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ITSC Awards photo

Congratulations to Total Safety’s Team for Winning Two ISTC Safety Awards

ITSC Awards photo

On May 26, 2022, Total Safety attended the 26th Annual Industrial Safety Training Council (ISTC) Safety Awards Banquet held in Beaumont, Texas.  The purpose of the ISTC Safety Awards program is to recognize the safety achievements of contractors working in the Gulf Coast area. The award publicly recognizes the excellent record of safety operations attained by contractors working in the refining and petrochemical industries. In order to be considered for an award, a contractor must be nominated.

Total Safety is honored to be nominated by our customer, ExxonMobil Beaumont, for our first-rate services and our excellent safety record. After a complete audit of Total Safety’s safety record by the ITSC, we are proud to announce that we were awarded the ITSC Safety Achievement Award – Years Worked, for working 12 consecutive years without an OSHA lost workday case involving days away from work.  Total Safety was also awarded the ITSC Safety Achievement Award – Sustained Performance category for sustaining a “zero” recordable incidence rate for three consecutive years.   Special recognition to Jeremy Wilson, Lead Air Tech, who was a finalist for the ITSC Trainer of the Year award.

Please join us in congratulating our Total Safety teams who put safety first each and every day to make winning the ITSC Safety Achievement awards possible.  Attendees at the award ceremony pictured left to right are Valente “Vee” Williams – EHS Technician and Employee of the Month for May 2022, Angela Heckard – EHS Supervisor, Jon Logue – IPSC Manager, Omar Scypion – HSEQ Supervisor, and Chris Robinson – Fire Supervisor.

Total Safety Wins “Best In Class” Award for Safety Excellence

On May 20, 2022, Total Safety attended the 35th Annual Houston Safety Excellence Awards event hosted by the Houston Business Roundtable (HBR) and Houston Area Safety Council at Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas. Each year they recognize contractors or subcontractors in the Texas Gulf Coast Area who achieved an outstanding record of on-the-job safety promotion and performance. The true purpose of the award process is to encourage collaboration on industry trends, innovative technology, best work practices, facilitate industry improvements, and encourage companies to work together on issues and initiatives. The Safety Excellence Awards evaluation teams only select the best of the best to be nominated for the award.

Total Safety was nominated by two of our customers. After the nomination was accepted by the HBR Safety Evaluation team, Total Safety’s HSE team had to prepare for a comprehensive audit of the company’s corporate HSE program and how it is implemented at the In-Plant Service Center (IPSC) level at the customer site. The audit teams are formed by other customers and peers in the industry.

Total Safety is proud to announce they were awarded the prestigious “Best in Class Award for Technical Support Large Contractor” category. Steve Long, Vice President HSEQ stated, “It’s an honor to be a part of the Houston Safety Excellence Awards process.  Being nominated in the first place is quite an accomplishment for our employees and then winning Best in Class in our category is very special.  We could not have achieved this without the support of [our customers] and the committed employees at Total Safety”.

Join us in congratulating our Total Safety teams who put in the challenging work and effort to make winning the “Best in Class” award possible.

Total Safety Phliadelphia Office Awarded OSHA’s VPP Star Status

Total Safety is proud to announce that our Philadelphia location has received OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star status. Total Safety would not have been able to achieve this level of excellence without the commitment of our employees and the leadership of management.

We would like to recognize the outstanding efforts of our employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health in accordance with OSHA’s VPP and within our own mission:

…to ensure the safe Wellbeing of Workers Worldwide.®

About OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP)

The VPP recognizes employers and workers in the private industry and federal agencies who have implemented effective safety and health management systems and maintain injury and illness rates below national Bureau of Labor Statistics averages for their respective industries. In VPP, management, labor and OSHA work cooperatively and proactively to prevent fatalities, injuries and illnesses through a system focused on:

  • Hazard prevention and control
  • Worksite analysis
  • Training
  • Management commitment and worker involvement

To participate, employers must submit an application to OSHA and undergo a rigorous onsite evaluation by a team of safety and health professionals. Union support is required for applicants represented by a bargaining unit. VPP participants are re-evaluated every three to five years to remain in the programs. VPP participants are exempt from OSHA programmed inspections while they maintain their VPP status.

To learn more about OSHA’s VPP, please visit their website at:

http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/vpp/

Make Your Turnaround a Success

Planning a turnaround is complex and involves many moving pieces from budgeting to execution planning. A shutdown can bring up many questions, complexities, and logistical concerns. Let’s look at how your next turnaround project can be less complicated with the right strategies.

It Starts with a Project Plan

As an organization, it’s important to define turnaround objectives. It’s a Turnaround Manager’s responsibility to create a project outline of all the work that needs to be accomplished and deliver a clear plan of action to reach those goals. Each project phase comes with its own set of challenges to keep the project on schedule, in scope, and on budget.

It’s vital to control the shutdown from one phase to the next, the plan needs to address all activities and expected deliverables. One big part of the plan is to evaluate if your business has access to life-safety equipment and qualified staff. This will improve safety while enhancing your business processes and mitigating risk.

Once you have a plan in place, it’s time to refine the scope of the project and create specific action plans for the work to be accomplished. This is the time to formulate cost estimates, schedules, work lists, and resources needed to complete the turnaround. Since cost control is a key component, it’s important to consider, for instance, if using confined space monitoring technology would be more cost-effective than hiring extra labor for the project. It is also the time to take inventory of supplies required to complete the project and answer critical questions. For example, do you have enough life-safety equipment on hand? Is the equipment inspected and in working condition? Do you need to source new equipment or is renting a better choice? Do you have a reliable maintenance program in place for your equipment? Are your employees trained to use the equipment? Answering these questions honestly will go a long way in figuring out how prepared you are for a successful project.

Risk Management

Risk management begins by minimizing the risks with the highest impact. Ensuring jobsite safety for workers, contractors, and visitors should be the top priority during the shutdown. When preparing for situations where workers will be faced with changing hazardous conditions, there will undoubtedly be grey areas and unknowns. While not all risks can be managed, if you implement solutions that will deliver the most effective risk management safeguards, the success of the project can be maximized.

Turnarounds that adopt data enabled/connected technology solutions are able to collect data points such as turnaround equipment location, atmospheric changes, permit status, staffing assignments, and even life-safety equipment calibration schedules. The ability to run reports in real-time drives efficiency and helps you make better decisions faster.

Consider working with an experienced partner like Total Safety. We understand the intricacies of a Turnaround Project and can help evaluate your jobsite’s unique set of priorities and risks, to formulate a plan for any situation. We bring turnkey solutions including best practices, training solutions and experienced safety personnel, plus, we have the latest connected worker safety technologies, ready to deliver on your jobsite

Worker Safety Technologies: The Key to Simplifying Complex Turnaround Projects

One way to have greater visibility into your turnaround or maintenance project is with data-enabled/connected technologies that make it easier to understand what is happening on your jobsite in real-time. Using Total Safety’s Connected Worker Solutions, creates a truly connected workforce and worksite. Having the ability to keep track of specific turnaround project activities and have key data readily available in an easy-to-use dashboard helps you make better decisions faster.

Total Safety understands that you are looking for ways to make turnaround projects not only safer, but also more efficient and more productive, especially in today’s climate due to COVID-19 and other market constraints. You have turnaround projects to do, and you want to do that work safely and on schedule. That is why Total Safety offers a wide variety of fully connected products and services that help you reach your operational goals.

Turnaround is where operational and worker safety are at their peak of vulnerability. Here is how Total Safety’s Solutions can help streamline your turnaround project:

SmartMonitor

During large-scale turnaround projects, being able to monitor the workers in confined spaces is critical. Our SmartMonitor – Centralized Confined Space Monitoring (CCSM) system uses advanced technology, connecting life-safety equipment and highly specialized technicians to workers in tight areas. With CCSM, entrants to confined spaces have 2-way communications, real-time continuous gas detection coverage, and are visible via high-definition cameras to operators monitoring the entire entry process from the centralized control room that is temporarily installed onsite. This solution is also scalable as a portable solution for easy use on short term – open, clean, and inspect operations. The technology has been proven and refined over the past 19+ years and can provide your project with a significant reduction of at-risk employees required for confined space operations.

WorkZone

Keep your jobsite safe and protected with connected WorkZone technology. Advanced atmospheric area monitoring, mobile-connected smart inspections, data-enabled breathing air SmartCompressors, and asset distribution with real-time tracking & alerts, will safeguard your jobsite and ensure compliance with OSHA and other site specific regulations. Our connected innovations keep work zones safe and ensure that equipment is operating efficiently.

Communication

During turnarounds, communication is key. Mission-critical 2-way communications like Motorola’s digital radios are ideal for these projects, maximizing safety, efficiency, and compliance by providing immediate communications during maintenance or shutdown. Total Safety offers a wide variety of communication technologies and solutions including – portable radio towers, signal repeating and system bridging solutions, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth connected networks, and cellular & satellite-enabled personal gas detection devices.

Guard

Wearable technology, such as Guard, keeps workers safe with real-time/data enabled monitoring, detection, and emergency notification capabilities. This compact and portable technology is especially crucial during shutdown and turnaround projects when worker safety and efficiency is required. The state-of-the-art connected technology includes – gas monitoring, motion and fall recognition, GPS location, dedicated push-to-talk communication channels, and emergency SOS activation to help assist in locating workers during critical rescue and/or evacuation situations. All data is collected via direct-to-cloud technology and KPI reports are available 24/7 via a robust password-protected web portal.

A turnaround is a complex (and expensive) endeavor. Leverage the experts at Total Safety to help make your turnaround, shutdown, or maintenance projects more successful with our full range of solutions. When safety matters, we’re ready.™

Need help planning your next turnaround? Talk to a Total Safety expert today. 

Brad Clark Headshot

Total Safety Names Industry Veteran Brad Clark as CEO

Brad Clark Headshot

Total Safety Names Industry Veteran Brad Clark as CEO

Experienced, growth-oriented industrial services executive will build upon the successes realized under the current leadership.

HOUSTON, January 11, 2022–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Total Safety U.S., Inc., a leading global provider of integrated industrial safety services, strategies, and solutions for hazardous environments and portfolio company of Littlejohn & Co., LLC (“Littlejohn”), today announced that it has appointed Brad Clark as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 17, 2022. Mr. Clark succeeds George Ristevski, who has decided to step down to pursue other endeavors.

Mr. Clark brings more than two decades of industrial services leadership experience to Total Safety, having most recently served as President and CEO of HydrochemPSC, another Littlejohn portfolio company. At HydroChemPSC, Mr. Clark oversaw the company’s strategic expansion of service capabilities and the acquisition and integration of Hydrochem in 2017. Mr. Clark led the sale of the combined business to Clean Harbors, Inc. in 2021. Previously, Mr. Clark served as President and CEO of PSC Industrial Outsourcing and Americas President of KBC Advanced Technologies.

A growth-oriented leader with strong industry relationships, Mr. Clark joins Total Safety well-positioned to build upon the successes of Mr. Ristevski’s tenure. Since 2017, Mr. Ristevski has implemented world class management processes, invested in technology and capability to expand the company’s offering, led Total Safety through five acquisitions that significantly increased sales and earnings in two years, and successfully steered the business through the pandemic.

Mike Kaplan, Managing Director of Littlejohn, said, “We have known Brad for many years and are excited to be working with him again in this important role. Total Safety has thrived under George’s leadership, and we are grateful for his contributions to the business, which have positioned the company for continued growth.”

Mr. Clark added, “I am thrilled to be joining Total Safety and to be partnering again with Littlejohn for this exciting opportunity. Looking ahead, I am eager to leverage all the capabilities Total Safety has built to grow in both our existing and new end markets and to expand upon George’s accomplishments.”

About Total Safety, Inc.

Houston, Texas-based Total Safety is the leading global provider of integrated industrial safety services, strategies, and solutions to keep workers and facilities safe. Formed in 1994 to serve the needs of the oil and gas industry, Total Safety transformed through internal growth and over 30 acquisitions to become the industry leader in safety solutions. Today, we are doubling down on our Technology Solutions, innovating the way we approach worker safety. With over 200 locations worldwide, we have the technology, equipment, compliance, and people to deliver the best industrial safety services tailored to your specific business needs. For more information about Total Safety, visit https://www.totalsafety.com/

About Littlejohn & Co., LLC

Littlejohn & Co. is a Greenwich, Connecticut-based investment firm focused on private equity and debt investments primarily in middle-market companies. With approximately $14 billion of regulatory assets under management, the firm seeks to build sustainable success for its portfolio companies through a disciplined approach to engineering change. For more information about Littlejohn, visit www.littlejohnllc.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220111005574/en/

What is Lone Working + How Can Lone Worker Technology Protect Workers?

How Safe Is Your Lone Worker?

Enabled by flexibility, adaptation, and technology, ‘lone working’ in almost every industry is on the rise. Yet lone workers face many challenges in the workplace, among them increased risks from both social and environmental hazards. Since lone workers operate in isolation, they require a different set of safety measures and solutions. In today’s industrial work environment, providing lone worker protection and advanced safety technology is absolutely crucial.

 

What is a lone worker?

The term ‘lone worker’ is actually more than it sounds. A lone worker is anyone who carries out their job tasks out of eyesight of colleagues and employers. You can find lone working jobs in a considerable number of industries such as construction, security, healthcare, and factory work.

“Total Safety is there to protect lone workers on the job, 24/7.”

 

Workers in every industry confront some degree of risk, yet the lone worker faces an increased risk simply due to the fact that they are alone. Lone workers cannot call out for help to a fellow worker in the event of an emergency. Furthermore, if workers run into any dangers or hazards, there’s nobody nearby to assist them or provide medical treatment.

 

OSHA Guidelines

Although there are no other federal OSHA rules that specifically apply to working alone, requirements of health regulations still apply. For example, OSHA’s guidelines for medical assistance require employers to have someone on site who is trained to administer first aid and that medical supplies are available (unless there is a hospital or clinic 3 to 4 minutes away). It is the employer’s responsibility to have medical treatment and first aid readily available to all lone workers.

According to Health & Safety International magazine, there are over 50 million lone workers in the United States, Canada, and Europe combined. This number represents about 15% of the entire overall workforce. These additional stats reflect the importance of implementing a lone worker safety policy:

  • 44% of workers say they face personal safety issues at their primary worksite
  • According to the US Department of Labor, there are 10,000 victims of sudden cardiac arrest at work annually
  • Each year, approximately 92 workers die in confined space related work incidents

These numbers indicate how dangerous it can be as a lone worker. S it’s clear that lone worker safety (and applying lone safety technology) should be a high priority for any organization.

 

Lone Worker Safety Devices

“Response time in emergency situations is critical. Every second counts. Connectivity is a key component in managing a timely response.”

Lone worker safety devices have become increasingly popular in recent years. These devices are designed to protect workers from the challenges that come with working alone. A lone worker safety device is a tool, app, or service which allows for communication with managers or a safety team in emergency situations. It provides a quick way to reach others in an emergency and provide reassurance for workers so they can get the job done with confidence.

To notify safety personnel, a lone worker safety device can have features like a has a panic button and GPS location capability to alert responders to where the worker needing assistance is located. Some devices will also offer additional functionality such as discreet panic, two-way audio, and recorded voice notes.

 

Device/System Advantages

Lone worker safety devices and systems connect workers across a variety of lone working job roles. Here are situations where lone worker systems provide such an advantage to employees:

  • Invisible Hazards (ie. poor air quality)
  • Trips and Falls
  • Heavy Equipment Accidents
  • Environmental Dangers
  • Medical Emergencies
  • Hazardous Objects (Injuries from being struck by or against nearby object)
  • Violence at Workplace
  • Vehicular Accidents

“Employee-worn technology and monitoring automation are the most robust solutions to keep lone workers safe.”

Employees may also be outfitted with a warning device or alarm. This may include panic alarms or other distress signals the employee can activate from the work site. Employers may also choose to utilize an automatic alarm that goes off under certain conditions, such as lack of movement or exposure to hazardous substances. Automatic alarms can be especially helpful for reducing safety risk in the event a lone worker has fallen unconscious or is unable to speak.

Alarms are available from multiple manufacturers and may be selected based on the specific characteristics of the work environment. The alarm itself won’t protect workers, so it’s absolutely critical to have an emergency response procedure in place once the alarm is triggered. It is the employer’s responsibility to protect their workers and train them on the Emergency Response Plan(ERP) specific to their job.

Finally, employers should implement a system for incident reporting so that if any accidents or injuries do occur, the situation can be remedied before additional incidents occur.

 

Implementing a lone worker policy

Training

Lone workers need to be trained and prepared for every possible scenario. Upon entering a workspace, it’s important for lone workers to know how to scan the environment for potential hazards. Some common conditions to look into include weather risks, chemicals, biohazards, or the potential for slips or falls. Conduct risk assessments to determine the best way to handle each individual situation. Your operation should have a clear emergency response plan in place and site managers must know how to execute the plan. Training and practice are critical in emergency situations.

 

Employee Communication

Communication technology has come a long way over the years. Advanced innovation in worksite communication gives lone workers access to intrinsically safe devices with features such as:

  • Panic Buttons
  • SOS Calling
  • GPS Location Capability
  • Two-way communication
  • Automatic check-ins
  • Fall detection
  • Movement detection

 

Mobile app solutions

Organizations are turning to mobile apps to improve lone worker safety. Today, mobile apps use location services to pin-point workers’ precise location and give them a connection to emergency assistance without pushing a button. Employees need personal safety devices that deliver such notifications within seconds.

 

Total Safety’s Guard

Guard keeps lone workers safe with connected worker technologies to provide real-time data and assistance in critical situations including emergency notification monitoring, motion detection, and open communication and alarm technology. From gas monitoring to motion and fall recognition, our connected wearable technologies  have a variety of capabilities.

 

When Safety Matters, We’re Ready.™

Now more than ever, it’s important to have the technology, real-time insights, and a working emergency response plan in place to protect your lone workers. For more information about lone worker solutions and our Guard technology, talk to a safety expert at Total Safety today. We’re ready to help!

Total Safety HEROES - Dolly, Sharmayne, and Denielle

Our People Make the Difference…. A HEROES Story

Total Safety HEROES - Dolly, Sharmayne, and Denielle

Meet Sharmayne, Dolly and Denielle. Early on the morning of Saturday, July 24th, 2021,  Sharmayne Pilisko, Dolly Villareal, and Denielle Olivares’s were in a Total Safety company truck on their way to a remote job site when they passed a house that appeared to have smoke coming from it. Without hesitation, the team decided they should investigate. They discovered a shed on the property was on fire and posed a serious threat to a nearby home.

The team’s emergency response training was put into action immediately. Sharmayne called 911, while Dolly and Denielle alerted the sleeping residents of the situation. The team was able to evacuate a grandmother, with her grandchildren, to a safe place. Next, they evaluated what property could be saved from the fire, and were able to save one of the family’s vehicles that was near the burning building.  The team waited with the family until help arrived.

Once the incident was under control, Sharmayne, Dolly, and Denielle continued to the job site and worked a full day as if saving lives is just part of a typical day’s work.  Meanwhile, the family called Total Safety’s dispatch office to express their gratitude for the thoughtfulness and bravery our employees displayed. They were able to assess the circumstances and make informed decisions that “helped save our family members, our home, a 50 year career, and our family legacy. “

Total Safety is proud to recognize the heroic acts of these three women for their extraordinary actions to ensure the wellbeing of others, no matter the situation.

Protecting Your Workers With Advanced Safety Technology

Without a doubt, your most valuable asset is your workers. Keeping workers safe should be at the top of every company’s priority list. To get the job done right, workers need to be healthy, safe, and protected. Safety is more than an action item, it’s a responsibility. Advanced safety technology is one way to help create a safer environment for your workers.

Technology can help prevent accidents, injuries, and loss of life through advancements like fall protection, GPS, wearable devices, real time communications, and gas detection. Not only does technology protect workers, it also helps operations stay in compliance with OSHA regulations.

Falls remain the number one cause of injury and death at construction worksites.

Innovation provides other benefits to your operation as well. For example, state-of-the-art monitoring systems centralize, analyze, and report data in real-time to help your business be more efficient, productive, and streamlines costs.

At Total Safety, our mission is to ensure the safe wellbeing of workers worldwide. That’s why we provide advanced safety technology and innovation to worksites around the world.

Let’s look at a few of our breakthrough technologies that help keep workers safe.

 

Fall Protection

Fall hazards can never be ignored. In fact, fall protection was the most-cited standard enforced by OSHA in 2019 and remains the number one cause of injury and death at construction worksites. Falls usually happen due to inadequate safety equipment, failure to safety procedures, improper use, and neglecting safety measures. With Total Safety, new innovations keep workers safe with real-time monitoring, motion and non-motion detection, and immediate alert technology. Fall detection devices are regularly inspected to ensure that protection meets safety and compliance regulation requirements.

 

Centralized Confined Space Monitoring (CCSM)

Working in tight, enclosed spaces can be a very challenging situation. Total Safety’s patented Centralized Confined Space Monitoring™ System (CCSM) maximizes worker safety by monitoring confined spaces remotely from a central control room. CCSM includes an innovative risk control process to employ dedicated equipment with trained safety technicians. Our system uses five types of technology which includes badge/ID reader technology, fixed gas monitoring, closed-circuit cameras, audible and visual alarms, and push-to-talk communications.

 

Gas Detection

Industrial worksites face the threat of gas exposure, which can endanger the lives of workers and compromise the project at hand. Our gas detection technology helps keep your workers safe from invisible threats. Trained technicians, intelligent software, and specialized equipment provide gas detection monitoring in real-time. Mobile-connected smart inspection, alerts, and asset tracking will safeguard your jobsite in compliance with OSHA regulations. Connectivity also provides the gateway to relay data to smart software for storage, organization, and reporting. 

 

Wearable Devices

When it comes to work safety, be assured that protection is always with you. Wearable technology, such as Total Safety’s Shield, keeps workers safe with real-time monitoring, detection, and immediate response. From gas monitoring to motion and fall recognition, wearable GPS devices track, notify, and provide emergency assistance in an instant to protect workers during critical situations.

 

Real-Time Communication

Direct, real-time communications is vital in mission critical situations. At Total Safety, we use Motorola 2-way radios because they are engineered for reliability in the toughest conditions and situations. Our connected 2-way radio systems, networks, and communications monitoring link workers to a centralized control room, ensuring immediate assistance and responsive incident resolution. Real-time communications help keep your workers safe, when they need it most.   

 

PPE Distribution

Today, personal protective equipment (PPE) is one of the most important items available to help safeguard your workforce. We utilize smart vending and online ordering of PPE to provide workers the essential equipment needed to get the job done safely and efficiently. Total Safety’s eDistribution technology makes it easy for you to order, monitor, track, and distribute PPE, tooling, and supplies. Total Safety’s eProcurement solutions combines technology and advanced reporting to ensure workforce safety and increase productivity.   

 

Asset Management

It’s crucial to make sure your workers have the right tools, at the right time, right at their disposal. Asset management solutions are designed to monitor, control, distribute, and maintain PPE, tools, and supplies to optimize production output. With our industrial vending machine’s auto-refill functionality and tool cribs, these solutions help increase productivity, efficiency, and peace of mind. 

 

The best way to keep workers safe is having the latest, most advanced technology on your side. We can help. Talk to a Total Safety expert today (888-328-6825) and find out more about our  worker safety technology. 

 

Tips for Turnaround Project Planning

 Plant turnaround is an inevitable reality and a common occurrence in many industries. A turnaround is a scheduled stoppage of part or all of a plant’s operation. It’s normal for operations to stop for maintenance, replace equipment, upgrade resources, or to maintain regulatory compliance. Over time, assets age, processes fail, and you may need to periodically shut down in order to get your operation back to full production again.

For any organization, turnaround is a massive undertaking. Beyond the possible financial pressures, this process can be one of the biggest challenges an operation can encounter. A shutdown can bring up many questions, complexities, and logistical concerns. Let’s look at how your next turnaround project can be more simple, safe, and streamlined.    

 

Planning For Success

As an organization, it’s important to define turnaround objectives with your turnaround project, plan 6-18 months in advance before the shutdown or turnaround occurs. Management must then clearly outline what work needs to be accomplished by creating a clearly defined set of criteria.

A sound mitigation strategy helps reduce downtime, improves safety, and reduces costs while enhancing business process optimization and mitigating risk. Plan for the unseen! It’s vital to control the shutdown without scheduled delays. From one phase to the next, the plan needs to address all activities and expected deliverables. Setting goals, developing strategies, defining tasks, and creating schedules form the basis of turnaround development and success.

Leadership can maximize efficiency by creating a Gantt chart and utilizing project management software. With these tools, teams can schedule and assign tasks, create a work breakdown structure, and evaluate progress in real-time.

Also, make sure stakeholders are on board with the process upfront. Share all facets of the upcoming event with stakeholders, like turnaround objectives, project preparation schedule, capital project integration, resource requirements, and initiating a dynamic risk management process.

 

Scope Management & Cost Control

After the initial planning is complete, it’s time to define the scope of the project and select the actual work to be accomplished. Cost control is a key component. It’s important to determine, for instance, if monitoring technology is more cost effective than hiring extra workers for the project. Once you have identified the specific work to be added to the scope, evaluate it thoroughly. If proposed work meets the requirement, include it in the project. If it does not meet the requirements, staff should consider scheduling it at a different time. During this phase, take time to identify and formulate cost estimates, schedules, work lists, and resources needed to complete the turnaround.       

 

Total Safety’s Worker Safety Technology

“Almost 50% of work-related accidents occur during plant maintenance outages and stoppages, according to TA Cook and Solomon Associates.”  

Turnaround is where operational and worker safety are at their peak of vulnerability. Ensuring jobsite safety for workers, contractors, and visitors should be a top priority during shutdown. Turnaround can present many challenges for safety and may involve workers performing tasks that aren’t necessarily routine. Also, a large number of contractors may be working on site for the first time with little knowledge of the equipment, supplies, and processes.

Here are a few advanced safety solutions you should include in your next turnaround phase.

 

 

SmartMonitor

During large-scale turnaround projects, monitoring in confined spaces is absolutely critical. A Centralized Confined Space Monitoring (CCSM) system utilizes advanced technology, connecting safety equipment and highly specialized technicians to keep an eye on workers in tight areas. With CCSM, entrants to confined spaces have an improved line of communication and visibility to operators in the centralized control room.        

 

WorkZone

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures ensure that machinery is properly shut off and unable to start up again prior to completion of maintenance work. LOTO software increases efficiency in creating complete and accurate lockout/tagout packages that include tags, field lists and associated documents, to help companies meet regulatory safety requirements by reducing inconsistencies caused by manual processes.

 

Communication

During turnaround, communication is key. Mission-critical 2-way communications like Motorola’s push-to-talk radios are ideal for these projects, maximizing safety, efficiency, and compliance by providing immediate service during maintenance or shutdown.

 

Guard

Wearable technology, such as Guard, keeps workers safe with real-time monitoring, detection, and immediate response. This portable technology is especially crucial during shutdown and turnaround projects. From gas monitoring to motion and fall recognition, wearable technology can track, notify, and provide emergency assistance to protect workers during critical situations. 

Total Safety provides all of these solutions to help safeguard workers during turnaround, shutdown, or maintenance projects.   

 

Risk Management

It’s important to know the potential risks associated with turnarounds. To help mitigate risk, work with experienced partners who understand turnaround procedures and provide solutions that enable you to plan for the unseen.

Risk management begins by minimizing the risks with the highest impact. Risks are added and subtracted from a list based on potential new risks, existing uncertainties, and other changing conditions. Not all risks can be managed, but if the team focuses on areas with the highest impact, the success of the project will be maximized.

Also, make sure your workplace is compliant with OSHA regulations. OSHA guidelines will help your operation adhere to required safety standards. To further manage risk, utilize worker safety technology, provide equipment such as air-breathing apparatus, and establish emergency response and safety personnel during the turnaround process.                

 

Stakeholder Communication   

It’s a good idea to communicate with shareholders as often as possible. Provide daily email updates and have scheduled check-in meetings to discuss progress, problems, or any potential monetary concerns. If a problem or delay does occur, resolution will be much easier if you’re in consistent communication with shareholders.            

Turnaround is a complex (and expensive) endeavor. But if your operation plans accordingly, assess the risks, and applies advanced technology to keep workers safe, your turnaround phase will go as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Need help planning your next turnaround? Talk to a Total Safety expert today.    

Protect Worker Wellbeing & Promote Compliance with a Health Compliance Officer

Guidelines are constantly changing in response to managing the health and safety of workers during the pandemic.  It can be challenging to keep up with all of the new requirements enforced by CDC, EEOC, OSHA, and local regulations.  Total Safety now offers Health Compliance Officers (HCOs) to bridge the gap between your specific jobsite environments and local mandates, promoting compliance and creating a healthier workplace.

Hiring a Health Compliance Officer.

Our Health Compliance Officers are trained in current pandemic workplace guidelines, and they have the leadership skills to adequately address issues with the management team on current health compliance. They will provide sound recommendations that can be quickly implemented, checked, and reported.

Improved safety culture.

Total Safety’s mission is …to ensure the safe Wellbeing of Workers Worldwide.  Our Health Compliance Officers bring this mission to your jobsite to encourage a culture of compliance by educating employees on the latest best practices, monitoring compliance adherence, and delivering daily reports on how well implemented protocols are followed. Having the HCO on your jobsite can make a significant difference in creating a healthy, professionally managed jobsite that increases employee participation and improves morale.

To learn more about how we can help you stay compliant, contact us today.  Download our Health Compliance Officer Flyer