BP’s Prudhoe power station OK’d for VPP

Petroleum News

The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development said Sept. 5 that BP Exploration Alaska’s Prudhoe Bay Central Power Station has been approved for a renewal of the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health Voluntary Protection Program at the “Star” or highest level.

The Central Power Station has been in the program since 1999, said BP Exploration’s Beatrice Egbejimba.

“Recertification of VPP is evidence of BP Exploration Alaska’s exemplary occupational safety and health program,” said Egbejimba, an industrial hygienist with BP.

“The VPP program is an opportunity to partner with AKOSH while showcasing and enhancing our safety and health culture. VPP supports BP Exploration Alaska’s culture of caring and empowers employees to share this culture with family and friends outside of the workplace,” she said.

The department said VPP recognizes and promotes effective workplace safety and health management through a cooperative program between a company’s management, employees and AKOSH.

“Participating in the Voluntary Protection Program illustrates an employer’s steadfast commitment to worker safety,” said Labor Commissioner Heidi Drygas. “I applaud BP Exploration Alaska’s Central Power Station employees for their efforts in managing and maintaining occupational safety and health.”

VPP Star recipients are not subject to random enforcement actions for five years, the department said, although enforcement regulations remain in effect and cases of employee complaints, accident investigations or other significant incidents will result in an enforcement inspection.

Participants in the AKOSH VPP Star program, in addition to BP’s Central Power Station, include: Alaska Clean Seas; Arctic Slope Regional Corp. Energy Services Grind and Inject Plant & Oily Water Injection Facility; BP Central Compression Plant & Gas Facility; ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. Alpine field operations; ConocoPhillips Kuparuk area; Fairbanks Memorial Hospital; Insulfoam Inc.; and UniSea Inc.

- Petroleum News