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The Offshore Oil & Gas Health & Safety Representative's Program The Offshore Oil & Gas Health & Safety Representative's Program Jack McGee HSE Advisor September 2004
The Offshore Oil & Gas Health & Safety
Representative's Program
The Offshore Oil & Gas Health & Safety
Representative's Program
Jack McGee HSE Advisor
September 2004
The Offshore Oil and Gas Health and Safety Representatives’ Program
The Offshore Oil & Gas HSR ProgramThe Offshore Oil & Gas HSR Program
1. Legislation2. Problems with existing training3. Developing a relevant course4. Challenges and achievements5. The Future
The Offshore Oil and Gas Health and Safety Representatives’ Program
LegislationLegislation
Currently, each Australian state & territory has their own legislation
The National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) will come into being in 2005
The Offshore Oil and Gas Health and Safety Representatives’ Program
The Spirit of the LegislationThe Spirit of the Legislation
The spirit of the legislation is one of consultation and cooperation
That is - the employers and employees working together to achieve a safe working environment
The Offshore Oil and Gas Health and Safety Representatives’ Program
Legislative ProvisionsLegislative ProvisionsThe OH&S legislation:
Provides for consultation between employer and employees
Details the role of the HSR
In 2005, gives all HSRs the power to issue Provisional Improvement Notices (PINs)
Requires all elected HSRs to be trained
The Offshore Oil and Gas Health and Safety Representatives’ Program
Problems with Existing TrainingProblems with Existing Training
Too generalised
Not specific to the industry
Very little communication training
Oil & gas trainees often grouped with ‘softer’industries
At times, becomes a ‘tick the box’ exercise
The Offshore Oil and Gas Health and Safety Representatives’ Program
Training IssuesTraining Issues
No ongoing on-the-job trainingLimited communication & administrative skillsWorking with supervisors with a limited understanding of OH&S legislation & HSR roleNo common process for resolving HS&E issuesWorkforce not always sure on how to use the HSR Limited time & resources provided to carry out role
The Offshore Oil and Gas Health and Safety Representatives’ Program
Developing a Relevant CourseDeveloping a Relevant Course
The course needed to:
Meet the requirements & spirit of legislation
Address the hazardous offshore work environment
Provide both on-the job & off-the job training
Provide a method of resolving HS&E issues
The Offshore Oil and Gas Health and Safety Representatives’ Program
Course StructureCourse Structure
Course ModulesOH&S LegislationCommunicationConsultation & AdministrationRisk ManagementWorkplace Audits & InspectionsIncident Investigation
The Offshore Oil and Gas Health and Safety Representatives’ Program
Course focusCourse focus
There is a major focus on learning to access and interpret the legislation.
Training techniques used are• case studies, • role play, • group work integrated with
company documentation
Communication training isintegrated throughoutthe course..
A clearly defined process for resolving health and safety issues is taught.
The Offshore Oil and Gas Health and Safety Representatives’ Program
Resolving HS&E IssuesResolving HS&E IssuesWorkplace HS&E identified
Employee raises issue with Supervisor
Actions taken, issue closed
Yes
Employee raises issue with HSR & Supervisor
Issue resolved? No
Issue resolved? No
HSR & Supervisor take issue to Management
Issue resolved?
Issue referred to Regulator
No
Yes
Yes
The Offshore Oil and Gas Health and Safety Representatives’ Program
Supporting TrainingSupporting TrainingTo ensure effective consultation & cooperation, everyone in the workforce needed to understand the program
As a result, support training programs were developed to:
Train managementTrain supervisorsTrain the workforce
The Offshore Oil and Gas Health and Safety Representatives’ Program
AccreditationAccreditationThe course has been:
Aligned with WA WorkSafe training outcomesApproved by the regulator in TSDARecommended by WA DOIRRecommended by Victorian DPI Aligned with current NOPSA strategy
The Offshore Oil and Gas Health and Safety Representatives’ Program
ChallengesChallengesEnsure the supervisors & workforce are also trained
Ensure HSRs do not get involved in non-HSE issues
Ensure there is a common process for resolving HSE issues which is understood by all involved
Be aware that some HSRs can be attracted to the role with ulterior motives or hidden agendas
•
The Offshore Oil and Gas Health and Safety Representatives’ Program
AchievementAchievementA course relevant to the oil and gas industry has been developed which:
Is in line with Australia wide legislationHas been approved by the JDPA regulatorRecommended by other regulatorsAddresses issues raised at NOGSACContains a process for resolving HSE issuesIs highly recommended by experienced offshore HSRs
The Offshore Oil and Gas Health and Safety Representatives’ Program
VisionVisionVision
The vision of the program is to
achieve ongoing consultation &
cooperation between all members of the
workforce
The Offshore Oil and Gas Health and Safety Representatives’ Program
VisionVisionVision
Creating a safe working environment
HSRsHSRs
OH&S LegislationOH&S LegislationSupervisorsSupervisors
WorkforceWorkforce
ManagementManagement
