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Journal of Australian Energy Producers
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Working together to reduce land transport safety risk in the CSG sector: can we ever do enough?

Michelle Zaunbrecher A B , Jason King A B and Brandon Yeong A B
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A Arrow Energy, Level 39, 111 Eagle Street, Brisbane, Qld 4000, Australia.

B Corresponding authors. Email: Michelle.Zaunbrecher@arrowenergy.com.au; Jason.King@arrowenergy.com.au; Brandon.Yeong@arrowenergy.com.au

The APPEA Journal 58(1) 25-31 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ17081
Submitted: 1 December 2017  Accepted: 5 February 2018   Published: 28 May 2018

Abstract

Queensland coal seam gas (CSG) company, Arrow Energy (Arrow), has been implementing a strategy to improve land transport safety across its business. The present paper examines the strategy Arrow has taken to better understand and mitigate the risks associated with land transport. It looks at current transport risk, specific examples of existing good practice adopted by Arrow and future opportunities.

Land transport-related incidents have historically been the main cause of fatalities in this sector. To address this risk, Arrow has developed a seven-pillar strategy, comprising safe vehicles, safe drivers, safe speeds, safe roads, Arrow assurance program, industry collaboration and contracting strategy. The strategy applies equally to light and heavy vehicles and both professional and non-professional drivers. The unique approach focuses on changing driver behaviours, having a robust assurance and controls program, appointing a third party logistics (3PL) specialist transport provider and developing key relationships with contractors and internal stakeholders.

A continuous improvement approach to safety culture, positive driving behaviours, transport safety education, industry focus group participation (Safer Together), better vehicle technical standards, and having supplier relationships to drive outcomes will further ensure that land transport safety is a key priority across the business. Arrow believes this integrated approach yields the best results, but that it is an ongoing journey, as long as the industry has vehicles and is driving.

Keywords: assurance, coal seam gas, driving behaviours, fatalities, safe drivers, safe roads, safe speeds, safety, supplier relationships, technology, training.

Michelle Zaunbrecher has a Geology and Honours Degree in Petroleum Geology and Geophysics. She also has a Masters of Environmental Science and Hydrogeology. Michelle has over 25 years in the resource sector, mostly in the oil and gas area. She has worked for BHP Billiton, BP and is currently the Vice President Health, Safety and Environment for Arrow Energy.

Jason King is currently the General Manager – Contracting, Procurement and Logistics at Arrow Energy. Prior to joining Arrow, Jason led the Ernst and Young’s Brisbane Supply Chain Advisory group and founded KPMGs Business Performance Services team in Queensland. He has over 25 years of experience in Management Consulting within the private and public sector in the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas. Jason has covered a broad number of other senior global roles in transformation and implementation experience, including Strategic Sourcing Manager, Program Management, Global Project Delivery, Global Functional Procurement Lead, Technical Project Management. Jason has worked with several global Mining, Metals and Oil and Gas companies on global sourcing strategies for emerging markets, cost reduction, EBIT and Working capital optimisation, strategic sourcing in Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. Jason has also extensive experience in integration projects and global ERP Implementations, Transformation, strategic sourcing and IT procurement projects.

Brandon Yeong is responsible for warehousing, inventory and contracting at Arrow Energy. He is an experienced supply chain practitioner with particular expertise in the oil and gas sector. Prior to joining Arrow Energy, Brandon has over 10 years of consulting and commercial experience in industries covering mining, oil and gas, aviation, FMCG, manufacturing, utilities, construction, government and telecommunications. Brandon’s consulting experience includes working at leading firms such as Accenture, KPMG and Ernst and Young. Brandon has led a wide range of projects across the Asia Pacific, focusing on strategy development, operational and process improvement and technology implementation. Brandon also has significant experience in planning and integrating large-scale transformation projects and business consulting at senior and executive levels. Brandon holds a Bachelor of Finance and Masters of Business Administration from the University of Queensland.


References

Arrow Energy (2017a). Seven pillar strategy. Arrow Energy, Brisbane. [Unpublished]

Arrow Energy (2017b). Driver conversation tool. Arrow Energy, Brisbane. [Unpublished]

Arrow Energy and Contractor (2017) Summary of IVMS breaches (trend analysis). Arrow Energy, Brisbane. [Unpublished]

Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities (2017a). Road safety statistics October 2017. Available at https://bitre.gov.au/statistics/safety/index.aspx [verified 1 December 2017]

Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities (2017b). Fatal heavy vehicle crashes Australia – quarterly bulletins October 2017. Available at https://bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing/fatal_heavy_vehicle_crashes_quarterly.aspx [verified 1 December 2017]

Safe Work Australia (2018). Fatality statistics. Available at https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/statistics-and-research/statistics/fatalities/fatality-statistics [verified 1 December 2017]