Sahreej sees benefits of SQAS

AGENT OF CHANGE

DEPOTS • DESIGNED BY THE EUROPEAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRY, SQAS IS NOW FINDING A HOME IN OTHER TERRITORIES, AS ITS BENEFITS IN CATALYSING SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS IS RECOGNISED

THE SAFETY & QUALITY Assessment for Sustainability (SQAS) was developed by the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) as a way to benchmark safety and quality performance among its logistics service providers (LSPs), in line with the Responsible Care initiative. But it is not just European LSPs that are recognising its benefits. Kanoo Tank Services (Sahreej), Saudi Arabia’s leading tank container service provider, found that, when it embarked on its journey to SQAS, the system provided not only guidance but also a mindset that prompted an ongoing question for improvement and expansion of its services, incorporating safety, sustainability and digitalisation.

Sahreej, a joint venture between Stolt Tank Containers, the world’s largest tank container operator, and local partner YBA Kanoo, operates three terminals in Saudi Arabia, in Jubail, Dammam and Jeddah, serving the kingdom’s massive chemical sector. General manager Mike Tunstall explains some of the changes that have been brought about by SQAS: “As with any certification audit, passing the assessment and certification is the first step into the journey of excellence. Sahreej maintains the implementation of all SQAS requirements and is ready for any pop-up audit all year long.”

When it started on the road to SQAS, Sahreej was already certified to ISO 9001:2015 but, once it started to review and implement the SQAS requirements, it quickly became evident to HSE manager Faris Al-Shali that certification across a broader range would help bring sustainable growth and wellbeing to the company, its staff and its customers. To that end, Sahreej implemented and gained certification to the ISO 45001:2018 health and safety management standard and the ISO 14001:2015 environmental management standard; both certifications have proven their worth, Tunstall says, and Sahreej is now moving towards certification to the ISO 22301:2019 (business continuity management) and ISO 37001:2016 (anti-bribery) standards, both of which are on target to be achieved by the third quarter of 2023.

RAISING STANDARDS As might be expected as a joint venture of two highly respected companies, Sahreej has safety (and wellbeing) firmly at the top of its agenda. It operates within the Intelex web-based platform that identifies skills and safety requirements within each skill set, with monthly training designed specifically according to job function. This training is conducted by each depot controller, who are all Train-the-Trainer qualified, though other in-house and third-party training resources are also applied as needed. A high priority is given to Working at Height and Confined Space safety training and Sahreej also uses the International Tank Container Organisation’s (ITCO) tank container e-learning modules to give new and existing staff a better understanding of tank containers.

Sahreej operates full compliance via SLR systems, platforms and tank rotators, and individual gas readers within all areas. As part of the Intelex system Sahreej also operates near-miss reporting at each depot and this information is used to define the weekly ‘toolbox’ training sessions. Sahreej also certifies its special teams on hazardous materials, aiming to assure its chemical industry customers that their products are

handled safely, whether on Sahreej premises or during emergency response services, which are offered to all its customers.

SUSTAINABILITY CONSIDERATIONS Tank container cleaning is a heavy user of water and a substantial producer of waste. To combat this, Sahreej has been working hard to introduce efficiencies into the cleaning process for each individual cargo. Before accepting a cargo Sahreej carries out a risk analysis and identifies the most efficient cleaning technique for each cargo; this is an ongoing process with technical manager Sarfaraz Salini continually looking to refine cleaning techniques to further increase efficiency, reduce water requirements and waste generation and avoid the need for additional cleaning. Sahreej also operates wastewater treatment plants that enable it to use recycled water on the first cycle. Potable water is used for all subsequent cycles.

These initiatives have generated a reduction in water consumption of 37 per cent and cut the production of waste by around onequarter. “In a very competitive market these savings have effectively been passed on to the customer, with Sahreej maintaining its tariff rating over an eight-year period,” Tunstall (below) says. “Sahreej is currently also looking at ways to reduce its carbon footprint across all areas of its operations.”

CHANGING BEHAVIOUR The biggest change brought about by SQAS is, Tunstall believes, the use of behaviour-based safety (BBS) techniques, something that was not part of Sahreej’s training beforehand. Now, though, it plays a key role in the company’s continuous improvement programme.

Behaviour-based safety assesses the culture of the organisation by training supervisory employees on observing the key factors contributing into unsafe behaviour. Measurement and analysis of observations are brought together in Sahreej’s annual management review meeting where an actionable communication and coaching plan is established.

“Sahreej’s one-to-one training programme enhances the knowledge of task-specific safety procedures, operating alongside its efficiency evaluation programme that assesses the practical skills of each task performer, ensuring the highest quality standards are met and providing Sahreej customers with best quality services without compromising its staff safety,” Tunstall explains. Those BBS programmes go beyond its own staff, giving it the capability to promote a positive change within its suppliers by rewarding those with the most safety-oriented procedures.

THE ROAD AHEAD Sahreej is keenly aware of the problems that would be posed for the tank container industry should the planned restrictions on PFAS chemicals by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as other similar authorities elsewhere, go ahead. The issue has been raised by ITCO as seals and gaskets that are vital to the safe transport of hazardous chemicals in tank containers could be outlawed. Tunstall says Sahreej is eager to assist seal and gasket manufacturers and tank operators with trials to investigate the viability of alternative products, or the recycling and/or extended use of existing PFAS seals and gaskets.

In terms of site safety, working at height has now been eliminated at Sahreej facilities but it would like to find a solution to confined space working. “This is a dream today,” Tunstall says, “but we would like to find a way to automate internal tank inspection that could be integrated with AI.”

On a broader level, Sahreej is also looking at the potential to increase the level of digitalisation within its operations and in its interactions with its customers and suppliers. It is, Tunstall adds, keeping a closer eye on the ever-changing transport regulations, having appointed a certified safety adviser (DGSA) to monitor the updated requirements of ADR and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.

Overall, Tunstall concludes, SQAS has raised standards at Sahreej, making the company not only safer and more sustainable but also more efficient, leading it to look more closely at how it will operate in the future. www.sahreej.com