Life Safety & Security January 2021

Article Update
Top safety tips
for the Oil and Gas industry
be prevented with proper personal
protective equipment and safe work
practices. Eye and face protection should
be chosen based on the kinds of hazards
encountered.
Protecting from hand injuries can also be
achieved through employing appropriate
gloves for the job in hand.
Never stop learning
Everyday working practices need to be
rigorously assessed by safety
professionals, within a framework of strict
regulations, to guarantee the safety of the
workforce. However, following these
simple measures should help to create a
safer working environment as a matter of
course.
Maintain dialogue with your workforce
Your workforce knows the ins and outs of
an oil rig, or whatever oil and gas
environment you operate in. Workforce
representatives are always involved in
health and safety inspections on oil and
gas rigs. So by communicating with your
workforce you'll gain a much better
understanding of where risks lie. You may
also gain an insight into areas that the
workers feel uncomfor table and
consequently implement solutions can to
resolve their misgivings.
Be aware of all hazards
Even minor hazards can quickly become a
bigger issue, particularly within the
closed confines of an oil or gas rig, so
nothing should be taken for granted.
Ensure that smaller incidents are routinely
logged, to maintain a firm grasp of the
situation, and to prevent any safety issues
from escalating. Even the smallest cut is
noted, and in-depth investigations are put
in place to find a solution, during HSE
inspections of oil rigs.
Maintain basic safety measures
Slips, trips and falls should be best
avoided with good housekeeping.
Walkways should be kept clear of tools
and debris. Spills should be cleaned
immediately. And spell out that these
types of measures are expected of
everyone. Eye and back injuries can also
The learning process never ends,
whatever industry you're in. The Oil and
Gas industry is no exception and sharing
of best practice is an ongoing priority.
“The industry recognises the importance
of joined-up working and engages the
workforce and trade unions through
offshore safety committees and onshore
networks,” according to Oil & Gas UK.
“The industry operates within a goal
setting regulatory framework and through
publications, workshops and seminars, is
a global exemplar of good safety
practice,”
Get to the root of any issues
Of course, resolving any minor or major
hazards in the short term is an easy
enough exercise. But for any industry, a
deeper understanding of the underlying
causes of any problems must be
understood to ensure a the safest
possible work environment. For example,
implementing proactive strategies – like
fostering better communication systems
for workers and increasing safety related
training – will hopefully ensure a
prevention, rather than a cure, approach.
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January - 2021