General Safety Do’s and Don’ts in Oil & Gas industries

General Safety Do’s and Don’ts in Oil & Gas industries

General Safety Do’s and Don’ts in Oil & Gas industries

The oil and gas sector, including exploration, refineries and petrochemicals, are the most hazardous industries due to their characteristics of handling, processing and storing different types of flammable substances at or above flash point and auto-ignition temperature.

There are various risks including flammability, toxicity, explosion, physical hazards, noise, ergonomics, electrical hazards, etc. however fire, explosion and toxicity are the main concerns of oil refineries as it can cause considerable damage to company facilities, loss of life and health risks to neighborhoods.

Safety information system such as HSE induction for new employees and visitor and regular training on safety topics for workforce can minimize the work error and helps to prevent unwanted incidents. The company must implement the robust health and safety policy and the commitment of management must be visible in the workplace.

Safety Do’s and Don’ts in Oil & Gas industries

Here are the safety Do’s and Don’ts that can help to educate the workforce in oil and gas industries;

Do’s

1. All new employees, workers and visitors must undergo HSE induction training when visiting company premises.
2. Always display a valid identity card (ID) and carry safety instructions card for reference.
3. Read and obey posted safety warnings/ instructions and pedestrian must use walkway.
4. Only diesel-powered vehicles are permitted inside company premises with an approved spark arrester on the exhaust.
5. Use the mandatory PPEs in the establishment and wear full sleeve cotton shirt inside the battery limit i.e. operational area.
6. Make sure that all engine-driven vehicles and equipment are equipped with an approved spark arrester.
7. Always obey the speed limit, i.e. 30 km / h in non-operational zone and 20 km / h in operational zone.
8. Be sure to use the seat belt while driving.
9. Obtain a work permit before executing any job in restricted area as defined in the permit to work procedure.
10. Do job safety risk assessment for critical jobs and conduct toolbox talk before each job.
11. Report all adverse events/ incidents, near miss, unsafe conditions and unsafe acts for immediate corrective action.
12. Remember the emergency numbers and follow the fire order.
13. Move to assembly point hearing an emergency alarm such as wailing sound in event of emergency.
14. Maintain good housekeeping in site and segregate hazardous and nonhazardous waste for better disposal.
15. Always follow the instructions of your supervisor.

Don’ts

1. Don’t use mobile phone while driving, crossing a road, walking, stepping up or down the staircase.
2. Don’t enter a restricted area without proper authorization.
3. Don’t bring any vehicle inside the battery limit (operational area) without approved vehicle passes and authorization such as hot work permit.
4. Don’t use petrol powered vehicles inside company premises.
5. Don’t wear synthetic clothing inside the operational area as it can create spark due to static charges.
6. Don’t make pedestrian movement on the main road.
7. Don’t overtake at restricted road or one-way road.
8. Don’t operate any equipment without authorization.
9. Don’t smoke anywhere withing the oil installation.
10. Don’t carry cigarette, lighter, flashlight, camera etc. in the oil and gas facility.
11. Don’t use mobile phone/ spark generating items inside the battery limit.

All of the above Safety Do’s and Don’ts can be shared with all employees, workers and visitor in the form of safety instruction pocket card so that it can remind the peoples about safety rules of the company. It can also help to implement the HSE policy of the company. 

Most of the organizations prepare such Do’s and Don’ts safety instruction cards and handing over to peoples during their HSE induction. Emergency contact numbers and what to do in an emergency are also printed on the back of the card, which really helps them evacuate safely to the assembly point.

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