API, Union Establish Pipeline Construction Safety Training Program
The American Petroleum Institute (API) and North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) have established a Pipeline Construction Safety Training Program. This landmark program will combine the best practices of both the building trades unions and the natural gas and oil industry into a foundational safety program applicable throughout all energy infrastructure construction.
The initiative will build upon existing NABTU safety courses, which were developed by the NABTU-affiliated Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR). The first stage is a customized OSHA 10-hour construction safety class that will incorporate specific pipeline safety information developed jointly by API and NABTU.
“The program offers a way for industry and our union allies to expand the economic opportunities for workers and to help ensure that industry has a skilled and committed workforce capable of building the energy infrastructure our nation needs to meet ever-growing demand,” said Jack Gerard, API president and CEO. “Safety is a shared priority with the common goal of zero incidents. The Pipeline Construction Safety Training Program is an important milestone toward that goal.”
The training is part of NABTU’s current offerings to its members – specifically apprentices and journeymen. The initial program will be available to pipeline construction personnel from the Laborers (LiUNA), the Operating Engineers (IUOE), and the United Association (UA). The course will provide industry specific training that includes fire safety, safety in confined spaces, and fall hazards. An API-U certificate – recognized industry wide as the gold standard for training in oil and gas – will be issued upon completion of the course.
“Our unions represent the safest, most talented, and highly trained skilled craft professionals the world has ever seen. NABTU members from coast to coast are committed to safely and effectively building the energy infrastructure this country needs – and this collaboration with API reinforces that objective,” said Sean McGarvey, President of North America’s Building Trades Unions. “We welcome the opportunity to work with the oil and natural gas industry to help our members be better equipped with the necessary skills to not just attain a job, but to find a successful career in construction. We have long been focused on creating opportunities to strengthen and expand America’s middle class – this effort will lead to growth in America’s economy and energy security alike.”
The API-U certificate, along with future supplements to the program, will be designed by a joint committee of experts from Building Trades, Oil & Gas, and Training & Apprenticeships programs.
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