Offshore oil and gas workers who regularly practice mindfulness may experience less fatigue and emotional and psychological strain—all while increasing their situational awareness and productivity, results of a recent study led by University of Houston researchers show.
Backed by funding from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program, the researchers developed a mindfulness training program “that targets well-being and situation awareness through mindfulness practice to improve safety,” a video associated with the project says. (Watch the video below.)
A survey of 108 offshore oil and gas workers used to shape the program asked respondents to discuss the specificity and risk of certain job tasks, as well as which duties feature the most challenges related to safety, distractions, near misses, and incidents. Common sources of distraction included overcrowding and social distraction (41%) and phone calls during work (19%).
Additionally, 16% of the workers said they wrestle with performance anxiety, while 9% reported that their minds wander during repetitive tasks and task switching—perhaps as a result of distance and time away from family.