OVERVIEW
BAI fuel oil terminal – Millbay docks
The BAI fuel terminal at Millbay was constructed in 2001 to provide strategic fuel oil storage, (and thereby a secure bunker supply), for the Brittany Ferry cross-channel fleet operating out of Plymouth.
Three main tanks of 1,227m3 physical capacity, (designated tanks 1, 2 & 3), and a smaller 30m3 tank, (tank 4), are contained within a reinforced concrete and masonry bund. Rainwater is drained off in a controlled manner through a three stage interceptor.
The bund capacity has been professionally measured at a total capacity of 1,086m3, therefore each of the three main tanks are restricted to a maximum working capacity of 987m3.
BAI are owners of the terminal; which is situated within the Millbay dock TRANSEC security zone, (it being an international ferry port); the land itself being owned by Associated British Ports. Since June 2011 the site has been managed for BAI under contract by John H Whitaker (Tankers) Ltd.
Upon assuming responsibility of the day to day management of the site, a comprehensive schedule of maintenance and remedial works was undertaken at the request of BAI technical management. Each of the three main tanks has been professionally inspected and refurbished to best industry standards and tank no. 4 replaced entirely with a new unit.
The site is manned by two full time staff plus a third individual contractor providing holiday relief. Day to day technical and operational support is afforded by Whitaker’s staff teams based at Southampton and Hull, with scheduled supervisory and surveillance visits from BAI Technical management at Roscoff, France, along with support from Brittany Ferries’ safety manager at Plymouth.
Safety of persons and the environment are core values of BAI, Brittany Ferries and John H Whitaker (Tankers) Ltd. All stakeholders subscribe to a robust safety culture and endeavour to follow best industry practices at all times.
Fundamental to the above, and the operation of the BAI Fuel Terminal in particular, is a commitment to prevent major accidents occurring, ever. This is to be achieved by the application of a thorough and comprehensive safety management system, including:
MAPP Framework
A safety policy
Statement of aims
and objectives
Hazard identification
and risk assessment
Clearly defined roles
and responsibilities
For the management
of major hazards
Comprehensive terminal
procedures and
instructions
Training
To ensure competence
Recording
Of design and
modification
Emergency response
procedures
(and exercising thereof)
Measurement
of compliance
A system of
review and audit
A
Safety Policy – Aims and Objectives
We aim to operate a safe and successful business based on strong ethical principles – specifically, that the safety of both people and the environment comes first.
Put simply, no person or aspect of the wider environment should ever come to harm through the conduct of our business. Safety is the foundation of a successful operation, and no commercial pressure must ever be allowed to jeopardise this.
All of our company activities should be conducted in a manner that minimises HSE risks to a level which is As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP).
We will continually monitor and measure our HSE performance and strive for continual improvement through a commitment to best practice.
All employees shall refrain from actions considered to present a risk to HSE and are empowered with the authority to stop others from doing so. All contractors working on our behalf are required to comply with this policy.
B
Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
The site is managed within the framework of a comprehensive Safety Management System (SMS).
Hazard identification and risk assessment are achieved using the HSE five-step approach:
- Identify the hazard.
- Assess who, or what aspect of the environment, might be harmed.
- Evaluate the risks.
- Record any significant findings and implement the necessary measures.
- Regularly review each risk assessment.
These assessments are reviewed by senior management, and the ALARP approach is applied at all times.
Examples of Potential Major Hazards
Examples of potential Major Accident Hazards (MAH) and Major Accidents to the Environment (MATTE) considered include, but are not limited to:
- Fire or explosion
- Oil pollution
- Working at height
- Lifting operations using a HIAB-type crane
- Operation of company vehicles
- Safety of personnel in extreme weather
C
Roles and Responsibilities for the Management of Major Hazards
The Whitaker Group SMS defines management roles and responsibilities for health and safety matters.
Refer to Company SMS Section 8, Work Instruction A, page 7: Group Safety Management Organogram.
Key Personnel
Mark Whitaker
Peter Howard
Mark Stanley
Ashley Jenkins
Dave Bridges
Ryan Sparks
The BAI terminal has two full-time members of staff, with additional management support provided by the Whitaker offices in Southampton and Hull, together with BAI Technical Management in Roscoff, France.
The site comes under the jurisdiction of, and interfaces with, the statutory harbour authority and the Millbay major incident emergency response plans, which define roles and responsibilities.
It is therefore anticipated that these resources would be called upon in the event of a MAH or MATTE. Copies of the Millbay Emergency Plan (MILLPLAN) and the oil spill response plan are enclosed, with reference copies also retained on site.
D
Terminal Procedures and Instructions
A comprehensive set of terminal procedures has been developed and incorporated into the company SMS. A copy is retained on site.
The terminal procedures include details of the steps to be taken in the event of a MAH or MATTE. The principal risks identified are:
- Personal injury
- Fire or explosion
- Oil pollution incident
- Security threat, chiefly through theft but also potentially through an act of terror
See the relevant Hazard and Risk Assessments for detailed consideration of the above.
E
Training of Site Staff
The Whitaker Group SMS contains a section dedicated to the training of personnel. This provides for the identification of training needs, ongoing assessment and the maintenance of appropriate records.
The duties of the two full-time members of terminal staff and the relief member are itemised in comprehensive job descriptions. These documents, together with the relevant training records, are maintained on site.
F
Recording of Design and Modifications
The technical design and any modification of the terminal and its equipment are managed by the Group Southern Technical Superintendent based in Southampton.
The Superintendent is trained and certificated in storage tank assessment to EEMUA 159 standard.
All work is conducted in accordance with the appropriate industry standards. Detailed records are maintained by the Superintendent at the Southampton office and can be made available for inspection at the Millbay terminal upon request.
G
Emergency Response Procedures
Emergency response procedures are included within the site terminal procedures. These link to the MILLPLAN and Millbay oil spill emergency plan where appropriate.
Exercises with the local authorities are proactively undertaken and records of these exercises are retained.
A meeting with the statutory port authority shall be conducted at least annually to discuss the testing of emergency response procedures.
Full participation will be given to any emergency drills or exercises, and at least one emergency drill is to be conducted each year.
H
Measurement of Compliance
The site forms part of the Whitaker Group KPI monitoring system. Any non-conformance with the SMS or terminal procedures must be recorded and logged as a Key Performance Indicator.
Copies of these logs and reports are to be retained on site.
Any accident or near miss must also be fully logged as a recordable KPI and investigated as appropriate.
All reports are monitored by company senior management, as shown in the SMS organogram, and reviewed regularly during Group safety and quality meetings.
I
Review and Audit
A review must be conducted following any accident or significant near-miss incident, and a record must be made of any lessons learned.
Senior management of the Whitaker Group meet at regular intervals to discuss and review the Group’s SMS compliance, including the terminal’s safety and environmental performance.
Regular site visits to the terminal are undertaken, and records of each review are to be made available.