Abstract

The Pasemah frontier area is a new PSC Block for P.T. Stanvac Indonesia in South Sumatra. The Area is located at the eastern flank of the Barisan Mountain Range. The topography of this area is dominated by hills, incised valleys, ravines and cliffs. The rivers are shallow, but currents are swift and sudden floods are possible. Roads are narrow with many turns. From May 1993 through January 1994, Stanvac conducted a land seismic survey in the Block.

A Safety, Health and Environmental impact study was conducted prior to the start up of operations in order to formulate procedures to use during the program. After the start-up, these procedures were constantly monitored and, whenever necessary, were modified and improved as the program progressed.

Special equipment was installed or provided in order to ensure a safe operation. All trucks which were used to transport personnel were installed with roll bars and steel cages surrounding the passenger area. Safety/seat belts were installed in ail vehicles, including belts for the bench seats in the back of trucks. The use of safety/seat belts was mandatory. Safety helmets were MSA approved and sports shoes were required as standard issue to personnel. Fire alarms were installed in the offices. Safety meetings were regularly held, and special safety training courses were periodically given.

A clinic at the basecamp provided emergency services on a 24 hours per day basis. This clinic was staffed with a qualified doctor and two male nurses. An emergency ambulance was available for exclusive use 24 hours per day. Extra vitamins and food were provided to all personnel. Strict attention was devoted toward proper health and hygiene practises in the field camps and toward reducing undesirable environmental disturbances in the field. In the basecamp used lube oil was collected in approved containers and disposed of properly. Waste water and sewage water was filtered before release.

An Operations Integrity Management System (OIMS) and seismic standard operating procedure (SOP) were introduced. As a result of dilligent attention towards safety, the program was successfully completed after over 2,600,000 man-hours without any fatalities or lost time accidents.