ASTM F276, Test Method for Sorbent Performance ofAdsorbents, offers guidelines for what to use under whatcircumstances.CHALLENGES AHEADThe effectiveness of any cleanup operation depends onfickle weather and ocean currents, the properties of the oilinvolved and the success or failure of all the strategies usedto plug leaks and to stop the oil from flowing. If theDeepwater Horizon spill demonstrated the significance ofthe existing standards created by ASTM InternationalCommittee F20 on Hazardous Substances and Oil SpillResponse, then it also raised the question of what newstandards may be required to address spills at sites involvingextreme engineering and difficult access.“All of us in the community try to apply lessonslearned. We might be tweaking existing standards,” saysPotter. “We always reevaluate after any spill.”Fingas points to the issue of research funding.“Control agencies and research organizations do nothave the ability to do long-term meaningful research onspills and spill response. We are always fighting forfunding.”Potter agrees. “We need a less reactionary and morestable interest in oil spills,” he says. “Interest comes andgoes. The Deepwater Horizon spill showed the importanceof keeping at it. Otherwise, these things tend to falloff the radar.”On the standards development side, Lane expects thatCommittee F20 members may have new ideas for safetystandards, among others. And Crickard wants to hearfrom more producers, manufacturers, regulators and endusers. “The more people we have in the pool comprisingour committee, the more voices we will have to helpimprove our standards and to vastly improve our oil spillresponse system.” REFERENCESBroder, J.K. & Zeller, Jr., T. (2010, May 5). Gulf Oilspill is bad, but how bad? New York Times.Mufson, S. & Achenbach, J. (2010, May 17). BPsticks tube in leaking well. Washington Post.Adele Bassett is a freelance writer who has covered everythingfrom youth gangs in Colorado to earthquakes in Connecticutwhile working for a variety of corporations and publications. Sheholds a B.A. in English, an M.S. in journalism and an M.B.A.Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM Standardization News,Volume 38, No. 4, copyright ASTM International, 100 BarrHarbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428.The Future of Oil & Gas<strong>ASSE</strong> and the Oil & Gas Practice Specialty (OGPS)would like to thank Ashok Lenka, Eric Roth andDudley Plaisance for recently stepping up to volunteeron the OGPS Advisory Committee. Since we are amember-driven organization, volunteers determineour strength, opportunities and contributions to theindustry and safety community. Please join me in welcomingAshok, Eric and Dudley.If you would like to get more involved and workwith this great group of volunteers, click here formore information. WebinarsPlease join us on the upcoming webinars. Formore information, click the links below orvisit http://www.asse.org/education.Safety Leadership: The Final Hurdle TowardZero Oct. 5, 2011 11:00 AM-12:30 PM CDTA Framework of OSHA’s Proposed Injury &Illness Prevention Program (I2P2): Learning fromCal-OSHA’s Experience Nov. 9, 2011 11:00 AM-12:30 PM CDT. Best of the Best<strong>ASSE</strong> and the Oil & GasPractice Specialty wouldlike to congratulate MeaganJohnson and Larry Johnson fortheir article, “ManagingGeneration X.” This article wasone of 17 articles selected forinclusion in the 2010-2011 Bestof the Best publication. Clickhere to view this compilationof technical material and visit http://www.asse.org/psfor more information or click here to add an additionalpractice specialty to your membership. 16Well Informed www.asse.org 2011
Safety 2011RecapIt is safe to say Safety 2011 was a huge success.There was record attendance and specialevents to celebrate <strong>ASSE</strong>’s 100th anniversary.The Oil & Gas Practice Specialty (OGPS) held itsannual face-to-face meeting and sponsoredtwo sessions plus a roundtable. OGPS volunteersalso helped answer questions at thePractice Specialties booth where free practicespecialties were raffled off, complimentarynewsletters were available for all 28 groupsand mouse pads were given out. Click here forour blog recap of what happened in Chicagoat our biggest and best conference yet! Clickhere to order CD or MP3 audio recordingsfrom Safety 2011 conference sessions. If youwere unable to make it to Safety 2011, pleasemark your calendar now for Safety 2012 inDenver, CO, June 3-6, 2012. 17Well Informed www.asse.org 2011
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