Member Feature: Willie Washington, Senior Specialist - Safety, Organization Excellence, Energy Transfer

With over 25 years of experience in the terminal industry, Willie Washington currently serves as the Senior Specialist – Safety, Organization Excellence for Energy Transfer. His passion for the industry has been the catalyst for his involvement on the ILTA Safety Subcommittee where he advocates for improved safety conditions for the current and future workforce.

We got a chance to catch up with Willie to learn more about his path into the terminal industry and how collaboration and safety shape his work every day.

How did you first become involved in the terminal industry? Share a bit about that journey.

Prior to working at Energy Transfer, I worked both as a safety contractor and/or safety client at many of the terminals along Houston’s Ship Channel. Working in these facilities made me appreciate the commitment organizations placed on safety. I became intimately involved in the terminal industry shortly after joining Energy Transfer’s Safety/Organizational Excellence Department in January 2023 as a Senior Safety Specialist. In my role, I work closely with safety and leadership at several terminals and as a corporate health and safety advisor to our terminal operations.

What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is serving others and ensuring that their occupational safety and health environment in which they operate will allow them to enjoy life beyond retirement with their families.

What advice would you offer to someone just starting out with a liquid terminal company? What would you say to someone to encourage them to enter the industry?

Learn as much as you can by networking with both internal and external employees. Visit with frontline supervision and the employees on the ground that are close to the fieldwork. Schedule professional development opportunities into your goals.

There is a lot of job security and stability in the liquid terminal industry. Opportunities are available for career advancement in multiple disciplines. Terminals have great safety cultures due to the attention and detail placed on employee, process, and public safety.

How have you seen the industry change over the course of your career? Where do you see the future of the industry going?

Over the course of my career, I have seen improvements in process safety systems and automations to ensure employee safety at a higher level. I have also seen the field of industrial hygiene (IH) become more prevalent within organizations. IH is very important in that the potential exposure to airborne substances can be detected through negative exposure assessments early on, therefore, preventing potential adverse health effects for employees.

I think the industry will continue to adapt to the demands of the time and the economy. Knowledge grows through incident experience and by resolving findings with effective root-cause solutions. When action items are tracked to completion, it demonstrates to both consumers and regulators a strong commitment to continuous improvement.

What is your level of involvement with ILTA? What is your favorite part of being involved?

I am very active and have attended and participated with the EGHSS Committee since joining Energy Transfer and advising our terminal operations. I represent my company in safety initiatives and collaborate with other member companies to support shared safety goals.

My favorite part of being involved with ILTA is working as a team with the ILTA staff and other member organizations to make our industry as safe as possible. We are open and transparent while working together to protect our workforce through the sharing of best practices and industry experience.

Tell us a little bit about yourself outside of work.

Member of the Utility Safety & Operations Leadership Network (OSOLN); Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP); American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP).