Pre-Conference Sessions

September 8

8:00 am – 5:00 pm | $350 Full Day
Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tanks in Northern Canada: Regulatory Compliance Challenges
Fiona Scurrah, WSP

Track: EHS Compliance | Level: Advanced
The installation and operation of petroleum aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) can be challenging in less than ideal locations. In Nunavut for example, heating of buildings rely on fuel oil brought in and stored within large and small ASTs. These ASTs are heating schools, health centres and health services buildings, as well as homes. ASTs, under federal authority, are required to be installed following the federal Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products Regulations along with conforming to the CSA B139 standard and CCME guidelines. The ASTs range in volume from<1000 L to >49,000 L. Failure to follow the requirements can result in serious spills or releases that impact the environment and/or human health. Three communities, Igloolik, Sanirajak and Kinngait were visited to assess and inspect ASTs associated with schools, and health facilities. Siting and servicing of ASTs is challenging given the local conditions such as permafrost or rocky outcrops, which in turn creates circumstances where tanks are not in compliance with the regulations. In inspecting a total of eleven (11) tanks within these three communities, common issues found were items such as the lack of emergency response plans and risk assessments; lack of adequate awareness and training related to monitoring and documentation; lack of awareness and training related to spill response; tanks improperly sited contrary to the CSA and CCME; inadequate barrier protection and security around the tanks; and lack of training and awareness of how to deal with a breach and fuel oil emptying into the secondary chamber of the tank.

8:00 am – 12:00 pm | $250 Half Day
A Regulatory Must: Process Safety Management/Risk Management Program Compliance Audit Success and Failure
Kelsey Forde & Timothy Stirrup, Parvati Consulting LLC

Track: Regulatory Update | Level: Intermediate
A Regulatory Must: Process Safety Management/Risk Management Program Compliance Audit Success and Failure will present a methodology for performing the 29 CFR 1910.119 Process Safety Management (PSM) and 40 CFR 68 Risk Management Program (RMP) required three (3) year Compliance Audit. The dynamic interaction of the instructors with the professional Industrial Hygiene/Occupational Safety (IH/OS) students will keep the class focused on learning how to complete a successful PSM/RMP Compliance Audit. The instructors use interactive techniques to lead a discussion on learned successes from the participants. In addition, a recently completed Compliance Audit for a semiconductor facility will be used as a real world example to aid in learning. The instructors will discuss expected pitfalls for performing compliance audits as well as discuss the areas of recent focus by OSHA/RMP inspectors. Participants will learn the requirements for completing a combined OSHA PSM and EPA RMP Compliance Audit. Participants will learn the areas focused on by OSHA/RMP inspections. Participants will discuss how to integrate the Compliance Audit into operations to help drive safety culture in their own organizations, even if they are not subject to the requirements of PSM/RMP.

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm | $250 Half Day
McCoy's Clean Air Act Unraveled
Eric Weber, McCoy

Track: Environmental Protection | Level: Beginner
This session will provide a high-level overview of the CAA that helps attendees understand the various programs of the CAA, the pollutants they regulate, and how the programs work together. What many environmental professionals are unaware of is that the CAA is often mystifying even to CAA professionals because it is so vast. You’ll walk away with a basic understanding of the CAA, and will gain a few nuggets that your CAA friends don’t know.