Det Norske Veritas is to launch new training courses for elected safety representatives aimed at minimising the number of accidents offshore.
The courses, which have been accredited by Opito, will be available to more than 2000 safety representatives across the oil and gas industry after four two-day pilot schemes earlier this year.
The new safety standard applied to the courses will be the first since the creation of the basic course introduced in 1989 in the wake of the Piper Alpha tragedy.
Elected safety representatives investigate potential hazards, complaints and accident causes, along with inspecting installations, and operate independent of management. The new training standard was developed by ESRs themselves.
“It’s been fantastic to hear from safety reps who, after attending the course, are returning and telling us stories of how they’ve been able to immediately apply the learning to their next trip offshore,” said DNV senior consultant Fiona FitzGerald.
“It seems to have opened up a new dialogue between installation management and safety reps – with increased respect and understanding from both sides.
“Our focus is firmly on the management of major accident hazards and we’ve heard how alumni safety reps are now better equipped to understand the technical content of their installation safety case and challenge assumptions.”
