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Oil industry told to improve safety measures |
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Thursday, 06 September 2007 |
Increased workforce involvement in safety critical issues is vital if the offshore industry is to improve its flawed health and safety record, the Health and Safety Executive said today.
Speaking at the Offshore Europe Conference in Aberdeen, Ian Whewell,
head of HSE's Offshore Division, praised some companies' efforts to
involve their safety representatives, but expressed disappointment that
many others seemed to regard them as an unnecessary regulatory
imposition.
"Worker involvement has always underpinned the offshore division's
interventions and this year it is a priority objective for its current
work plan. Anecdotal evidence suggests that companies who involve their
workforce in key safety critical decisions have a better safety
performance record and higher morale among the workforce than those who
do not.
"We have amended Safety Case Regulations to specifically require
details of workforce consultation. In particular, this requires a
summary of how safety reps were consulted in any revision, review or
preparation of the Safety Case. Our Inspectors have been specifically
tasked with following this up when visiting installations, and will
take a serious view where changes have been made without attempts to
involve the workforce.
"The commitment of many companies in the offshore sector is undoubted,
but HSE believes that unless workers and their representatives are
encouraged to actively participate the industry is missing a key
opportunity. Companies need to tap into the commitment of employees and
give their reps the support they need."
Danny Carrigan, former offshore worker, and Health and Safety Commissioner, endorsed Whewell's comments:
"Having worked offshore and represented employees, I am fully aware of
the very hazardous environment in which they operate. It is vitally
important that as well as benefiting from the economic advantages of
the offshore industry we must also ensure employees are safeguarded."
he said.
"The Health and Safety Commission is keen to ensure employees are fully
involved in and consulted on, safety regimes. Therefore, in view of the
dangers faced by offshore workers it is absolutely crucial that
employers fully consult and involve offshore workers in their safety
planning."
Mr Whewell also reminded the conference that in recent weeks there have
been a number of incidents offshore, including a fire requiring
evacuation of non-essential personnel and a number of major hydrocarbon
releases.
"Recent events offshore reinforce the message that the industry must
make more of an effort to ensure that everything which happens offshore
has safety at its heart. The continued failure to reduce hydrocarbon
releases which are potential precursors to major incidents is of real
concern.
"Last year, two workers died, and 39 were seriously injured. Although
the statistics show a positive improvement in the number of serious
injuries, we must not forget that two people lost their lives and many
were injured. This is simply unacceptable."
"Disappointingly, figures for these types of accidents in the first
three months of this recording period are the highest quarterly total
for 18 months.
He added that the reality was that the North Sea offshore sector is a
mature one, with an ageing infrastructure. He stressed that senior
management must continue to invest in maintaining infrastructure and in
ongoing maintenance.
No one has commented on this article.
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