Just two weeks ago four workers died and 45 were injured in a fire on an oil platform in the Bay of Campeche, off Mexico. According to operator, Pemex, the blaze also required the evacuation of more than 300 workers.
While such tragic events are mercifully rare, the calamity in Campeche is sure to once again focus minds on the imperative for health and safety in the oil and gas industry.
It also serves to underline the importance of having the very best safety professionals operating in this sector . . . and the continual need to recruit talented individuals into this specialism.
Site visits and facility inspections are a major part of the safety expert’s role.
Health and safety is an important part of any industry, but it is particularly so in the offshore oil and gas sector, which for obvious reasons is classed as a major hazards area.
Health and Safety professionals are hired to provide advice and guidance to organisations – and particular projects – in order to help prevent accidents and injuries and tackle health issues. They are also involved in promoting safer working practices, both in onshore workplaces and on offshore facilities.
Often liaising with the Health and Safety Executive, they will work with all employees, at all levels, to ensure everyone knows precisely their role and is able to respond rapidly and effectively in the event of an emergency.
This work can involve direct staff training, bringing everyone up to speed with new rules and regulations, as well as making sure they are fully equipped and ready to react.
This often means not only regular inspections and risk assessments of rigs, sites and plants but also the development of effective Health and Safety policies and procedures.
When incidents do occur they may also be involved in the subsequent investigation as to what went wrong, through which they will write reports and make recommendations: this is how the industry learns and is able to continually improve best working practices and boost safety.
Of course, while people are at all times the number one priority, helping them can also help business: accidental gas releases and oil spills not only endanger workers and the environment, they can lead to billions of pounds in fines for the guilty company. It should be remembered, too, that the industry’s infrastructure is ageing, so TLC for an organisation’s assets is growing ever more important.
This means health and safety professionals are integral to the ultimate profits of any company. And that’s why the industry recognises their importance – and offers fantastic incentives for the best in the business.
So for anyone considering a first move into the sector or looking to transfer skills from another industry, this is one of the most attractive job sectors in the oil and gas industry.
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