Heartland 101

Spring, summer, and fall will bring a busy turnaround season for many companies in the Industrial Heartland.

Turnarounds can have a significant impact on the community, both economically and environmentally. These significant events represent investment in Alberta and the Industrial Heartland and are critical for maintenance and operational improvements, including upgrades and opportunities to manage and improve environmental outcomes. They also allow for temporary shutdowns or outages, as well as maintenance and inspections that may not be possible during regular operations.

Turnarounds create employment, as extra staff are required to complete these projects, and generate more local spending on goods and services.

“Our second major turnaround—and our largest—starts in mid-June. We’ll have over 2,000 additional workers on site, representing over 30 skilled trades who will be working day and night to complete preventative maintenance, repairs, inspections, and upgrades,” says Andre Moffett, North West Sturgeon Refinery’s Turnaround Superintendent.

With the number of contractors and employees expected on site for larger turnarounds, ensuring the health and safety of our workforce, their families, and our communities remain paramount.

“Dow is dedicated to building and operating world-class facilities in the Heartland and worldwide,” says Don Cameron, site director of Alberta Operations and vice-president of Dow Canada. “As we continue to enhance the Fort site in the coming years through our Path2Zero project, our primary focus is on ensuring safe and responsible operations and construction. We are committed to keeping the community informed about our progress and activities on site.”

Community members may notice temporary increases to traffic and noise in some areas, and the possibility of some additional flaring. According to Patrick Howe, Executive Director of the Northeast Capital Industrial Association, “Activity such as flaring is both closely monitored and minimized, however it serves as an essential safety measure that protects employees, the community, and facilities”.

If you have any questions about industrial activity in your area, call the UPDATEline at 1.866.653.9959. Many companies use the UPDATEline to keep the community informed about turnaround and construction activities through pre-recorded messages, available 24 hours a day. You can also visit company social media accounts for their latest updates.