Companies are putting safety first as they work to build Appalachian infrastructure, says the president of a leading engineering and construction firm.

“I’d be lying to you if I told you I didn’t like talking about safety,” said Robert A. Riess Sr., president and chief executive of Sheehan Pipe Line Construction Co. “For me it’s personal. For me it’s a commitment that I’ve made. For me, it’s not about hard hats. It’s not about safety goggles. It’s not about boots or a safety vest. It’s about a culture. It’s about what you believe in; it’s about what you think you can do and how you view every incident that may occur.”

Riess spoke during Hart Energy’s Marcellus- Utica Midstream Conference in Pittsburgh. He said he considers safety, stakeholder involvement, and risk analysis and quality workmanship key components to midstream operations.

Staying safe can be particularly challenging in shale plays such as the Marcellus, which pose geological challenges for crews operating with hard, fractured rock and clay. This has prompted companies such as Sheehan Pipe Line to ensure workers are properly trained to work safely in challenging, hilly terrain, said Riess. He said he’s convinced that every incident is preventable. Communication is key to avoiding workforce injuries, he said.

“Safety is a core value at Sheehan Pipe Line. It’s got to be something that comes from the heart and something that’s important to you. You have to be concerned of the safety of your people and equipment,”

Riess told conference attendees. “You have to strive for safety. You have to look out for your brother, and you have to look out for yourself.” Riess also spoke to the importance of maintaining strong stakeholder relations. This includes staying on good terms with the communities in which crews work. He said companies should strive to cause as little disruption as possible, control vehicular traffic and ensure land is respected.

“You have to be a good neighbor,” said Riess. “You have to take the opportunity to restore that right-of-way to a condition as good, if not better, than what you started with.

“Because at the end of the day, when you leave, (community members) still have to live there.”

Comments