Effective Safety Management Systems

Abstract

Abstract For an oilfield service company to implement an effective safety program, the management of the company must be committed to the safety of its employees, itscustomers, and the environment through a common global safety philosophy. Management responsibility extends beyond reacting and correcting safety problems. For a safety program to reach the goal of "zero accidents," it must take a proactive approach, identifying and correcting known hazards before an accident occurs. There are numerous essential elements of the approach i.e., reporting, not only unsafe acts and conditions, but also near misses. Successful safety programs require proactive processes or safety management systems which are more than a program but a philosophy - a method of management consisting of common concepts and attitudes, and a belief that "there must be a deliberate path to follow for continuous improvement." Safety management systems require a continual process of teaching, implementing, auditing, action, and management review. Such systems center around four major processes: eliminate, control, train, and require. An effective safety management system also allows for the development of safety contingency plans to address any customer requirements or local safety regulations not covered by the established plan. This paper presents the essential elements of an effective oilfield service company safety management system and discusses the value of establishing a proactive, globally audited safety program. Methods of implementation and continual improvement are presented.