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OPITO puts common safety standards on the agenda at ADIPEC safety forum

Aberdeen headquartered international skills and competency organisation OPITO will highlight the need for global safety standards in the oil and gas industry during a high profile seminar in the Middle East next week.

ADIPEC Health Safety and Risk Management Forum will see the region's health, safety and risk management champions gather for four days of intensive discussion, debate and dialogue on the most pressing issues of the today - including safe oil and gas production and management.

OPITO group chief executive David Doig will speak about the new International Minimum Industry Training Standard (IMIST) which is due to launch in the Middle East next month. He will also discuss the importance of workforce empowerment when raising the bar on safety and competency at the event which takes place in Abu Dhabi from 12-15th June.

“The offshore industry operates in some of the harshest, most hostile and therefore hazardous environments for workers anywhere in the world. Health, safety and environment (HSE) must be the number one priority for oil companies not just in the Middle East as it is the foundation of safe, effective and efficient operations,” said Mr Doig.

“While many employers have HSE systems they struggle when it comes to measuring workforce competence. Compliance has historically been the driver for HSE policy and performance there is a clear need to move to a competence driven approach to managing effective HSE performance.

“The challenge is to see the development of a safe and skilled workforce as an investment rather than a cost to the business.”

An industry-funded and employer-led body, OPITO exists solely to help the global oil and gas industry build a safe and skilled workforce.

The IMIST 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.

It will launch in the Middle East in July before being rolled out across 30 countries. Delivered via e-learning, it will be tailored to meet each region’s specific workforce, language and geographic needs.

“Indigenous aspirations in the development of a safe and skilled workforce can be supported by the adoption of industry best practice and the integration of globally recognised training and competence standards,” continued Mr Doig.

“Safe oil and gas production can only be achieved by ensuring that employees are well-schooled in the safety issues at hand, reinforcing this training and ensuring that safety is part of their job.

“The introduction of the new IMIST standard sets a threshold on workplace safety and ensures that all workers have the same level of basic safety competence which is the first step towards establishing a common strategic direction and policy relating to workforce safety for the oil and gas sector.”

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