Health & Safety

The new standard will help to improve offshore safety. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

OPITO, the global safety and skills organisation for the energy industry, has launched a new standard to ensure the competency of helicopter administrators

The initiative will improve safety for global offshore workers requiring helicopter transfers to offshore platforms.

The new Helicopter Administrator Workplace Competence Assessment standard complies with the best practice and requirements for helicopter administrators as detailed in Civil Aviation Authority’s Civil Aviation Publication CAP 437: Standards for offshore helicopter landing areas (CAP 437). It assesses the candidates’ knowledge and skills in providing administrative support required to safely operate the helideck and manage helicopter movements within their role in the workplace. The Assessment will be undertaken in the candidates’ workplace and consists of five units.

Stakeholder consultation

The standard was developed in conjunction with Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) and in consultation with industry stakeholders, including Spirit Energy, Harbour Energy, HCA, bp, Repsol Resources UK, TAQA and TotalEnergies.

Lucie Booth, product development manager at OPITO, said, “OPITO is committed to creating workforce development solutions to build a safe and skilled energy workforce. The launch of the Helicopter Administrator Workplace Competence Assessment standard will assess helicopter administrators in their role within the workplace, to ensure they are contributing meaningfully to safe operational activity in often challenging offshore environments.”

Graham Skinner, Health and Safety Manager at OEUK, said, “The UK’s offshore energy industry has used helicopters for more than 50 years – developing some of the highest safety standards in the world. The industry drives forward a programme of continuous improvement that is focused on reducing risk, and this is another step forward. We look forward to working with OPITO and our members to ensure we support the roll-out of this new standard.”

HSE KSA takes place in September this year. (Image source: SafeStart)

This month, we are taking a break from the Paradigm Shifts to let you know that the visionary author behind this series will be speaking at three events in the Middle East this fall.

With a rare blend of unique insight and engaging storytelling, Larry Wilson has captured the attention of HSE practitioners worldwide, by delving into the human factors that lead to over 95% of accidental injuries. These events promise to be a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the insights of an intellectual pioneer whose ideas are at the forefront of Human Factors Safety discourse.

Larry has been a leader in human factors management for over 25 years. The state-to-error pattern he uncovered is involved in over 95% of accidental injuries. His Critical Error Reduction Techniques have been proven by neuroscience to reduce injuries on and off the job. These techniques have been taught to over 4.5 million people in over 75 countries.

Larry is one of the most active keynote speakers at HSE conferences around the globe, speaking in over 80 cities a year. Known for his ability to distill complex concepts into accessible and thought-provoking narratives, Larry’s sessions are a testament to his thought leadership and expert insight. His new keynote session, “New Perspectives on the Hierarchy of Controls and the Bowtie Model,” offers a unique viewpoint on the role of Human Factors in incident causation and outcomes.

This fall, attendees in the Middle East will have the opportunity to witness Larry’s expertise live at three key events.

These gatherings are more than just lectures; they are interactive experiences designed to provoke thought, inspire dialogue, and foster a deeper understanding of the human factors that impact our safety every day. Whether you are a professional seeking to stay ahead of industry trends, a student eager to expand your horizons, or simply someone with a passion for safety, these events are guaranteed to provide value.

Don’t miss your opportunity to see Larry Wilson, author of the Paradigm Shifts series, live at these events:

HSE 2024 KSA – Riyadh, September 17 - 18

Health, Safety and Environment Forum – Dubai, November 12 – 13

HSE Learning Summit – MENA – Abu Dhabi, November 19 - 20

If you have questions, just send us a note at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We hope to see you in one of these events!

The SafeStart Team

Matt Overcasher and Steve Manypenny, field technicians with Columbia Gas of Ohio, received the Community Hero award. (Image source: Blackline Safety)

Blackline Safety has launched the Blackline Safety Impact Awards, an international safety awards programme to recognise individuals and organisations that go above and beyond to keep their employees, communities and the environment safe

“Blackline’s No. 1 priority is ensuring that every worker returns home at the end of the day in the same form they arrived, and that communities and the environment are protected from life-threatening situations,” said Christine Gillies, chief product and marketing officer of Blackline Safety, whose suite of safety devices are used by hundreds of fire and hazmat, oil and gas, petrochemical, food production, biotech, transportation, utilities, and water and wastewater organisations globally.

“Our goal is to recognise Blackline technology users who are aligned with our mission and have helped save lives by avoiding serious incidents or casualties in their pursuit of safety,” Gillies explained.

Blackline’s gas detectors and gas monitors are supported by a cloud-connected monitoring and analytics platform, enabling organisations to view in real time all their workers’ locations and gas readings in the field, and configure their devices, from any Internet-connected smartphone, tablet or computer, no matter how remote the location.

Blackline Safety Impact Awards will be presented annually in a variety of award categories, including customer, channel partner and environmental heroes, in addition to community heroes. For more information and to nominate an organization, group or individual for the award, visit https://www.blacklinesafety.com/blackline-safety-impact-awards.

HSE GOM will bring together leaders from the offshore community to share insights and best practices for enhancing safety. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The inaugural Health, Safety & Environment Gulf of Mexico conference (HSE GOM) takes place at Hilton Greenway Plaza Houston Texas from 8-9 October 2024, providing an unparalleled opportunity to connect with the region’s offshore HSE community

The growing focus on health, safety and environment is putting pressure on the Gulf of Mexico’s oil and gas sector to update their strategies. Operators in the region grapple with key challenges such as the Covid hangover, getting workers on board, ageing assets and, notably, evolving stringent regulations kick-started by the events around the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

To combat these challenges, stakeholders are engaging in a range of best practices and deploying new technologies in order to bring their workforce together and mitigate risk for their operations moving forward.

Sharing best practices

HSE GOM will bring together leaders from the offshore community to share insights and best practices for enhancing safety standards and performance across the region. More than 20 expert speakers from companies including Apache Corporation, Baker Hughes, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Center for Offshore Safety, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Murphy Oil Corporation, Shell and Weatherford will present on crucial topics across the four main themes of safety culture; process safety; planning and preparation; and technology and innovation.

“At HSE GOM, you’ll gain exclusive access to operator best practices and innovative technologies, exploring strategies to enhance safety performance across the region,” said Jack Heffernan, project manager. “Engage with 150 influential decision-makers during our dedicated networking sessions in our technology showcase hall, to catalyse potential partnerships and enhance your presence in the market. Don’t miss out as we hear from regulators including BSEE on standards development, explore industry-leading strategies for cultivating a robust safety culture, and discover cutting-edge advancements in PPE, ensuring the region’s workforce are optimally equipped.”

For full information, download the brochure at https://events.offsnet.com/HSEGOM2024#/Brochure

Contact Jack Heffernan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information on attending, sponsoring or exhibiting.