‘Not coping’: HSE slams firms over offshore Covid risk to crew
The UK’s workplace safety watchdog has accused two offshore energy sector firms of putting crew at “serious risk” of catching Covid-19.
Health, Safety & Environment
Increasing manning levels ‘only way’ to address North Sea maintenance backlog
Increasing manning levels offshore is the "only way" the North Sea sector will be able to clear its growing maintenance backlog, according to oil and gas safety chiefs.
Covid and maintenance backlog balancing act putting workers at risk, union boss warns
A union boss said yesterday that the difficulty of balancing platform maintenance backlogs against the risk of Covid-19 outbreaks was putting North Sea workers in a “dangerous situation”.
New report shows 25% increase in North Sea hydrocarbon releases
The number of hydrocarbon releases and non-compliance issues increased in the UK offshore oil industry last year, according to new statistics from the country's workplace safety watchdog.
North Sea industry ‘still in control’ despite recent Covid resurgence
North Sea safety bosses have insisted the oil and gas industry is “still in control”, despite a recent resurgence of Covid-19 offshore.
Quensh moves to bigger base and hires new manager
North-east firm Quensh has moved into bigger premises and hired a new managing director to lead its growing team.
Investigation launched into ‘serious’ incident involving S92 helicopter in Norway
A serious incident involving a Sikorsky S-92 helicopter in Norway is being investigated.
CHC ‘up for the challenge’ of evolving amid price pressures, boss says
North Sea helicopter bosses created some turbulence of their own last month with eyebrow-raising statements about competition and pricing pressures.
The power of technology to protect employee health
If Covid-19 has taught the world anything, it is that the power of digital technology to save time and money and improve our lives was not being used to its full advantage.
Mental health of workforce in focus
Mental health awareness has had an increasing profile in the energy sector over recent years. Perhaps now, more than ever, maintaining good mental health is particularly challenging, with fears of redundancy, furloughing and family ill-health all posing a potential distraction from safe operations.
HSE making inquiries after faulty generator causes damage on North Sea platform
The UK’s health and safety watchdog is making “initial inquiries” after a generator overheated on the FPF-1 platform in the central North Sea.
Innovative scarecrow system deployed to battle issue of seabird droppings offshore
An innovative scarecrow system could help tackle the foul issue of seabird droppings on offshore wind farms and platforms.
Is safety at sea being endangered by inadequate consideration of the human component?
With increased maritime activity and the globalisation of demand, through ever-shorter supply chains focused on the Asian hub, there is a heightened potential for incidents at sea. This increase in shipping activity highlights a pressing need to improve safety and efficiency onboard ships through a focus on non‐technical skills. Our rationale is to optimise Human Factors training to prevent the next costly incident and help save lives.
How Iqarus is keeping offshore workers safe
Having assisted clients during previous health challenges such as Ebola, Zika virus, SARS, avian flu and the H1N1 2009 influenza pandemic, global healthcare provider Iqarus has approached Covid-19 using its wide-ranging medical expertise and experience to support its clients with additional services and expert solutions.
Sector’s Covid-19 response vigorous
2020 arrived with a much-needed feeling of optimism and positivity throughout the industry. The long anticipated, planned Forties Pipeline Shutdown (FPS) presented the optimum opportunity for many Operators to align their summer shutdown campaigns and engineering project scopes to coincide.
Safety watchdog rebukes North Sea oil firm over unlit flare
A health and safety watchdog has accused a UK North Sea oil company of risking “fire and explosion” by having a flare unlit for extended periods on a platform.
Katoni: Putting focus on safety
Most people in the oil and gas industry will be aware of the term “functional safety”.
Survivex shuts Aberdeen facility in response to Covid-19 outbreak
Offshore survival training provider Survivex has temporarily closed its facility in Aberdeen in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
New ‘corona copter’ service to remove virus cases from North Sea rigs
A group of North Sea operators have struck a deal with a helicopter operator to bring confirmed and suspected Covid-19 sufferers back to shore.
IFB puts focus on remote working
Digital communications firm IFB, of Aberdeen, has launched a free service to help companies stay afloat amid all the chaos of the Covid-19 virus.
OTC postponed until third quarter
The annual Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in the US has become the latest business event casualty of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Offshore Achievement Awards postponed due to virus fears
A highlight of the UK offshore industry's social calendar has been postponed due to fears about the coronavirus spread.
North Sea travel restrictions tightened to combat virus
Restrictions on offshore travel will be tightened in a bid to stop the deadly coronavirus spreading across the North Sea, an industry body has said.
Chevron sends London traders home on coronavirus concern
Chevron Corp. asked traders and other staff at its Canary Wharf office in London to work from home as a precaution after an employee was tested for the coronavirus, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Can mindfulness keep offshore workers safe?
The risks of working in the offshore energy industry are well-documented – long hours, dangerous equipment, extreme weather and weeks away from family and friends. The results can be catastrophic, illustrated by the 2010 blowout on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, which killed 11 people and spilled millions of barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico.