Offshore oil and gas companies are facing continued scrutiny over their health and safety practices in 2024, despite a recent report suggesting improvements in safety within the industry. In response, experts urge for sustained vigilance to ensure the well-being of offshore workers.
A recent analysis of the offshore oil and gas sector’s health, safety, and environmental (HSE) performance for 2022, published by Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), offered a mixed outlook. While it reported 2022 as the safest year on record for offshore operations, concerns linger regarding key safety issues, indicating further efforts should be made at strengthening health and safety across the industry.
The report noted a significant decrease in the total number of process safety-related ‘dangerous occurrences’ reported in 2022, as a positive development. However, hydrocarbon releases remained prevalent, along with incidents involving dropped objects, well-related accidents, fires and explosions. Personal safety incidents, including bone fractures, strains/sprains, and lacerations also saw a gradual increase. These injuries, often occurring during routine tasks or equipment handling, highlight the importance of maintaining stringent safety protocols.
While the UK offshore oil and gas industry compares favourably with its European counterparts in terms of lost-time injury (LTI) frequency, maintaining this progress requires ongoing commitment to health and safety measures. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in maintenance practices. Non-compliance issues identified during inspections increased in 2022, with concerns over backlogs and safety critical systems.
HSE added: “Delivering and properly prioritising inspections is a high priority activity for HSE in ensuring it implements its major hazard strategy while supporting businesses to grow. Therefore, HSE’s Energy Division Offshore aims to ensure its regulatory activity is proportionate to the risks to people, taking into account the operator’s performance in controlling risks.”
Workplace safety
As safety tag specialists, Vantage Tags understands the need to prioritise risk assessments, proper maintenance, and continuous review of health and safety policies. With a significant portion of injuries attributed to slips, trips, falls, and handling incidents, there’s no room for complacency.
Our range of safety tagging solutions are designed to assist companies in effectively communicating hazards, enhancing compliance, and safeguarding workers in challenging offshore environments.
We recognise that safety tags are more than just labels; they are a critical part of workplace safety. They provide essential information and warnings to prevent accidents and help companies comply with safety regulations.
Our bespoke tags are engineered to withstand the toughest conditions, ensuring visibility and reliability in both on and offshore environments. As the industry addresses evolving risks and regulations, we’re committed to supporting our customers with solutions that prioritise safety above all else.
Contact Vantage Tags to learn more about how our safety tagging solutions can fortify your offshore operations and protect your workforce.
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