Energy Safety Canada: Available online for the nation’s oil & gas industry

Vital to the economy, Canada’s oil & gas industry continues to produce essential energy during the COVID-19 pandemic. As critical operations and production continue, worker safety remains a top priority.

“We have seen an extraordinary response both from employers and workers. There’s a focus on protecting workers and ensuring they have a safe and healthy workplace,” says Murray Elliott, President and CEO of Energy Safety Canada.

Resources to support industr y

Many companies on shared work sites are coordinating their pandemic plans to ensure consistent safety processes and manage potential impacts. Energy Safety Canada is available to support employers — particularly smaller ones who may not have the internal resources — with the development of health and safety procedures related to pandemic planning.

“Most of our large producers and employers have established plans and protocols, so much of the support we’re providing right now is to smaller service providers and operators,” explains Lisa Stephenson, Senior Manager, Industry Development and Support. “Our team is available to help oil & gas companies ensure the right health and safety systems are in place.”

Companies are encouraged to visit EnergySafetyCanada.com to review available resources.

Online safet y training

Frontline oil & gas workers continue to work during the COVID-19 crisis to produce the essential fuels that Canadians use every day. To support this effort, Energy Safety Canada has stepped up its online presence and offerings, moving more of its courses online. Oilfield Driver Awareness (ODA), Incident and Accident Investigation, Hazard Management, Safety Program Development, and Health and Safety Auditor Renewal can now be taken online in a virtual classroom.

“We had to act fast to ensure workers could access the training they need,” says Elliott. “Our initial focus was to identify courses that could easily transition to a virtual classroom environment. We will continue to explore additional online options as the situation evolves.”

Extension to Energ y Safet y Canada certificates

Energy Safety Canada has also modified some certificate renewal dates. Recognizing that the restrictions with the pandemic will prevent some workers from renewing their certificates, the expiry date for current/valid certificates in the following courses has been extended to September 1, 2020: • H2S Alive® • First Line Supervisor Blowout

Prevention • Second Line Supervisors Well Control • Well Service Blowout Prevention • Coiled Tubing Well Service Blowout

Prevention • Oilfield Driver Awareness • Detection and Control • OSSA Fall Protection • OSSA Confined Space • OSSA Elevated Work Platform

No action is required to qualify for the extension. Worker profiles will be updated and can be verified using Energy Safety Canada’s online Certificate Validation tool.

Energy Safety Canada remains committed to being the voice for oil & gas safety. By responding to industry’s evolving needs and advocating for worker health and safety, the organization will help ensure this industry plays a key role in Canada’s economic recovery. v

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