COVID-19
Impact on Safety
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the way that we all work and has made us reassess how we protect people to help minimise them contracting similar viruses in the future.
In the short-term, the way we live our lives, go about our daily business and carry out our jobs has changed. We are all now adapting to the 'new normal' and businesses are changing the way in which they operate in order to keep their workers safe.
As we move forward in these unprecedented times, at Step Change in Safety we will continue to share examples of how different organisations are implementing new policies and procedures, so that as an industry we can work together to protect our workforce.
Mental Health
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WEBINAR: 'Working in the 'New Normal'
Wednesday 3rd June 2020
Our panel of front-line workers and safety reps, who have continued their roles at offshore and onshore sites during the COVID-19 related down-manning, answer questions from a global online audience.
Panelists:
Adele Bassett - Permit Coordinator at Spirit Energy, SI971 Rep, Step Change in Safety Safety Rep
Bob Egan - Workforce Engagement Specialist, HSE
Kirstin Mackay - RGN Medic, Health & Safety Adviser, TAQA
Ian Stewart - Offshore Installation Manager, CNOOC International
Steph Sunley - Offshore Logistics Supervisor, SI971 Rep, Step Change in Safety Safety Rep
Chaired by Steve Rae, Executive Director, Step Change in Safety.
Working in the 'New Normal' films
Step Change in Safety brings you a series of information films recorded by frontline workers and safety reps who have continued their roles at offshore and onshore sites during the COVID-19 related down-manning.
These films provide a snapshot of how different aspects of the energy sector adapted their operations in response to the coronavirus outbreak and how they are now facing up to the new realities of operating in the post-pandemic era.
UK onshore gas terminal Permit to Work Co-ordinator
In this film, Adele Bassett describes what the ‘new normal’ looks like in her role as a Permit to Work Co-ordinator at a UK onshore gas terminal.
Topics of discussion include: changes to the amount of work planned at the site; issuing permits and including COVID-19 on risk assessments.
UK Offshore Installation Manager
In this film, Ian Stewart describes what the ‘new normal’ looks like in his role as a UK Offshore Installation Manager.
Topics of discussion include: the inclusion of COVID-19 status in the platform induction; maintaining safe operations during down-manning and how they plan to up-man safely; the importance of using safety reps to communicate COVID-19 information; and looking out for everyone’s mental wellbeing and keeping morale high.
Offshore Chef Manager
In this film, Dougie Mitchell describes what the ‘new normal’ looks like in his role as an offshore Chef Manager.
Topics of discussion include: changes that have been made in the galley and mess hall to prevent cross-contamination and respect social distancing.
Catering and facilities management company (onshore) Area Operations Manager
In this film, Neil Ryder describes what the ‘new normal’ looks like in his role as an (onshore) Area Operations Manager for a global catering and facilities management company.
Discussion topics include: changes that have been put in place at an onshore site to protect clients and staff through social distancing; staggering mealtimes; changes to the set-up of dining halls; and increased cleaning and sanitization.
A health and safety perspective of the ‘new normal’
In this film, Kirstin Mackay examines what the ‘new normal’ is like from a health and safety perspective.
Topics of discussion include: the primary isolation of symptomatic patients on an offshore platform; how COVID-19 is incorporated into risk assessments; and the importance of remembering that Major Accident Hazards are still present.
In this film, Lee James, operations manager at a helicopter terminal talks us through the changes that have been made at his heli-port.
Topics of discussion include: temperature screening before entering the terminal, the changes at check-in, security and in the departure room; and the cleaning and sanitizing of survival suits.
Further Information on COVID-19
COVID-19 Videos
COVID-19 Videos