Nominations Open for OPITO’s Safety Awards

Employers and training providers working to achieve the highest safety standards in the oil and gas industry are being invited to submit their nominations for the sixth annual OPITO Safety and Competency Awards 2015.

The accolades will be presented at the OPITO Safety and Competency Conference (OSCC) held at the Dusit Thani Hotel, Abu Dhabi, November 3, 2015.

These awards recognize companies that are committed to building a safe and competent workforce through OPITO standards.

The event will bring together around 500 industry, government and training provider executives to explore how the industry maintains competence and continues to keep its people safe in a lower oil price environment.

OSCC is the only global event focused on safety and competency in the oil and gas industry. The event was introduced to bring operators, contractors and the supply chain together with training organizations to provide a forum for improving standards of safety and competency that protect the workforce and the industry’s reputation.

Any oil and gas company can enter the OSCC Employers Award if it can demonstrate how it has improved safety and is delivering a competent workforce. Companies will be judged on how they have effectively adopted OPITO standards, the number of staff trained, geographical location and examples of how the standards have shown a tangible improvement in safety and competence.

The Approved Training Providers Award recognises the training provider which has demonstrated its commitment to developing the skills of its staff to deliver OPITO training. Criteria examines the range of standards used in the development program, the number of staff involved over the year, structure and timeframe of the development program and examples of innovation in learning and development.

OPITO group chief executive officer David Doig said: “Year on year we see organizations reaching the highest standards in safety across the oil and gas industry and the OSCC Awards is our way of recognizing and rewarding their ongoing efforts to ensure a safe and competent workforce.

“It is also pleasing to witness an increasing number of organizations looking to standardize their training and implement a recognized set of procedures.

“We may be experiencing some challenging economic times, as companies start to feel the pinch of the low oil price and evaluate their options for reducing costs, however it’s vital that we continue to maintain this momentum and not make any compromises when it comes to skills.”

Entries can be made on-line  by 21st August. An independent judging panel of industry leaders will score each entry according to the agreed criteria. Finalists will be announced by 28th September and winners announced at OSCC 2015.

Speakers confirmed for 2015 are business mentor and advisor to The Cabinet Office - Andrew Garner, explorer and entrepreneur - Kevin Gaskell, process engineer - Paul Mahoney and HSE deputy chief executive - Kevin Myers.  All four speakers have very inspirational stories to tell and have experienced a number of challenges to get where they are today.