Ken Robertson, production services manager for Shell UK, stressed the importance of participation among UK workers in order to improve safety conditions, during the Step Change in Safety breakfast briefing yesterday morning.
Robertson, co-chairman of the Step Change in Safety leadership team, made the point during a discussion on current challenges, one of which is participation in the workforce-elected safety representatives program, as required by the UK Heath and Safety Executive (HSE).
“We all need to step up and be counted”, he said. “Ask yourself what is your level of involvement. What are you doing to be personally involved? Step up or step back.”
Robertson advocated for improved communication not only between regulators and industry, but also among stakeholders.
When asked if too cozy a relationship exists between UK regulators and drilling companies, panelists from Fairfield Energy and HSE denied the charge.
"A mature relationship with anyone, whether it is two businesses, or a business and a regulator, it is about working in partnership, but recognizing that there will be a point in that process where tough challenge is what that relationship is all about”, said Judith Hackitt of HSE. “It’s about knowing how to strike a balance. If we were to adopt a stand-off approach (as a regulator), I don’t think we would make as much progress as we have.”
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