The North Slope Training Cooperative (NSTC) is a collaborative effort between Alyeska Pipeline Service Company (APSC), BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. (BPXA), Phillips Alaska, Inc. (PAI), and their Alliance of Contractor companies. Our objective is to develop and maintain high quality, standardized health, safety and environmental training programs and instruction for our employee and contractor work force. As of february 3, 2002, the Alaska Process Industry Careers Consortium has assumed management of the NSTC. The new home is in the International Business Plaza: 1225 International Airport Road, Suite 220 in Anchorage.

Effective January 1, 1998, the NSTC training guidelines defined the “Unescorted” program as the mandatory, minimum requirement for all operating companies and contractor personnel working in/on the member companies facilities. All workers need to be able to provide documentation showing completion of the “Unescorted” program when requested by the asset or project responsible managers.

Requirements
All personnel working in the field operating areas have a need for a minimum level of compliance training; however, the specific activities or tasks an employee is assigned to perform will ultimately determine the extent of training required. The following definitions apply to company employees and contractors either on long term or temporary assignments and visitors who enter the field operating areas.

Escorted (visitors & guests)
Company or contract employees and general public visitors or guests who are escorted by a fully trained person continuously while working at field operating areas are not required to complete the minimum training requirements.

Non-Process Areas - Minimum Training Requirements (long term or temporary)
Any company or contract employee who works unescorted at the various field-operating areas must complete, as a minimum, the “Unescorted” program training consisting of:

• General Camps & Safety Orientation
• Alaska Safety Handbook
• Environmental Excellence
• HAZWOPER First Responder Awareness (Level 1)
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Hazard Communication (HAZCOM)

On completion of this program, personnel will be issued an NSTC card. The training defines the minimum initial knowledge needed for an individual to assess and manage the risks associated with their work tasks.

Process Areas - Minimum Training Requirements (long term or temporary)
Any company or contract employee who requires access to operating facilities and/or well pads/drill sites, without the presence of a fully trained escort, must complete the “Unescorted” program defined above in addition to the facility Safety Orientation prior to commencing work in that facility/well pad/drill site. These safety orientations satisfy the requirements of the OSHA PSM standard and in all cases must be entered on the employee’s NSTC card. Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) training may also be required for certain facility access.

Job-Specific Regulatory Training (long term or temporary)
All company or contract employees must also complete all other applicable regulatory training specific to their assigned job task exposures prior to commencing work. This shall be indicated on the employee’s NSTC card. The card or equivalent records must be made available to asset responsible supervision, as requested. The NSTC Office staff may be available to assist contractor companies in identifying required and recommend training, but the responsibility remains with the contract company to assign, deliver and document their employee’s training history.

The NSTC has developed several courses to provide the initial, minimum training for some “Job Specific” work or when dealing with “Special Awareness” hazards. Most of these courses are driven by regulation and provide awareness of requirements as well as the company policies and procedures relevant to working at field operating areas. The courses are designed to ensure all workers involved in certain activities have the same basic skills and understanding of the hazards and procedures. The courses are not designed to qualify/certify workers nor satisfy requirements for competent persons in specific activities.

Job-Specific Courses

• Confined Space Entry Procedures
• Respiratory Protection
• Energy Isolation Procedures
• Fall Protection Awareness

Special Awareness Courses

• Asbestos Awareness
• Benzene Awareness
• Electrical Safety (Unqualified)
• Hearing Conservation
• Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM)
• Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA)
• National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPRA)
• Hydrogen Sulfide Safety

All courses are taught by NSTC–Qualified Instructors. Our instructors meet rigorous quality control reviews, and bring a wide depth of knowledge and expertise to the classroom to share with the students.

NANA offers all of these classes on a regular basis at our training facility at 341 West Tudor Road in Anchorage . We can also deliver these classes on-site at your facility, or make arrangements for a classroom nearby to serve your needs, anywhere in the world.

Check our calendar to see when the next class is offered.