HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT

The following text summarises the Health, Safety, Environmental and Security (HSES) Performance for Interconnector for the year to 30 September 2009.

The statistics demonstrate an excellent record for the year. A number of key activities with high levels of potential risk were completed. At the Bacton terminal the fourth engine removal for a 25,000 hour service was completed, two exhaust stacks were replaced, fire and gas system upgrades to the main control building, sea-line analyser house, FMS house and the boiler house took place. Inspection work on the East/West pipework was completed and a cathodic protection survey was carried out on the shore section of pipeline.

At the Zeebrugge terminal the thermal sprayed aluminium bends on the shore section of pipeline were excavated, inspected, cleaned and wrapped. Parameters in the 36kv and 400V switchboards were reset based on a completed study. Testing and modification of the Automatic Transfer Systems on both the high and low voltage were completed. The administration building Fire and Gas systems were linked to the process alarms.

Additionally, essential maintenance activities requiring complete cessation of operations were carried out at both terminals during the annual shutdown.

• There were no lost time injuries.
• There were no Health, Safety or Environmental incidents or excursions that required regulator notification during the period.
• London based managers made regular site visits, attending safety meetings and carrying out assurance audits.
• A Safety Culture Survey was carried out across all three company sites.
• An extensive audit programme was executed to plan.
• Emergency and security exercises were carried out to plan and co-ordinated with neighbouring operators.
• A review of the Bacton safety report commenced

There were no Health Safety or Environmental incidents. Efficient emissions management and monitoring systems are in place and are regularly subject to inspection by the relevant Authorities. A written scheme of examination and a comprehensive maintenance management system are in place to ensure compliance with the relevant regulatory requirements.

London based managers made regular site visits. Safety is integral to the continued business success of the company; these visits have proved to be beneficial both for the managers and the operational staff and are now a standard activity.

A Safety Culture Survey was carried out across all three company sites by a leading independent consultant. The methodology used structured interviews with employees to assess the safety culture across five different areas, namely Procedures, Perceived Organisational Value for Safety, Incident Reporting and Investigation, Safety Communication and Safety Training and Competence. Interconnector achieved a level 4 assessment (out of 5) in terms of Safety Culture Development with Procedures and Safety Communication reaching level 5.
A level 4 (Proactive) assessment is given to an organisation which goes beyond formal procedures and is looking at a broader range of indicators, both soft and hard, using leading as well as trailing indicators of safety performance. Safety is managed on the basis of working the problems that still may exist. Typically the organisation seeks to improve further on previous performance.

An extensive audit programme was executed to plan.  A number of key audits took place at both sites via an independent external auditor to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Three key areas of risk were chosen for the audits, Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres, Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment. There were no major findings of non conformance and findings are tracked through an action tracking register held centrally to ensure all actions are monitored through to resolution.

Emergency exercises were carried out to plan. A programme of emergency exercises took place during the year at all sites. The exercises ranged in nature from tests of specific aspects of the emergency procedures through to testing of the full emergency response procedures and took the form of table top and live exercises.

Current safety management activities include:

Safety Meetings.Monthly meetings are held at both Zeebrugge and Bacton involving IUK and contractor staff. Senior Managers from London are scheduled to make regular visits to the sites as part of IUK's commitment and provide input where appropriate. This will continue during 2009/2010.

Safety Report.A major revision to the Bacton Safety Report was carried out during the year. A draft report has been issued and an internal review is currently taking place with associated workshops.

Legislative Compliance. Further to the audits that were completed at both sites, actions have been agreed with the local management teams and these are now being actively closed out.

In order to maintain continuous improvement in our Health, Safety and Environmental performance, the following initiatives will be implemented during 2009/2010:

Process Safety – Develop the Bacton Safety Report via workshops to produce an improvement plan that reflects our major accident hazards and reduces the overall risk. Revision of the Zeebrugge Safety Report.

Human Factors – From a major accident hazard perspective review activities within the control room such as alarm handling. Review activities associated with our major accident hazard scenarios and the interaction of operational and maintenance staff in the prevention of major accidents.

In terms of personal safety carry out a DSE assessment at the Bacton site. (London and Zeebrugge assessments have been completed.) 

Action Tracking – A number of activities took place during the year, audits, culture survey, insurance visit. Ensure actions arising from the activities completed last year are closed to a satisfactory standard.

Health, safety and environmental policy (PDF - 27K)

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