Subsea UK’s safety forum recently launched what is claimed to be the first ...

Subsea UK’s safety forum recently launched what is claimed to be the first ever pan-industry sector common induction framework to reduce subsea accidents and improve safety performance through a greater understanding of the risks and what is required. It is the first of a series of best practice initiatives that the industry body’s Subsea Safety Leadership Forum will be rolling out to improve safety through industry-wide collaboration. The common induction framework will ensure that everyone working offshore, onshore or onboard vessels in the subsea sector will receive a common induction process before beginning work. It has been developed by sharing best practice from the main contractors to ensure a common approach to inductions. The subsea sector operates in one of the most mission-critical and challenging environments of any in the oil and gas industry. Recent statistics on subsea-related incidents reveal that a substantial number of reported incidents are related to sub-contractor personnel. The priority was therefore to introduce an effective way of making sure there was a common standard for inducting people into their worksite. ‘This is not about creating new safety guidelines, but about making sure existing guidelines are communicated clearly and implemented consistently across all contractors,’ notes Subsea UK. The induction framework is primarily targeted at new employees in the sector and those going into a marine environment for the first time, such as technicians from equipment manufacturing companies and those whose usual day-job is desk-bound. However, every worker should have the same level of safety competence so the framework applies to everyone connected with offshore subsea operations. The induction framework is free to use and can be accessed at www.subseauk.com