phase 4 report - DNV

RN05: WORKING ENVIRONMENT – BARENTS SEA // Prevention and management of health problemsFigure 4.7.2. Fitness for work in an Arctic offshoreenvironment7.2.1. Cold-related health assessmentISO 15743 and ISO 12894 provide relevant guidancefor conducting a health assessment of individuals forworking in cold environments such as the BarentsSea. The cold-related health assessment they outlineis a three-stage medical screening conducted byoccupational health professionals. Each stage involvesidentification of cold-related health risks both in theworkplace as well as assessing the health of individuals.Stage 1 consists of a health check (see Annex D ofISO 15743). The method used is a medically-basedquestionnaire whose purpose is to identify potentialindividuals having cold-related diseases or coldrelatedpersonal working limitations. The factorsto be identified are, for example, cold sensitivity,cold urticaria, respiratory symptoms, cardiovascularsymptoms, peripheral circulatory disturbances,symptoms related to white fingers, musculoskeletalsymptoms, and the effect of cold on performance andthe occurrence of local cold injuries. As a result ofstage 1 of the assessment, those individuals with nopersonal need for any further analysis with regards tocold are identified.Stage 2 consists of an interview and a clinicalinvestigation of persons suspected of having a coldrelatedindividual health problem. The content of theinterview and clinical investigation is dependent onthe results of the preliminary questionnaire and issymptom- or disease-specific. If cold-related diseasesor working limitation are recognized, an additionalrisk evaluation in the workplace (Annex B of ISO15743) might be needed.Stage 3: if there are still some open questionson the individual’s health status or other coldconsequences, a more detailed analysis in a hospitalexpert unit or a provocation laboratory mightbe needed. When evaluating health aspects, it isimportant also to utilize the information obtainedfrom the workplace risk assessment, e.g. the riskcheck at stage 1 and possibly more quantitativeinformation from stages 2 and 3.As a result of the assessment, the occupationalhealth professionals recommend whether anindividual should be accepted or rejected for work ina cold environment. Those accepted should receiveparticular advice, training and information in orderto ensure their optimal health and performance incold work.Proposed standard – The Company is primarilyresponsible for assessing the fitness of individuals foroffshore work in the cold environment of the BarentsSea. The Company should adopt the cold-relatedhealth assessment process outlined in ISO 15743and ISO 12894 to identify any possible medicalpredisposition to harm from exposure to cold. Theassessment shall inform Company decisions onaccepting or rejecting an individual for offshore workin the cold environment of the Barents Sea.These International Standards are intended toassist those with responsibility for such exposures toreach appropriate decisions regarding the suitabilityof individuals for work in cold environments. TheInternational Standards should be read and used inthe context of other relevant legislation, regulationand guidance.194RUSSIAN–NORWEGIAN COOPERATION PROJECT