A new initiative aimed at getting offshore workers more involved in oil and gas safety has launched in Aberdeen.
The Workforce Engagement Support Group (WEST) brings together Step Change In Safety’s Workforce Engagement Group and the HSE’s Workforce Involvement Group
The scheme is a joint project aiming to improve the safety in the sector by putting decision-making in the hands of the onshore and offshore staff themselves, claims Step Change team leader, Les Linklater.
“What we need is members of the workforce to take the lead,” Linklater said.
“Our people are living in that major accident hazard environment – they have the opportunity to spot the hazards, resolve the hazards and work with their managers to put in long term solutions.”
The launch event featured presentations by the HSE, the Helicopter Safety Steering Group and the US Chemical Safety Board in a number of parallel sessions looking into hydrocarbon releases, the size and shape of the workforce, competence, helicopter safety and the role of safety representatives.
RMT Union regional organiser Jake Molloy and Ian Sharp, chief operating officer of Fairfield Energy, will serve as co-chairs for the newly established group for a year, before handing over to elected workforce safety reps, Linklater added.
Watch our interview with Les Linklater from the launch of WEST below
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