Pipeline Construction Safety Training Program Announced
The course will provide industry-specific training that includes fire safety, safety in confined spaces, and fall hazards, with an API-U certificate issued upon completion of the course.
The American Petroleum Institute and North America's Building Trades Unions, known as NABTU, recently announced a new Pipeline Construction Safety Training Program, saying it will combine the best practices of both the building trades unions and oil & gas industry in "a foundational safety program applicable throughout all energy infrastructure construction."
It will build on existing NABTU safety courses that were developed by the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), with the first stage being a customized OSHA 10-hour construction safety class that will incorporate pipeline safety information developed by API and NABTU. "The program offers a way for industry and our union allies to expand the economic opportunities for workers and to help ensure that industry has a skilled and committed workforce capable of building the energy infrastructure our nation needs to meet ever-growing demand," said Jack Gerard, API's president and CEO. "Safety is a shared priority with the common goal of zero incidents. The Pipeline Construction Safety Training Program is an important milestone toward that goal."
"Our unions represent the safest, most talented, and highly trained skilled craft professionals the world has ever seen. NABTU members from coast to coast are committed to safely and effectively building the energy infrastructure this country needs, and this collaboration with API reinforces that objective," agreed Sean McGarvey, president of NABTU. "We welcome the opportunity to work with the oil and natural gas industry to help our members be better equipped with the necessary skills to not just attain a job, but to find a successful career in construction. We have long been focused on creating opportunities to strengthen and expand America's middle class – this effort will lead to growth in America's economy and energy security alike."
The training is part of NABTU's current offerings to its members, specifically to apprentices and journeymen, and the initial program will be available to pipeline construction personnel from the Laborers (LiUNA), the Operating Engineers (IUOE), and the United Association (UA). The course will provide industry-specific training that includes fire safety, safety in confined spaces, and fall hazards, with an API-U certificate issued upon completion of the course.
NABTU is an alliance of 14 national and international unions in the building and construction industry.