Booster Pumps & Boosters for People – Run to Failure?

A liquids pipeline often uses booster pumps to provide necessary pressure to move product from a tank into a pump on the pipeline.  These booster pumps are generally reliable, but do not last forever.  It is necessary to have a spare booster pump on hand, for when the booster pump in use fails.  Most pipeline operations run the pump to failure and then install the spare.  The pump that failed is then repaired, and becomes the spare.  One can question a maintenance philosophy that runs equipment until it fails, but it is a common philosophy.   A booster pump may run for several years before the motor or other component fails.  The key is to have a spare booster pump always on hand.   A decision one has to make is how many spares to have on hand.   Is one enough, or should they be more? (more…)

Posted July 17th, 2009 in Human Factors, Managing Fatigue, Operational Excellence

“I Wish I Was 55,” Updated to “It Is What It Is”

In 2007, I wrote how people at one company often said, “I wish I was 55, because I can get my pension and other retirement benefits.”   In 2009, the company and many companies have eliminated some retirement benefits, such as health insurance, and reduced salaries, 401K contributions, and other compensation.   Now employees are saying they will have to work till they are 65.

I wonder what leaders of companies believe is accomplished by aggravating and discouraging employees.  When employees respond to all these changes by saying, “It is what it is;”  how does that contribute to achieving excellence.

On a positive note, I interviewed some pipeline controllers at a natural gas pipeline company last week.  They said their company provides excellent support for their job and the management appreciates the work of controllers.   That is wonderful!

Posted June 15th, 2009 in Leadership, Operational Excellence

A Training Course for Pipeline Controllers

Our company completed two months of training for liquids pipeline controllers from PetroChina.  While we emphasized professional pipeline operations, we devoted attention to human factors subjects, leadership, teamwork, and communication.

I emphasized that controllers have to know, do, and be. Each person developed a personal operations philosophy for an ideal controller.

Course Introduction

Posted June 14th, 2009 in Human Factors, Operational Excellence