North Slope Training Co-operative (NSTC) is a collaborative effort between the North Slope unit owners and their contractors to ensure all employees (company and contract) have basic safety, health and environmental policy classes before going to work on the North Slope. These classes are divided into unescorted, job specific, and awareness, and are described in further detail below.
NSTC Unescorted Classes
NSTC Unescorted Class (6 Pack) (8 Hours)
The Unescorted program must be completed by all employees who work on the North Slope in either long term or temporary assignments or are visitors without an escort. The course consists of six modules including:
- Alaska Safety Handbook
- Camps and Safety Orientation
- Environmental Excellence
- Hazard Communication (HAZCOM)
- HAZWOPPER Awareness
- Personal Protective Equipment
NSTC Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) (1 Hour)
This course is provided for personnel working in H2S designated areas on the North Slope. Any person with long term or temporary work assignment on the North Slope who must work unescorted in H2S designated facilities should consider taking this class. Students will be taught to recognize the hazardous characteristics of H2S and how to correctly apply the standards, procedures and emergency response practices for potential exposures. The class covers the physical and health characteristics of the vapor, exposure limits, alarms, in areas where H2S may be present. Training is typically combined with the NSTC Unescorted Class.
NSTC Job Specifics Classes
NSTC Fall Protection (6 to 8 Hours)
The class is intended for any person working at heights greater than 6 feet and those who use man-lifts or man baskets. The course includes hazard assessment, types of fall protection equipment, limitations and proper wear and care of the equipment. Students learn how to make sure their personal fall arrest system is ready for deployment and what to do if a co-worker falls.
NSTC Energy Isolation (6 to 8 Hours)
This course is for any person carrying out maintenance or operations on processes, machines or equipment in which the sudden release of energy could cause injury or damage. Students will learn the proper procedures for isolating the energy source(s). The course covers recognition of hazardous energy sources, procedures and methods of isolation and specific standards, and practices for electrical and mechanical energy isolation in North Slope operations.
Intended Audience:
NSTC Respiratory Protection (6 to 8 Hours)
This class is intended for any person working in areas which may have exposure to airborne contaminant concentrations at or above permissible exposure limits (PEL). The course includes identification of conditions requiring respiratory protection, selection and utilization of air-purifying respirators, self-contained and supplied-air respirators, and the care and maintenance of such equipment. The course requires that a person must be medically cleared to wear a respirator. The course does not provide fit-testing; employees must be fit-tested prior to utilizing respirators on the job.
NSTC Confined Space Entry (6 to 8 Hours)
This class is intended for any person working in confined spaces including tanks and other vessels, confined processes, and subsurface structures. The course covers the definition, identification and hazard evaluation of confined spaces, the controls and procedures including North Slope safety permits, and special requirements for attendants. The course does not cover Rescue Team procedures/skills nor does it include respiratory protection, if required for the specific job.
NSTC Awareness Classes
NSTC Hearing Conservation (1 Hour)
This course is intended for any person working in areas which may have exposure to noise levels greater than 85 decibels (dB) for an 8-hour day (or equivalent time-weighted average). At the end of the class, students will understand how to utilize procedures and control techniques to protect themselves from exposure when working in areas of excessive noise. The course covers the health effects of noise, the selection, purposes and limitations of hearing protection devices, and the components of a Hearing Conservation Program. The course is required annually for those identified in such a program.
NSTC Benzene Awareness (1 Hour)
This course is intended for any person with potential exposure to benzene-containing materials. Students will be able to utilize procedures and control techniques to protect themselves from exposure. The course covers the hazards of this potentially carcinogenic material, the characteristics, where the material may be found, and protection.
NSTC Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) (1 Hour)
This course is intended for any person with potential exposure to Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM). Students will be able to utilize procedures and control techniques to protect themselves from exposure. The course covers the hazards of this material, the characteristics, where the material may be found, and protection.
NSTC Lead Safety Awareness (1 Hour)
This course is intended for any person with potential exposure to lead or lead-containing materials. Students will be able to utilize procedures and control techniques to protect themselves from overexposure. The course covers the hazards of this material, the characteristics, where the material may be found, and protection.
NSTC Asbestos Awareness (1 Hour)
This course is intended for any person working around asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, including maintenance staff, custodial personnel, and construction workers. Students will be able to utilize procedures and control techniques to protect themselves from exposure. The course covers the hazards of this potentially carcinogenic material, the characteristics, where the material may be found, and protection. The course does not meet the training requirements for those involved in removal of asbestos.
