Oil & Gas Industrial Safety

 

Oil & Gas Industrial Safety: How to Stay Safe

The oil and gas industry presents occupational health and safety challenges like few other industries do, with shifts that can last up to 12 hours, working at heights of hundreds of feet, harsh environments, and more. The good news? The vast majority of accidents that occur in this line of work are preventable. This article will provide you with helpful information about occupational health and safety in the oil and gas industry so you can learn how to stay safe on the job every day.

Set goals

Environment Safety, Industrial Safety, Occupational Safety. The oil and gas industry is arguably one of the most challenging business fields you can enter into. As any type of occupational health and safety manager in your company can attest, there are always unexpected accidents that can put both workers and nearby residents at risk. As a result, it’s important for everyone involved—from drillers to engineers—to be extra careful when setting up equipment or entering potentially dangerous areas.

Recognize hazards

Workplace hazards can be recognized by recognizing potential dangers that may injure employees or even prove fatal. Companies are required by law to prevent unsafe working conditions and implement safety procedures and policies. The Occupational Safety and Health Act is a federal act that provides protection for employees’ health and safety, which includes proper planning and implementation of any potential workplace hazards such as lack of proper equipment, lack of training, or improper lifting techniques. This act also requires companies to provide information about hazardous substances used within their facilities and how these substances affect employee health. Employees must also receive information about their roles in dangerous situations and how they should react in order to avoid injury. Employers are responsible for providing appropriate protective gear such as hard hats, earplugs, steel-toed boots, eye protection, gloves, etc., depending on what work is being performed at that time. They must also provide personal protective equipment (PPE) like respirators or special clothing if there is a risk of exposure to dangerous chemicals/substances at work. In some cases, PPE might not be available because it was lost/damaged/not worn properly during an accident.

Adopt safe practices

If your company doesn’t already have a health and safety department, or if you work alone, there are some important steps you can take to ensure you stay safe at work. The following advice is applicable to all industries but focuses on health and safety practices specific to oil and gas. First, make sure that you always wear appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment). This means wearing steel-toed boots when working around heavy machinery, goggles when working with chemicals or welding equipment, and ear protection when using power tools. Also, be sure to avoid any behavior that could put yourself or others in danger—this includes driving while intoxicated as well as not reporting any unsafe conditions. Finally, make sure you understand where emergency exits are located so that you know how to get out quickly should an emergency arise.

Follow safe procedures

Following safe procedures is of utmost importance when it comes to industrial safety. If you’re working with hazardous materials, proper safety precautions must be taken at all times. In some cases, workers may have to wear protective gear, including hard hats and eye protection—or even full body suits in particularly dangerous environments. If you’re unsure what type of gear is right for your industry and job duties, consult with someone who works closely with occupational health and safety protocols. [3] It’s also important to remember that not everyone needs a high level of industrial safety training. Some industries require more specialized training than others, so check with your employer before assuming that a certain degree of training isn’t necessary.

Train others with new skills

If you’re an experienced worker in oil and gas, consider helping others learn your skills by teaching classes. Teaching other workers how to keep themselves and their coworkers safe is a great way for you, as an expert, to contribute meaningfully and earn more money—without leaving your job! There are many training programs available; check with your employer or local community college to see what options are available. You can also create your own program through online courses offered by major universities such as Stanford, MIT, and Penn State. This will allow you to create a curriculum that works best for you while still earning credit toward a degree or certification. In addition to developing your own skill set, teaching classes allows you to make valuable connections within your industry and build up your professional network. Plus, it's always fun to get paid while learning something new yourself!

Manage risks by controlling exposures

The foundation of all occupational health and safety management systems is risk management. Understanding and managing risks (e.g., exposures, hazards) is critical to preventing illness, injuries, and fatalities. Risk identification involves identifying potential hazards in your workplace environment and creating strategies for addressing those hazards. Control measures are implemented to reduce or eliminate exposure risks. You can implement a wide range of control measures, including administrative controls (i.e., policies and procedures), engineering controls (i.e., ventilation), personal protective equipment (PPE), work practices, emergency response plans, and training programs. For example, if you work around large machinery that could potentially cause injury if it malfunctions or falls over, you should implement a hazard-prevention program that includes engineering controls such as bolting down machines; PPE such as hard hats; work practices such as using guardrails when walking near machinery; an emergency response plan in case of an accident; and training programs on how to safely operate heavy machinery.

Know what you are doing

Just like any other industry, occupational health and safety is a very important part of oil and gas. The Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency that regulates employee rights, while OSHA states are individual states with their own regulations that companies must abide by. All oil companies should ensure that they have a good safety policy, which can reduce workplace injuries by preventing hazardous or unsafe conditions from occurring. Companies should also provide training for employees so they know what to do when an accident occurs. Additionally, employers should always be aware of local regulations regarding occupational health and safety. This way, companies will be able to prevent accidents before they occur and avoid being fined for infractions. Employers who fail to comply with these guidelines could face fines or even criminal charges if someone gets hurt on their watch. If you want your company’s operations to run smoothly, make sure you’re following all relevant laws regarding occupational health and safety at all times.

Act on it, do it, do it right!

The oil and gas industry is a great place to work. From time to time, however, workplace injuries do occur. Often times these accidents could have been prevented if safety precautions had been followed. Here are 5 safety tips that every oil and gas employee should follow as they move through their day-to-day operations to ensure both you and your co-workers stay safe. 1. Always wear your hard hat when operating heavy machinery or working at heights. If possible, always wear gloves and make sure to protect yourself from extreme temperatures by wearing appropriate clothing for each task at hand. These simple steps can help keep you from experiencing an injury on-the-job. 2. Before starting any equipment or machinery make sure all of its components are functioning properly and it is not leaking anything dangerous (i.e., gas). Make sure that all valves are closed before starting up any equipment or machinery so no accidental leaks happen while it’s running—this can be especially important with hydraulic systems because they use pressurized fluid which can cause serious burns if it comes into contact with skin while under pressure!