2024 Safety Leadership Awards
Contractors:
Winner: Valaris
Title: Restricted Zone Analysis Tool Enhancing Offshore Safety, Practical Application of Visual Planning Tool
Safety Program: To reduce line-of-fire risks during offshore operations, Valaris developed its Restricted Zone Analysis(RZA) tool. This innovative visual planning tool, integrated into the Job Safety Analysis process, identifies safe, restricted and no-go zones for activities like pipe handling, pressure testing, and complex lifts.Originally piloted in the North Sea, the RZA tool has since been adopted globally due to its success in minimizing exposure to dangerous zones. By ensuring that only authorized personnel can access high-risk areas, the RZA has significantly reduced exposure to hazardous zones, enhancing the safety of offshore operations.
Finalist: Baker Hughes
Title: Stop Work Drills
Safety Program: In 2023, Baker Hughes introduced its Stop Work Drills initiative, an extension of its Stop Work Authority(SWA) policy, designed to empower workers to take immediate action when unsafe conditions arise. By simulating real-world risks through interactive and engaging drills, employees are trained to recognize and mitigate hazards during operations. Simulated scenarios are followed by facilitated discussions,which reinforce this proactive approach to safety. By encouraging open communication and promoting a culture of safety, the initiative has led to significant improvements in safety outcomes. Baker Hughes has successfully integrated the drills into its safety management system, and is sharing the approach withthe wider industry.
Finalist: Oceaneering
Title: High Hazard Task Elimination
Safety Program: In a proactive effort to enhance safety, Oceaneering launched its High Hazard Task Elimination program,a testament to the company’s commitment to mitigating life-threatening risks and fostering a culture ofproactive hazard elimination. By focusing on engineered controls that minimize the reliance on humanintervention, the program challenges each business unit to implement engineered improvements thatremove life-threatening risks from offshore operations. Notable achievements include remote-operatedtools for shallow water inspections and retractable systems to avoid working at height. Collectively, theseinnovations have resulted in the elimination of over 24,000 high-hazard task occurrences since 2021,advancing a safer working environment while promoting continuous safety improvement.
Operators:
Winner: Apache
Title: Safety Blitz: Inspect What We Expect
Safety Program:As part of an urgent effort to reverse a rising number of high potential incidents, Apache launched its2023 Safety Blitz: Inspect What We Expect program. The initiative, focused on improving the Control of Work process and reducing at-risk behaviors, involved leadership-led inspections and a comprehensive verification process to ensure adherence to safety procedures, best practices and industry life-saving rules across its field sites. Over a six-week period in Q3 2023, Apache performed its Blitz, later sharing best practices and safety learnings across operations. The program produced notable improvements in safety metrics and has since become part of the company’s global EHS strategy, with leadership engagement driving continuous long-term safety performance.
Finalist: Occidental Petroleum Corporation
Title: Achieving Excellence in Lifting and Rigging Operations
Safety Program: As part of a targeted effort to improve safety standards in lifting and rigging at its 10 offshore oil and gas production platforms, Occidental Petroleum revamped its Gulf of Mexico operations in 2021 with its Oxy Crane Lifting and Rigging Program, a comprehensive initiative aimed at reducing incidents and improving oversight. Managing over 200,000 lifts annually, the program introduces proactive safety measures, such as the introduction of dedicated Lifting Authorities at every location, strict tracking of lift plans and compliance with API RP 2D, 7th edition. A dedicated Lifting and Rigging Manager oversees these operations, stressing continuous improvement. Since the program’s launch, Occidental has reduced incidents by more than 65% and decreased the severity of accidents by 80%.
Finalist: Talos Energy
Title: Competency Assurance and Training
Safety Program: In an ongoing effort to enhance workforce safety, Talos Energy implemented its Competency Assurance and Training Program in 2023,designed to integrate diverse safety cultures. Following a major acquisition, the program was instrumental in unifying various safety protocols, resulting in a record-low Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) of 0.45, 51% lower than the industry average. The program incorporates a structured training and competency assessment framework, involving systematic training and competency assessments that address employee knowledge gaps. In 2023, Talos delivered more than 19,000 hours of training, which improved safety metrics and strengthened its overall safety culture.