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Oil, gas safety initiative launched in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, July 17, 2011

Senior representatives from leading national and international oil companies in the region will today (July 17) attend a briefing on steps to improve safety standards for the the global offshore workforce in Abu Dhabi.

The new global training initiative on the International Minimum Industry Training Standard (IMIST), to be held at the Le Royal Meridien, Abu Dhabi, will ensure workers have the necessary safety knowledge and training to understand and avoid hazards and risks.

IMIST has been developed by the global oil and gas training standards body OPITO International. It brings, for the first time, a standardised level of basic safety training to an estimated 1.5million people employed in exploration and production activities worldwide. Of those, around 460,000 are based in the Middle East, said a statement.

It will be delivered in partnership with international learning and skills provider Atlas Interactive via e-learning and tailored to meet each region’s specific workforce, language and geographic needs.

“The tragedy that was Macondo has shaken the sector and put the spotlight firmly back on safety and workforce competence. While there is a level of knowledge and good practice within the existing workforce there is a clear desire in the industry for uniformity when it comes to the safety and competency of its people,” said David Doig, OPITO group chief executive.

IMIST will be applied to every member of the current workforce and all new entrants to the industry. The course assesses basic safety knowledge in nine subject areas including risk assessment, asset integrity, the use of hazardous substances, working at height and mechanical lifting among other subjects.

“We recognise that adopting common industry standards and engaging the essential support to apply them uniformly across the board is a challenge, but there is a real prize out there,” added Doig.

IMIST will be rolled out across 30 countries worldwide throughout Asia, Africa and the United States over the next two years. - TradeArabia News Service




Tags: oil and gas | IMIST | safety standards | Opito |

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