Management Efforts
Although this, too, is a common practice, the company sets itself apart by its management of the sand. “Because there are such high volumes of sand, we’ve come up with a storage and transportation system,” he says. “Our approach was to reduce the time it takes to unload and significantly reduce waiting time that our client pays to the trucking companies.

“We developed a system that utilizes belly dump transports, conveyors and augers. This system has reduced the time to unload a transport of sand by around 80 percent.”

A Hot Market
FracSource sees great potential in the U.S. market. The company plans to take advantage of this growth by focusing on the Barnett Shale operation.

“We’ve noticed a declining market in Canada, but the potential reserves for coalbed methane in Alberta is not tapped,” Allen says. “When there is production in the United States, they will need less of ours, but this gas will not expire. We will be ready to go when the market needs it.”

Above Industry Standards
The company has developed aggressive health and safety training guidelines for its Canadian and U.S. operations. “We follow the Healthy and Safety Certificate of Recognition program, an association that designs and implements more stringent safety standards than what is legally required of us,” Armstrong explains.

FracSource’s safety program is complemented by a dynamic in-house best practices training program. Designed specifically for newer employees, it is periodically reviewed by long-term employees to ensure its accuracy.

Safety Policies
FracSource’s management team ensures the firm’s safety training program is designed specifically to address the needs of its projects, the firm explains. “Our company considers safety the responsibility of every employee,” it says.

“We believe that by establishing and maintaining standards in the areas of health, safety and the environment, we will continue to improve our operations and service to our customers. FracSource Inc. will set an example and provide leadership to ensure the effective implementation of our company’s goals,” it continues.

In addition, the company stresses the importance of hiring talented employees to bring its corporate goals to fruition. “We will hire competent employees, provide training, and develop the necessary safe work procedures for all activities and tasks where required,” the firm explains.

“Our personnel will each understand and accept responsibility to operate in a manner consistent with FracSource Inc.’s safety and environmental policies,” the company continues. “All management and personnel will comply with all applicable regulatory requirements, ensure that sound safety and environmental practices are followed in all operations and activities,” FracSource continues.

However, for the company’s safety program to be successful, all employees must work together and be cognizant of potential issues unique to each project, FracSource explains.

“Management and employees are responsible for their own safety, and that of their fellow workers by being alert, exercising good judgment, working in a safe and prudent manner, and by wearing necessary protective equipment where required,” FracSource explains. “Our company’s health, safety and environmental programs will be reviewed and updated by management continuously to reflect our customers’ needs, public expectation and regulatory changes,” it continues.