 Richard Keating has observed the changing face of ‘safety’ since joining Shell as an apprentice mechanic some 33 years ago. "Shell has always been focused on safety," he says, but notes that, historically, it was mainly supervisors who took responsibility for ensuring workplaces were safe. "Now, individuals are more likely to say ‘I’m performing this task, but I could do it more safely.’" It is an attitude which is critical when you’re seeking a Major Hazard Facilities Licence.
Located just outside CBD Melbourne, Shell’s Newport terminal distributes bulk combustible and flammable products to industrial facilities, service stations and industrial customers. The requirement to apply for the new licence came about in 2000, when new regulations in Victoria saw industrial operations like Newport terminal designated as a major hazards site. Under the new regulations, Newport would be granted a five-year Major Hazard Facilities Licence if it could demonstrate that it was adequately meeting its safety responsibilities.
"Shell already has an extremely robust Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) management system in place," explains Richard, who is now Shell Newport’s Business Improvement Adviser. "So it was a matter of building on this commitment and using the existing structure as the foundation."
Richard and his team worked tirelessly over 18 months to prepare and submit Newport’s Safety Case to WorkSafe. "Everyone across the site was involved in hazard identification workshops, with WorkSafe attending as observers and providing useful feedback," he says.
Newport terminal’s Safety Case documents the formal process for identifying and assessing all known hazards associated with its activities. While there are processes to evaluate, manage and minimise risk, there is an equally strong emphasis on individual actions. For example, all employees are required to undertake frequent ‘walk and talks’ and to discuss their findings. These lead to action items, which are subsequently tracked to ensure completion.
"We now clearly understand the level and quality of controls in place to prevent an incident happening," says Richard, pointing out that major incidents are due to hazards that are not controlled, such as emissions or fire.
External stakeholders, including residents, the local council, emergency services and the EPA, were regularly updated on Newport terminal’s submission to WorkSafe. A key outcome is that there will be greater uniformity in how terminal operators in the area communicate with the local community in the event of an emergency. All warning sirens will sound the same and, at the community’s request, there will be an official all-clear siren.
After many months of hard work, a detailed submission was presented to WorkSafe in May 2002. In December, WorkSafe granted Newport terminal its Major Hazards Facilities Licence, with no conditions attached. | 
