Optimize Oil and Gas Safety with These Tips

 

Oil and gas industry recognizes that its work isn’t done until it attains a zero injury rate in the working place. Below are helpful oil and gas safety tips that help prevent accidents, and respond promptly and efficiently to any unexpected occurrence. 

Oil and gas safety is of utter importance when it ensures employee engagement, productivity and any loss of HR, finance, time. This sector recognizes that its work isn’t done until it attains a zero injury rate in the working place. Below are helpful tips that help prevent accidents, and respond promptly and efficiently to any unexpected occurrence. 

1. Before exploration or production, enterprises prepare a main hazard report for their offshore installation. This report must comprise a risk assessment and emergency response plan.

There include 5 common hazards in oil and gas industry – vehicle collision, machine hazards, chemical exposure, fall hazards, fire and explosion.

• Vehicle collision

One of biggest dangers for oil field workers is on the road rather than at the rig. Workers often work for over 10 long hours at the rig and then climbing on to the truck for a 4-hour long journey to the company outlet. With increased drilling activities such as fracking, millions of gallons of fresh water are needed for this process. This requires water to be continuously supplied, which is often transported from various places.

All of those activities have raised the number of trucks on roads, inducing frequent collisions. One of the major causes of those reckless accidents has been carelessness, less alertness, or exhausted driving workers. Oil rig workers should be updated with documents that offer guides and safety regulations to avert vehicle collisions – for example, OSHA's Motor Vehicle Safety.

• Machine hazards

Among the industries using hazardous machines and equipment, oil and gas industry is on the top. Many of those machines operate in the unguarded areas that further endanger workers using them. That means such operations as traveling derrick, spinning chain, heavy lifts, drilling should be implemented with care by competent operators.

Machines used for drilling often cause lots of noise and vibration that can harm the operator. Whilst using that equipment, operators should make it a point to put on protective gear such as gloves, earplugs. Such equipment as pumps, hoist blocks, compressors, belt wheels, conveyors may cause injury if the operator gets caught between or struck by such machinery. Falling equipment and objects can crush or cut body parts of the workers in the process. It’s significant to follow OSHA regulations to guard, update equipment, and keep them in good condition to ensure safe use.

• Chemical exposure

Chemical hazards are typical in oil rigs. Many drilling and oil processing places diffuse overwhelmingly dangerous chemicals into the atmosphere. Prolonged exposure to those toxic chemicals and fumes can lead to respiratory and main brain problems to workers. Most of oil rigs let go of high concentrations of H2S. Pipeline operators and crude oil shippers face maximum risks by hazardous levels of H2S. It can induce paralysis, leukemia, and other cancers.

Other side effects of toxic chemical exposure are headaches, dizziness, eye and skin irritation, nausea, chemical burns.  Importantly, proper eye, face and respiratory protection masks are employed on rigs.

• Fall hazards

Oil rig workers have to work on the elevated platforms. Fatal falls can result from lack of appropriate fall protection systems and safety wear. Many oil rig workers hurt head, fracture arms, suffer injuries. Some of major causes of such falls are harness failure, improper rigging methods, slipping over tools or chemicals, being struck by equipment and tools.

A good house-keeping practice can lower many of the trips and slips on the platforms. Importantly, the floor is kept clear of unneeded tools, ropes, cords. Also, wipe up oil or chemical spills immediately. Utilize slip resistance and waterproof boots to lower slips and trips. Also make sure to cover potholes or open cellars, and use proper signage warning workers of the same. Ensure ladders, guardrails are kept in good condition prior to every use. Use such personal protective equipment as hard hats, goggles, gloves, masks all the time.

• Fire and explosion

There are lots of combustible chemicals and gas in oil and gas rigs, which means there are chances that a fire breaks out or explosions happen. Most of the time, they occur without slightest warning, and then are hard to prevent. You need be prepared with all possible preventive measures to face those hazards.

It’s always recommended to have a detailed fire-fighting plan. Equipment, extinguishers, suppression agents should be ready in case of emergency. Most of accident prone areas such as gas chambers, electricity rooms, oil tanks are continuously threatened with fire and explosion. Importantly, all the machine and equipment prone to fire should be inspected regularly. Put sufficient amount of extinguishers and safety equipment around and in such places. Give proper safety training to staff working in such hazardous areas. Inspection and maintenance of such equipment and places on a regular basic can lower the risks of the hazards.

In general, it’s significant that companies follow appropriate safety and health regulations to lower risks. Train workers to carry out their job with care and efficiency.

2. Companies keep resources at hand to put them into operation when necessary.

3. Companies aren’t licensed unless they are well financed and have the necessary technical expertise.

4. Technical solutions critical for safety of installation must be verified. This must be done before installation coming into operation.

5. National authorities verify environmental protection measures, safety provisions, emergency preparedness of rigs and platforms. If enterprises don’t respect minimum standards, they can be sanctioned, including their production to be halted.

6. Information on how enterprises keep installations safe must be made available for assessment.

7. Enterprises are responsible for environmental damages to protected marine species and natural habits.

Source: Optimize Oil and Gas Safety with These Tips