As the exploration for oil has continued to spread across the world, more offshore oil rigs are being used by oil and gas companies. To make sure the workers on these rigs are in the safest possible environment, companies are employing numerous types of oil rig safety workers to handle everything from worker injuries to equipment working properly and much more. While all jobs on these rigs are important, it is oil rig safety jobs that ultimately mean the difference between life and death for those on board.
Rig Safety and Training Coordinator
In this position, the coordinator is responsible for managing and implementing a company’s safety policies as well as staying up-to-date on offshore safety laws. Safety training is also part of their job duties, so they regularly conduct safety training classes for workers regarding first-aid, evacuation procedures and fire prevention. This job requires a person who has excellent written and verbal communication skills, pays close attention to details and has a high level of technical knowledge regarding equipment used on oil rigs.
Paramedics
While years ago many companies relied exclusively on select workers to administer first-aid in the event of an emergency, today’s companies are turning to trained paramedics to be there if disaster happens. Also called emergency medical technicians, these first responders are usually full-time employees of a company and deal with a variety of worker injuries that happen on the job. Cuts, sprains, broken bones and more can be part of the daily routine for paramedics on oil rigs, as well as working with the safety coordinator to teach first-aid and CPR classes to workers.
Occupational Safety Specialist
In this job, the person is responsible for ensuring the company is in full compliance with OSHA and other guidelines. Most of these jobs require completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Safety and Management, certification from OSHA and extensive continuing education to remain aware of the latest changes in any regulations. An occupational safety specialist spends much time reviewing current procedures to ensure they are in compliance with safety standards, and also reviews any complaints lodged by workers regarding potential safety issues.
Firefighters
The worst-case scenario on an oil rig is a fire, so all oil and gas companies put a strong emphasis on having excellent firefighters on their rigs. In addition to basic firefighting skills, these workers also have specialized knowledge regarding oil fires and other emergency situations. Many are certified in scuba diving as well, and are sometimes required to dive deep under a rig to perform inspections of pipes or other areas that could lead to potential fires.
In all of these positions, pay and benefits are quite good. Companies realize these jobs require long periods of time away from home and can be very dangerous, so workers often get additional benefits such as stock options, relocation compensation and more. For any company, safety is a top priority. However, for oil and gas companies it is not only a priority, but also a necessity.