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Journal of Australian Energy Producers
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Non peer reviewed)

Land transport—risk controls for the upstream industry

Scott Cornish
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Origin Energy.

The APPEA Journal 53(2) 441-441 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ12052
Published: 2013

Abstract

Land transport and driving safety is one of the highest risks faced by upstream oil and gas operating companies. APPEA has approached the issue by developing a code of practice for land transport activity that board and member companies have endorsed. This extended abstract reviews the risks of transport activities focusing on the key controls recommended to provide a systematic approach, emphasising driver behaviour.

Driver behaviour has been identified as a major contributor to incidents. To improve driver behaviour, a number of Australian companies have introduced In-Vehicle Monitoring Systems (IVMS) during the past few years. There are varied opinions about whether they reduce vehicle incidents; since introduction, results from the IVMS (driving behaviours) are quite interesting especially in remote area operations. The statistics show driver behaviour has improved since installing IVMS.

IVMS shows drivers comply more consistently with road rules, and an overall decrease in IVMS triggers (alerts) during the same time has been observed.

Like all systems, they are only as good as the people who use them. Without reporting and continual feedback and reinforcement on driver behaviour, installing an IVMS would not have as great an impact or influence on driver behaviour if driver feedback and reinforcement were not also aligned with overall driver management. In addition, IVMS should not be used as a way to catch risk takers, but they should be integrated into a business’s health, safety, and environmental management system (HSEMS). This is to first understand driver behaviour and then to be seen as a tool that can help gradually influence driver behaviour.

Scott Cornish is a group manager of HSE upstream oil and gas for Origin’s upstream business and is responsible for delivering both Origins’ emergency management systems and for providing guidance and advice about health and safety across Origin’s upstream businesses across Australia. With a career spanning more than 30 years in the oil and gas industry, he has held a various roles, including maintenance and operations, major projects from FEED through to commissioning, shut downs, and health and safety. He has also built a career in crisis management being actively involved within Australasia. His experience ranges from managing refinery incidents, tank farm fires, and hazardous material incidents, as well as being a key role within Origin’s Queensland flood emergency-management team for both regional sites and the head office in Brisbane.


References

APPEA, 2012—APPEA vehicle safety: vehicle safety guideline. Canberra, Australia: APPEA.

Australian Transport Council, 2011—National road safety strategy 2011–2020. Accessed 19 May 2013. http://www.atcouncil.gov.au/documents/files/NRSS_2011_2020_15Aug11.pdf.

Australasia College of Road Safety, ND—Rural roads. Accessed 19 May 2013. http://acrs.org.au/about-us/policies/safe-road-roadsides/rural-roads.

D’elia, A., Scully, J., and Newstead, S., 2012—Evaluation of vehicle side airbag system effectiveness. Melbourne, Australia: Monash University: Accident Research Centre.