EKpass is an international consulting firm operating globally from offices in Canada and the U.S.  EKpass has extensive expertise in safe equipment operation methods as related to both pipeline and facilities construction.  EKpass has been performing hoisting and lifting assessments on-site for both pipeline and facilities construction as an integral part of the safety program for major pipeline owners.
We continue to add to the assets we can offer through development of creative new programs based on field and industry experience and processes.

Capabilities:

Existing relationships between EKpass and equipment manufacturers give EKpass access to technical data as required.  In the case of Caterpillar machine data, our alliance with Pipeline Machinery International (Caterpillar's only global dealer, serving the pipeline industry) provides access to all available Caterpillar data to EKpass.

Assessments and audits:

• Safety or productivity related
• As related to equipment operations, determine compliance or lack thereof with any combination of the following:
• Regulatory body requirements (specific to geographic area in question)
• Client policies and requirements
• Contractor policies and requirements
• Industry best practices as related to equipment operation.
• Also includes development of protocols for use during auditing

Policy development:

• Development of overarching or specific policies as related to equipment use; organization, training, certification, medical, maintenance, general operating procedures, purchasing, audits, contractor and site specific procedures

First Response to incidents involving mobile equipment:

• Maximization of risk mitigation through establishment of stable environment
• Perform incident investigations and submit independent reports to client.
• Provision of experts in equipment capabilities and operation
• Provision of technical data as related to equipment and equipment operation
• On-site analysis of operational factors and their relevance and significance in incidents
• Analysis of near miss incidents involving major equipment.
• Establishment of safe environment and procedures

Safe work plan development:

• Creating work plans that are real and practical based on an extensive knowledge of how equipment operates and what the actual limitations are
• Specializing in challenging environments
• As related to equipment that is ever increasing in complexity and capabilities
• Site conditions (steep slopes, wet conditions, heavy frost)
• Environmentally sensitive areas
• Close proximity work areas
• Identify areas of high risk and assist contractor and client forces to plan best practice approach.

Project supervision:

• Provision of equipment operation experts to assist in overseeing and/or advising on the safe and productive use of equipment
• Specializing in challenging environments
• Site conditions (steep slopes, wet conditions, heavy frost)
• Environmentally sensitive areas
• Close proximity work areas

Project Inspection:

• Provision of personnel to observe equipment operation of all types to ensure compliance with:
• Regulatory body requirements (specific to geographic area in question)
• Client policies and requirements
• Contractor policies and requirements
• Industry best practices as related to equipment operation.
• On-site inspection for equipment related issues on a periodic or ongoing basis throughout the project
• Specialized areas such as hoisting activities all the way to all equipment related activities
• Maximize compliance and maximum effectiveness in reducing incidents, environmental footprint, and maximum effectiveness

Equipment Inspection:

• Inspection of mobile equipment to ensure acceptability and compliance for client projects
• Documentation of mobile equipment acceptability at time of arrival at jobsite as well as periodically as desired
• Focus on condition of older models that are more prevalent in pipeline construction

Needs Assessments:

• Training
• Identify gaps in compliance due to training shortfalls
• Identify gaps in efficiencies due to training shortfalls
• Provide strategies to rectify gaps
• Where required, develop and deliver training programs aimed at closing gaps
• Identification of exposures due to non-compliance or poor industry practice
• Analysis of existing project documents for the purpose of revealing existing or potential risk as related to equipment operation
• Safety meeting minutes
• Incident and near miss reporting
• Maintenance records
• Comprehensive recommendations as to steps to take to close gaps
  

Equipment Operator Competency/Qualification Verification:

• Development of pre-employment screening programs for potential employees as equipment operators
• Pre-employment screening of existing mobile equipment operators to determine existing skill levels

TRAINING

Equipment Operator training:

• On-site training
• Full theory and practical in compliance with all applicable requirements
• All Types of Equipment
• Training operators with existing skill level from zero to already seasoned and skilled

Custom training programs:

• Includes extensive experience in the development and delivery of training programs for subjects which are very unique globally
• Aboriginal and specialized focus in developing markets where pipeline specific  experience is limited locally,  utilizes EKpass extensive experience in working within diverse cultures and can include preliminary life skills training
• Topics
• General pipeline safety
• Equipment Operator related
• Specific to tasks at hand where required
• Specific to machine configuration, make, model, and serial number where desired
• Other unique or special programs
• Independent or hybrid solutions:
• Instructor led
• CBT (Computer Based Training)
• WBT (Web Based Training)
• Developed to meet any specific need while capitalizing on the existing I.P. and knowledge that exists within EKpass through more than 2 decades of development and use

Supervisor Training:

• As related to equipment use
• E.g. Hoisting activities
• E.g. Hot line Crossings
• Any other equipment related activity
• Special projects/special areas training
• Specialized programs based on unique and specific requirements
• Skilled at interaction/relationships with contractor forces based on building of mutual respect through our field experienced people assets.

Inspection training:

• Onboarding
• Special projects/special areas training
• Unique and specific requirements
• Equipment operating areas of confusion and contention