New report: High level of safety – but growing concern from the employee side
A new report from a multipartite working group appointed by the Ministry of Energy provides an updated picture of safety and the working environment in the ocean industries on the Norwegian shelf.
NITO has been represented in the work on the report, Safety and the Working Environment
in the ocean industries on the Norwegian continental shelf, by Berit Søgnen Sandven, board member of NITO's corporate group in Equinor.
The report shows that the safety level in the Norwegian petroleum activities is still considered stable and high – but at the same time points to several developments that give cause for concern, particularly from the employee side.
Stable level of security – with underlying challenges
A main finding in the report is that most indicators for health, safety and the environment (HSE) have had a positive development since 2018, and that the overall safety level is considered to be high.
At the same time, the working group emphasises that the risk picture is complex, with variations and challenges that require follow-up.
Serious incidents continue to occur, and both companies and authorities must follow up on learning and improvement measures.
Increasing maintenance backlog
The report points to a development that gives cause for concern:
There is an increasing amount of maintenance backlogs, both for corrective and preventive maintenance, particularly on fixed offshore facilities and onshore facilities. The level is described as high, and the working group recommends that this must be addressed in the future.
This is highlighted as a key part of the risk picture in the industry.
Concern about pressure in the relationship
At the same time, the report clearly highlights disagreements between the parties.
The trade unions point to a perceived increasing pressure in the relationship between the parties.
The working group describes that changes in the industry – such as streamlining, reorganisation and the need for cost reductions – can affect HSE conditions.
The parties agree that dialogue and tripartite cooperation are crucial, but assess both the need for change and the consequences differently.
Need for a secure framework for changes
The report points out that trust between the parties is an important prerequisite for safe operations, especially during periods of restructuring.
Tripartite cooperation is highlighted as a key pillar, and it is emphasised that trust must be maintained over time.
At the same time, preventive safety work – with an emphasis on continuous learning and improvement – is highlighted as crucial in the face of changes in the industry.
Uncertainty in emerging ocean industries
For new ocean industries such as offshore wind, CO₂ storage and seabed minerals, the knowledge base is more limited.
The report states that the risk picture in these industries is characterised by uncertainty, and recommends strengthening the knowledge base and developing indicators to monitor developments over time.
