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205 Dutyholders involved in inter-business transfer of fuel by pipeline should agree on the
nomenclature to be used for their product types.
206 Dutyholders receiving ship transfers should, for each relevant terminal, carry out a review to
ensure compliance with the current edition of the
International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and
Terminals (ISGOTT).
Procedures for control and monitoring of fuel transfer
207 Procedural problems are frequently cited as the cause of major accidents, contributing to
some of the world’s worst incidents, such as Bhopal, Piper Alpha and Clapham Junction. In the
major hazard industries, fit-for-purpose procedures are essential to minimise errors, and to protect
against loss of operating knowledge (eg when experienced personnel leave).
Guidance on written procedures
208 Procedures are agreed safe ways of doing things. Written procedures usually consist of step-
by-step instructions, and related information, to help carry out tasks safely. They may include
checklists, decision aids, diagrams, flow-charts and other types of job aids. They are not always
paper documents, and may appear as ‘on screen’ help in control system displays.
209 Procedures should be robust, followed in practice and audited: otherwise, input values in risk
assessments (eg human reliability input data to LOPA studies for safety critical equipment) may be
invalidated.
210
Revitalising procedures
111
provides guidance for employers responsible for major hazards
on how to develop procedures that are appropriate, fit-for-purpose, accurate, ‘owned’ by the
workforce and, most of all, useful. It is commended as a source of good practice, describing:
the linkage between procedural problems and major accidents;
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what procedures are, and why they are needed;
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procedural violations, and why people do not always follow them;
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how to encourage compliance with procedures;
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different types of procedures;
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involvement of procedure users;
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where procedures fit into risk control;
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links between training, competency and procedures;
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a three-step approach to improving procedures;
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review of procedures;
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presentation – formatting and layout (including use of warnings to explain what happens if…).
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Guidance on procedures for fuel transfer by pipeline
211 Procedures should be consistent with the sections of this appendix ‘Principles for safe
management of fuel transfer’ (paragraphs 179–184) and ‘Principles for consignment transfer
agreements’ (paragraphs 193–206).
212 The
sender’s
procedures should specify:
the minimum communications required, including:
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confirmation of start of movement;
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deviations from plan;
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the correct sequence of operations to avoid over-pressure or surge;
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arrangements to monitor flow (based on risk assessment);
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circumstances where transfer must stop, eg:
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no confirmation is received of tank changeover when expected;
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when the agreed parcel has been sent.
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