In safe hands

Health and safety has come a long way in the oil and gas sector, although it still remains one of the most dangerous industries in the world. We gauge the thoughts of two experts in this field on the latest trends – Christophe Chausse of Capital Safety and Detcon’s Bob Masi.

“As in any outdoor job, harsh environments and weather variations are a real challenge for workers. People need to be prepared and trained to tackle any situation they might face”
-Christophe Chausse

The Panel

Christophe Chausse is the Oil and Gas Global Director for Capital Safety. Chausse, a French graduated engineer, joined he company two years ago.

Bob Masi is Director of Research and acting President at Detcon, Inc., a leading manufacturing company and global provider of gas detection sensors, control systems and process analysers.

What are the key health and safety issues that the oil and gas industry is facing and how do the risks differ offshore to onshore?
Christophe Chausse. Health & Safety remains the first focus of any O&G company. Onshore and offshore have common concerned but any vessel, barge, drilling ships and platform, needs to be 100 percent ‘recovery and first aid’ self sufficient. By it's complexity, and environment, offshore is the most dangerous O&G area. Rescue procedure and recovery time are crucial and need to be properly planed and handled. Confined space, access and rescue, are nowadays the main concerns, especially offshore. Fortunately, recent technologies and new systems help and assist workers by limiting their exposure to risk.

Bob Masi. Dangers in the oil and gas industry haven’t changed much since the first oil well was drilled and the first barrel of oil refined. However, our understanding and awareness of the hazards associated with production and refining of fossil fuels has improved over the years. Toxic and combustible gas leaks present a danger to personnel and capital equipment investment in every phase of the petroleum industry. Offshore safety is more challenging due to harsh environmental conditions and personnel are bound to a structure or vessel surrounded by water. Operators and workers cannot simply walk to a safe area. Our philosophy has to be one that recognises a fundamental principle that our products are concerned with safety, in an environment where failure can have catastrophic consequences to human life, the environment, and possible destruction of major structures. One key issue facing oil and gas producers is the requirement for efficient and safe operation amidst volatile and wide range market prices. Safe operating conditions are not without cost. Safety budgets and continuing improvement in safety policies and procedures require constant attention and should always remain a high priority.

The oil and gas sector is one of the most dangerous industries in the world. How is technology playing a role in protecting workers from potential dangers?
BM. Automation and safety instrumentation is used to control production and processing operations while providing real-time status of the work area. Well- designed process and safety controls utilise pre-emptive fault diagnostics and will more often than not alert personnel when conditions are changing prior to the danger level. Automation and safety instrumentation has continually advanced in two very important areas: capability and sophistication. Measurement and analytical technology continues on a steady line of improvement. Embedded intelligence at virtually every level of instrumentation helps to reduce the probability of human error. The design characteristics of instrumentation for the oilfield require utilising advancements in technology but in a package that is rugged enough to work at optimum and safe levels in harsh environments. Properly engineered and applied technology simplifies operator interface and routine maintenance. The net gain is better fail-safe performance throughout the oil and gas industry. The key to safety is reliability. The key to reliability is durability.

CC. During the last two decades the industry has received full attention from ‘fall protection’ manufacturers and trainers. Specific solutions have been developed to increase reliability of products for the day to day tasks (high reliable sealed self retracting life line, versatile harnesses, as well as engineered fall protection system) but also rescue materials (rescue kit for self evacuation), limiting suspension risks (suspension trauma straps) , as well decender/evacuator (vertical and slope evacuations up to 400 feet). Comfort and safety of workers has always been a focus, as one example the new Derrick harness includes high safety features, easy to install, connect and use, and high comfort, which reduce fatigue effects because the majority of accidents occur when worker is tired or in rush.

Are there any safety challenges unique to the sometimes harsh and inhospitable conditions of the MENA region?
CC. As in any outdoor job, harsh environments and weather variations are a real challenge for workers. People need to be prepared and trained to any situation they might face. As a manufacturer, we always take into account these difficult tasks to develop with users the right products – reducing risks at work and workers’ tiredness, as well as increasing workers’ comfort and product's reliability. We develop easy to use products and specific and customised fall protection solutions.

BM. The Middle East region is a vast desert region where extremely high temperatures, dust storms, and high levels of UV are expected. Add corrosive gases to the natural environmental conditions and the region ranks as one of the most challenging instrumentation applications in the world.

In your experience, are the International Oil Companies (IOCs) more aware of health and safety regulations than their counterparts from the National Oil Companies or is this way of thinking a myth?
BM. There is no difference in awareness by either an IOC or a NOC. Both are acutely aware of the requirement for health and safety regulations. IOCs may draw from a wider range of regulations and standards than a NOC. The net sum of the most stringent requirements may be the major difference between the two.

CC. A Myth. Almost all O&G companies are health and safety focused. IOCs and NCOs work jointly to improve standard. NCOs mix and educate their teams with western consultants and safety specialists. Both IOCs and NOCs have carry out risk assessments and rescue planning is evaluated. The most difficult part is the education of day to day workers, inspection and maintenance. As a leader in the fall protection for the O&G industry, we have developed unique product solutions but also all associated services. Self retracting life line inspection and repair centre, awareness videos, on site fall protection training and ISAFE system *. As fall protection leader, we develop unique solutions and services to  accompany both of them locally and globally for a safer world.

*ISAFE system allows companies to inspect, track and inventory products through a PDA and web portal, reducing all paperwork.