ZeroHarm
DBP is committed to ZeroHarm such that no other business objective will take priority over Health, Safety and the Environment.
DBP strives to maintain a strong, focused safety culture which reinforces and strengthens the business’ comprehensive HSE procedures and training.
This commitment has resulted in an excellent safety and environmental track record for DBP, with no lost time injuries or reportable environmental incidents occurring during the operation of the pipeline in the past two and a half years.
To find out more about DBP’s commitment to ZeroHarm and HSE Policies, please view the policy and the commitment statement on the right.
Asset Safety
An important part of the ZeroHarm commitment is protecting the integrity of the pipeline. DBP monitors safety on the pipeline twenty four hours a day, seven days a week via a dedicated control centre. Frequent helicopter patrols are conducted performing aerial safety assessments which ensure DBP is able to monitor the pipeline corridor and any works or activities happening in its vicinity.
The surface is protected from corrosion by a coating material and an impressed current system.
The pipeline is cleaned and inspected internally by a process known as ‘pigging’ approximately every 10 years. This involves inserting a pipeline internal gauge ‘pig’ which is propelled through the line by the gas pressure while it scrubs the sides of the pipeline. It is followed by a high-tech tool which measures the thickness of the steel pipe wall electronically.
Safety Case
A Safety Case developed by DBP and approved by the WA Department of Mines and Petroleum sets out the health and safety requirements for working on or near the DBNGP. This applies to operational and project works. Regular audits ensure that management processes comply with the Safety Case and accepted industry practices.
Safety Innovations
An important part of the ZeroHarm philosophy is a focus on continual improvement. In recent years DBP has introduced two award winning initiatives which represent the very best in safety technology.
VSSMS (or the Vehicle Safety and Speed Monitoring System) monitors the speed and the location of DBNGP vehicles. This technology allows for a fast emergency response if a vehicle is involved in an incident in a remote area. Also, when a vehicle is recorded exceeding the DBP designated speed limit on unsealed roads or on the right of way, alerts are emailed to senior management. This technology has seen DBP recognised by a number of state and national industry associations; the Australasian Fleet Management Association, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy Awards and the Australian Pipeline Industry Association as a leader in road safety innovation.
The Driver Drowsiness Tracker (or DDT) is a high tech system installed on all high mileage vehicles. A special set of glasses measures the eye and eyelid movements of the driver, alerting them when they are approaching a drowsy state. This technology is aimed at providing DBP employees with real time information regarding their drowsiness and enables them to implement self management strategies to reduce these risks and therefore the potential for vehicle accidents. DDT also provides DBP with the opportunity to review and analyse data to determine the need to implement organisational controls to manage possible procedural and process causes of drowsiness.
DBP Land Management
The DBNGP is located in a State Government owned easement which runs through pastoral, agricultural and privately owned land as well as nature reserves, roads and waterways along its almost 1600 kilometre route.
DBP has a dedicated Land Management Team which works closely with landowners and communities in both the general operation of the pipeline and also in times of construction. DBP is committed to sustaining long term working relationships with all landowners.
The Environment
The environment is also part of DBP’s commitment to ZeroHarm. DBP ensures the DBNGP is constructed, operated and maintained in accordance with all relevant environmental legislation.
The DBNGP is operated and maintained under an Operational Environmental Management Plan. Construction is carried out in accordance with a Construction Environmental Management Plan and both plans are approved by the WA Department of Mines and Petroleum.
Carbon Reduction Initiatives
DBP has implemented a Carbon and Energy Efficiency Program to identify and implement opportunities that are aimed at reducing DBP’s carbon footprint and becoming more energy efficient. As well as minimising the business’ carbon footprint, the initiatives ensure DBP is well positioned should carbon reduction legislation be introduced.
Control Room