Even before the plant is built, Golden Triangle Polymers is already thinking about safety. And leading the charge is Beau Beckham, EHSS (Environment, Health, Safety, and Security) superintendent. One of Beckham’s goals this coming year is to build GTP's comprehensive safety program and implement exciting initiatives that create a culture of safety-minded people.
A Fresh Start: Prioritizing Safety From Day One
Beckham joined GTP in March 2024, drawn by the opportunity to build a robust EHSS program from scratch. "It's not often you get to start fresh," he said. "Older plants often have legacy systems that require workarounds and compromises. Here we're able to implement best practices right from the beginning."
This fresh start allows Beckham and his team, including EHSS Manager Adam Brown, to leverage their combined experience and create a truly cutting-edge safety program. Their goal? To become the gold standard for GTP’s owner companies, Chevron Phillips Chemical and QatarEnergy. "We want other plants to look at our policies and say, 'We want to do what GTP is doing.'"
Embracing Technology
One of the key pillars of GTP's safety program is the digitization of all EHSS processes. "We're going paperless," Beckham said. "Everything from permitting to procedures will be electronic." This shift to digital systems offers several advantages, including improved efficiency, accuracy and accessibility.
A Culture of Stepping Up: Our All-Volunteer Emergency Response Team
Another point of pride for Beckham is GTP's all-volunteer Emergency Response Team . This dedicated group of employees receives extensive training in hazmat response, rescue, firefighting and medical aid.
"It's a huge deal to have an entirely volunteer team," Beckham said. "It speaks to the safety-first culture we're building here. Our employees feel a sense of ownership and responsibility for the facility."
The ERT undergoes rigorous training, including instruction from fire chiefs at a special training facility in College Station, Texas, ensuring they are well prepared to handle any emergency. This commitment to training and preparedness provides a strong sense of assurance for both the plant and the surrounding community.
Beyond the Plant
When he's not overseeing safety initiatives at GTP, Beckham enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, who attend school in Orangefield. They enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, shooting and attending sporting events.
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