The International Liquid Terminal Association (ILTA) says its terminal members are taking precautions to protect workers and contractors while safely continuing with vital operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, ILTA is maintaining a web page filled with pandemic resources and information pertaining to the storage terminal industry at ilta.org/News-Resources/Pandemic-Information.
Liquid terminals are a critical logistics link in getting liquid products—like gasoline, diesel, chemicals and liquid foods—in the hands of the ultimate consumer. For the pandemic, this means ensuring adequate supplies of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel so that emergency supplies and food can be delivered by plane or truck and that emergency personnel can travel to work.
Among other things, ILTA members are taking the following actions to ensure personnel are protected and operations continue safely:
- Following government and CDC recommendations for practicing personal hygiene and social distancing important for minimizing the spread of COVID-19
- Following CDC and regulator guidance on healthy operations of terminals, including at ports and harbors and at truck loading racks
- Developing and updating company plans to minimize health risks and continue operations safely
- Staying in close contact with fellow terminal operators—through weekly ILTA COVID-19 peer exchange calls and an ILTA member online forum—to exchange information on best practices for continued operations and worker safety during this challenge
- Staying in close contact, either directly or through ILTA, with regulators and other federal, state and local government officials to exchange information, identify challenges and resolve issues to ensure continued safe operations, critical to COVID-19 response
ILTA and its member companies continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust practices, as needed or requested, to protect the safety of our employees and contractors, while continuing to provide mission-critical operations.
“We join in wishing all communities safety and health as the situation continues to evolve,” ILTA said.