SOL hosts regional ship-to-shore safety workshop

The first of two regional ship-to-shore workshops for SOL employees ends today. The four-day workshop, which began on Tuesday at the Sunset Shores Hotel, is a continuation of the company’s developmental programme. {{more}}

Steve Francis, general manager SOL EC Ltd, explained that the programme is held annually in order to certify and re-certify those involved in the discharge of fuel from tankers.

According to Francis, the petroleum industry is one where proper discharge functions must be observed, given the flammable nature of the products involved.

“We operate under the international safety guide for oil tankers and terminals, as well as the oil company’s international forum – these are the bibles of our industry and the workshop is based on the principles outlined in these guidelines,” Francis said.

“The standards are high so we always have to aim for the maintenance of high standards of safety in the industry,” he continued.

A release from SOL said the main objective of the workshop is for participants to acquire and develop a working knowledge and understanding of the basic principles governing the safe operation of oil tankers and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) carriers and thus effectively complete a ship-to-shore checklist with a certified officer appointed by the ship’s master.

Regional operations manager Carl Farley explained that there are two high risk activities involved — road transport and tanker discharge operations.

“And the significance of this training is to close the competency gap,” he said.

The ship/shore basic course is for everyone engaged in the operations in the terminal, Farley said.

“We like to have a core team who can take a tanker safely and therefore this course is compulsory for persons engaged in these operations.

“But we just don’t do the course, but there is re-training and re-certification done every three years,” the regional operations manager said.

This is to ensure that those involved in the process remain current, he added.

And this is because history has it that whenever something goes wrong in a discharge, there is the opportunity for a fire to occur and for people to get hurt or for environmental damage.

“So we put a lot of emphasis on this course,” Farley said. (DD)