Introduction to the
Unescorted Course
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
Course Number
NSTC-03
Revised 3–2014
Introductions
Name
Company
Assigned work site on the Slope or at another
industrial site in Alaska
Are you new to Alaska?
If not, have you been to the North Slope? If so,
how long ago?
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
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Administration and Safety
Emergency guidelines for fire, earthquake or
bomb threat; evacuation routes, and assembly
area
Restrooms and designated smoking areas
Breaks and lunch
Safety minute
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
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NSTC Unescorted Course:
6-Pack + H2S/FeS
6-Pack
Camps and Safety
Alaska Safety Handbooks (ASH and BP ASH)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
HAZCOM
HAZWOPER
Environmental Excellence
Hydrogen Sulfide/Iron Sulfide
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
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Safety Training
The NSTC Unescorted Course is an awareness
level course designed as a basic introduction to
working safely on the North Slope.
The NSTC card is not an official training record,
but it is required in order to receive a badge for
entry into North Slope operating fields.
Most facilities require a site-specific orientation
and additional site specific training.
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
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North Slope Camps
& Safety Orientation
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
Course Number
NSTC-03
Introduction
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© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
Goal
To introduce participants to the unique working
conditions at Alaska’s North Slope oil and gas
facilities and explain the safety assurance
measures currently in practice.
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
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Objectives
Participants will be able to:
Describe work life in the North Slope oilfields
including geography, facilities, and working
conditions.
Explain the North Slope safety policies, culture,
and expectations for working safely as a team.
Discuss safety training requirements and
resources.
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
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Working on the
North Slope
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© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
Geography
Where is the North Slope?
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Geography
Sorry — it’s not that
kind of Slope.
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
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Geography
In fact, despite the name, it’s not
much of a “slope” at all.
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
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Geography
Here’s why —
The Arctic or “North”
Slope is a broad
drainage field
between the Brooks
Mt. Range and Arctic
Ocean.
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
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Geography
On the surface, the land is snow covered almost
10 months of the year.
Due to its arctic location, the ground is frozen
under the surface to an average depth of 1500
feet, in a condition known as permafrost.
In the summer when the top 2 feet of soil thaws,
the ground cover called tundra supports over
250 species of plants, but NO TREES.
Over 230 species of birds and numerous other
wildlife such as bears, fox, caribou, and musk ox
call the area home.
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
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Weather
16
The weather varies from balmy summer highs in the 60’s and
average winter lows around -20F, with extremes in both
directions. Annual precipitation is a dry 4.5 inches, with an
average snowfall of 33 inches.
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
2014 BP ASH, page104; 2014 ASH, page 180
Ownership
Most of the oilfield lands are leased from the
State and Federal governments and operated
by a consortium of oil-producing companies.
Much of the housing and operations are
located within the lease boundaries, with
many contractor companies basing their
operations just outside of “the lease” in the
town of Deadhorse, Alaska.
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
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Transportation
There are two common transportation choices to get there:
A 1 ½ hour flight … or 2–3 day drive. YOUR CHOICE!
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
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Transportation
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Shared Services Aviation: BP and ConocoPhillips jointly own a
private airline specifically for transporting workers to, from, and
around the North Slope oil fields.
Reservations are made through specific company
representatives.
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
Transportation
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Appropriate clothing required for travel October 1
to May 1 includes:
Heavy coat or jacket,
Warm gloves or mittens,
Winter cap, hat, or hood which covers the ears,
Warm substantial footwear (including warm
socks) with sturdy outer sole.
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
2014 BP ASH, pages 31-32, 48, 55; 2014 ASH, pages 19, 50, 54-55;
Transportation
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Once you’re on the Slope, buses, shuttles, pool vehicles, and
department-assigned vehicles will take you wherever you need
to go.
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
Transportation
Occasionally, transportation around the Slope becomes more
interesting…
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Driving Conditions
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The roads up North are …
Mostly like this …
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
But nice for about two weeks!
Driving Conditions – Foul
Weather
Phases: Visibility
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Levels: Road
Conditions—BP
Phase I: Caution, reduced
Level I: Caution
visibility
Phase II: Restricted,
convoy only
Level II: Restricted
Phase III: Closed, critical
or emergency travel only
Level III: Restricted
travel
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
2014 BP ASH, page 52; 2014 ASH, pages 52-53
Driving/Vehicle Safety
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OBEY ALL SPEED LIMITS!
A valid driver’s license is required.
Safety glasses with side shields are required for
all occupants.
Seat belts must be worn at all times.
Headlights are on while driving.
From October to May, drivers must carry heavy
winter gear in their vehicles.
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
2014 BP ASH, pages 16, 52-55; 2014 ASH, pages 48-52
Driving/Vehicle Safety
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Drivers may not use cell phones or 2-way radios
while the vehicle is in motion.
Drivers must yield to all heavy equipment, to
wildlife, and slow to 5 mph when passing.
Driving is permitted on designated roads only –
no unauthorized tundra travel.
Drivers need to conduct a 360º walk-around
prior to driving.
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
2014 BP ASH, pages 16, 52-55; 2014 ASH, pages 48-52
Camp Facilities
Shared rooms and showers
Cafeterias and snack rooms
Laundries
Small commissaries
Recreation and workout areas
Aid stations and medical clinics
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
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Camp Life and Health
Have consideration for others who live in your
facility
Day and night sleepers
Use of shared areas
Personal hygiene protects everyone from the
spread of disease
Use hand washing stations
Wear slippers to avoid athlete’s foot
Report to the clinic when sick
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
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Working Safely
as a Team
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© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
Expectations and
Accountabilities
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Working safety is a condition of employment.
Every worker is expected to follow all operating
rules contained in the Alaska Safety Handbooks
(ASH and BP ASH) and the Environmental Field
Handbook.
Report near misses, accidents or incidents.
No weapons, knives, drugs or alcohol are
allowed on the North Slope.
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
2014 BP ASH, pages 11,16,18, 32; 2014 ASH, pages 3-4, 9;
Safety Is Everyone’s
Responsibility
The Operator and Contractor companies work as a
team to create safety processes:
Pre-job hazard assessments and daily safety
meetings.
Work permit systems.
Safety observations and audits.
Emergency procedures and incident reporting.
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
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Accident Ratio Study
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Incident Causation Model
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The Primary Goal of
North Slope Operations
No harm to
people,
facilities, or
the environment.
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
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But, What About the Job
Deadline?
Those you care about, and those who
care about you, want you home alive.
© 2008 APICC/NSTC—All rights reserved
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