Safety culture at liquid terminals

Introduction

In the dynamic, high-risk environment of oil and liquids terminals, safety culture is more than a compliance requirement: it is the backbone of operational excellence. From storage tanks to pipelines, these facilities transport flammable, toxic or hazardous substances on a daily basis, where even a small oversight can lead to catastrophic industrial accidents.

Creating a strong safety culture is essential to protect people, assets, and the environment while improving operational efficiency.

Prevention and safety: Two pillars of risk management in liquid terminals

Understanding the distinction between prevention and security is not merely a matter of semantics, but a critical operational requirement.

These two concepts are often used interchangeably in risk management discussions, although they represent different dimensions of an overall security strategy. Organizations with mature safety cultures tend to have fewer incidents, higher staff morale and greater compliance with safety standards.

Proactive measures and organizational safety culture

Prevention refers to planned actions aimed at anticipating and eliminating risks before they materialize. In the context of liquid terminals, this includes intrinsically safe design, fire and gas detection systems, preventive maintenance programs, safe work procedures and ongoing personnel training.

The concept of “prevention culture”, also known as “safety culture”, refers directly to the culture of the organization and is defined by the values, standards, behaviors, beliefs, and principles regarding occupational health and safety.

These must be shared at all levels of the organization and act as a driver of prevention and occupational health and safety activities. As it refers to intangible elements, the culture of prevention can be difficult to understand and address in an organization. For this reason, it is necessary to instruct and instill knowledge and standards to build a prevention culture.

Creating a culture of prevention means encouraging risk-conscious behavior and challenges at all levels of the organization, promoting active hazard identification, and ensuring that operational decisions are supported by rigorous risk assessments.

The foundations of a strong safety culture

Safety culture refers to the shared values, attitudes, and practices that prioritize safety at all levels of an organization. In liquid terminals, this means integrating safety into all operational levels, from routine inspections to emergency response drills.

A strong safety culture shifts the focus from reactive to proactive: identifying potential hazards before they materialize into incidents. Developing this culture begins with clearly defined policies, consistent communication and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Visible leadership: The catalyst for cultural change

No safety culture can thrive without visible leadership. In oil terminals and other liquid storage facilities, leadership must be present, committed and accountable.

This means more than issuing directives: it involves leaders being present on-site, modeling best practices and actively participating in security discussions.

Leaders who embody safety values influence the behavior of the entire workforce. When frontline workers see that management prioritizes safety on the job, the message resonates more deeply, driving collective commitment and vigilance.

Safety as a pillar of operational excellence

In the context of operational excellence, safety is not an isolated goal, but an integral one. The efficiency of liquid terminal operations depends on consistent protocols that minimize disruptions and increase reliability.

Preventive maintenance, clear work instructions and real-time monitoring of process variables are just a few examples of how safety contributes to efficiency.

In addition, by integrating safety into standard operating procedures, terminals reduce downtime, avoid costly incidents, and build confidence with regulators and communities.

Prevention of industrial accidents through systematic action

The prevention of industrial accidents at liquid terminals requires a multilevel approach:

• Risk assessments are critical, as they identify scenarios in which system failures could occur.
• Training and drills prepare teams for both routine tasks and unexpected emergencies.
• Technological safeguards, such as automatic shut-off valves and gas detection systems, provide additional layers of protection.

These measures should be periodically reinforced to ensure that they remain effective as operations evolve.

Looking to the future: Innovation and continuous improvement

The future of liquid terminal safety is marked by innovation. From drone inspections to AI-based predictive analytics, new technologies are improving both safety and performance.

However, tools alone are not enough. A strong safety culture ensures that these innovations are adopted in a responsible and sustainable manner.

At the same time, regulatory environments are becoming increasingly demanding. Terminals that embrace security not just as a requirement, but as a strategic asset, are better positioned to lead in this changing landscape.

Safety: The outcome of prevention and emergency response

Safety, on the other hand, can be seen as an outcome, a condition that is achieved through the effective implementation of preventive actions and emergency response capabilities.

From this point of view, safety combines both risk prevention and incident mitigation. For example, fire fighting in liquid terminals is not only achieved by installing extinguishing systems such as foam monitors or sprinklers.

It starts much earlier, with proper layout planning, control of ignition sources, grounding, and installation of equipment, and minimization of flammable stockpiles.

This integrated approach can be expressed as:

Operational Safety = Incident Prevention + Emergency Response

To support this management, there are rules and regulations that are mandatory for fire prevention.

Relevant technical standards include:

• NFPA 30 – Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code.
• NFPA 11 – Standard for low, medium, and high expansion foam.
• API 2001 – Fire protection in refineries.
• ISO 31000 – Risk management – Guidelines.
• ISO 45001 – Occupational health and safety management systems.
• API RP 752 / RP 753 – Management of hazards associated with the location of process plant personnel.
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106 – Flammable liquids.

Common errors and associated risks

A common mistake in industrial safety management is the assumption that the presence of emergency equipment alone guarantees management. This reactive approach ignores early detection of unsafe conditions, increasing the potential for uncontrolled events.

Safety without prevention is incomplete. Similarly, prevention without effective emergency response leaves the facility vulnerable, especially in terminals handling large volumes of hazardous liquids, where incidents can escalate quickly.

Invest in safety culture: it is not only protection, it is progress

The key is clear: prevention is the process; safety is the result. Recognizing this distinction is essential to developing robust protection systems at liquid terminals, where even small oversights can lead to serious accidents.

By using precise terminology, fostering a strong prevention culture and integrating internationally recognized standards, organizations can achieve safe, compliant and sustainable operations.

From risk assessments to emergency drills and real-time monitoring, preventive measures are key to avoiding accidents. Add to this technology such as artificial intelligence, drones and advanced instrumentation, and we are moving towards a safer and smarter future.

Conclusions

The road to excellence in liquid terminals is paved with prevention, leadership and a deeply rooted safety culture. By cultivating a workplace where safety is a shared value and not just a mandate, terminal operators can prevent accidents, inspire their workers and achieve world-class operational standards.

To ensure the future of industrial safety in the industry, companies must continue to invest in leadership, innovation and continuous reinforcement of safety values, first and foremost. Safety is not just about avoiding losses. It’s about operating with confidence, protecting the team and making sure everyone gets home safely.

Let us adopt security as a strategy and commitment.

References

1. https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/nfpa-307-
2. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumbe