Shared practice for safer practice

A lot of focus has been put on the role of technology in the oil and gas industry recently, and how it is improving drilling, exploration, and even decommissioning in the North Sea and beyond. Something we perhaps fail to mention as frequently these days is the role of safety as a major influential factor in future design and innovation in the sector especially as health and safety is the main priority for businesses both on and offshore.

Tuesday (April 28th) marks International Workers’ Memorial Day, an observance which serves to remember and take action for workers who have who have died, been injured, or made unwell by their work. The day was originally established in Canada in 1984 and is now recognised by worker’ groups across the world, including the oil and gas industry. For our sector, safety has evolved from being an issue to take into consideration, to becoming the pre-requisite for everything we do, but that doesn’t mean the industry has become complacent .

The fall in oil price is affecting businesses, with many companies taking strong measures to mitigate losses and reassess spending habits. As well as the current oil price challenge, exploration costs are higher and many hydrocarbon reserves are proving difficult to explore.

As a result, collaborations across the sector are resulting in innovative technologies and methods to get the most out of UKCS.fields, but these partnerships are doing more than producing better products and services; they are also creating important opportunities for businesses to share best safety practice.

International Workers’ Memorial Day is just one day that stands out in the calendar, albeit an important one. After all, the safety of our employees and colleagues should be on our minds every day, no matter what challenges we face or solutions we deliver as an industry.