As a contract safety consultant for the oil and gas industry, Keith Pillich works to keep employees and the environment safe from potential fires and other disasters. The growing need for oil puts a strain on oil refineries, a large portion of which are more than 25 years old in the U.S. Older refineries often lack the infrastructure and safety measures that are necessary to prevent injury and structural damage in the event of a disaster due to fire or corrosion. Keith Pillich and other safety contractors perform quality control assessments to ensure companies put in the time and money needed to maintain optimal refinery function while minimizing the risk of accidents.
Oil is a flammable substance, and if crude is released or leaked during a specific part of the refining process, fire is a real concern. Part of Keith Pillich’s job is to ensure that facilities have the proper equipment and procedures in place to contain and extinguish fires efficiently.
Corrosion is another risk factor for oil processing plants. Many of the substances in oil are corrosive, and they cause damage to pipes over time that leads to equipment failure. A company’s regulatory policies should include checks for corrosion and the necessary procedures to replace equipment that could cause failure or damage in the facility. Although not all accidents are preventable, quality assurance checks combined with proper safety equipment and action plans can save many lives.
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