Environmental
Third Coast Terminals (TCT) is deeply committed to the prevention of environmental pollution, conservation of resources and to observe all applicable legal and moral requirements that apply to all our work operations. Third Coast Terminals is in the process of developing its environmental management system to conform to ISO 14001:2004.
Some of the proactive steps that we take include:
- Trans-loading/ filling operations are gauged by both weight (using certified scales) and volume (using inline flow-meters), while operational technicians having two separate signature/ sign-off requirements in processing documentation checklists helps to avoid occurrences.
- Each operations employee is trained in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 40CFR 112 Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC).
- Third Coast Terminals has installed a thermal oxidizer, quench column and scrubber tower system so that we can remove all hazardous compounds which could be considered harmful to the environment during flammable and hazardous product trans-loading/ filling operations.
- All of our tanks have been constructed to the highest safety standards. They are contained in concrete diked areas meeting all applicable regulations and are inspected regularly for containment integrity.
- We work closely with both our suppliers and customers to eliminate product waste streams. All line flushes are accumulated and returned to customers or sold at customer request to salvagers for refinement and re-use.
- We are actively recycling and utilizing recycled materials (where available) across our business processes.
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Health
Our primary concern is for the well being of our employees. This has led us to introduce a voluntary Wellness Program, at no cost to our employees, with biannual screening processes and annual flu inoculations.
We are a non-smoking facility, believing that more deterrents to smoking at work aids employees in their efforts to quit while improving the environment for non-smokers and reductions in fire related accidents.
We protect our employee’s health by offering respiratory training, high quality equipment and medical evaluations including pulmonary function tests and fit test.
Other forms of personal protective equipment (PPE) are supplied and used to protect our employees from chemical exposure which could result in a contamination by contact.
To further protect our employee’s health, eating and drinking are not allowed in the facility except in designated areas. Keeping a clean non-contaminated eating area for employees greatly reduces the potential of contamination by contact with the products we handle.
Employees are trained in how to handle blood-borne pathogens in the event of possible exposure including clean-up and disposal.
A facility-wide, Industrial Hygiene (IH Testing) monitoring program was conducted to determine hearing protecting requirements. Noise levels were determined to be below the OSHA TWA standard. Therefore, employees are not mandated to wear hearing protection, even though it is available for anyone’s use.
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Safety
The safety of our employees is extremely important to us both at work and at home. Toolbox safety topics are not limited to at-work issues as there are hazards in all aspects of life. Safety training does not stop for us when our employees leave our gates. Without them returning the next day, we would not be able to continue the high quality of service that we have become known for. Safety education and the resulting heightened awareness are principles we train and encourage our employees to follow every day. For example, with the modern technologies available to us, safety while driving has become compromised by email and texting while driving. All Third Coast Companies have a general employee mandate that states no employee will text or type on cell phones while driving vehicles on business. Also, employees are not permitted to possess fire-arms, weapons, drugs or alcohol while on duty. We have an open-door, management driven policy where all accidents and situations which could lead to an accident, injury or contamination are reported immediately to local supervisors for correction or escalation.
TCT complies with all industry regulations including, but not limited to:
- Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) Written Hazard Communication Program 49CFR 1910.1200.
- Complete respiratory training program as specified in Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) 29CFR 1910.134.
- Confined Space – All operations employees are trained and certified annually in confined space entry procedures in accordance with 29CFR 1910.146.
- Lockout / Tagout – Policies and procedures for lock-out/ tag-out have been written in accordance with 29CFR 1910.147.
- Blood-borne Pathogen – Employees are trained annually in the handling and disposal of blood borne Pathogens as outlined in 29CFR 1910.1030.
- Fall Protection training in accordance with 29CFR 1926.503 is accomplished annually.
- Noise Exposure.
- HAZWOPER and HAZCOM training is conducted annually in accordance with 29CFR1910.120. In addition, prior to the arrival of new products, each affected employee receives training appropriate for that product.
- CPR/First Aid – several employees throughout the facility are trained in first aid and CPR with more trained individuals being added over time.
- Emergency Planning and Fire Prevention (annual training) Every employee receives hands-on fire extinguisher training.
- Flood and Hurricane Procedures. Also the evacuation zone for each employee’s home is monitored to allow ample time for them and their families to evacuate safely during a hurricane event.
- We abide by all DOT Regulations 49CFR Parts 171 – 180. All hazmat employees receive extensive training within the first 90 days of employment. Prior to their training, employees work side-by-side with experienced hazmat employees.
- Accident and Injury Response.
- Personal Protection Equipment in accordance with 29CFR 1910.132.
- Forklift Safety Program in accordance with 29CFR 1910.178. All operation employees are cross-trained and certified to operate forklifts.
- Third Coast Terminals employs a certified trainer so that all mandatory training may be conducted on-site.
- Third Coast Terminals' continuous employee training program includes mandatory weekly Toolbox Meetings and monthly Departmental Training.
- All operations employees have attended the Texas A&M Fire School in Bryan/College Station, TX not to fight fires, but to be more capable in an emergency situation.
- Subcontractors are fully trained before being allowed into the facility while visitors receive a safety indoctrination.
- As of Feb 1, 2011, Third Coast employees had logged over 550,000 hours without lost time.
Annual insurance audits reflect continuous improvement in our safety & health achievements following TCT’s policy of safety culture.
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