The drive towards common offshore safety standards for the worldwide oil & gas industry took a giant leap forward this month, writes David Doig.
We started the ball rolling on the introduction of International Minimum Industry Training Standards (IMIST) on a global scale.
Following an extensive and very competitive selection process, we have selected Atlas Interactive as the service provider for IMIST.
This marks the progression of the innovative safety and competency programme which was launched in the UK in 2009, and is another fantastic example of North Sea innovation leading other exploration and production regions and improving workforce safety and competence.
It never hurts to remind ourselves that we should all be proud of the work we do here in the North Sea.
To date, more than 48,000 experienced UK oil & gas workers have undergone the training. While it will still be some time before we see the hard results in terms of a reduction in workplace incidents, the widespread support shown by industry for the scheme is testament in itself to its intrinsic value and demonstrates the sector’s commitment towards making the offshore environment safer.
Already in the UK, IMIST has greatly rationalised the myriad of induction programmes applied by specific employers, and is quickly becoming an essential part of offshore training, with the majority of participating employers having implemented their plans. With the unveiling of IMIST, we are now being driven by international employers to take this safety message to a global audience.
Initially targeting the Middle East, IMIST will be rolled out across 30 countries throughout Asia, Africa and the US. It will be delivered via e-learning and tailored to meet each region’s specific workforce, language and geographic needs.
The standard ensures that trainees have the necessary safety awareness and training to avoid risk and ultimately incidents. The course contains up to nine modules, incorporating safety observation systems, use of hazardous substances, working at height and mechanical lifting activities.
Ultimately, we hope that more than 1.5million people employed in exploration and production around the world will undergo the training over the next two years.
It will, for the first time, create a standardised level of competency in basic safety training and ensure workers – no matter where they are across the globe – can be assured that the people they are working alongside can consistently perform to the same high level.
In our role as the industry’s skills body we are committed to improving safety and reducing risk for people, assets and companies in one of the most hazardous working environments. Identifying the need to bring consistency to the delivery and content of basic safety training across all global oil & gas hubs was the first step. We followed this with the development and trailing of IMIST.
Today, we are moving even closer towards making one world, one industry – one standard – a reality.
David Doig is group chief executive of OPITO
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