Setting up for success for mobilisation to major hazard facilities—a contractor's perspective

Abstract

The challenges for a contractor to mobilise to a major hazard facility come from differences in expectations between stakeholders, gaps and inconsistencies between health, safety and environment (HSE) management systems, and the logistical challenges of initial training and competency verification. Differences in expectations can arise between the corporate office and site or also between various functional silos. HSE management system challenges manifest in the detailed procedures when the safety case is in operation. Training and competency assessment is an ongoing requirement, but the initial demand at first mobilisation creates a one-off logistical burden. The steps to lessen the impact of these challenges and to enable a successful outcome include: alignment workshops with customers and other stakeholders to create a shared safety culture and expectations of management systems; joint HSE management system gap analysis and risk workshops; early interface meetings with stakeholders; and, requirements having a comprehensive definition and pre-planning to deliver best practice. A successful mobilisation is characterised by the alignment of systems, improvements made during the alignment process by delivering best practice, meeting all HSE obligations for employees (including seconded personnel and sub-contractors), bridging the gap with sub-contractor management when implementing the safety case, and having all personnel trained before mobilisation. This extended abstract draws on lessons from recent real-world experience and offers a framework to overcome challenges a contractor can encounter, and sets up successful mobilisation for a major hazard facility.