You are visiting the Canada Kee Safety website from United States. Would you like to go to the United States site?
Despite the growth in electric vehicles, gasoline still fuels most cars and trucks, estimated to be nearly 1.5 billion worldwide. Yet, even if a magic wand or genie granting wishes changed every motor vehicle into an EV overnight, the need for petroleum products would still be immense.
Oil and gas fuels would continue to be used for cooking, heating, lighting, and power plants, and the need for lubricants would not diminish. Chemicals and petrochemicals would still be vital to produce plastics, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, and synthetics. Many construction materials—from asphalt roads to bitumen roofs—depend on petroleum derivatives.
Oil and gas production will continue; however, the industry is fraught with numerous fall hazards and other risks that can lead to severe injuries or fatalities if not correctly managed. Fortunately, neither a magic wand nor a genie in a bottle is needed. Ample fall protection measures and systems are available to help keep workers safe.
Falls from heights are among the most significant risks in the oil and gas sector. Falls occur while performing routine work and maintenance tasks on rigs, pipelines, buildings, and other elevated structures. According to Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304)Section 12.07 (1), employers must put in place fall protection if work is to be conducted from a structure or vehicle at a height of 3 meters (approx. 10 feet) or more.
Effective protective measures would include:
Strong, durable, and corrosion-resistant aluminum and galvanized steel railings provide excellent and compliant fall protection for hazards from offshore rigs to catwalks. Safety railings should be highly visible, with a top rail between 900 mm and 1100 mm (approx. 36 to 42 inches) from its base, have an intermediate horizontal rail spaced midway between the base and top rail, have supporting posts spaced not more than 3 meters (10 feet) apart and be able to withstand a static load of 890 N applied in any direction at any point on the top rail.
A perimeter roof guardrail system features a modular design that adapts to virtually any flat or low-slope roof and installs without welding, drilling, or penetrating the roof membrane. As a “collective” system, it protects several people at once without special training or equipment.
An elevated work platform is one of the most versatile types of fall protection equipment. Constructed of aluminum or galvanized steel frames and compliant guardrails, a modular platform features anti-slip, self-draining treads for steps and platform decks. Static work platforms are designed for frequent use at a permanent station. Mobile access platforms are equipped with heavy-duty locking casters to provide station-to-station portability.
An engineered, horizontal lifeline is a versatile fall restraint and fall arrest system designed for use on roofs, ceilings, and other structures. It can support up to three workers between spans of nearly 12 meters (39 feet) between posts with outstanding freedom of movement.
Certified training courses will enhance the practical application and “culture of safety” in the oil and gas industry.
In addition to work-at-height risks, employees in the oil and gas sector confront other hazards.
With its inherent hazards, the oil and gas industry demands rigorous safety measures to protect workers. It would be a tall order even for a magician or supernatural genie, but reducing risks and accidents is within the scope of mere mortals who develop a well-rounded culture of safety.
This includes fall protection equipment and training and addresses concerns such as working in confined spaces, machine hazards, explosions and fires, physical strain, and chemical exposure.
Kee Safety: Your Fall Protection Experts
Kee Safety is the world’s leading fall protection expert. We engineer, manufacture and install fall protection solutions that safely separate people from hazards. Our OH&S-compliant products and systems are third-party tested and trusted to ensure consistent performance at the highest level.