The all-new NEBOSH HSE Introduction to Incident Investigation Course is here! And we’ve got a really sweet video to introduce you to this health and safety offering. What’s even sweeter is that Reynolds Training Services is one of the first learning partners NEBOSH has accredited to offer the practical one-day course.
When it comes to establishing the causes of a major incident, it is imperative the findings are thorough and completed to the highest standard. In order for this to be the case, your team must be trained with the right skillset.
After all, ensuring the safety of employees and all those who use the site, is one of the most important responsibilities an employer has.
NEBOSH and Great Britain’s Health and Safety Regulator, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), jointly developed a new one day qualification that shows how non-complex incidents can be investigated effectively. By learning lessons and making improvements, organisations can avoid similar incidents occurring in the future.
Barry Wilkes, Director of Strategy at NEBOSH said the course is “focused specifically on undertaking incident investigations.”
He added that it is “aimed at general managers, supervisors and people who undertake routine investigations within their organisation.”
Play introductory safety course video
The one day course focuses on giving investigations a more thorough outcome, with the following results which will:
Drive down repeated incidents so they don’t happen again
Adopt a robust approach to incident investigation that reflects best practice
Identify risk control measures that require improvement
Sharpen your own learners hazard awareness
Improve safety culture by being proactive when it comes to incident investigation
Want to know more?
Our one day course can give your investigators all the tools they need to provide a thorough investigation within your organisation. This is imperative for reporting back findings, as well as ensuring the same incidents are not repeated in the future.
If you would like more information about the NEBOSH HSE Introduction to Incident Investigation Course, including costs and availability, contact Karon Reynolds on 01469 552846, email karon@reynoldstraining.com or fill in the form below:
At Reynolds Training Services, we’re delighted to be one of the first learning partners NEBOSH has accredited to offer its new Introduction to Incident Investigation qualification.
This practical one-day course covers the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of minor incident investigation, to help ensure such incidents don’t happen again, and don’t develop into major incidents.
John Reynolds, Managing Director at Reynolds Training Services, said: “The course shows how non-complex incidents can be investigated effectively. It’s suitable for anyone who gets involved in incident investigations, including team leaders, SHE champions and safety representatives.
By “learning lessons and making improvements”, organisations can “avoid similar incidents occurring in the future”, he added.
Introduction to Incident Investigation course: key features
The course gives the skills and understanding required to:
Independently investigate simple incidents
Gather evidence, including conducting witness interviews
Produce an action plan to prevent a recurrence of an incident
The end-of-course assessment allows learners to analyse a filmed case study, critique interview technique and make recommendations to avoid a recurrence.
This new Incident Investigation qualification will help your organisation to:
Drive down repeat incidents
Adopt an incident investigation approach that is robust and reflects best practice
Identify any risk control measures that require improvement
Sharpen the hazard awareness of learners
Improve safety culture by being proactive when it comes to incident investigation
NEBOSH and the HSE
Matthew Powell-Howard, Qualification Development Manager at NEBOSH, said: “The underlying and root causes of incidents are very rarely explored fully. This qualification will help learners understand what a robust approach to non-complex incident investigation looks like, which will help improve the health and safety culture within organisations.”
Jill De Nardo, Head of Commercial Training at the HSE Training and Events, added: “If minor incidents and near-misses are investigated well, organisations could potentially prevent more serious or catastrophic incidents happening. Investigating incidents helps you to identify trends and ensure your control measures are effective.”
The one-day course, NEBOSH HSE Introduction to Incident Investigation, is designed to appeal to as broad an audience as possible in terms of both job role and industry. It is taught in an accessible and enjoyable way.
Want to know more?
If you would like more information about the NEBOSH HSE Introduction to Incident Investigation Course, including costs and availability, contact Karon Reynolds on 01469 552846, email karon@reynoldstraining.com or fill in the form below
The Energy Institute’s (EI) Containment Systems Working Group (CSWG) is calling on industry to help shape new above-ground storage tank guidance in a drive to establish industry good practice on remedial work to tank floors where an under tank liner is installed.
A trio of surveys have been rolled out to gather expert views from industry operators, membrane suppliers, installers and maintainers. The resultant guidance, which is being prepared by IKM Consulting and the EI’s CSWG, strives to further develop last year’s Guidance on conceptual design, selection and life cycle assurance of products intended to improve integrity of bases of above-ground storage tanks holding petroleum, petroleum products or other fuels.
In a circular to its members The Tank Storage Association, the industry organisation dedicated to the professional provision of third party bulk liquid storage in the UK, raised awareness of the survey which elapses on March 20th, 2019.
Above-ground petroleum storage tanks guidance
The EI explains how the upcoming technical development project aims to:
Define good practice procedures that would preserve the integrity of under-tank liners where remedial AST floor repairs are required, which otherwise would most likely damage the under-tank liner.
Define good practice procedures to reinstate or repair an under-tank liner that has been inadvertently damaged in this way.
The publication set to be developed in this technical development project is designed to provide site operators with the necessary knowledge
to make informed decisions about safe options for AST floor work and its interface with under-tank liners, such that:
Containment integrity is preserved – A damaged AST floor potentially provides a pathway for liquid product to escape onto the under-tank liner and consequently threaten environmental receptors. In addition, the under-tank liner should not be damaged by remedial works.
Additional hazards are not introduced – Hot works to repair a leaking AST floor has the potential to create a flammable atmosphere by volatilisation of trapped liquids.
And the survey says…
The Energy Institute “would appreciate some of your time to answer the following questions” in order to help to inform the “preparation of the guidance document and shape good practice”. The group advises that it may seek to speak to respondents in more detail following completion of the questionnaire. Upon completion of the survey, you’ll be given the option to take part.
Get started now by selecting the questionnaire which is most relevant to you as an industry representative:
Tank liner integrity during tank floor works – Industry questionnaire for Operators (13 minutes)
Tank liner integrity during tank floor works – Industry questionnaire for Installer (5 minutes)
Tank liner integrity during tank floor works – Industry questionnaire for Suppliers (4 minutes)
Information supplied through the survey, which must be completed by 3rd April 2019, is anonymised and any “further correspondence will be treated in confidence if necessary”.
Respondents able to supply further information and drawings, can do so by emailing information to lkomaromi@energyinst.org. If you are responding to a specific question via email, state the title of the survey and question number.
It’s that time of the year again where we’d like to take a moment to thank all of our customers, partners, suppliers and friends. Merry Christmas to one and all, and a Happy New Year.
Safe to say 2018 has flown by quicker than Santa’s sleigh. And, at Reynolds Training Services, we’ve had a fantastic 12 months bringing safety training and competency assessment and management to businesses around the world.
Health and safety isn’t just for Christmas, it’s for life. The standards we, as industry set, follow us all year round. The same can be said about animals. That’s why, instead of sending cards to you all, we’ve decided to support two animal charities close to our hearts.
Mr and Mrs Claus – or Karon and John Reynolds, as they are known outside the festive season – will each make donations on behalf of our company. Christmas is all about giving, so take a moment to check both out and spread the word.
Second Chance Cat Rescue – Karon’s choice
Meet Karon’s chosen charity: Second Chance Cat Rescue. Based in Keelby, SCCR’s team of volunteers perform incredible work all year round in North East Lincolnshire.
With many years experience in the rescue, protection, and homing of both cats and kittens, SCCR spends many hours looking after these cats and kittens.
The team’s fundraising efforts help ensure fosterers have enough funds to cover the cost of:
Foundation for Abandoned and Mistreated Animals (F.A.M.A.) – John’s choice
Meet John’s chosen charity: The Foundation for Abandoned and Mistreated Animals. F.A.M.A. is a foundation that is funded solely by voluntary contributions.
They strive to provide an acceptable standard of life to abandoned animals and work to the policy to never have a healthy animal put to sleep.
Since its inception in 2003, the charity has successfully arranged the adoption of over 2,000 dogs.
With 2018 drawing to a close and, as Santa gears up in his PPE, we too are preparing for another safe year ahead. The whole Reynolds Training Services family thanks you for your support, input and continued trust. We can’t wait to work with you again in 2019.
Until then, Merry Christmas to all and to all a safe night.
Reynolds Training Services has received Ofqual approval of its new qualification, the PAAVQ-SET Level 3 Diploma for a Bulk Storage Operator (Technician).
The vocational qualification was designed by Reynolds Training to underpin the new Apprenticeship for a Bulk Liquid Terminal Technician, but can also be undertaken as a standalone qualification by more experienced operational personnel.
“This is fantastic news for our clients, new entrants to the industry and those currently working within the sector,” said the company’s MD, John Reynolds. The qualification, he added, also underpinned the new Science and Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship Specialism for Bulk Liquid Terminal Technicians.
Explaining how the Level 3 Diploma would help foster career progression, Mr Reynolds continued: “It gives a clearer progression route for operational personnel within the storage sector that could lead to higher levels in organisations such as supervisory and management roles.”
The qualification gives a wider and more in-depth focus on process and occupational safety, human factors, emergency response and technical operations – in short, addressing the criteria of more complex operations that can now face operational teams.
Mr Reynolds said the diploma took account of the “wider changes to the bulk liquid storage sector” which have taken place in the years following Buncefield.
TSA Conference and Exhibition 2018
Reynolds Training Services will be on hand at this years’ TSA Conference and Exhibition on the 27th September 2018, to give delegates a firsthand taste of its new course and apprenticeship.
Be Prepared, the Scout’s motto, could have been coined to describe an Emergency Response Plan (ERP). In the high hazard sector risks run high, so being prepared is essential. That’s the approach Reynolds Training Services (RTS) takes and, indeed, is the backbone of its safety partnership with UM Storage Ltd.
UM Storage operates bulk liquid storage facilities for foodstuffs, feed grade and industrial products in the UK. The company was looking to further strengthen their emergency response systems explained Tom Chambers, Safety Health & Environment Manager, UM Storage Ltd.
“Emergency Preparedness training helps UM Storage meet its legal requirements to our employees, visitors and neighbours,” he said. “A well-planned procedure for dealing with Emergency Preparedness increases our effectiveness when managing potential emergency situations with ‘Practice makes Perfect’ immediately coming to mind.”
UM Storage strategy for safety training
UM Storage liaised with its safety provider, RTS. The IOSH Approved Principles and Practice of Emergency Response was unpackaged, and customised around UM Storage specific procedures at their Merseyside and Humberside sites.
The two-day course, included:
Day 1: Outlining the core principles
Day 2: Practical elements which incorporate a simulated incident based on UM Storage Major Accident Hazards
“The two-day course was excellent,” commented Mr Chambers. “We also benefited from the fact that it was independently accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH).”
RTS, an accredited centre for IOSH, recently gained approval for its principles and practice of emergency response course. The addition of IOSH added “credibility” and “confidence to the course, said Mr Chambers.
Like many Upper, Lower and Sub COMAH Sites, emergency response is high up UM Storage agenda. Reynolds Training Services managing director John Reynolds explained: “Emergency response plans limit or reduce the consequence of a major accident when planned and deployed effectively”.
So let’s take a look at how Reynolds Training Services and UM Storage worked in partnership to refine and strengthen their emergency response plan, improving standards and fostering compliance in the process.
The safety challenge
No two high hazard sites are the same. Each is unique. Each has their own major accident hazard footprint. And each has its own potential consequences.
ERPs can enable fast and decisive site-wide action to contain the fallout of an incident, saving lives, protecting property and the surrounding community. But there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.
UM Storage understands this, embracing a safety-first approach. The initial safety challenge was therefore to identify potential hazards and consequences across its Merseyside and Hull sites. Reviewing these enabled the formation and revision of existing Prevention and Mitigation measures.
“Having a ERP plan is fantastic, but leaving a manual on the shelf gathering dust won’t cut it,” said Mr Reynolds. “The contents of any ERP must be communicated, with skills practiced to ensure it can be implemented if required.”
Mr Chambers agreed. Alongside knowledge-based training, the company required a day of practical implementation which simulated real-life hazards with involvement from key stakeholders.
The safety solution
Reynolds Training, in conjunction with UM Storage, set about developing a two-day course around HSG191; the guidance for emergency planning under the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations. Clear project deliverables were set. These underscored the need for the course to:
Cover knowledge including the roles and responsibilities, resources, the Emergency Control Centre (ECC), and the types of equipment UM Storage were utilising.
Understanding what an emergency plan is and the roles of the main and incident controller.
Include a practical element to enable Reynolds Training Services to run onsite exercises based on UM Storage major accident hazards, utilising their emergency response plan, and delivering it to a cross section of employees.
The two initial exercises run by Reynolds Training were delivered at Gladstone Dock, Liverpool and King George Dock, Hull. Mr Chambers recalled how both planned exercises included the involvement of the Port Authorities, Emergency Services and Enforcement Officers from both the Environment Agency and the Health & Safety Executive in their combined Roles as the COMAH Competent Authority.
“The exercises presented a variety of scenarios for the UM Storage facilities to deal with, at all levels,” he said. “At the end of the day, everyone stated that they really enjoyed both the training and the opportunity to run such a detailed exercise.”
As part of the delivery process, Reynolds Training Services were also asked to chair a feedback session with UM Storage across both sites. This was designed to aide the coordination of the learning outcomes which emanated from the exercises themselves. Three key questions were floated:
What went well?
What didn’t go quite so well?
What can be learned from that for the future?
The safety outcome
The interactive, results-driven course fuelled the competency levels of UM Storage personnel to manage emergency situations. Mr Chambers said it also imparted employees with “added confidence to manage emergencies with a high degree of confidence of a satisfactory outcome in the event of having to deal with an emergency for real”.
Key outcomes include:
Improved knowledge
Demonstrable performance against UM Storage ERP
Demonstrable evidence UM Storage reviewed their plan and can make alterations against it as required
IOSH approved certificate
An appetite for a healthily safe strategy
The Emergency Response two-day course formed only one element of the UM Storage strategy for training. Going forward, Mr Chambers said “several other courses” had already been delivered.
Mr Reynolds praised the holistic approach of UM Storage Ltd to safety. Industry, he said, had made great strides and taking a “bigger picture” view of a company’s safety systems marked a “capital investment that would pay dividends” in the long run.
UM Storage is now working with Reynolds Training Services to fulfill its other training needs, including the development of new and existing Bulk Liquid Operators at a number of their terminals.
More about UM Storage
UM Storage, part of the United Molasses Group Ltd, operates bulk liquid storage facilities for foodstuffs, feed grade and industrial products in the UK (Merseyside, Hull, Dagenham & Portbury). The company is regarded by the industry as an innovator and a trusted trading partner that actively seeks to develop new business opportunities with clients through investment, innovation and cooperation.
Visit for more information
IOSH Approved Principles and Practice of Emergency Response with RTS
IOSH Approved Principles and Practice of Emergency Response is now available to be taken with your trusted health and safety provider, Reynolds Training Services.
On the 27th June Reynolds Training Services hosted the Tank Storage Association SHE Meeting at the CATCH Facility in Stallingborough.
At the meeting John Reynolds, MD of Reynolds Training Services provided an overview of the progress that has been made in relation to development of the Apprenticeship for Operational personnel in the Bulk Liquid Warehousing Sector.
Below is the current suite of documents that have been approved and are in development. Please feel free to share these or download. Reynolds Training Services welcome any industry feedback.
TSA SHE Meeting – Reynolds Training Services Review of Training
Apprenticeship Standard – Science Manufacturing Technician
Science Manufacturing Technician – Assessment Plan
Level 3 Diploma in Bulk Storage Operations (Technician)
The Tank Storage Association is an industry based organisation whose members are dedicated to the professional provision of third party bulk liquid storage in the UK. Current President, Andrew Amos, has announced he is stepping down from the position. However, he will recommence as the role of vice-president in order to accelerate TSA’s future plans.
Paul Denmead, Director of Terminal Operations UK for World Fuel Services, will essentially be swapping roles with Andrew, from current Vice-President to President with immediate effect.
Andrew Amos commented: “As I have now retired from my position as Projects Director for UM Storage, it is appropriate that I also hand over presidency of the TSA to Paul Denmead.”
The past 18 months leading the TSA had been a “privilege”, he said, commending the association for a “dramatic change in direction and growth”.
“Our status and visibility with Government and related agencies has grown significantly which is critically important to serving the needs of our expanding membership. I am confident that Paul Denmead and Peter Davidson will continue to drive forward change, ensuring that we continue to be the focus of knowledge and experience for bulk liquid storage and terminal operations.”
Mr Amos confirmed he will remain Vice-President of the TSA in order to “offer any support and guidance required”.
Process Safety Performance Indicators mark the difference between a safe and unsafe site. After all, the knowledge we acquire is critical to:
Preventing major incidents such as Buncefield
Learning from events to avoid similar occurrences in the future
Accurate reporting informs decision makers, metrics providing a guide against which safety systems can be tailored at site and group level. Remember: always ensure your leading and lagging indicators are clear and concise – even Bob in the burger van should be able to understand them. Clarity is the best route to safer actions.
The principle of strong operations
When we talk about operational principles, what do we mean? Put simply: an operational principle pertains to the established parameters on a site which are designed to maintain primary containment in line with legislation.
They must:
Set out the minimum operational performance requirements for specific tasks
Underpin competence and process safety requirements
How can we create an operational principle?
Operational principles should ensure operations are conducted within clearly defined parameters. This is achieved by accurate identification of the safe operating envelope.
Flip that coin and the procedures should also include actions to be taken to control and mitigate any excursion outside of the safe operating envelope.
Operating principles should protect:
People: employees, visitors, contractors and the public
Environment: prevent damage to land, water and air
Assets: protect products belonging to the company, their clients and the public
Reputation: build public and professional confidence
To achieve this state of safety, operating principles should be built around a set of core areas:
Safety:
Undertake the task in a safe and controlled manner
Devices:
Operations should only commence if all safety devices are in place and functioning as designed
Consistency:
All companies must be consistent with regulatory, legislative and local requirements
Efficiency:
Always make the best use of equipment and personnel, reducing exposure and maximising safe operation
Clarity:
Unlike a doctor, write things down in clear manner to , maximise usability and, in turn, minimise the likelihood of error and non-compliance
Communicate:
Ensure safe operations are communicated through a culture of safety, developed from the top down with clear channels for two-way dialogue
Audit & review:
Put systems in place to regularly review procedures – this should include supervisors and personnel who are required to use them
Taking a bite of the safety pie
“Concern for man himself and his safety must always be the chief interest of all technical endeavours.”
Albert Einstein
Poor process safety management can have devastating impacts on sites and, equally, strong protective barriers can prevent, control and mitigate incidents. Good process safety management, of course, doesn’t happen by accident. It requires active engagement across all aspects of plant, process and people.
Let’s take a look how the 3 P’s work together in harmonious health and safety:
1. Plant: the green shoots of safety
Good process safety management demands that the plant is rigorously designed, constructed and commissioned. With a robust infrastructure in place, the plant now needs to be operated, maintained, modified and decommissioned safely throughout its lifecycle.
This could, for instance, include:
Import and export systems
Marine equipment
Road loading systems
Fixed or floating roof storage tanks
Boilers, pumps, gauging systems and pipelines
2. Process: the wheels are turning
The processes flowing through the plant must ensure that safe operations are achieved and control and mitigation measures are maintained. How can a good process be achieved? By supporting strong operational and emergency response processes with:
Checklists
Structured maintenance and defect reporting systems
Internal and external hazard identification, risk evaluation and audits
3. People: the ones who make it happen
It is the people who make the plant. From the CEO, to operational personnel, to contractors and drivers, to Bob in the burger van, all members of the team need to act competently. Leadership, of course, is the key in the ignition of driving forward a positive culture of process safety.
Think of it this way: the apple never falls from the tree. As such, it is incumbent upon boardrooms to sound a positive safety tone which echoes across the whole of the plant. This must be support by clear communication that enables a two-way feedback between the boardroom and those on the ground.
The plant must then work as a collective body to ensure safety remains top of the agenda by way of rigorously implemented and robustly maintained control and operational systems.
“Given the enormous responsibility on the shoulders of our hazardous industry leaders, we know their mindset must always be questioning, always be asking, what might be wrong with my process and how can I make it better.”
On the 27th June Reynolds Training Services hosted the Tank Storage Association SHE Meeting at the CATCH Facility in Stallingborough.
