Safety At Hazardous Work Environments Requires More Than Commonsense
September 20, 2011 3 Comments
A corporate culture that fosters safety training clearly demonstrates its high ethical standards to employees and existing and prospective clients.
There’s a popular saying, “what you don’t know can’t hurt.” I beg to differ. In a hazard-filled environment such as working on an offshore platform, what you don’t know can kill you. Which is why before I was permitted to carry out work at an offshore installation, I needed to have completed at least a BOSIET course. More precisely, TBOSIET which stands for Tropical Basic Offshore Safety Induction Emergency Training. If you are a resident of the oil town, this term is commonly heard in conversations especially when a friend or family member works in the oil and gas industry and they frequently shuttle between home and offshore. After spending three days at Megamas training facility I completed my training with an OPITO internationally recognized certificate that’s valid for 4 years before a refresher is required.
More photo from Megamas Tropical BOSIET Helicopter Safety & Escape Module
A helicopter simulator at Megamas where participants get a feel of a capsized craft.
Participants practising the use of Emergency Breathing Systems (EBS) that comes with each of the life vest in the Sikorsky helicopter. Without practice, even the simplest procedure becomes complex when one panics in the face of an emergency situation.
Among other life-critical emergencies such as Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), fire fighting, helicopter safety and escape taught and each of us had to demonstrate competence in this area as helicopter a means of transport between land and an offshore installation so it goes without saying that passengers need to know the right way to escape safely. Photographers are no exception when it comes to working in a hazard filled environment.
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/281301_10150259841251390_37787581389_7423977_1234428_n.jpg" "BOSIET helicopter safety")
As demonstrated here, passengers learn how to quickly release their 4-point safety harness, push out the window Jettison mechanism and swim out to the surface all within a matter of seconds.
Only when one has successfully completed the necessary training is one given the permission to finally board a helicopter to the remote work site where working safely means putting theory into practice.
![](http://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/299399_10150279848146364_528416363_8135869_1894169595_n.jpg" "BOSIET helicopter safety")
A self-portrait I managed to grab (vicariously off a colleague's safety glass) during my two day offshore assignment on board Champion 7. This shot was captured up at the highest point of the platform.
Working safely at all times means we get to enjoy and share the beautiful things at the end of each day.
@MrBakerBakeshop If only it were this easy. I survived a 3 day survival training just to have this opportunity to work offshore :)—
JAN SHIM (@janshim) September 09, 2011
About Jan Shim
That’s great to take safety training. Hopefully the employer is vigilant in making their work site environments safe.
I worked for a major construction engineering project that was building a 4 lane 1 km. road bridge with 5 highway approaches for a few years.
I found out from a QA engineering inspector that on his last job assignment in Taiwan (high speed rail plus bridge etc.), over 10 lives were lost across the whole length of the transportation system (300 kms. long) over a 5 yr. period. That high rate of worker death rate is unheard of these days in North America.
The construction and oil gas field work industries have a high rate of injuries which the lay people are not aware of. It shocked me…and we were in Canada where our occupational safety law (and environmental law protection) are quite strict with frequent government authority inspections per month.
Hi Jean,
It’s very easy to be careless. Working safely requires more effort. Same analogy I like to use why some people choose not to smile simply because it takes effort to do so whether it’s a subconscious or conscientious one. While photographing offshore, I came across too many hazards, tripping being the most common cause of accidents. Although I dislike the idea of shooting with ear plugs, helmet and safety goggles, they are unfortunately needed and not items of luxury.
I agree–safety even for a professional photographer.