Functional Status of Workers In Oil and Gas Industry In the Arctic and the Ways of Their Optimization

Abstract

Abstract The article is devoted to one of the research areas of the thematic network' members "Working in the Arctic," the University of Arctic. The study was sponsored by the Russian President's grant for state support of young Russian scientists - PhD (MK-7500.2016.6). The aim of the present research is to study the dynamics of functional states of oil and gas workers of different professional groups during shift-in period in the Arctic and the development of measures to optimize them, and developing recommendations to optimize the functional state of workers in the Far North (to increase efficiency, reduce fatigue), as a factor of security and labor protection in complex natural and industrial conditions of the Far North by improving the efficiency of PPE. The study involved 70 oil and gas workers in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug of Russian Federation (the shift-in duration was 30 days) between the ages of 24 to 60 years (mean age 38,7 ± 9,7) from March to April 2015. Research methods are questioning, a complex visual-motor reaction (CVMR), "variation cardiointervalometry" (VCM); descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of variance MANOVA. Treatment was carried out using the software package SPSS 22.00. Studying the functional states' dynamics of oil and gas employees during the period shift led to the conclusion that, despite the increase in the efficiency by the end of the shift period, there has been a pronounced decline in of working capacity for all employees (which is confirmed by both psychophysiological and psychological methods). The group at highest risk about level of efficiency and its reduction by the shift end include: drivers, operators of oil and gas, engineering and technical workers (due to the high intensity and complexity of the activity). For these staff' categories are necessary to provide special programs for the prevention of fatigue and increase working capacity. One of the ways to optimize of working capacity of oil and gas staff in the Arctic is the selection of the optimal special clothing and personal protective equipment.