'Breaker-Breaker:' Fracking and trucking safety and security

Part II of II

Despite relative success of the oil and gas activity since its inception in the "Keystone State," some people still believe that increased regulation - or at the very least - independent oversight at the actual well site location during drilling and "fracking" stages is an imperative priority and the only safe answer. They propose that fracturing fluids may be composed of many chemicals, some of which - they say - scientists have noted are possibly toxic substances and therefore potentially serious public health issues to be explored and addressed a.s.a.p. Others disagree. Surely, the subject remains highly controversial and elicits lots of opinions and debate.

It has been estimated that at some specific gas wells it is not unusual to inject into the ground several million gallons of fluids during "fracking." As we all know and can see happening around us obviously, these fluids are trucked in and out of the site, and in some areas of the country it's been reported that "frac-fluids" are re-injected into abandoned wells or transported by motor carrier over many miles of roads and highways to approved re-cycling treatment plants where they are finally deposited. It is reasonable to conclude that considering such volume and frequency of truck traffic due to this activity, the opportunity for the potential of accidents may be increased.

The public should be rightfully concerned about what's happening here, especially in light of the recent example of the reported "Warren" spill incident in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. It is suggested herein that we need not "re-invent the wheel," just ramp-up supervision and enforcement to levels matching the need.

Even though current enforcement practitioners are performing in an exemplary manner, (considering the obvious increased volume of industrial traffic), more manpower may be needed now to further assist and expand the already effective efforts exhibited to ensure public health, safety and security locally. If it is feasible, officials should therefore consider ordering enhanced trucking inspections and focus enforcement at the center of the oil and gas extraction activity - that being - at the well site proper, filling and disposal stations and along our roads and bridges.

Special attention should be devoted to improving site security and safety by conducting an independent analysis of the experience, qualifications, advanced training and specific job responsibilities, policies, plans and procedures of the personnel manning the operations at well sites and driving the industrial vehicles. Any up-turn in the amount and frequency of vehicular traffic enforcement will realize overall safety and security improvements, but there will be consequent costs associated with such initiatives.

The new oversight regimen could also include more random drug and alcohol testing of employees by employers at the workplace as a condition of employment at the company level. Supervision, management and accountability is essential.

It has also been widely reported that there have been training seminars happening on an ongoing basis for all participants working in the safety and security fields. This is a good thing. But, it would not be a prudent fail safe method to simply leave the total responsibility for safety and security at the well sites exclusively to the energy companies alone.

It is additionally important to further back-up the existing authorities, (who are doing a great job as it is), but, none-the-less, assuredly, their efforts would be complimented by the additional influx of personnel who would be a welcome boost within their ranks. State licensed police officers should be stationed on a long-term basis at and around area oil and gas well sites.

Additional priorities that are being addressed here are trucking and traffic enforcement, weight limits, cargo, reviewing weigh bills and motor carrier transport document examination, other germane restrictions and violations involving the drivers and vehicles, and emergency preparedness at the origin location, at gates and turn-styles, and along prescribed routes of travel.

Concurrently, as the trucking volume increases during the predicted continual progress of the "Marcellus Shale Play," more inspections are likely to be needed of all cargo, and additionally the transport vehicle itself, as well as the ongoing re-examination of the vehicle operator's performance, job fitness, credentials and records.

Accompanying documents that indicate exactly what is being carried on the truck, the origin of the materials being transported, the route of travel, and the vehicle's ultimate destination, should be scrutinized intensely for safety and security reasons by professionals on entry to the site, on location before leaving the site, and during spot checks along area roads and highways.

These proposed measures will undoubtedly require the assignment of more long-term police, regulators and authorities deployed at fixed posts and mobile patrol.

With any proactive enforcement initiative which is designated to protect the people, property, the environment, and (even the assets of the energy companies), there is always an incumbent price tag affixed that the energy companies are able to absorb in order to fine-tune their already existing preventative, proactive and reactive public health, safety and security operations.

The community component is perhaps one of the most important aspect of any safety and security initiative. Approved citizen involvement enables neighbors who serve as "the eyes and ears" of the police and regulatory officials and assist by reporting alleged violations. An oil and gas activity "citizens academy" could be established to indoctrinate participants and guide and supervise neighborhood watches.

The challenge of any preventative initiative oftentimes is highly dependent on the programs' requirements to demonstrate that the cost vs. benefit analysis is feasible, fiduciary, sound, productive and thus consistent with the general mission. Also assurances are needed so that the action does not ultimately in fact become an excessive liability.

Other crucial questions additionally arise during the decision making process, such as are the measures actually worth the effort? Does the adoption of increased safety and security services, and incumbent funding costs, actually prevent negative incidents from occurring? And, does earmarking dollars for such purposes contribute too much to rising bottom line costs, and in turn slows-down rates of production? Finally, in the long term and final analysis does the overall effect of the safety and security program decrease profits?

At the end of the day any action that attempts to enhance existing public safety is probably worth the added costs.

Energy companies, their contractors and "subs" should sometimes be reminded that they too are members of our community, and as workers and residents here, they too have a personal stake in safe-guarding the quality of life in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Therefore, we should continue to do all we can to ensure 'frac-truck "safety and security, and perhaps some of these suggestions will help.

Robert A. Young of Rome, Pa. is a free lance writer, former Philadelphia police investigator and instructor who has served in various safety and security concerns over the years. Mr. Young maintains a popular oil and gas activity blog on the website: GOMARCELLUSSHALE.COM.