participated in the opening day, followed by group discussions and forums held in the mornings whilst the booth opened to the public in the afternoons.
There were booths showcasing various forms of car safety such as the importance of using the proper safety tools (safety seatbelts, child seats and motorist helmets), checking the condition of tyres before each journey, keep within the legal speed limits, being mindful of pedestrian crossings and not using mobile phones while driving.
An exhibit featured a Salam (BSP newsletter) article dated 13th February 1954: “Safer driving by everyone will cut the high total of road accidents in Seria and Kuala Belait: in 1953 there were 505 accidents to Company vehicles – although there were only 578 vehicles on the road”. The exhibition was a pool of useful information to managing risks. The “Safe Journey Management” listed things to ponder on before any journey: identify the requirement for the journey, challenge the need for road journey if there are alternative options, recognize the hazards along the journey and identify suitable control measures, make a reasoned choice (to minimize number of journeys, travelling distance, unused seats & space; to select the suitable type of vehicle; to travel at the safest times and taking safest routes), drivers to check the vehicles before journeys and drive only when it is considered road-worthy, supervisors to apply the journey management guidelines and monitor and improve driver performance (carry out toolbox briefings and discussions; discuss at HSE meetings; accident / incident investigation).
Other booths exhibited marine vessel gangway safety, passenger transfer safety, vessel safety and helicopter safety. Some of the basic safety reminders regarding gangways are: to ensure all involved are wearing the appropriate required safety outfit, always hold the handrails, ensure gangway is secured for transfer to occur and to never be distracted. Another important reminder is for all experienced personnel familiar with their surroundings to be aware and provide assistance to green helmet personnel within the area - green helmet personnel being those who are still unfamiliar with the surrounding.
Also highlighted at the event were the various marine transfer improvements made over the past two years. 2007 – 2008, the use of safety harnesses became a procedure that was adopted for all forms of passenger transfer within BSP operations. 2008 – 2009, the Greengo system was designed and a trial was undertaken on board the two fast crew boats (MS Aman and MS Setia). Parameters set under MOPO limits – a success. March 2009, the Belait Barakah plans of beginning trial operations of the Amplemann gangway for two months with BSP have already been implemented. This supports the SKSWood campaigns operations.
