Safety for any job is a number one priority but when related to oil rigs, safety issues increase for a variety of reasons. For one thing, the very environment of oil rigs creates risks, the type of work performed is also dangerous, and unfortunately, oil platforms have become targets of terrorists in many forms to include piracy. Because of safety concerns, this industry has made a solid commitment to developing standards, technologies, practices, and programs to ensure the safety of every worker, as well as oil rigs themselves.
Although development of natural gas and offshore oil operations have been protected with special safety measures for the past six decades, today along with oil rig safety jobs already in existence, a number of new positions have been created. As a result, rig environment and job performance that often involves working with hazardous materials, heavy equipment, high pressures, and hot temperatures are far more protected and safe.
New Developments
A number of new programs have been developed specific to oil rig safety jobs, one in particular being Center for Offshore Safety. The goal with this program is to be the driving force in necessary improvements being made to help beef up safety. Taking information and lessons learned by oil rigs throughout the world, independent studies and analysis, and third parties responsible for safety performance certification, officials of the program are capable of providing needed leadership in the arena of safety.