Towing and Installation HSE 2

Finally after being towed for almost 2 days our work barge finally reach the location. The location is somewhere in the middle of Persian Gulf, specifically within Qatar water.

First thing that we need to do is setting  the barge into the working position. The barge deck will be very busy with rigger working around to hook the dead man anchor to the crane, transfer it to the towing boat deck . Next to prepare is the marking buoy and the protection buoy. The riggers have to board the towing boat to install the protection buoy.

The different between the two buoys, marking buoy is the one that serve as the reference point where the anchor being landed on the seabed. The protection buoy on the other hand is installed as to ensure the anchor wire cable wouldn't touch sub sea structure such as pipe line. This is to avoid any damage to the pipe line.

HSE must ensure the guys working near the water, wear work vest all the time. Pneumatic tools for tightening the bolt shall be latched or secured firmly to the barge or rigid structure. Handling the job also must be based on buddy system due to the tools is heavy and also involve vibration with the limited working space. HSE as always, must ensure PTW in place and monitor closely POB (Personnel On Board) movement.  As being discussed earlier in Part 1, H2S Escape set also must be available for the crew and provided to them in case they are assigned to work on the towing boat.

Finally when the barge is on position, then the work shall commence. Meanwhile the Marine Team lead by the Captain/Master will continuously monitor the weather and sea condition to ensure barge remain in the position.

Our team will wait for the Pipe Riser and the Riser Clamp  delivered by supply boat or material/dumb barge. Sometime we at field had to do some modification to those clamps or risers due to on field measurement sometime is not tally as per in the drawing. How we could know this? Yes, the diver on board will dive and check the measurement, clamp angle and riser length prior fixing them on the jacket/sub sea part of the platform.

The clamp/riser installation will occupied all available crew on deck, the rigger, crane operator and the diver control room. Good communication is very essential to ensure safety and quality of the job.

HSE need to monitor all the operation process, review the JHA, ensure PTW in place and interrupt immediately if any unsafe act/condition spotted. Yes, everybody has the authority to stop job and definitely HSE has the ultimate say on this. The issue will be highlighted to Barge Foreman who is the deck work leader and barge master if the issue is related to Marine. The barge superintendent and Company Site Representative also must be in loop on such matter.

After all the objective is to ensure everyone back to their family safely after the safe job execution.

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Towing and Installation HSE 1

When I was still attached to the Refinery Construction, I received an offer to join oversea job. This is an opportunity of a life time. I decide to grab it.

The Refinery company actually quite reluctant to let me go, they even assigned me to visit their site at Labuan for two weeks prior they release me for the oversea job to handle DOSH visit to the site if happen that DOSH officer do visit the site.

Off course basic requirement for oversea is one must have International Passport and I proceed to prepare that, thanks God Malaysian Immigration Department can process it within a day, so I managed to handle it in time.

Depend on the country that the project will be carried out, Visa may be be compulsory and required. Some job also requires one to have Seaman Book in hand so the hiring company can apply for Seaman Visa in case situation or job condition requires it.

For this job, actually the project is somewhere in middle east so as Malaysian we have priority and only Visa On Arrival (VOA) imposed to us. Therefore no need to apply Visa prior travel.

After the recruitment process completed then I set out to fly to middle east and finally reach there. I was assigned on board the  Work Barge . There are a lot of preparation required before the barge being given the green light to go to the offshore field. A lot of HSE Audit going on and training also took place for the crew.

The fire and alarm system being audited and tested to ensure functionality and crew training matrix being revised and any gaps shall be closed prior joining the project. Myself also need to undergo an interview session with the Client to ensure I have the capability to carry out the HSE function on board.

For sharing purposes, offshore field that produced Gas, usually linked to the H2S. Even though the crew have their H2S training in hand, but the Client required them to undergo training at  Local Training Center. Other than that Scaffolding training also shall follow local standard as well.

Since the barge is brand new the diving shack also need to be installed. Towing and Installation (TnI) job scope involve divers to install the clamp on the jacket leg. A lot of modification work on the deck which need to be properly monitored. Hot work on the deck is serious issue especially if oil or paint storage tank is nearby underneath the hot work area. The Hot Work at such area can only be carried out if permitted by the Barge Master.

For sharing as well, since the work barge is not self propelled, need to be towed in order to move, work on the concrete dead man positioning anchor and the buoy also need to be completed before proceed to the field.

Since H2S is the imminent at offshore field the Client impose a very stringent requirement which is to install cascade system for H2S on board. The cascade system work as the breathing air supplier on board in case any H2S leakage cases. HSE need to ensure all personnel on board issued with  the  H2S escape set  and also ensure place where there are always manning available such as dive shack (cabin), crane operator cabin, engine room, supply tug/anchor tug and bridge/wheel house also supplied with sufficient number of Escape set. The escape set is specially designed to have the piggy back which can be attached to the cascade system to ensure continuous breathing air supply until barge away from the H2S area or rescue is in place.

For H2S purpose as well, our company is compulsory to hire H2S technician on board to monitor the cascade system and the H2S detector. This is to ensure the system and the detector functioning as it should.

After all preparation is in place, the Client representative pay a visit to the barge and officially release the barge to sail offshore to the field.

Refinery Construction HSE

Hello All

April is my busy month as I 'm working hard to prepare program and other arranegments for my company to organize HSE engagement with Client.

I n last blog, I have shared on Top side Maintenance HSE aspect. My sharing is just partial of the process, kinda hints for learning on the scope. Nevertheless I hope that it should be helpful for those interested  to know.

After a while within the topside maintenance scope I decide to move on and stepping in something new as a career advancement as well knowledge attainment. My wish comes true as one of onshore Oil and Gas construction company call me in for walk in interview.

I braced myself for the interview and manage to secure the post and I was appointed to become an in charge for refinery construction project at Terengganu area. 

When you deal with onshore then you have to consider a lot of arrangement with the local Authority such as Immigration Department for foreign workers, Traffic police for the transportation, Deprtment of Environment on control of effluent and Mineral Department for any kind of excavation or removal of soil to name a few.

This mean as a focal point for HSSE, Health, Safety, Security and Environment all above had to be taken into account accordingly to ensure smooth construction progress.

Even though the scope is construction which is not yet deal with live plant, the activities such as heavy lifting, hot work, heavy equipment installation an other s still exposing workers and other staff to imminent hazard and risk.

Besides, HSSE also must be alert on all ongoing activities around the vast construction area, in my case there are about 25 huge storage tank being constructed within the area, walking around the area can suck all of the energy, normally company will provide bicycle or four wheel vehicle as the means of transportation.

HSSE also must be keen on the cranes and air compressor operated within the construction area in order to keep their "PMA" and "PMT" is valid all time. Otherwise this will become problem whenever DOSH officer visit the site for inspection. To know further on this, please visit  PMA, PMT DOSH for more information.

For me the big issue within onshore construction is "theft" problem. Off course theft happen anywhere but due to large storage of unused and brand new cable and a lot of metal junk, a lot of people wanna make money out of it. Every now and then I have to deal with this, report the case to the Project Manager and the Police of course. Sometime the situation become very much tricky when "insider" involved....security etc. Therefore HSSE have to be very careful on this matter.

HSSE also must organized their own meeting to ensure all program achieved and any KPI or any deliverable shall be discussed and highlighted to Project Management.

Again the Permit to Work must atop of any activities to ensure proper coordination and control.

Many times,  those critical lifting involves  furnace or  Flare Satck require  Tandem Lifting . These activities are critical to monitor and must have the priority above all other activities.

One of the most interesting part during my involvement in refinery construction is during the tank insulation process where the whole tank need to be insulated and the process where a vendor install anti leak t the bottom of the holding ponds to avoid contaminants sip through the soil. Maybe there is new technology being used currently to replace that process.

Well, I'm in the midst of preparing monthly reports to our Client and will chair the monthly HSE meeting this Thursday, so this is what I can share this time.

HSE for Topside Maintenance

Hello Again

Previously I have explained on the various scope of offshore job.

This time around, I will go further into detail of Topside Maintenance job which also known as TSM or TMM  Topside Major Maintenance.

By the name it should be clear that work involves only from Sea Deck or sometime known as Spider Deck, the lowest deck which is above sea water. Anything below water will not covered in TMM campaign and being taken care by the diver which.is another scope of work anyway.

The major job on TMM is basically in favour to cosmetic appearance of the top side/platform which deteriorated in due time. The whole structure of the topside will undergo grit blasting process. The process utilizing specialized environmental friendly grit which is look exactly like the sand but purple in colour. The grit blasting process will remove those old paint marks and any corrosion from the metal.  Then, primer and final coating will be part of the painting process to ensure prolong life/integrity of the topside and off course look as very nice standing structure above the sea.

Apart from that, the job also including changing instrumentation, tubing, handrail, grating,  pipe or any other item as part of process to ensure their performance integrity. I was also involved in the process of changing old helideck timber to set of new timber.

Well, what is the HSE function in Topside Maintenance Scope. The Safety Officer will be in charged of ensuring safe planning, preparation, execution and completion of the job that being carried out to accomplish the campaign.

The most important thing is to ensure every job issued with valid permit before it can be carried out. The platform most senior in charge known as OIM (Offshore Installation Manager) will be the final approver of the PTW (Permit to Work)

The most important job that need to be really taken care on the safety is the Hot Work job which involves spark generated task i.e Welding, Grinding etc. The job area atop, underneath and surrounding shall be flammable gas free and also free from combustible material. The AGT (Authorised Gas Tester) will come and check any reading of flammable gas within the area. If the hot work being carried out and with even small portion of flammable gas exist, the risk of explosion and fire is just around the corner. Therefore, Safety Office will work closely with AGT in this particular activity.

Other than that, other job such as rigging, lifting and scaffolding also will be governed by PTW under  Cold Work category.

Safety Officer will monitor and walk round the work area to give advice on the safe way to perform the job. To achieve this the Safety Officer must have exposure and experience.

The routine of the day will begin with General Tool Box Talk (general safety briefing) and everyone must attend this briefing as it is mandatory requirement. From Safety Officer, OIM, Offshore Construction Superintendant and Discipline Supervisor will give talk and briefly explain on their planned activity for the day.

Subsequently, group toolbox talk which is specific to the task will be held and all involve personnel shall attend, listen, participate and can voice out their comment before sign off the JSA (Job Safety analysis) or JHA (Job Hazard Analysis) and at some company it is known as TRA (Task Risk Assessment)

After that only the job can proceed with the PTW in place and the Supervisors with helpful and

handful hand of Safety Officer will ensure the job being performed safely.

My Journey in HSE

My journey in HSE

I am quite occupied with my task and plus a lot of arrangement for the undertaking of my new house makes me drifted away from my blog.
Well to share on my journey in HSE, I will narrate from my first job till my current job. I will explain further on each job subsequently in the next following post.

The first job that I joined is known as Topside Maintenance. The location is offshore Sarawak and Sabah area.Basically the job is about to ensure offshore platform sustainability. Offshore environment can be harsh thus affect the integrity of equipment, piping and the physical of the platform itself. Thus, maintenance  is required.

The second job which I'm attached is Refinery construction. This is onshore project and base in Terengganu and involve a lot of work scope from Civil to Completion and Commissioning. Onshore is challenging as offshore in term of managing overall HSE aspect.

Then I jump back to offshore job and this time around is in Middle East. The job tittle is Towing and Installation also known as T&I, The scope involving installing of Riser and J tube for Pipe spool and offshore cable. This part of the world is well known for the 'Hot and Humid' condition.

Immediately after this job I was offered a position as HLO which is stand for Helicopter Landing Officer. This job is at offshore border between Malaysia and Thailand, the area known as Joint Development Area between Msia and Thai. The job is handling the crew movement via Helicopter or Chopper. I must say this kind of job is full of adrenalin because the HLO is responsible for the safe operation on Helideck, even the Chopper pilot will get confirmation from HLO  a "Clear to Land" before they actually landing on the Helideck.

After my contract finished with HLO job, I was offered a job as HSE onboard the Heavy Lift Vessel, The scope involves Lifting and installing 7 modules weighing from  200 MT to 1200MT and the location is at offshore Labuan. Those modules install on a main frame to become the complete offshore platform unit with integrated Living Quarters and Flare atttached.

Once completed I received a call with regard an offer as PTW HSE, PTW stand for Permit To Work. The job is involving diving  and I'm in charge of coordinating the Permit to Work onboard the Diving Vessel. I was at Terengganu offshore for this job

After this job I fly back to Middle East to join Pipe Lay project in Persian Gulf. The job involve joining special material and coated pipe on a vessel using Auto and Manual Welding. After that the pipe then slowly lay down to Sea bed, ready for commissioning and future usage as medium of transporting Gas or Crude Oil to onshore or to other offshore facility.

Finish job means contract also expired and I join a company that having the hook up and commissioning contract with a Client, this time around I was base in Kuala Lumpur office to monitor HSE performance and liaise with Client on HSE matter. This job is just a while and then I got offer to work in Ship Lay up job.

Ship lay up job actually to monitor HSE related scope onboard vessel that being laid up due to not having a business. At one time my compamny manage up to 67 huge vessel and I have to visit those vessel on daily basis. This was again at Labuan.


Finished with this job, I return to Kuala Lumpur for HSE documentation job for Turkemenistan undertaking. As this is more on office work, I prepare training module, Training Matrix and involve in the pro mobilizing activities.

Then, I'm back to offshore and again on Pipe laying job but the location is in Russia, specifically at Black Sea. Actually the pipe that we laid is for transporting Gas to be used for organizing Sochi Winter Olympic. When I saw the Sochi Winter Olympic game, I feel proud of myself because I am part of the team that lay the pipe for that game.

Finished with above job I fly to Shanghai for monitoring HSE scope of Vessel under construction at the shipyard. I managed to travel twice to Shanghai before the vessel construction and sea trial completed. I was onboard the vessel for 28 days voyage from Shanghai to Dubai across South China Sea, Indian Ocean, Oman Gulf  and Persian Gulf. Mid way at Sri Lanka we stop to pick up armed security personnel to guard our safety as we about to cross the Oman Gulf. Thanks God, no pirate attack us and we discharge the armed security at Oman and complete our voyage to Dubai.

I'm again become frequent flyer to middle east involves with Jacket Leg installation and Heavy Lifting of the module onto those jacket leg. I am monitoring the safe lifting and operation of hydraulic hammer and the safe transfer or personnel throughout the operation.

After this job I join jack up drilling rig in Singapore for refurbishment  job and after that I stay onboard while the rig being towed to offshore Vietnam location for the drilling campaign.

After completed  my hitch, I return to Malaysia and join onshore fabrication job at the fab yard for several years.

So as now I join well logging company and base in KL office, but still need to travel to Jakarta, Terengganu and Labuan to cover HSE scope. Depending on the job requirement I might travelling around Asia for any HSE coverage requiring my existence and assistance.

Will write again soon

 

Travel to Offshore By Boat

Hi All Again

This time I will share on my experience travelling to offshore by Boat, remember it's not the Love Boat but it is either Fast Crew Boat or Supply Boat cum Crew Boat

Most of Client require Crew to undergone Urine Check at the jetty before board the board the identify the traces of  drugs in the urine. If you are taking any medication, do declare in advance to protect yourself, so if they found something they know that you are under medication. Urine test must CLEAR as a green light to board the boat

This process is recognized as Mobilizing/demobilizing also known as Mob/Demob is term in referring to personnel movement between going to offshore (Mob) and return to base for vacation (Demob).

Earlier on we have discuss on the training requirement, I hope you guys and gals already got the Idea on requirement for offshore, if you need further explanation please come back to me and I'll share whatever information I can. Therefore when we talk about Mob/Demob those involved already got Medical and Training required to work offshore.

Now, back to the journey to offshore by Boat.

Please find photo in the link  on how does the Fast Crew Boat look like Fast Crew Boat

The other boat is Crew Boat cum Supply Boat  Supply Boat cum Crew Boat.

What make this twp type of boat different to each other. Actually by their function, for Fast Crew Boat, the boat function is dedicated for mobilizing/demobilizing  crew to/from offshore and can carry lightweight material/equipment to offshore as well. There is no Bed provided for the travelling crew because the journey to offshore location may take few hours only. There are rows of seat and normally TV is available for the entertainment.Meals is unlikely provided and normally the travelling crew will bring some food with them.

On the other hand, Crew Boat cum Supply Boat is more as a  medium of transferring equipment, water supply, oil supply, food, equipment/machinery and other equipment to and from offshore. In the same time this kind of Boat have extra cabins(rooms) which can accommodate the  travelling crew. The crew will be more relax as they can have rest/sleep along the way to the offshore location.
Meals also provided in this type of boat for the passenger.

Any how the decision on which type of boat being used is depend on Client decision

Before the journey start the Boat crew will play the travelling offshore safely with boat Video and briefing on the emergency response, location of life jacket, life raft and other information related to the boat i.e Washroom, prohibited area and so on.

Both boat are pretty comfortable BUT it is entirely depending on the sea condition during the travelling period. I f the sea state is calm than it is a bonus for the crew as there will be not much rocking and pitching, splashing which can cause uncomfortable condition

If the sea condition is against the crew they should have the motion sickness pills taken 30 minutes prior boarding the boat. Depending on the individual it can go to the worse case scenario, just laying on the boat floor, can do nothing because of the sea sickness. This can be prevented if someone have a good rest, enough meals prior board the boat and better still take the motion sickness pills.

BUT above all, even the travelling can become less comfortable, as offshore worker or crew, they expected can face and handle this accordingly and professionally.

Till then, I write again soon













Selamat bersua  kembali,

Kali ini saya akan berkongsi pengalaman saya mengikuti perjalanan ke luar pesisir menggunakan Boat, ingatlah ia bukan perlayaran cuti-cuti tetapi ia adalah menggunakan  sama ada Fast Crew Boat atau  Bot bekalan merangkap Crew Boat

Kebanyakan Operator meletakkan pra syarat Crew untuk menjalani Semakan Urine di jeti sebelum dibenarkan menaiki bot bagi mengenal pasti kesan dadah dalam air kencing. Jika anda mengambil mana-mana ubat, isytiharkan terlebih dahulu untuk melindungi diri anda, jadi jika mereka mendapati ada unsur dadah dalam air kencing anda, mereka tahu bahawa anda mengambil ubat. Ujian air kencing mesti lulus sebagai lampu hijau atau kebenaran untuk menaiki bot.

Proses ini diiktiraf sebagai Mobilizing /demobilizing juga dikenali sebagai Mob / Demob adalah istilah dalam merujuk kepada pergerakan anggota antara pergi ke luar pesisir (Mob) dan kembali ke darat/base untuk bercuti (Demob).

Terdahulu dari ini,  kita membincangkan keperluan latihan, saya berharap anda semua  sudah mendapat Idea berhubung  keperluan untuk menyertai kerjaya luar pesisir, jika anda memerlukan penjelasan lanjut sila email kepada saya dan saya akan berkongsi apa sahaja maklumat yang saya boleh untuk membantu anda menyertai bidang luar pesisir.

Oleh itu apabila kita bercakap mengenai Mob / Demob mereka yang terlibat pastinya sudah lulus pemeriksaan perubatan dan selesai/lulus semua latihan dikehendaki untuk bekerja di luar pesisir.

Sekarang, kembali kepada perjalanan ke luar pesisir menggunakan bot.

Sila lihat foto dalam pautan dia atas untuk mengetahui apa itu  Fast Crew Boat.

Bot lain adalah Bot Bekalan Bot merangkap Crew Boat.

Apa yang membezakan kedua2 bot ini  antara satu sama lain. Sebenarnya ianya melalui  fungsi mereka, untuk Fast Crew Boat, fungsi bot didedikasikan untuk mobilizing / demobilizing anak kapal ke / dari luar pesisir dan boleh membawa bahan  / peralatan ringan ke luar pesisir juga. Tiada katil disediakan untuk crew yang membuat perjalanan kerana perjalanan ke lokasi luar pesisir menggunakan fast crew bot ini mengambil beberapa jam sahaja. Terdapat  kerusi  dan TV untuk hiburan sepanjang perjalanan. Makanan  biasanya tidak diberikan dan biasanya crew akan membawa bersama dengan mereka makanan sendiri secukupnya.

Sebaliknya, Bot bekalan merangkap Crew Bot lebih merupakan medium membawa peralatan berat, bekalan air, bekalan minyak, makanan, peralatan / mesin dan peralatan lain ke dan dari luar pesisir. Dalam masa yang sama, Bot ini mempunyai kabin tambahan (bilik) yang boleh menampung crew dalam perjalanan. Crew boleh berehat denagn lebih selesa kerana mereka boleh berehat / tidur sepanjang perjalanan ke lokasi luar pesisir. Makanan juga disediakan dalam jenis ini bot untuk penumpang. Tetapi kebiasaanya mode bot yang digunakan bergantung kepada keputusan operator.

Sebelum memulakan perjalanan krew bot yang akan menayangkan video perjalanan ke luar pesisir menggunkana bot dengan selamat dan taklimat mengenai tindak balas kecemasan, lokasi jaket keselamatan, rakit keselamatan dan maklumat lain yang berkaitan dengan bot iaitu lokasi tandas, kawasan larangan dan sebagainya.

Kedua-dua bot cukup selesa TETAPI ia sepenuhnya bergantung kepada keadaan laut dalam tempoh perjalanan. Sekiranya  keadaan laut  tenang, ia adalah satu bonus untuk crew yang ada kerana tidak banyak goyang atau olengan yang boleh menyebabkan keadaan yang tidak selesa.

Jika keadaan laut adalah bergelora, crew sebaik-baiknya  mengambil pil mabuk laut  30 minit sebelum menaiki bot. Bergantung kepada individu, kebiasaannya kesan olengan  itu boleh menyebabkan senario yang teruk, seperti berbaring dan berehat di lantai bot dan  tidak mampu berbuat apa-apa kerana mabuk laut. Ini boleh dielakkan jika seseorang mempunyai rehat yang baik, makanan yang cukup sebelum menaiki bot dan lebih baik lagi mengambil pil mabuk laut sebelum perjalanan.

TETAPI, walaupun perjalanan boleh menjadi kurang selesa, sebagai pekerja atau crew luar pesisir, anda adalah dijangka dapat menghadapi dan menangani situasi ini dengan sewajarnya dan profesional.

Sehingga itu, saya akan menulis lagi selepas ini

Specialized Mandatory Training

So far I have covered the BOSIET and HUET part of offshore Training

Next, I will discuss on some special required mandatory training.

This kind of training is mandatory  due to the inherit hazard within mostly in the Gas and Crude Oil  produced by the specific well.

This substances are really hazardous to life and health which  expose  human to death and long term chronic effect.

What are they??

They are known as H2S  Hydrogen_sulfide

 and Mercury Mercury_(element)

If someone about to travel to the field with H2S or Mercury exist in the production then they must attend H2S and Mercury Awareness Training prior departure to offshore.

In case of Mercury the person also must undergone Mercury Health Screening prior depart to the offshore field to have the base line level, Once return from offshore again medical screening will be required to see any mercury existence reading in the blood.

Setakat ini saya telah membincangkan topik BOSIET dan HUET  dalam bahagian Keperluan Latihan untuk bekerja di luar pesisir.

Seterusnya, saya akan membincangkan beberapa latihan mandatori khas yang diperlukan.

Ini adalah jenis latihan yang wajib kerana bahaya yang terdapat  dalam Gas dan Minyak mentah yang dihasilkan atau dikeluarkan dari telaga minyak.

Bahan-bahan ini adalah benar-benar berbahaya kepada nyawa dan kesihatan yang mendedahkan manusia kepada kematian dan kesan kronik jangka panjang.

Apakah bahan-bahan tersebut ??

Mereka dikenali sebagai Sulfida H2S Hidrogen dan  Mercury.

Jika seseorang akan bekerja di pelantart dengan H2S atau Mercury wujud dalam pengeluaran, mereka mesti menghadiri kursus atau latihan H2S dan Latihan Kesedaran Mercury sebelum bekerja di pelantar luar pesisir tersebut.

Dalam kes Mercury,  orang yang berkenaan juga perlu menjalani Pemeriksaan Kesihatan Mercury sebelum berlepas ke lapangan luar pesisir untuk mengetahui tahap paras mercury dalam darah jika ada, Setelah pulang dari luar pesisir pemeriksaan perubatan sekali lagi akan diperlukan untuk melihat sekiranya terdapat kewujudan merkuri dalam darah akibat terdedah kepada kehadiran bahan tersebut di lapangan kerja di pelantar luar pesisir.