OGUK, the leading representative body for the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry and Step Change in Safety, the industry’s recognised safety organisation, have co-produced a series of films to address the concerns of thousands of workers travelling offshore during the coronavirus pandemic.
There are currently two films available to view with the first co-presented by OGUK’s aviation advisor, Graham Wildgoose and Matt Rhodes, Bristow Helicopters UK and member of the Step Change in Safety Leadership Team. Together they address aspects of helicopter travel including operational procedures, arrival and departure protocols, and the transfer of passengers.
The second film features OGUK’s medical advisor, Dr Graham Furnace providing answers to questions regarding the workforce’s concerns around current coronavirus-related medical and health issues. Topics he covers include temperature checking, measures to take when temperatures are high and self-isolation offshore.
The films also feature contributions from OGUK Chief Executive Deirdre Michie and Step Change in Safety Executive Director Steve Rae, who in a joint statement published today, said:
“Our industry has health and safety at its core and in adjusting to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve all had to make radical changes to the way we live and work. For many the new normal is working from home, but for thousands of people in our industry going to work means travelling by helicopter offshore to help meet our daily energy needs.
The means by which we prepare for, and undertake, these journeys has had to change. These essential changes are by design intended to provide additional barriers to protect against the spread of this virus offshore, allowing us to continue to provide continuity of energy supply to support the vital work that all key workers are undertaking to protect the health and wellbeing of our nation. With that in mind it is our duty to ensure that our workforces concerns are responded to in a timely and factual manner.
“These films are part of a series to support our workforce with comprehensive information about travelling offshore when they most need it.”
Two films are now available to view on both the Step Change in Safety and the OGUK websites here.
www.stepchangeinsafety.net/covid-19
www.oilandgasuk.co.uk/covid-19
April 1 marks the 11th anniversary of the helicopter flight 85N accident in which 16 people lost their lives . Every year since, family members, friends and colleagues of those lost have gathered at the memorial in Johnston Gardens Aberdeen to remember those lost. Due to the coronavirus, people are unable to physically come together so the industry’s chaplain, Reverend Gordon Craig has provided a short, recorded act of remembrance online which can be accessed here https://youtu.be/e6ZXS0hXAnE
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