The Importance of Safety Training in Oil and Gas
Just like with any other high-risk occupation, such as construction and commercial transportation, occupational safety and health training in the oil and gas sector is designed to ensure that professionals are equipped with the knowledge and techniques necessary to create a healthy and safe work environment. Most training companies in this field offer internationally recognized qualifications and certificates requiring regular renewal for various technical and operational positions in oil and gas exploration and production. The major qualification and certificate bodies for safety and health, both specific to oil and gas and more generally, include:
- NEBOSH - national examination board in occupational safety and health
- OSHA- occupational safety and health administration
- Independent industry certifications, such as API
Safety Training in Oil and Gas for Managers
Much of what determines safety within an oil and gas operation is dependent on the way safety policies are communicated by management and received by personnel. Accidents and incidents, when thought of within the scope of the larger O&G firm, can be broken into two main categories: individual accidents and organizational accidents. These, respectively, are accidents that happen to individuals and accidents that happen at the larger organizational level. Organizational accidents are less common, but their consequences can be extreme and widespread. They occur as a result of a number of factors present before the action resulting in the incident. They may include unsafe supervision, organizational factors and equipment condition. Safety training in oil and gas for managers guides learners through the skills necessary to create a safety culture in which individual accidents are isolated and their effects are not felt throughout the organization.
Safety Training for Offshore Operations
With several high-profile offshore oil spills and incidents in recent years, safety regulation for the offshore oil and gas sector has become increasingly complex and important, not only for the safety of offshore personnel but also the environment. The Bureau of safety and environmental enforcement lists a range of federal regulations for US offshore oil and gas operations. Failure to meet BSEE compliance can be met with harsh penalties and potential loss of license. Search for the latest safety training in oil and gas for these specific compliance standards and ensure your organization is up-to-date with the latest in BSEE regulations.
Standards for OSHA Safety Training in Oil and Gas
OSHA is the primary regulatory body in the US for occupational safety and broadly, and lists an array of standards specific to the oil and gas industry. General safety standards for oil and gas cover a number of safety concerns including:
- Walking surfaces and emergency exits
- Lifts and powered platforms
- Personal protective equipment
- Hazardous materials and equipment lockout
- Airborne toxins
- Equipment handling
- Fire and electrical safeguards
Controlling Hazardous Energy and Hazardous Waste
Hazardous energy is described as sources within equipment that are potentially hazardous to site personnel and workers. They can include chemical, mechanical, electrical, or pressurized energy sources among others. OSHA outlines a number of practices and steps that can be taken to limit the potential for exposure to hazardous energies.
Enforceable OSHA standards related to hazardous energy are designed to ensure that:
- Workers can identify hazardous materials
- Workers are familiar with equipment maintenance and use
- Workers are regularly read trained and proficient in new control methods
- Workers are familiar with Prohibition policies for the reinstatement of locked out equipment
OSHA calculates that hazardous energy accounts for over 10% of all workplace accidents, which can be easily avoided by following the correct control procedures. Find the safety training in oil and gas that your O&G firm requires and stay current with the latest in OSHA safety standards.