Response readiness and safety awareness in a Tier 3 organization

Abstract

East Asia Response Pte Ltd is an organization based in Singapore and funded by major oil companies to respond to Tier 3 oil spills in the Asia Pacific Region. We have a large stockpile of Oil Spill Response equipment including aerial dispersant spraying capability. The call up of this equipment is not frequent. However, the infrequent call up presents a major challenge to us. The key challenges are: Maintaining a very high level of safety awareness. Routine activities are mainly maintenance and equipment testing. It is a major challenge to maintain a continuous high level of safety awareness in this environment. All Responders need to be prepared for the harsh conditions when they are called out. Responding to an oil spill in heat and rain in the tropics can stretch human endurance to the limit. In Singapore, priorities and response strategies can also change rapidly. Additionally, there is the pressure to get the job done, sometimes working long hours. The key drivers to our safety program are Risk Assessment (RA) and personal health. The risks associated with each major or new task are analyzed and processes / rocedures are put into place to minimize or eliminate potential incidents. Funding will be appropriated where needed. RA has helped us understand each task better and is a way of life in the Base. For example, an RA was conducted when we had to renew our berth fenders. The exercise identified the most suitable time to carry out the renewal from the tide tables, how to manage the risk of a passing vessel creating too much water disturbance and the coordination required between those working on the wharf and at the fenders. We started a program to train external personnel whom we would call upon to supplement our staff during an incident. We need to train these personnel to work to our safety standards. An efficient Responder needs to be healthy and fit. We organize various programs in the Base like health talks by a specialist, gym memberships and participation in national health events to help Responders keep fit. Developing training scenarios to maintain a high level of response readiness. We developed a list of realistic exercises around Singapore for our Responders to practice. These exercises give us the luxury of assessing scenarios during non-response period and developing strategies on containment and recovery. Some of the exercises completed are: the booming of Sentosa, a major tourist attraction, and other sensitive areas as well as night navigation exercises to familiarize our boat skippers with potential changes in sea conditions and a changing coastline due to major reclamation work in Singapore.