Employees to participate in safety boot camp

Since joining the operations staff in mid-April, Cameron LNG health, safety, security & environmental (HSSE) manager Steve Trahan has had one main goal: health and safety first for every employee and the community. Trahan, who holds degrees and certifications in the various safety and health disciplines, believes that meeting that goal starts with basic training or what he calls Cameron LNG safety boot camp.

Along with other members of the management team, Trahan, a native of Lake Charles, LA, will lead the 36 maintenance and operational employees on a three-month intensive training program focused to instruct them on every aspect of the new liquefied natural gas terminal which is scheduled to begin receiving shipments in just over a year.

“Cameron LNG is committed to safety, as well as being a responsible steward of the environment.” stated Trahan. “Our training program ensures that all of our employees are knowledgeable about every safety rule, regulation and standard required to operate a safe and reliable facility.”

Boot camp schedule
The first week will be dedicated to employment details including company policies and safety procedures, and then Trahan said the hard work begins.

Employees will spend the next four weeks in basic training before moving to specialized training in marine and security components. According to Trahan, this will include learning everything from the design of the exterior fence and how security will process people entering and leaving Cameron LNG to docking a ship.

“We have high internal standards regarding operational procedures and safety,” Trahan said. “It is critical for all employees to be aware of what must be done to meet Coast Guard security procedures and requirements. Knowledge is the best way to guarantee that our employees perform their duties safely and efficiently,” said Trahan.

A team approach
New to the team is Mark Granger, Health & Safety Coordinator for Cameron LNG. Formerly Hackberry’s Volunteer Fire Chief, Mark and his family have lived in Hackberry for 25 years.

In his new role, Granger will present the next segment of training to the group. The focus will be health and safety with a goal of educating employees about steps they can proactively take to be safe in their workplace, home and community.

“It’s all about pre-planning for the job,” said Granger. “There is no job so important that it can’t be done safely. We owe it to each other to make sure that everyone goes home in the condition they were in when they arrived.”

In addition, employees will have the opportunity to learn about the safety equipment installed in and around the facility including the gas detection and fire-and-vapor suppression systems.

Following on the heels of the safety training, a week long session will focus on the aspects of environmental compliance, including planning, reporting and notification requirements. Darren Lanthier, the site environmental and training coordinator, will implement and maintain an environmental compliance plan that details reporting and notification requirements.

Yet another week in the regimen focuses on first aid, CPR and participation in a custom-designed LNG program at Texas Engineering Extension Service’s Brayton Fire Training Field, located at Texas A & M University in College Station.

Training is expected to be completed by year-end. The first few weeks of the new year, specialized training will be conducted for approximately six weeks by Aker|Kvaener, the project's construction contractor. This training will include specific instruction on how to operate and control the plant.

“Our goal is to be the safest LNG terminal in the Gulf Coast region,” Trahan said. “Our employees’ commitment, their proven work experience, and the extensive training we provide will result in the operation of a world class energy facility.”