Emergency response
In case of any incident, accident or emergency, KPO operates a robust three-level Emergency Response system used to trigger a prompt response, to assess emergency scale, to plan and implement actions of localizing and eliminating emergency and its consequences. The system is graphically shown on the figure 9.
Fig. 9. KPO Emergency Response System
Why is it important to us?
Emergency response and crisis management are the key processes in KPO management in case, if an emergency situation escalates, KPO and contractors’ personnel, as well as the neighbouring communities, may happen to be within the possible hazard impact area.
Emergency preparedness and response implies a recognition of possible irregularities and accidents, as well as organization of structure and resources for the mitigation of impacts of such accidents on people, the environment, the Company’s assets and reputation. These resources are also used to support the Burlin District state emergency and rescue teams in fighting fire on residential and agricultural lands, as well as in combating floods.
In 2021, KPO has implemented a number of measures geared to enhance the efficiency of the emergency management system. For instance, level II Field and Aksai Incident Management Teams were merged in an integrated team to improve the performance of the Incident Management Centre (IMC), including:
- improved communication among personnel;
- reduced decision-making time as no information is duplicated;
- created a contingency team of volunteers with different functions, which in turn created an opportunity to engage additional personnel in case of protracted emergency situations.
Besides, activities continued to enhance the performance of incident command centres. Video-communication has been set up between Aksai and Field Incident Management Centres in a roundtable format. Which made it possible carrying our IMC activities under strict quarantine restrictions, and remotely engage certain personnel in the centre’s activities.
In 2021, as part of ensuring the readiness of level I forces and resources, all Company’s hazardous production facilities conducted monthly emergency response drills with involvement of the Facility Incident Command Team (ICT), emergency rescue teams and personnel of KPO and contractors.
In 2021, the total number of emergency response drills conducted at KPO facilities for the purpose of exercising the actions of level I incident command teams and emergency rescue units amounted to 103 drills (80 in 2020).
Graph 6. Emergency response drills completed in 2020–2021
The level II and III centres’ members took part in the following real mobilizations and drills, which allowed maintaining the readiness level:
Tab. 18. Level II and III drills conducted in 2021
|
Type of drill |
Date |
Objectives |
Participants |
|
Integrated Exercise “Aurora” |
August 2021 |
Check the personnel’s understanding of the existing procedures and develop skills of the IMT members who has recently had training |
Level II Incident Management Team, Level III Crisis Management Team |
|
Table Top exercise |
August 2021 |
Exercise actions of forces and resources in deployment of booms at Kushum channel for the interception of an oil spill in case of an accident at KATS. |
Bolshoi Chagan OPS Incident Command Team, firefighting team |
Weekly theoretical and practical drills and exercises were conducted throughout 2021 with the observance of all sanitary norms and requirements for social distancing engaging KPO emergency rescue teams, namely:
- firefighting teams;
- gas rescue team;
- voluntary gas rescue units;
- medical personnel;
Besides, in 2021, KPO continued training of staff in civil protection via the e-learning system, as required by the RoQ legislation.
Throughout 2021, representatives of KPO emergency rescue teams and units responded to 25 calls by going out to settlements to provide assistance in extinguishing steppe fires at agricultural facilities, household outbuildings, and forest belt fires.
Community preparedness
KPO monitors the community’s awareness of the procedure for emergency response in case of an emergency at the Karachaganak Field. In 2021, as per the approved plan, four meetings were held with Akims of rural districts and residents of villages located around the field, covering 40 persons. The discussion topics were errant cattle as a hazard, the role of a central monitoring station, village alarm stations and familiarization with their equipment.
In order to maintain constant readiness of village alarm stations, throughout 2021, the Community Protection Specialist of KPO Emergency Response Team jointly with contractor representatives carried out monthly testing of emergency alarm signals and public address systems, as well as the maintenance of this equipment. Such village alarm stations are installed in eight villages that are situated around the field.
Besides, KPO continues its active engagement with local authorities in the periods of high water, fire hazard and winter.
