CDN NEWS | 
US NEWS 
Securing Alberta’s Oil & Gas Industry
Access control? In the middle of nowhere? You might be wondering why you’ve reached a manned security gate stationed on a remote road deep into the Alberta Wilderness . . .
Introduction
Alberta stands as the cornerstone of Canada’s energy sector, playing a vital role in powering the nation and driving economic growth. The significance of manned security gates in this sector cannot be overstated, as they form an essential defense against potential threats, ensuring uninterrupted operations and protecting valuable assets through all phases, from extraction to storage. Manned security gates not only offer a robust mechanism for access control but also ensure compliance with Alberta Energy Regulator’s (AER) LOC conditions that restrict public access, particularly unauthorized access of vehicles to endangered species and wildlife sensitive areas.
Why does Alberta’s Oil & Gas Industry Need Manned Security Gates?
Alberta Energy Regulators (AER) implements LOC conditions for all lease access roads. These roads may require that a closed, locked, and monitored gate be in place that restricts access and thereby reduces the impact to endangered wildlife habitat to help reduce the impact to species at risk habitat. During times of approved oil and gas and industrial activities, it may be impossible for oil companies to ensure that these gates remain closed and locked at all times.
Securing A Vital Role
By hiring an approved independent, licensed security agency as required by the Alberta Justice & Solicitor Generals Security Services and Investigators Act to provide 24 hour manned security gate services to control the access points, companies demonstrate to the regulators that they are meeting and exceeding the intent of the LOC conditions. Due to the nature of this role, the security agency should have extensive experience with a specialization in industrial and manned security gates. Additionally, the security worksites should be the communication and control center at industrial activity access points in order to effectively assist in the safety culture of remote work locations so that everyone may get to their destinations safely.
Beyond The Bare Conditions
Beyond fulfilling the AER’s LOC conditions, companies should expect a host of services and added benefits provided by approved, licensed security agencies specializing in manned security gates, including, but not limited to:
- Collection of detailed documentation of all road use users by Activity Type, Contractor, and LSD using specialized software, such as Service Masters Security’s Trackthat App which is designed specifically to provide unparalleled data for this specific purpose.
- Detailed documentation provided to verify the enforcement of the operating conditions and restriction of the LOC disposition to satisfy AER.
- Effective deterrence of theft, vandalism, and poaching with 24-hour manned security gates at remote site access points.
- Enforcement of 2-way radio communications, speed control, safe driving, monitoring access points for road bans and enforcing chain up requirements.
- Collaboration with Medics and Safety Personnel as an Emergency Response Communication and Control Centre.
- Demonstration of stewardship and best practices when working in endangered species and wildlife sensitive areas.
What’s the Difference?
To master the call, three crucial pillars must combine for the security agency to be reliable, efficient and effective at providing manned security gate services in Alberta’s oilfield and industrial locations. These pillars are safety, security, and service.
Safety
The security agency must have a proven track record over the course of numerous years of operation, during which they have accumulated extensive industry experience with 0 lost time incidents. Further, the agency must have developed and implemented a workplace health and safety management system and have exceeded the standard for Partnership in Health and Safety through ongoing independent COR audits.
Security
The security agency must be able to provide fully trained personnel and equipment to ensure the security and safety of any worksite 24-hours per day, 7 days per week, for the full length of the contract. Each security guard must meet and exceed the minimum Alberta training and licensing requirements. Additionally, further training by industry specific training programs is not only necessary but essential to the unique post-ops the guards perform.
Service
Upon meeting with the client to determine the scope of the security requirements for the organization, the security agency must be capable of customizing the security and service needs to the worksite. For example, the company should require the security utilize advanced data collection and reporting programs in which all vendor-defined information is recorded and documented to provide detailed breakdowns of site specific information to the vendor for their records; software such as TrackThat for remote road and lease security gates or SilverTrac for static, industrial, and/or plant sites are industry standards. Additionally, future enhancements with the integration of AI technology, combined with on-site presence of highly-trained and experienced security personnel, help to provide unparalleled security.
Securing the Future of Alberta’s Oil and Gas Sector
The necessity of implementing 24-hour manned security gates on Alberta’s oilfield lease access roads is clear. They are pivotal in meeting the stringent security and safety standards set forth by the Alberta Energy Regulator, notably more effective and reliable than electronic gate options which, while lauded for their simplicity and “quick fix” guise, fall below the standard and fail to rise to the occasion when it matters most. By combining trained, licensed security guards with the latest tools and technology to restrict road access, manned gates not only prevent unauthorized entry, theft, vandalism, and poaching, offering a visible deterrent to potential intruders, but can also help reduce lost-time incidents while providing immediate, invaluable support in even the most remote locations, all the while ensuring compliance with AER’s LOC conditions. In sum, collaborating with approved independent, licensed security agency’s manned security gates can help secure the future of Alberta’s oil and gas industry.
For more information, please contact Service Masters Security today:
Toll-Free: 1 844 755 0544
www.servicemasterssecurity.com
Share This:
