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| 2001 Annual Report > Review of Operations > Environment and Safety |
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Enerplus continues to develop, maintain, and
continuously improve reasonable and effective
environment and safety programs to ensure the
protection and safety of its employees, stakeholders,
and the environment. Enerplus takes very seriously
its commitment to environmental and safety
management and seeks to undertake its activities and
operations to meet this commitment.
In 2001, Enerplus participated in a third party audit
of its Environmental Management Program and is
pleased to report that the required elements of an
effective Environmental Management System are in
place. Enerplus has integrated the management of
environmental, health and safety issues into overall
operating procedures to facilitate the conduct of its
program. Enerplus has taken a proactive approach to
the prevention of environmental incidents and
mitigate impacts.
In addition, Enerplus conducted an internal audit of
its Safety Management Program and is pleased to
report that the components of the program continue
to meet the requirements of a Certificate of
Recognition (COR), which was awarded to Enerplus
in 2000 through the Partnerships in Health and Safety
program. The COR certifies that Enerplus’ safety
program meets or exceeds the requirements for a basic
safety program as set out by industry and Alberta
Workplace Health and Safety. It is the commitment
of all management, office and field staff that ensures
the continued health and safety of Enerplus’
employees and stakeholders.
Employee Training
Enerplus’ Job Performance Management System
(JPMS) is a comprehensive approach to planning the
development and progression of field operations’
personnel as well as for managing risk in Enerplus’
field operations. In addition to identifying and
addressing hazardous tasks, JPMS is used to manage
an employee’s/contractor’s progress and competence,
to ensure that tasks are carried out safely, responsibly,
and effectively. In addition, Enerplus has developed
and continues to promote the Loss Control Council
(LCC) in order to expand the level of on-the-job
training available to its field employees. The LCC is a
team of experienced and knowledgeable company
employees comprising of both field and office staff
from field operations, Environment and Safety, and
Facilities. This team conducts inspections of operated
properties each year, allowing for cross training
between disciplines and sharing of information
between operating areas.
Site Inspections Program
As part of its due diligence program, Enerplus conducts
a number of both
internal (LCC) and third party site
inspections at selected operated and non-operated
facilities each year. In addition, in 2001 Enerplus
implemented an inspection program for construction
and drilling projects. In this way the Fund ensures
that its own operations as well as the operations of its
partners in industry meet regulatory and industry
requirements for environment and safety issues. In
2001 inspections were conducted on 16 operated
areas, 5 non-operated areas, 10 construction projects,
and two drilling projects, with all findings
immediately addressed. All area inspections are
conducted on a maximum 5 year rotation.
Corrosion Risk Management Program
Enerplus has implemented a Corrosion Risk
Management Program to address corrosion issues on
pipelines and other equipment throughout its
operations. The program enables Enerplus to review
all pipelines operated by the Fund to assess risk of
failure and to mitigate potential environmental
damage that could result from corrosion related
incidents. The program has assessed over twenty
operated areas to date.
Acquisition Due Diligence Investigations
An integral part of property or corporate acquisitions
requires that an acquisition investigation, site
inspection and file review is conducted to identify
significant environmental or safety issues. Potential
contamination/operational issues can be identified
at this stage protecting the Fund from purchasing
properties with significant liabilities. In 2001, several
acquisition investigations were conducted and no
material environmental or safety related liabilities
were noted for properties acquired.
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