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He will have responsibility for S3 ID’s world-leading safety related automatic muster, POB (Person On Board) and personnel tracking systems.

Paul, a Professional Member of the British Computer Society (MBCS CITP) and a Chartered IT Professional, has extensive management and systems engineering experience of multiple and varied projects in several industries, including Oil & Gas, Power and Energy Utilities, Water, Public Sector and Emergency Services.

UK-based S3 ID is an international company providing complete ‘location awareness’ solutions and is the manufacturer of the acclaimed S3 range of products spanning everything from personnel and asset tracking, POB, mustering, access control, safety and security to travel logistics management, shift rotation planning and bed management.

Paul will be involved in delivery of several major projects recently secured by S3 ID including a sizeable contract on the Australian Gorgon Project, which S3 ID is fulfilling via its Perth based Solution Partner, Western Advance. The contract involves supply of S3 ID’s innovative new ATEX certified eLock™ locking systems, which has recently been launched with a unique wireless monitoring facility.

Alongside this is a large new contract win for S3 ID to supply its technologies to the Statoil Gudrun Personnel Tracking System (PTS) Project via Siemens Norway. This major project rolls out the proven PTS technology as supplied by S3 ID to Statoil for its Statfjord field.

Based at the company’s UK headquarters in Rotherham, Paul will focus on making sure that each project is delivered exactly to customer requirements. S3 ID has regional offices in Norway, Singapore and the Middle East, along with Solution Partners around the world.

The S3 range from S3 ID has been developed from first-hand experience serving the on-shore and off-shore Oil & Gas industry. Products are ATEX certified and solutions use patented technology time proven in operation worldwide with many blue chip clients. S3 ID provides application expertise in this specialist market sector which is second to none.

“Paul has a customer focused and adaptable approach to project management that will prove a real benefit to our customers,” said Derek Gennard, Managing Director at S3 ID. “We are delighted to welcome Paul to our team and are confident that his industry experience will allow us to further improve delivery of our project commitments.”

For further advice on S3 ID products and services, call the team directly on: +44 (0)1709 538205 or email: sales@S3-ID.com or, visit: www.S3-ID.com.

The recent education day showcased the latest lean manufacturing solutions, personnel safety and mustering technologies offered by the two companies.

This included S3 ID‘s eLocator™ Location Awareness Technology as well as Assembly Control System (ACS), Asset Manager, Visible Industrial Process (VIP) and Tool Location System (TLS) from Ubisense and manufacturing Technology Partner, Atlas Copco.

The education day at Oulton Park gave staff and customers from a wide range of industries an opportunity to share best practises in using Ultra Wide Band (UWB) location technology in both safety and lean manufacturing initiatives.

S3 ID is a specialist Ubisense Technology Partner and uses the Ubisense UWB products alongside its own patented technology. S3 ID has also uniquely developed a range of ATEX certified UWBeSensors™ based around Ubisense technology for the safety tracking of personnel in hazardous areas. This new technology has recently been adopted by a major international client in a multi-million pound contract for Kazakhstan.

Other leading manufacturers who attended the event included Aston Martin, Airbus and Atlas Copco, which were given an insight, during product demonstrations, of how the technology can be used in their sector.

All attendees on the day were able to gain hands-on experience with the latest products, including demonstrations, in a relaxed and fun environment. The event also provided an excellent opportunity to network with like-minded individuals from leading manufacturers across industry, allowing them to share best practices in tracking. Alongside the presentations and product demonstrations, attendees were also able to put their driver skills to the test on the track in a 175 bhp Caterham 7 racer, following a driver tuition session. Not for the faint hearted, these out and out racing cars can accelerate from 0-60 in under 3.5 seconds.

“The educational day at Oulton Park was hugely enjoyable and provided everyone with an opportunity to learn about how different location technologies can help achieve lean manufacturing and enhanced safety,” said Doug Woodbridge, Head of Sales and Marketing at S3 ID. “As a Ubisense Technology Partner, we are proud to have developed a new innovative Ubisense based ATEX certified product range that is already being adopted on major projects in the Oil & Gas industry to provide cutting edge personnel location and mustering solutions”

Adrian Jennings, Vice President of Marketing, from Ubisense said: “As one of our valued Technology Partners we appreciated the support given by S3 ID at our education day. Both our companies have collaborated in the development of technological innovations and the event gave us an invaluable opportunity to share best practice with other like-minded individuals from a range of industries.”

The full S3 ID product range has been developed from first-hand experience of servicing industry. Products are ATEX certified and solutions provide patented technology time proven in installations around the globe.

To find out more about S3 ID products and services, call the team directly on: +44 (0)1709 538205 or email: sales@S3-ID.com or, visit: www.S3-ID.com.

S3 ID has launched a unique wireless monitoring facility to complement its innovative and unique new Zone 1, ATEX certified high security eLock™ door system.

This latest addition to the eLock™ range means that the S3 Abryll High Security eLock™ now achieves two industry firsts:  As the worlds first Electronically Actuated Zone 1,  ATEX certified High Security Locking Solution and now, with the addition of the optional wireless eLock.net™ technology, as the worlds first locking system that can communicate its own ‘status’ wirelessly without the need for an external power connection or an internal battery.

As the new eLock.net™ ‘Wi-Fi’ technology uniquely requires no external or internal power source to operate and communicate with its remote monitoring station it is totally maintenance free. Requiring no external energy or internal battery, a wireless ‘status transmission’ comprising the locks unique identity and it’s status (‘locked’ or ‘unlocked’ etc) is sent each time the lock is opened or closed – powered solely by kinetic energy generated by the opening or closing action. Each wireless enabled lock transmits its status wirelessly to our new ‘security paired’ eLock.net™ monitoring system, allowing independent, cable free remote monitoring and alarming of the protected doors state independently of any cabled route.

The technology will initially be available in ATEX certified form on the S3 Abryll High Security eLock™ and will be ‘designed in’ as an optional feature for both future S3 eLock™ products and in ‘non ATEX’ form on selected future MICO locking solutions.

This innovative feature enables the lock to effectively ‘speak for itself’ and to communicate its unique identity and whether it is ‘locked’ or ‘unlocked’ wirelessly to a remote monitoring system which may be 100m or more away. The technology has been designed for use with both ‘electronically actuated solutions’ – enabling remote monitoring and alarming even if the local access controller is out of action or its hard-wired monitoring circuit or power supply is cut – and with conventional mechanical locking solutions – enabling for instance remote monitoring of gates without the need for expensive cabling. As such, this unique patent pending feature is designed not only to create Safer more Secure Solutions for customers in the Oil Gas & Energy industries world-wide, but also to enable another layer of security and alarming to be added in more conventional applications as well.

High Security eLock ™ & eLock.net™ Technology

The eLock™ locking system and eLock.net™ technology is designed to work with all ‘S3′ variants of MICO’s proven Abryll High Security Lock family. Tested to LPCB SR 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 on selected single and double doorsets, the Abryll range comes in a brushed stainless steel finish as standard.

Single and Multi point locking options are available and the lock can also be fitted with high security ‘mastered’ key cylinder mechanical over-rides from the world’s leading ranges (such as Kaba & Abloy) to suit user requirements.

S3 ID’s eLock™ satisfies users needs for physical security in Zone 1 areas and can be retro-fitted or installed on new facilities. The range includes a ‘standard’ and a new ‘High Security’ version and is approved for installation on UK Government projects.

During development of the new Abryll door system S3 ID worked closely with MICO because its range and approach to innovation aligned perfectly with our strategy of partnering with technological leaders. The MICO Abryll range is extensively proven in use in the Utilities, Energy and Government sectors and is the highest security rated locking system available in the UK today.

“We have had a huge amount of interest in our new eLock™ range since we unveiled it at the Australian Oil & Gas (AOG) exhibition earlier this year,” said Doug Woodbridge, Head of Sales & Marketing. “eLock™ is unique in being the first high security product to meet ATEX Zone 1 Hazardous Area requirements. It is an ideal complement to our existing eSecurity™ range, providing customers with an unbeatable all round high-security solution.”

Doug added: “Introducing a power and cable free security Wi-Fi monitoring option is a ground-breaking update to the new door system that will provide our customers with even more unique features and benefits that literally ‘speak for themselves’!”

eLock™ and eLock.net™ technologies are part of the company’s eSecurity™ range, which seamlessly integrate with other existing patented technologies from the S3 product range, including the company’s eLocator™ and eMuster™ products.

S3 ID offers a comprehensive selection of location technologies to suit all user needs from its patented RFID systems to new Ultra Wide Band, GPS+™ and CheckPoint™ solutions, for which new patents are pending.

S3 ID has numerous patents pending around the globe to protect both current products and the company’s new generation of products in development.

The S3 range has been developed from first hand experience serving the on-shore and off-shore Oil & Gas industry. Products are ATEX certified and solutions use patented technology time proven in operation worldwide with many blue chip clients. S3 ID provides application expertise in this specialist market sector which is second to none.

For further advice on S3 ID products and services, call the team directly on: +44 (0)1709 538205 or email: sales@S3-ID.com or, visit: www.S3-ID.com.

The major new Gudrun PTS project rolls out the proven PTS technology as supplied by S3 ID to Statoil for their Statfjord field.

The Gudrun field is located 55 kilometres north of Sleipner and water depth in the area is 110 metres. The field contains both oil and gas.

The new platform, which is scheduled to start producing in 2014, is being developed as a fixed processing platform with seven production wells and will be tied back to existing facilities in the Sleipner area and the Kårstø processing plant north of Stavanger.

Plans also call for connecting a subsea system on the Sigrun field to the future platform on the Gudrun field.

The system being supplied by S3 ID is identical in functionality to the existing systems covering the Statfjord field. On Gudren, the fully automated PTS comprises of two primary Lifeboat Muster Stations, two monitored emergency escape chutes, a monitored bridge crossing and monitored entrance-way providing facility POB controls.

Being supplied with dual redundant servers and client workstation subsystems off-shore, the system will be interfaced with other 3rd party subsystems including DaWinci and the Safety Automation Systems (SAS). In addition to the fixed workstations, remote access to muster lists and reports for Muster Point Wardens & Lifeboat Captains is provided by a number of ATEX Certified S3 Wireless Muster PDA’s via a S3 certified Wireless Access Point (WAP).

“We are delighted to have secured the contract to supply our PTS technologies to Gudrun,” said Doug Woodbridge, Head of Sales and Marketing at S3 ID. “Our long track record with Statoil meant that we have an excellent understanding of their requirements on this latest project.”

The S3 range has been developed from first hand experience serving the on-shore and off-shore Oil & Gas industry. Products are ATEX certified and solutions use patented technology time proven in operation worldwide with many blue chip clients. S3 ID provides application expertise in this specialist market sector which is second to none.

For more information on S3 ID products and services, call the team directly on: +44 (0)1709 538205 or email: sales@S3-ID.com or, visit: www.S3-ID.com.

Part of a unique and growing range of locking and security solutions especially designed and developed for use in Zone 1 Hazardous Areas, the eLock™ will electronically secure key facilities across the project site.

S3 ID‘s eLocks™ satisfy users needs for physical security in Zone 1 areas and can be retro-fitted or installed on new facilities. S3 ID is unique in offering a range of electronically actuated eSecurity™ solutions specifically designed for use in ATEX Zone 1 Hazardous Area’s.

Gorgon is one of the world’s largest natural gas projects and the largest single resource natural gas project in Australia’s history. The Gorgon Project will develop the Greater Gorgon Area gas fields, ;ocated about 130 kilometres off the north-west coast of Western Australia.

The principle Gorgon site features the construction of a 15 million tonne per annum (MTPA) Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant on Barrow Island (pictured) and a domestic gas plant with the capacity to provide 300 terajoules per day to supply gas to Western Australia.

Doug Woodbridge, S3 ID Head of Sales & Marketing, said: “Our unique eSecurity™ products provide a comprehensive range of security solutions for ATEX Zone 1 Hazardous Area. These products complement to our existing eMustering™ and eLocation™ ranges, and I am sure our eLock’s™ will provide the ideal door security solution for the Gorgon project.”

The S3 range has been developed from first hand experience serving the on-shore and off-shore Oil & Gas industry. Products are ATEX certified and solutions use patented technology time proven in operation worldwide with many blue chip clients. S3 ID provides application expertise in this specialist market sector which is second to none.

For more information on S3 ID products and services, call the team directly on: +44 (0)1709 538205 or email: sales@S3-ID.com or, visit: www.S3-ID.com.

Stewart Gater

UK-based S3 ID is an international company providing complete ‘location awareness’ solutions and is the manufacturer of the acclaimed S3 range of products spanning everything from personnel and asset tracking, personnel on board (POB), mustering, access control, safety and security to travel logistics management, shift rotation planning and bed management.

Stewart brings with him over 20 years’ industry experience, with much of this in the Oil & Gas sector, within both on-shore and off-shore facilities.

“We are delighted to welcome Stewart to the S3 ID team as his experience and industry knowledge will be a real benefit to our customers,” said Eivind Fredriksen, Managing Director of S3 ID. “Stewart’s role as Contracts Manager will prove invaluable in bringing new and improved ways of working to our project delivery teams.”

Stewart, who is a Chartered Electrical Engineer, Member of the Chartered Institute of Project Management, USA (MCIPM) and holds an MSc in Project Management, will be involved in the successful delivery of a major new contract award for Kazakhstan and also with other large new contracts for Ekofisk (via Semco Maritime of Demark) and the Gudrun Personnel Tracking System (PTS) project, which is part of the roll out by Statoil, Norway, of the proven PTS technology as supplied by S3 ID for their Statfjord field.

Based at the company’s UK headquarters in Rotherham, Stewart will focus on making sure that each project is delivered exactly to customer requirements.

“There are opportunities to improve our project delivery performances which will directly enhance service levels, especially as more customers realise the benefits of partnering with S3 ID,” said Stewart Gater, Contracts Manager. “I’m looking forward to the challenges of my new role and helping S3 ID to continue delivering excellent quality, service and value.”

S3 ID has offices around the globe, including Norway, Singapore and the Middle East, along with strategically located Solution Partners, all of which provides customers with a complete turnkey project solution. Having worked in many parts of the world including USA, Middle East and Far East, within both on and off-shore facilities, Stewart has an excellent understanding of customer needs in all areas which S3 ID operates.

The S3 range from S3 ID has been developed from first-hand experience serving the on-shore and off-shore Oil & Gas industry. Products are ATEX certified and solutions use patented technology time proven in operation worldwide with many blue chip clients. S3 ID provides application expertise in this specialist market sector which is second to none.

The company currholds over 25 patents for its innovative technology. Latest of these is the high security eLock™ door system that is unique in being suitable for use in ATEX Zone 1 Hazardous Area’s. Other innovations are Ultra Wide Band, GPS+™ and CheckPoint™ solutions, for which new patents are pending.

For further advice on S3 ID products and services, call the team directly on: +44 (0)1709 538205 or email: sales@S3-ID.com or, visit: www.S3-ID.com.

Here, Doug Woodbridge, Head of Sales and Marketing at S3 ID looks at latest developments in high-security ATEX certified Zone 1 electronically controlled door locking solutions and explains how they now provide the best protection for personnel and physical assets in potentially explosive environments.

The eLock™ from S3 ID is unique in being suitable for high-security ATEX certified Zone 1 areas where potentially hazardous atmospheres are present.

The consequences of such events are both traumatic for the families involved and expensive for the companies in putting right the damage. Common to the most of these incidents is the manner in which attackers gain entry both to the facility and then to vulnerable areas within it – in the vast majority of cases it is through the door and there is a lot that owners and managers can do to reduce the chances of this occurring.

It was against this background that we began developing a high security door solution that would address the needs of organisations ranging from Government buildings through to high value targets in the Oil, Gas & Petrochemical industries. This posed some very unique protection challenges, specifically designing a high security door system that could operate safely in potentially explosive ATEX Zone 1 & 2 atmospheres.

S3 ID provided a fully integrated awareness, mustering and access control solution to the BP Angola project, which incorporates an emergency lock-down anti-piracy facility, allowing the vessel to be secured ‘at the press of a button’.

From the outset we knew that the solution would need to cover both explosive (ATEX Zone 1) and non-explosive environments as well as ultra-high and high security versions, depending on the project and location of the installation. It was also important that it could be linked to e-location systems, for example, our eLocator™ technology, to provide a joined up security solution that would be particularly useful in a lock-down or other emergency situation.

For many years S3 ID has specialised in providing ‘safe secure solutions’ designed to locate personnel (eLocator™) and get them to safety in an emergency (eMuster™). This technology uses special ATEX certified ‘active tags’ issued to each member of personnel that uniquely identify them to the system and special strategically located ATEX certified intelligent reader subsystems. Some time ago we recognised that this technology also had the unique potential to extend its use and functionality so as to also enhance security – the ‘one tag’ literally becoming the ‘key’ to enhancing both safety & security.

Lock-down

Historically, the layers of security and personnel safety protection tended to operate wholly independently. In high risk environments, this created the challenge of both providing high-security ‘lock-down’ capabilities in areas where only ATEX certified systems can be used, whilst still allowing safe passage for the evacuation of personnel in an emergency.

Recently, we implemented our first fully integrated solution; providing off-shore location awareness, mustering and access control in one holistic solution for the BP Angola FPSO.

The system also incorporated an emergency lock-down anti-piracy facility, allowing the vessel to be secured ‘at the press of a button’. With the award of this contract we recognised that the marketplace now saw the need for taking an integrated approach to both safety and security, and took the decision to extend our range to cover all aspects of access control.

The benefit of combining eSecurity™ functionality with our eLocator™ software suite, is that access to facilities and restricted areas can now be controlled and personnel movements and the access histories recorded, all within a single, integrated, safety and security solution. A further benefit of the software is that it has also been designed to be integrated (if required) with other ‘third party’ solutions in order to restrict access to other critical functions as well as doors. This works by allowing ‘permissions’ to be set within it associated with controlling specific assets thus enabling only suitably qualified personnel who posses an appropriate valid electronic ‘permit to work’ to access critical functionality.

High-security for ATEX Zone 1

As part of the BP Angola project we designed and engineered a unique ATEX certified electronically actuated Shoot Bolt eLock™ system to physically secure doors and restrict access around the vessel. Designed for use ‘inside’ the vessel in potentially hazardous or explosive Zone 1 or 2 atmospheres, the system was created in both ‘fail safe (open) and fail secure (locked) versions to satisfy varying client needs.

This technology is about to be supplied by us to companies operating in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, along with our other integrated security technology.

The S3 ID eSecurity™ products seamlessly integrate with the company’s other location and mustering technologies.

As the starting point for our high-security solution we chose the MICO Abryll single point range, which is extensively proven in use in the Utilities, Energy and Government sectors. Multi point locking variants of this popular and proven product are also available. The Abryll range is the highest security rated locking system available in the UK today, and is tested to LPCB SR 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 on selected single and double doorsets.

By working in partnership with MICO Tindall to create a special new lock body to house the mechanical and electrical components we have created a comprehensive new range of locking systems capable of satisfying the highest demands for physical security, yet specifically engineered for use in ATEX Zone 1 & 2 Hazardous Areas. It also met our requirement for all electrically actuated eSecurity™ products to be seamlessly integrated with our other location and mustering technologies, incorporating as it does some very unique monitoring and alarming options.

Manufactured entirely from 316L stainless steel, the new high-security lock system has been designed for use within all areas of the Oil, Gas, chemical and shipping sectors world-wide. The locks have been designed to be easily installed in new installations or retrofitted to an existing facility and are supplied with comprehensive mounting instructions.

The S3 Abryll range is primarily designed to provide high-security, and operate as a key released mechanical ‘slam-lock’ incorporating both ATEX certified electromechanical over-ride and full electronic monitoring and ‘alarming’ facilities. The S3 Abryll range can be offered with a choice of single and multi-point locking options and can be fitted externally (where required) with a high-security ‘mastered’ key cylinder (complete with cylinder guard) from industry renowned suppliers such as Abloy and Kaba. Internally, tamper monitored ‘break-domes with thumbwheel release’ or emergency push bar release options are also available to suit every application.

The resulting S3 Abryll eLock™ range can now be used with an appropriate integrated access control system to both physically protect and control personnel access to restricted facilities located in hazardous areas. Within a large Oil, Gas or Petrochemical facility, this enables high-security door locking and alarming systems to become part of an integrated approach to security, personnel location awareness, emergency evacuation and electronic muster system, thus ensuring the safe evacuation of personnel, whilst protecting vulnerable physical assets from attack. Integrating, real-time location awareness, mustering and security systems has obvious advantages in minimising the risk of human error and improving decision making in a real crisis. It also means that the facility can both be readily ‘unlocked’ and evacuated in a process emergency or rapidly locked down against physical attack.

Conclusions

High security zone 1 ATEX certified solutions such as these are providing companies around the globe with technologies that allow electronic tracking and safety mustering of personnel, whilst also using the same tag and infrastructure as a means of controlling access and protecting vulnerable areas of a facility.

High-security electronic locking and access control systems clearly provide an enhanced level of safety and security for personnel on a range of on and offshore facilities. Until now they simply have not been available for use in hazardous areas. Ultimately, these new developments improve all round safety leading to an enhanced probability of withstanding both a forced entry attack and achieving a safe evacuation during an emergency.

Investing in this kind of technology can make commercial sense too. By taking a holistic approach to HSSE and protecting assets, both employees and investors will have the confidence that this area has been taken seriously. With continued instability in certain regions of the world, businesses are realising that investing in improved safety & security simply cannot be ignored.

Obviously the best time to act is before it is needed. This is particularly important for the Oil & Gas sector, where the consequences of attack by terrorist or even a lone criminal on vulnerable areas can have global consequences. The recent disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, whilst not caused by wilful attack, demonstrates both the human and environmental consequences of allowing these types of facilities to go wrong. Closer to home, the attack on Government buildings in Norway highlight the destruction that can be caused by lone criminals bent on destruction. Conversely, well-managed pro-active planning and the appropriate use of high-security doors, location awareness and mustering technology can prove to be the best means of keeping personnel and facilities safe and secure.”

For more information about S3 ID, call: +44 1709 538205 or email: sales@s3-id.com

Here Derek Gennard, S3 ID Chief Executive Officer, looks at how technology based location and mustering systems are helping COMAH achieve its aim of preventing and mitigate the effects of major accidents involving dangerous substances within the pipeline sector.

“The Control of Major Accident Hazards regulations ensure that businesses ‘Take all necessary measures to prevent major accidents involving dangerous substances and limit the consequences to people and the environment of any major accidents which do occur.’

Figure 1: Shows Choke Point Monitoring and bridge control traffic lights being used to automatically prevent maximum POB number being exceeded.

Low-Tier and Top-Tier Sites

Oil and Gas industry simplified schematic

The most important new duty on lower-tier operators is the preparation of a Major Accident Prevention Policy – MAPP. This duty reflects the vital role of management systems in accident prevention. The essential elements of a safety management system which must be included in the MAPP are given in Schedule 2 of COMAH. This starts with the company policy on major accidents, and then details the organisational structure, responsibilities, and procedures for implementing it.

Top-Tier Duties

If any top-tier threshold is exceeded then additional duties are imposed by regulations 7 to 14 of COMAH, for example, regulation 14 covers information which must be provided to the public including safety reports. Regulations 9 to 12 cover emergency planning requirements, including the need to test both on-site and off-site emergency plans, which is a new duty on operators and local authorities.

Operators must not only take all the measures necessary to comply with the Regulations but they must, when requested by the competent authority, demonstrate that they have done so (regulation 15(1)). The competent authority’s programme of inspections is designed to check this. For top-tier operators this means ensuring that the plant is operated in accordance with the information and data in the safety report.

Operators of top-tier sites are required to produce a safety report, the key requirement of which is a demonstration that they have taken all measures necessary to prevent major accidents and to limit the consequences to people and the environment of any that do occur.

Emergency Planning

It is a legal requirement for all COMAH sites that emergency planning for major accidents is in place. COMAH requires operators of top-tier establishments to prepare and keep up to date on-site emergency plans and to supply necessary information to their local authority, who are required to prepare an off-site emergency plan. Schedule 5 of COMAH contains details of the objectives and the information that should be included in emergency plans. COMAH specifies when the plans for top-tier establishments should be produced and how often they should be reviewed and revised. COMAH also requires that the emergency plans are tested.

COMAH requires the on-site emergency plan to include the names or positions of people authorised to set the emergency procedures in motion, and of the person in charge of co-ordinating the on-site mitigatory response. These two principal functions are usually, in the event of an emergency, carried out by the ‘site incident controller’ and the ‘site main controller’ (see paragraphs 83 to 86 for a fuller explanation of the roles). It is possible that on smaller sites that the site incident controller and the site main controller roles can be assigned to the same person.

Typical location awareness needs by site type

The site incident controller is responsible for taking control at the scene of the incident. The person carrying out this role should have a thorough knowledge of the overall situation in the vicinity of the incident. This is particularly important in the case where establishment operations are closely interlinked. A suitable job function to fill this role is the establishment manager, shift manager or shift supervisor at the time the incident occurred. Round-the-clock cover to fulfil this role is essential. On establishments with a small number of staff, or which are not attended around the clock, appropriate management arrangements should be in place to carry out the necessary functions in an emergency.

A key responsibility of the site incident controller and/or the site main controller is to “Ensure that all personnel are accounted for”

In addition to on-site emergency planning COMAH also requires off-site emergency planning. The off-site emergency plan should be based around the major accident hazards (identified by the operator in the safety report) which could affect people and the environment outside the boundary of the establishment, or which will require the attendance of emergency services from outside the establishment if an emergency arises.

Off site emergency services include fire, medical and police services and it is a requirement of COMAH regulations that site and incident specific information for the services includes “Number of employees on site”. It is a simple common sense fact that if you operate a plant with dangerous substances then you should know at all times who is on the site and more importantly who is accounted for after an incident on the site and who is missing.

Using Automated Systems

In order to comply with the emergency planning requirements of COMAH, in the event of a major incident there should be available a record of all persons on the plant at the time of the incident. This record can then be compared with the record of all persons accounted for after the incident, for instance, at nominated muster points, thereby identifying any missing persons. If persons are known to be missing appropriate response plans will be launched such as the deployment of search and rescue teams.

It is vital that at least accurate person on site (POS) information is available and also post incident because without it the possibility exists of persons being missing, possibly injured and immobilised whilst the response team may remain unaware. Likewise if the POS information is inaccurate, search and rescue teams may be needlessly deployed into dangerous areas placing themselves at risk searching for persons who are in fact not missing.

Manual systems for providing this information are slow, not in real time, unreliable and not available in more than one location. In addition, Human error can play a role in the effectiveness of paper based muster procedures either through inaccurate recording or unclear lines of communications during an emergency. However, the whole process of POS and Mustering can be automated to provide reliable real time and accurate data, available in multiple locations offering increased safety of personnel and improved decision making in an emergency.

Solutions approach

Our products provide POS functions that require little or no manual intervention or operation to work. These types of system based on automated technology are consistent and reliable and will provide accurate real time POS and Muster Count. Automated systems also mean that the information is available at multiple points on and off site.

An S3 ID system requires that each person on the site carries some type of pre allocated ID tag which is read by the system at strategic points, as a minimum at the entry and exit points of, for example, the pipeline monitoring station. A central site server system reads and collates the read point data at all times and thereby maintains an accurate POS count of the site.

The most effective systems use completely non contact tags such that the wearer is detected entirely automatically, which is an advantage over systems where a card has to be swiped or presented to a reader. A person in a real emergency situation may not always take the time to run a card through a swipe card reader.

Most sites have designated muster points and an automatic system would normally also have read points at each muster location. The advantage of automated POS systems is that they are not affected by human error and will provide fast and accurate information to incident response managers enabling informed decisions to be made including plant abandonment and search and rescue deployment.

We have developed technology based mustering and location systems that can be used as key components of an Emergency Plan, as required by COMAH, by providing real time personnel location information to the emergency recovery process. Real time data from our eMustering™ and eLocation™ systems are available at multiple locations, on site and off site and all our products are available as Atex certified for Zone 1 operation.

Summary

COMAH site operators are legally required to implement the regulations contained within the legislation. Top and Low Tier sites must have incident emergency planning in place which requires operators to know the number and identities of all persons on site (POS) at the time of an incident, be able to account for all persons immediately after an incident (mustered) and thereby determine if any persons are missing.

This key function can be automated to provide accurate and reliable real time POS and Muster data on and off site, removing the possibility of operator errors, speeding up drill times and satisfying the COMAH requirements.

The Author

Derek Gennard BSc, C Eng, MIET, FRSA has a background in Control and Instrumentation in the Oil and Gas Industries and has been active in the design, patenting and development of a range of ATEX certified Personnel Location Awareness products for automated POS, POB, Muster, Tracking and Location. He is a Director of S3 ID Group and is based at the company’s UK offices.

S3 ID’s state-of-the-art systems help save lives by enabling real-time location awareness of personnel, helping maintain safety and minimising the time for emergency evacuations and muster drills.

For more information about S3 ID, call: +44 1709 538205 or email: sales@s3-id.com.

We would be delighted if you would join us as our guest on the day in the club house for an informal afternoon of cricket, sun (hopefully) on the balcony, food buffet and bar.

The event will be open from 11.30am with the match starting at 12.00pm and guests are free to arrive and leave at any time.

You are welcome to bring along your partner, friends and children for what will be a very enjoyable afternoon.

To assist in our catering arrangements we ask that you let us know if you are coming and approximately how many persons in your party. Further details will be sent on receipt of your acceptance.

To accept our invitation please email sales@s3-id.com.