Feds require new security credential to access facilities
BOILERMAKERS PLANNING TO work refinery and power plant outages across the country should check with their local lodges to see if they are required to obtain a new TWIC card. TWIC stands for Transportation Employee Identification Credential. It’s a new, tamper-resistant, “Smart Card” containing fingerprint and other personal information.
Anybody who requires unescorted access to secure areas of MTSA-regulated facilities must have the card. MTSA is an acronym for Maritime Transportation Security Act, a 2002 law passed following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. MTSA-regulated facilities include ports and industrial plants that interface with ports, such as refineries and power plants.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the U.S. Coast Guard are responsible for rolling out the TWIC program, which is being done in stages across the country. The Department of Homeland Security has overall responsibility for the program.
Local 13 (Philadelphia) BM-ST Jim Banford said five refineries in his local’s jurisdiction will require that workers carry TWIC cards effective this September. Those without the cards will not be able to participate in outage work at those sites. He said four power plants in his jurisdiction also will require the TWIC cards, although no dates have been set for compliance.
Card application takes up to 12 weeks; MOST to reimburse fee
Banford said those who may be interested in working outages at refineries and power plants along our country’s waterways should act quickly to apply for the TWIC card, since the process may take up to 12 weeks to complete. The cost of the credential is $132.50. The Mobilization, Optimization, Stabilization, and Training trust (MOST) is working out the details of reimbursing members for the card, which is effective for five years.
For additional information about the TWIC program, including enrollment forms, visit the Transportation Security Administration Web site at www.tsa.gov/twic. Those interested in working outages through Local 13 may contact the local for a TWIC information package at blrmkrs13@comcast.net.
