Industry representative body Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) and safety organization Step Change in Safety have coproduced a series of films to address the concerns of thousands of workers traveling offshore during the coronavirus pandemic.
The first film made available was copresented by OGUK’s aviation adviser, Graham Wildgoose, and Matt Rhodes, from 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 adviser, 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. “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,” the two said in a joint statement. “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 workforce’s 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.”
In this film, Graham Wildgoose, aviation adviser for OGUK, and Matt Rhodes, with Bristow Helicopters UK and a member of the Step Change in Safety Leadership Team, answer questions from the workforce about offshore helicopter travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this film, Graham Furnace, OGUK medical adviser, answers medical and health questions from the workforce. Topics include temperature checking, what to do if your temperature is high, and self-isolation offshore.
More films and information can be found on the Step Change in Safety and the OGUK websites.