Health & Safety Report 2018

Figure 24: Reason for Failed Assessment by Age

400

Blood Pressure Diabetes

Cardiac Substance Misuse Other

350

300

250

3

200

150

No. of Failed Assesments

100

50

0

<20

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60+

Delegate Age

Source: Oil & Gas UK

In 2017, Oil & Gas UK worked closely with OPITO, the HSE and industry to complete a project to include the new Category A Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (Cat-A EBS) for helicopter transit into the mandatory in-water Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training for offshore workers (BOSIET). Prior to this, personnel travelling offshore had received dry training with the system. The move to shallow water training was delayed due to the view that this approach increased risk to personnel during training, particularly for those individuals with respiratory illnesses. An update to Medical Aspects of Fitness for Offshore Work: Guidance for Examining Physicians was completed in 2017 to address the assessment of fitness to train in water with Cat-A EBS as well as fitness to work. From March 2018, all personnel completing the BOSIET or Further Offshore Emergency Training (FOET) who are deemed fit to participate receive familiarisation with the equipment in-water as well as pool-side. Medical Evacuations As a remote and potentially hazardous workplace where support from the usual emergency services is not available, offshore installations are required to have medical facilities onboard to allow the medic, supported by a topsides doctor, to provide appropriate medical treatment and care to injured or ill personnel until they can be returned to shore. For less acute conditions or minor injuries, this may mean the person is treated onboard and continues to work the rest of their rota on normal or restricted duties. For some personnel the appropriate approach may be to wait until the next scheduled flight, but for the most serious conditions which require onshore treatment as a matter of urgency, either industry or coastguard search and rescue (SAR) helicopters are used.

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