According to information published by industry sources, more than one third of all fatal accidents in the oil and gas industry are related to falls.
Even more upsetting than that, however, is that the overwhelming majority of those fatal accidents could have been prevented. If the individuals involved had taken advantage of appropriate tools for the task at hand and had been aware of safety situations highlighted to them during safety training programs and certification courses, these accidents could have been avoided.
To make sure that you don’t have to worry about this horrifying statistic, take advantage of the five tips below to help you prevent falls in this industry.
Always be Aware of Current Site Conditions
The easiest way to lessen your chances of falling and getting hurt in this industry is to be completely aware of your surroundings and current site conditions at all times.
No matter how familiar you may be with a site, you want to be sure that your radar is up and that you are always on the lookout for potentially dangerous situations to avoid.
Plan Out your Work Day and Schedule Intelligently
The oil and gas industry moves along at a breakneck pace, working conditions are always going to be hectic, frenetic, and very “go-go.”
This is why you want to make sure that you have planned out your work day and you were scheduled intelligently, taking advantage of downtime or times where you’ll be able to complete your job without too much interference as much as humanly possible.
Use the Right Equipment for the Job at Hand
Adaptability and flexibility are always prized in any job site and in any industry. When you’re talking about jobsites and work that is as potentially dangerous as oil and gas industry work can be, you simply cannot afford to use anything but specialized equipment for the task at hand.
Take Advantage of Safety Training Programs and Certifications
All oil and gas employers are very good about making sure that their employees are well-trained and provided with every opportunity to pursue extra safety training and certifications. You need to make sure that you take advantage of all these opportunities to put yourself in the best possible position going forward.
Encourage Others to Utilize Safety Training Programs and Certifications
Of course, it’s also not a bad idea to encourage everyone else you can to take advantage of the same training protocols and programs.
Not only will you be able to better protect yourself by having more safety conscious coworkers, but you’ll also be able to protect those that you work with on a regular basis.
Metalcare offers the best safety training programs in Alberta, at the best prices. Get in touch to learn about our OSSA Fall Protection courses and other safety training courses, include Fit Testing, H2S Alive, OSSA CSEM, RPE, and Standard First Aid.
