Why a role in Health and Safety offers a career of endless possibilities in Oil and Gas
The oil and gas sector has always faced major challenges which impact the health and safety on its workers, such as working with ageing assets, handling dangerous materials, using dangerous equipment, and working in inhospitable environments. That’s why implementing and enforcing rigorous health and safety measures are paramount within the industry to keep its workforce safe at all times. This is why a career in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) can be seen as a critical role within the industry, as well as an extremely rewarding experience. If you are looking to work in HSE within oil and gas, here is a bit more information about the responsibilities and the different roles that can be found there.
What is HSE?
The main goal of HSE in oil and gas, or any industry for that matter, is to ensure a safe working environment for employees. Those working within HSE are responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing the company's health, safety, and environmental policies and procedures to make sure that goal is achieved. The 3 main responsibilities of the HSE department are:
Safety of personnel
Protection of the environment
Compliance with relevant regulations
Core HSE Responsibilities
These responsibilities can then be broken down further into the core responsibilities:
Safety Compliance
Ensuring that all activities in the oil and gas industry are conducted in compliance with local, national, and international safety regulations, so will be dependent on location, project, and company.
Risk Assessment and Mitigation
Identifying and assessing potential risks and hazards associated with all downstream, upstream and midstream operations.
Emergency Response
Developing and carrying out emergency response plans for various scenarios. This could include fires, spills and leakages, and other potentially hazardous events.
Safety Training
Providing safety training to all workers on all possible scenarios so they are aware and can act accordingly in any emergency event.
Environmental Protection
Monitoring and managing the environmental impact operations has on, for example, air and water quality, waste disposal, and wildlife protection, during normal operations and through any incidents. This also includes ensuring compliance with environmental regulators.
Incident Investigation
Carrying thorough investigations of any incidents to determine cause and develop strategies to prevent recurrence using a root cause analysis approach.
Safety Audits and Inspections
Carrying out regular safety audits and inspections of facilities and equipment to identify and resolve potential safety hazards.
HSE Management System
Developing, implementing, and maintaining a comprehensive HSE Management System (HSE-MS) that directs the company’s efforts in all mentioned areas, as well as maintaining all records.
Community and Regulatory Liaison
Serving as a point of contact with communities and regulatory agencies to ensure concerns are addressed and required permits and licenses are obtained respectively.
Safety Technology
Searching for and implementing new technologies, such as sensors and CCTV, to improve worker safety and environmental protection.
Sustainability
Developing and implementing sustainability initiatives and ensuring that the company minimizes its impact on the environment.
Different Roles in HSE?
There are a wide range of roles in HSE. Some roles may touch upon most if not all of the above responsibilities, while some may be specific. There will be a lot of overlap in responsibilities within the roles as HSE is a process which is carried out from top to bottom of the HSE hierarchy. So, whether you are providing advice or guidance, raising awareness, managing permissions and licenses, or carrying out inspections and investigations, the varied roles equate to a vocation that adds real value to a business by making sure safety is the number one priority. Here are some of the main roles and some of their (by no means inclusive) responsibilities within HSE:
HSE Engineer
The main role of an HSE Engineer is to make sure that oil and gas operations are conducted in compliance with safety regulations and standards while minimizing environmental impacts. This would include participating in audits related to management systems standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001, assist with corporate reporting, and ensure alignment of procedures with corporate requirements.
HSE Advisor
An HSE Advisor will assist the business in safely producing hydrocarbons by identifying and proactively addressing safety, health, and loss prevention issues while maintaining compliance with applicable HSE policies, standards, and regulations.
HSE Technician
The HSE Technician is responsible for designing, coordinating, and implementing safety policies and procedures within the oil and gas company. They oversee daily activities related to health, safety, and the environment to minimize risks and incidents. They can also act as the middleman between operational teams and HSE managers to guarantee a smooth implementation of policies.
HSE Supervisor
Working under the HSE Manager, the HSE Supervisor ensures the application of safety and prevention measures are enforced on the site/facilities. They ensure that hygiene rules are in place and adhered to for the health of all teams and stakeholders. It ensures that the activities carried out by the organisation, from production and maintenance to waster and operations, are carried out in order to reduce environmental impact.
HSE Coordinator
Coordinators play a pivotal role in overseeing work site safety. They implement and enforce safety protocols, conduct risk assessments, and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. Their hands-on approach ensures the day-to-day safety of work sites.
HSE Manager/Director
HSE Managers or Directors oversee the overall HSE strategy within an organization. They develop policies, manage HSE teams, and ensure that HSE practices align with the company's goals and regulatory requirements.
Safety Engineer
Safety Engineers contribute to projects by advising on HSE regulatory compliance. They often produce project safety deliverables, including HSE plans, HSE philosophy, and terms of reference for safety workshops. They also manage and sign off on safety actions, while liaising with clients and external stakeholders.
What these roles, and many others within HSE, require, is an overall knowledge and experience in:
Proficiency and up to date knowledge of safety and environmental regulations
Identifying, undertaking, and mitigating risk assessments
Responding to, conducting, and investigating all safety and environmental incidents
Ensuring compliance with robust planning and implementation of safety and environmental requirements
Good communication skills to draw up, deliver, and report on safety plans and initiatives, and apply training when necessary
Starting a Career in HSE - With Experience
If you already have some experience in the offshore oil and gas industry, you will already have been exposed to many health and safety practices to ensure your continuous safety within the working environment. This could mean making sure equipment and tools are handled safely, ensuring working procedures are carried out correctly, protective clothing is worn when appropriate, materials are managed safely, and standards are maintained at all times. If wishing to pursue a career in HSE specifically, then these are examples of HSE can be drawn upon when applying for new roles. If you are coming from a background which is also considered a high-risk industry, such as construction and manufacturing, then your skills and experience will be appreciated and applicable to the oil and gas industry.
Certification and standards may be required with additional training/education for senior roles, with knowledge of the following being particularly beneficial:
OHSAS 18001 - Occupational Health & Safety Standard
ISO 45001 - Health & Safety Management Standard
ISO 9001 - General Quality Standard
ISO 50001 - Energy Management Standard (Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme)
ISO14001 - Environmental Management Standard
Environment Agency Pollution Prevention & Control permit (SEPA PPC)
Professional Health & Safety or Environmental qualification (min NEBOSH Dip part 2) and/or corporate membership of IOSH (MIOSH)
Registered Safety Practitioner (RSP)
HSE Management Systems
Starting a Career in HSE - From Scratch
If you are wanting to start a career in HSE in the oil and gas industry, then it is helpful to have the relevant qualifications to give you a head start. These would be:
· A degree in Environmental Health, Safety Engineering, or a related field
· Relevant certifications in HSE management
· Knowledge of HSE regulations and standards
· Experience in the Oil and Gas/Energy sector would be advantageous
· Professional accreditations would also be beneficial
Are you ready for a future in HSE? Then register with Orion Group!
If you are thinking of starting or furthering your career in Health, Safety and Environment in the oil and gas industry, then Orion Group can help you fulfil that goal.
If any of these roles align with your career aspirations, Orion Group can help you take the next step with our network of experts. We specialise in connecting talented individuals like you with leading companies that value your specific expertise. By registering your CV with us, you’ll gain access to a wide range of HSE jobs, ensuring that your skills and experience are matched with the right role.
