Shell Global Solutions
As a company that has grown by acquisition, VTTI’s terminals vary in size, age, condition, practices and cultures.
In 2007, VTTI commissioned Shell Global Solutions, the technical consultancy organisation within the Shell Group, to undertake a comprehensive and independent review of our terminal operations. Our objective was clear: although we naturally comply with the widely differing local HSE legislations in each territory, we require all our terminals to operate to international standards and best practice.
Shell Global Solutions duly undertook detailed risk assessments, ranging from the condition of each terminal, to working practices and potential risks to our workforce and the environment.
Positive action
Despite the contrasts between our terminals, there was a consistency in the areas for improvement identified by Shell Global Solutions. These centre on the scope for improvement in safety culture, the availability of sound and active management systems, and the implementation of process flows as prescribed by those systems.
Separately, VTTI is now actively engaged in a four-step process to enhance procedures and training, and to establish a robust auditing regime.
- Step 1: Completion of a set of procedures and work instructions which define the actual terminal operations
- Step 2: Assessment by our own staff of the actual core processes against their own procedures and work instructions, with the support of recognised risk analysis methods such as Hazop
Outcome: Improvement of the management system and an increase of safety awareness - Step 3: Training program based on an improved set of procedures
Outcome: Improvement in procedures and work instructions, and competencies of staff - Step 4: Auditing of system
Outcome: Improved management system
