Oil and gas industry training body Opito has launched new courses aimed at improving the skills of elected safety representatives (ESRs).
While a basic introductory course already exists, the new training is meant to help safety reps develop their effectiveness and confidence.
Four separate two-day pilot courses, to be delivered by risk-management company DNV, have been arranged for next month as a trial run. If successful, they will be rolled out across the industry for training more than 2,000 ESRs.
Opito managing director Larraine Boorman said: “Safety representatives hold a vital role and can have a dramatic and positive impact on safety across the workplace.
“While training is required by law, evidence suggests that standards vary across the industry and in some cases there is a lack of involvement by ESRs in key areas.
“This new standard will help those in this critical role develop the confidence, understanding and skills to improve the safety culture for all.”
ESRs carry out inspections and are responsible for investigating potential hazards, dangerous incidents and accidents.
Nicky Elphinstone, an ESR on Total Exploration and Production UK’s Elgin platform, said: “This new training is just what representatives need. It will give us the confidence and skills to understand major accident hazards and risk analysis, challenge the root cause and to communicate safety concerns.”
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