Safety comes first in the offshore oil and natural gas industry, and keeping people safe is the single most important consideration in all of our operations.
The offshore industry is guided by comprehensive health and safety plans, which are developed by operators and submitted to regulators before any activity is approved. The Canada-Nova Scotia and Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Boards audit company health and safety programs and regularly inspect offshore work locations. The boards have the authority to shut down operations that are deemed unsafe.
The industry uses comprehensive safety management systems to monitor, maintain and improve safety performance. Management systems assess the effectiveness of safety programs and determine areas for improvement.
Protecting Offshore Workers
The offshore oil and natural gas industry in Atlantic Canada operates in a challenging environment. The remoteness of offshore workplaces and harsh weather conditions are examples of the challenges industry works to overcome by providing comprehensive training and specialized equipment to offshore workers.
The industry provides extensive training to ensure employees and contractors have the competency and skills they need to do their jobs safely. Before working on offshore facilities, all personnel must complete mandatory orientations and training, including a comprehensive five-day basic survival program. Workers repeat this training throughout their careers. In addition, they are required to be familiar with emergency response procedures, which they regularly practice through drills and exercises.
Offshore workers are also provided with specialized safety equipment for transportation to and working on offshore facilities. This equipment includes helicopter passenger transportation suits and helicopter underwater emergency breathing apparatuses, as well as immersion suits and other personal protective equipment on offshore installations.