A sports team may have written plays, but they would never go into a game expecting flawless execution without having rehearsed the plays. Emergency procedures should be viewed the same way. While the procedures exist in writing, plant operators should never go into an emergency without having practiced how to respond to the emergency.
One of the most effective training tools to help operators safely and effectively respond to emergency situations is an emergency drill. The purpose of the emergency drill in a refinery is to support the overall plant training goals for emergency response on top of any basic operator training on emergency procedures. Emergency drills consist of two types of training exercises — tabletop and field.
Tabletop exercises
The tabletop exercise is the first emergency drill training delivered to crews. Tabletop exercises familiarize the crew with this type of emergency training and evaluate the readiness of individual crew members to move to the field exercise. During the tabletop exercise, each member of the shift will be expected to explain the key aspects of what they will do during the exercise.
Field exercises
The field exercise allows for training of the actual physical events and activities crew members would experience under a real emergency event. Each person should explain his actions and decisions as they are performed. The facilitator should ask questions during the exercise to ensure everyone understands the critical tasks.
Both training exercises have assessments to evaluate the individual and entire crew on their qualifications to operate under specific emergency situations. If any training is needed on a particular emergency procedure, the training should occur prior to the tabletop exercise.
The Emergency Drill System will enable the company to consistently and effectively train and evaluate operators’ responses to critical situations. The following tools and their use with the system are key to successful training:
• Emergency Drill Facilitator Guide — A job aid for facilitators to conduct drills, record operation responses and evaluate performance.
• Assessments — Performance and knowledge evaluations performed in conjunction with each drill to verify the learning objectives were met.
• Procedures — The document that outlines the preparation and provides for the recording of results for field exercises.
• Audit checklist — A checklist that enables the company to evaluate the effectiveness of the Emergency Drill System implementation and ongoing progress.
The purpose of the Emergency Drill System is primarily to promote the practice of emergency response skills; however, it can also be used as an evaluation system. Emergency procedures are used as reference material for the knowledge and understanding every crew member must have concerning the safe operation of his complex.
This system is designed to be a form of performance-based training. After the facilitator presents the problem situation to the group, the participants will be asked to simulate a response. The group should respond just as if the problem was actually happening. After the drill is complete, the facilitator will debrief the drill with the crew to further enforce what just took place. Then the facilitator will deliver a quiz that checks individuals’ knowledge of the key points of the emergency procedure. These quizzes will then be graded and scored as part of the record of individual training documentation.
The emphasis in each of the exercises is to encourage proper response in a real emergency. The crew is expected to work as a team, coordinating their efforts to solve the problem situation presented in the exercise.
This approach will refresh the knowledge, skills, tasks and interactions needed to safely and effectively respond to emergencies and severe upset conditions.
For more information, visit http://oilgas.gpstrategies.com or call (800) 727-6677.
