API and the National Fire Protection Association Form Joint Alliance with OSHA

In March, 2004, the American Petroleum Institute signed a joint alliance with two organizations to promote safe and healthful working conditions for workers in the petroleum and petrochemical industry. The alliance unites the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in an effort to provide workers in the industry with the necessary training, educational materials and guidance to ensure their safety and health.

Key elements of the Alliance are built around promoting safe tank entry, cleaning, maintenance, and rescue operations and work within and around petroleum and petrochemical liquid storage tanks. The Alliance participants will encourage industry workers, including tank owners and operations supervisors, tank maintenance and repair workers, tank contractors and confined space rescue personnel to take OSHA’s train-the-trainer course on safety and health standards and then carry that knowledge back into the field to train operators.

API, NFPA and OSHA will share information on lessons learned and mutually agreed upon best practices with others in the industry and then publicize those results through individual training programs and materials. Additionally, the organizations will also develop and disseminate information through print and electronic media, including electronic assistance tools, and through their respective websites.