Log On Security, management training available online

March 1, 2003
CONCERNED about your facility security? Wondering how to find training materials? Looking for ways cut the time it takes to shop for manuals? Then log

CONCERNED about your facility security? Wondering how to find training materials? Looking for ways cut the time it takes to shop for manuals? Then log on to the Internet.

Associations and private companies are making their programs available online. The Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association (SOCMA) has a program that can help with evaluating security practices at plants, and helps prospective members meet guidelines for membership.

The propane industry also has information for improving security and safety. At propanesafety.com, the new elibrary training materials include overhead transparencies and workbooks, just to name a few of the offing.

For professional development training and other programs, go to efleetmanagement.com where the subscription-based service introduces sources for hundreds of training courses.

These Web sites are just a few of many that are using the Internet to disseminate information about their training programs. As the need for security increases, particularly with the introduction of federal regulations, expect others to offer electronic services designed to help companies meet the demands.

www.socma.com

To help member firms implement new security practices required for membership in the SOCMA, the organization has developed and made available online a chemical site security vulnerability analysis (SVA) program. The computer-based model was established to help enhance existing security efforts at batch and specialty chemical manufacturing facilities.

SOCMA members made a commitment to voluntary site security practices December 10 as part of the association's Responsible Care program. The overall SVA methodology follows and meets the criteria developed by the Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS), a technical industry alliance of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), and can be used to fulfill commitments to Responsible Care's seventh code for site security.

The model was beta-tested by a wide variety of companies, large and small, including non-SOCMA members. The new tools can be downloaded at no charge from the Web site.

The SVA program incorporate hazard, attractiveness, potential consequences, and existing security measures into a tiered screening process that allows for quick prioritization of possible targets. Available resources can then be applied to chemicals and processes that require further evaluation or action.

As a first step in using the model, a pre-screen is conducted to place certain non-hazardous chemicals into a low-risk category. A separate, more-detailed vulnerability screen is contained in a user-friendly Microsoft Access application, along with the SVA model.

The vulnerability screen addresses the most critical elements that a terrorist or other adversary might consider when selecting a potential target. The SVA model also addresses these same elements in more detail by focusing on the individual factors that can contribute to overall security.

Users apply detailed criteria from the manual to their facilities' attributes. They then derive values for each of the factors contained in the various forms covering the areas of hazard, attractiveness, potential consequences and existing security. The outputs from each of these four key forms are used to qualitatively describe potential vulnerability for a given chemical or process at a site. Each of the factors within the four areas is weighted based on its potential contribution to a facility's attractiveness as a target, the likelihood of a successful attack or potential for off-site consequences.

www.propanesafety.com

PropaneSafety.com, a Web site designed to provide information for preventing or responding to propane emergencies, has a new eLibrary section that features overhead transparencies, student workbooks, and emergency tactical scenarios — all available for downloading. The site was developed by a team of propane product and container specialists from the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) to provide training information and materials.

The overhead transparencies page has a set of downloadable files in PowerPoint format. The file size within each file description is listed so the download sessions can be planned effectively.

Subjects include standards codes and regulations, physical properties and characteristics of propane, bulk transportation design and construction, bulk plants and bulk storage tanks, and general emergency response procedures.

The scenarios program is designed to help instructors teach emergency responders how to safely respond to propane incidents. Scenarios are based on actual emergencies and include an overturned MC331 cargo tank truck, a leak on an intermodal gas tank container, and emergency planning for a propane bulk plant.

www.efleetmgmt.com

efleetmgmt inc, Woodbridge, Virginia, has launched an extensive, one-stop online professional development, management and information resource for corporate fleet and transportation professionals. This subscription-based Web site provides access to hundreds of online training courses, comprehensive articles and searchable databases, and links to dozens of Web sites in the trucking/transportation field. “Our Web site is designed to provide access to the best available professional development content, education and training, and information for the fleet and transportation industry,” said Lisa C Deyo, efleetmgmt president. Through the Web site, fleet and transportation managers can access education and training via hundreds of online courses, regional one-day seminars and customized in-house training programs.

Other information includes a how-to library for articles on maintaining driver qualification files, setting up a loss prevention program, surviving a Department of Transportation audit, performing a lease versus buy analysis, and conducting effective safety meetings.

One sections offers strategies for establishing or maximizing an existing backhaul program in order to reduce empty miles and maximize equipment utilization.

Extensive online searchable databases are available on driver training schools, trucking insurance companies, obtaining permits, and diesel fuel prices and fuel tax rates.

About the Author

Mary Davis