J.H. Ornelas, Lda - Bensaude Energia, as part of its emergency preparedness activity, and aware of its responsibilities and the role it plays in the business fabric of the Azores, carried out a drill scenario on 23 November, at 3pm, at Ribeira Seca - Repsol refuelling station, in Ribeira Grande, in order to guarantee the specific actions to be taken in an emergency situation in which the company's vehicles, dedicated to the Transport of Hazardous Materials activity, may be involved.
The objectives were based on assessing prevention and emergency procedures; detecting and correcting possible flaws in procedures; creating routines for workers' behaviour in the face of possible emergency situations; developing procedures for planning, coordinating and conducting operations to help improve the conditions for action in serious emergency situations; checking the suitability and effectiveness of the means and infrastructures existing in the J. H. Ornelas company and assessing the response of the workers to the chosen scenario;
The simulated situation involved a tanker car, with a capacity of 30 m3, supplying petrol to the Ribeira Seca petrol station. Everything went smoothly and all the procedures were followed. During refuelling, a light vehicle crashed into the tanker car, causing a spillage and subsequent fire, triggering action procedures with the intervention of external rescue teams.
This exercise involved a wide range of organisations such as:
- Ribeira Grande Voluntary Fire Brigade
- PSP - Ribeira Grande
- Civil Protection
- Regional Directorate of Roads
- Euroscut
- Ribeira Grande City Council
- Okeana Ambiente
- JHO Maintenance Team
- JHO Maintenance Team - Petrol Stations
- Ribeira Seca Retail Network Team
At the end of the day, the high level of performance of the J.H. Ornelas Energia teams and their ability to engage with external teams was demonstrated, unquestionably dignifying J.H Ornelas.