President's Message
David Wight, President and CEO

Target Zero: 2005 TAPS safety plan

Alyeska’s safety record has consistently been below national averages for the general industry since the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) began operation in 1977. Our safety performance is improving and the company has, during the past two years, accomplished its safest record since it started tracking U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recordable rates.

Every year we use these rates to set safety targets. This year’s goal is a 0.7 OSHA Recordable Rate. The problem with this rate-based target is that it essentially condones a certain number of work-related injuries when our ultimate goal is to have no injuries. In this case, a 0.7 rate means a minimum of 30 people will get hurt this year on TAPS.

Consequently, Alyeska is approaching safety this year with “Target Zero,” where our goal is to have zero accidents. This proactive approach requires that all TAPS managers, supervisors, employees and contractors work together to set clear safety expectations, investigate all incidents and provide appropriate feedback to identify and eliminate unsafe workplace conditions.

Target Zero is about people not getting hurt. We want every employee to go home in the same condition in which he or she came to work. We understand there is an inherent risk in the work we do, but proper attitude plus preventive action should mitigate risks and eliminate occupational injuries and illnesses.

This approach to safety seems simple, but it really challenges Alyeska’s safety culture and requires every TAPS worker to take personal responsibility for assuring workplace safety.

Target Zero is an attitude. The focus is on people, not numbers. Every worker must use this approach for work on TAPS, from pre-job meetings to every safety moment. Rather than react to incidents, our goal is to proactively prevent incidents before they occur. It is a daily challenge that we all must embrace.