What can offshore workers do to keep safe on the job?

Anyone who works in the offshore industry knows that their work comes with certain inherent risks. That’s partly the reason why this line of work is heavily regulated and why you receive above-average pay for your work.

At the same time, your health and safety are largely contingent or conditioned on your employer and the training or provisions that they provide you with. That’s why it’s imperative that yo take your safety into your own hands. You can do so, in part, by:

Learn where issues are stemming from

Most employers must keep what the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) calls its 300 log. This is where employers keep track of the equipment that a worker was using and their tasks when they suffered injuries.

Your employer should keep track of this info and use it to analyze trends and improve the training of their employees. They should also make this information accessible to you so that you’ll be aware of when and where injuries happen so you can take extra precautions to avoid them.

Providing adequate personal protective equipment

One of the bigger mistakes that offshore employers make is not providing their workers with the right personal protective equipment (PPE). You’re limited in the possessions you can travel with to the rig, and costs and logistics limit what you might be able to acquire or use to enhance your safety.

Some basic PPE that you should have access to are gloves, non-slip shoes and goggles. You should also be given a harness and tether if you’re going to be working at a height. Additional equipment may be necessary, depending on your role. These should be regularly inspected and replaced to ensure that they provide optimal performance at all times.

Employers owe it to you to take reasonable measures to ensure your safety when you’re working for them. If poor training, a lack of PPE or some other negligence resulted in yo suffering injuries in your offshore role, then you may be eligible for compensated medical care, lost wages and other compensation while you recover from your injuries.