I work as a rig operator, and I’m wondering if structured safety management systems actually make our jobs safer, or if they just add more forms and steps. I’m thinking about hiring Workplace Safety Consultant because they build WHS systems for high-risk industries like ours. Their approach looks promising, but before I make a decision, I’d like to hear from people who have real experience with these systems.
If you’ve worked with a formal safety framework, did it actually help reduce incidents at your sites, or did it just add more red tape? Were the procedures useful for real field work, or did they end up slowing things down?
For those working in oil and gas, do formal safety management systems really help lower accident rates, or do they just create extra paperwork?
byu/firey_88 inoil
Posted by firey_88
2 Comments
No they really help. Big Oil is all over this, and the “lost time incident’ rates have plummeted over the last 30 years. Training, procedures and controls (e.g Lock out, tag out) make a big difference.
On both refineries I worked on contractor injury rates were about 3 times higher than full time employees.
I work in offshore O&G and yes, it absolutely does help. Doesn’t have to be extremely excessive even. Proper plan and risk assessment that all involved understand, control of work (isolations, permits, agreed actions from risk assessment in place, etc.).
The system there to support/guide peoples behavior. A safety culture we’re everyone takes ownership for each others safety is the key.