Rodney Greenup, President, Greenup Industries
There is no way to predict the full impact of COVID-19 and how it will affect businesses across the U.S. However, it is safe to assume there will be substantial delays and cost implications. Many contractors may not be feeling the effects yet because they were considered “essential” during government work restrictions. But it is possible and likely that every business will be affected in some way eventually. As we navigate this uncharted territory, keeping these five points in mind may help you keep yourself, your employees and your company safe.
The first step is to ensure your business takes proper precautions to protect employees and their families. Although most construction work cannot be done remotely or correctly performed with social distancing, steps can be taken to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
Provide your teams with the proper PPE and training to support better hygiene and reduce the possibility of future virus transmissions from asymptomatic employees or unknown carriers.
Consider staggering shifts and sequencing work areas to avoid unnecessary groupings of workers. Utilize video teleconferences for your toolbox talks and safety meetings. Most importantly, work diligently to ensure that, despite the change in structure, safety measures remain robust, including proper supervision, safety inspections and accountability.
Hygiene, situational awareness and due diligence are operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They should be embedded in all your processes, encouraged and rewarded. Lead from the top down, empowering your teams to do what’s right and supporting proper habits on the ground.
Bring your staff together virtually to share their best thoughts, ideas and practices regarding hygiene and safety. Focus on prevention and what is working. If you allow your teams to report on unsafe practices without fear of repercussions, you will surely prevent more injuries, illnesses and disruptions to your workflow.
Provide safer jobsites for your workers by implementing touchless registration, virtual orientations, virtual training and automated health checklists.
This moment in history should be a catalyst for our industry; it’s the beginning of a long-term shift in the way we work. Companies that evolve their processes instead of merely adjusting and implementing minor changes will emerge as the leaders of our industry. Embrace change, analyze your processes, find areas for improvement and then search for the best possible solutions. Safety and good hygiene are not to be negotiated; they should instead lay the foundation of our future success.
The safety regulations at any refinery are extremely important and directly correlated to a staff's level of danger. Throughout the Gulf South, there are a large number of refineries, meaning there are thousands of workers who are at risk of injury for several hours a day. It is our job to make sure our people are safe.
There are inherent risks present in the industrial industry that must not be overlooked. It takes a detail-oriented, meticulous team to provide the proper environment for those working in the refining industry, which is why you don't often hear of major accidents or disasters on sites. Extensive procedures are conducted to manage potential risks all the while keeping operations running smoothly for all workers and the communities that surround these sites.
Because of the high safety standards, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports:
Refining is one of the safest industrial activities in the US, with fewer worker injuries than sectors such as education, retail sales, and financial services
The rate of non-fatal injuries among U.S. refinery workers declined by 36% between 2003 and 2011
Refiners operate under extensive self-imposed safety measures designed to provide maximum protection to our communities,
Greenup Industries has been recognized for its efforts to keep safety standards a top priority in all of our work and this would not be possible without our team of experts working in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and California. The oil and gas industry could be so much more dangerous, but with crews like ours, negative statistics are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Connect with Greenup Industries for more information about jobs, maintenance services and specialty services.
