EPM

Hazardous Area ATEX Compliance at BP

BP Logistics reach new heights in safety standards at its storage and distribution terminals across the UK.

When it comes to the distribution and storage of petroleum products the importance of safety and environmental issues cannot be underestimated. At BP Logistics terminals across the UK EPM Solutions have been providing a planned maintenance service, that has assisted BP in raising its high standards of safety.

Driven by ATEX 137

As each one of BP’s terminals houses an abundance of hazardous and explosive materials they need to know that their facilities are safe and secure at all times. Also, the transportation of BP’s oil and gas products to and from the terminals can take place not only by road, but also by rail and water. This all means that safety and environmental controls are of paramount importance for both staff, contractors and the public at large. By working with outside suppliers such as EPM BP Logistics worked hard to raise the already high standards of safety. This has been partly led by ATEX 137 a new worker protection directive that comes into effect in July 2006. Such directives are designed to ensure that the workplace, work equipment and any associated connecting devices are maintained and operated, in such a way as to minimise the risk of an accident.

An end-to-end solution

The flowchart across the page shows how EPM Solutions have introduced and implemented a computerised maintenance management system (CMMS) within 10 of the UK’s terminals. This has given BP the complete solution they were looking for where maintenance is managed alongside safety compliance with the benefit of improved results and efficiency. This has encouraged BP to consider how their planned maintenance can be co-ordinated across all of its operations in continental Europe, not just the UK. David Johnston, Maintenance Co-ordinator for the Northern Region of BP Logistics says, “the link between properly maintaining our assets and safety in the workplace is an obvious one. That is why we have chosen to work with an asset maintenance specialist when it comes to ensuring safety compliance at our terminals across the UK.” David continues, “from compiling asset databases to asset tagging and site surveys EPM have provided us with a complete end-to-end solution that is highly effective and efficient.”

Setting the pace

Certainly, the methodology that EPM has used has enabled BP Logistics to reach new safety standards in complete integration with its asset maintenance and CMMS. It has been no small job either, as every asset on site has had to be identified, registered and tagged to make regular checking and maintenance easier. Also, in accordance with the safety issues a risk assessment of all plant and equipment has had to be carried out to ensure its suitability for use in its location or hazardous zone. Once all of this is completed a full audit trail can be completed within CMMS. Safety in the workplace and for the public at large is something that BP Logistics takes very seriously. In partnership with EPM Solutions they are clearly setting the pace within the industry.