Some of the top safety tips
for working in the oil industry include:
- Conducting/participating in pre-tour meetings;
- Utilizing job safety analysis (JSA);
- Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE);
- Implementing engineering controls, signage, and barriers to help prevent contact injuries and other unforeseen situations;
- Keeping all walkways clear of obstructions; and
- Performing daily inspections and replacing damaged equipment.
WHAT’S THE #1 PRECAUTION
FOR STAYING SAFE IN THE FIELD?
MAINTAINING DIALOGUE WITH YOUR WORKFORCE
Most rig workers know the ins and outs of the vessels and equipment they’re working on and can communicate where the risks lie, thus providing management with important information for implementing safety solutions. Dialogue is equally important when it exposes those workers who need more training. Perhaps Charles Kettering, an American engineer and inventor, said it best, “Experience is not merely the best teacher but the only possible teacher…There is no war between theory and practice. The most valuable experience demands both, and the theory should supplement the practice and not precede it.” As with most industries, in oil safety regulations first arose in response to accidents. Don’t wait for accidents to occur. Maintain dialogue with your workforce—and workers with each other—to keep personnel safe in the field.