OEUK news

Industry offers support to critical workers keeping UK running

25 March 2020

OGUK, the leading representative body for the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry has teamed up with Step Change in Safety, the industry’s recognised safety organisation to offer support to the tens of thousands of workers keeping the UK running with secure and affordable energy during the coronavirus pandemic.

A new dedicated online hubs with guidance, videos and FAQs has been launched to provide everyone involved in the industry, and their families, with a “one stop shop” to address concerns on the prevention and protection against coronavirus in around 150 manned installations across the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) and the substantial onshore workforce. Both organisations are working jointly to provide the most accurate information about topics and services such as offshore helicopter travel, health screening and training re-certification. It is available on Step Change in Safety and OGUK websites

In a joint statement published today, OGUK Chief Executive Deirdre Michie and Step Change in Safety Executive Director Steve Rae said:

“Our industry workforce plays a critical role in providing the energy and products the UK needs to power hospitals and make essential trips. Our message to our people is clear: you are doing an essential job in keeping us safe and warm, and we need to work together to keep you safe at work.

“Working tirelessly with governments, regulators and our industry we have secured clear arrangements on the safe removal of suspected cases from offshore, on establishing our workforce as key workers so they can continue to send their children to school if they have to and to continue to travel to work and on temperature testing as standard at all heliports.

“We continue to work with governments to make the case for testing of offshore personnel, and now, more than ever before, we will be supporting our workforce to feel and be safe as they carry out their essential work. It’s why today we are combining strengths in launching a dedicated online hub with guidance, videos and FAQs. We will continue to encourage the participation of the unions, the regulator, and our members to work together in circumstances that are completely unprecedented.”


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