Dusty Roach
Greetings and salutations! I am so pleased to be writing the last article for 2020. Needless to say, 2020 has been a year of distinction. I am incredibly pleased to see 2020 in the rear-view mirror. Christmas, however, is always a special time to reflect and this year is no different. Normally I just launch into a safety topic that is near and dear to my heart. However, it tis the season. We, collectively as a society and an industry, have been through a lot this past year.
Thoughts and prayers out to the families that have lost a loved one to the oilfield this year. Thoughts and prayers to the companies that did not survive 2020. Thoughts and prayers to all the hard-working individuals that lost their livelihood due to Covid, directly or indirectly.
The Covid debacle has singlehandedly brought the oil and gas industry down to its knees, directly and indirectly. We are a resilient industry. This is my 8th downturn since 1971. I think that is correct as I know each one has been brutal. But we always come back.
Safety and Christmas: each year in the oilfield, Christmas presents special times and special memories, not all of which are fond memories. You see, the oilfield, the wells, do not know what the season is. If a rig breaks down, a well goes offline, or a tank battery overflows, there is no time out in the oilfield for Christmas. Additionally, if a family member is not present due to a fatality in the oilfield, it makes the holidays very tough.
It is with great satisfaction that I have spent the last 20+ years in the safety portion of the oilfield. When you go to a company that has had an abysmal safety record, and they hire you to make a difference, you are afforded opportunity to know that satisfaction. Let’s say that, after the first year, the company goes from an 8.0+ on a TRIR to a 0.05 TRIR. Few things can impart a stronger adsfeeling of accomplishment. On top of that, when there are zero fatalities and no recordable injuries, it brings joy to the families that their loved ones are able to be home to celebrate the holidays. It also makes safety guys happy.
When is the last time you saw a happy safety guy? (lol)
When I first broke out into safety, I was more or less “volunteered” into it. I was going overseas, and the company had to provide a safety man (ex-pat) to mentor a local (national). Because I had an education, I was volunteered. I had to take H2S classes, crane training, well control, and numerous other courses before going overseas. Upon completion, and prior to going overseas, I noticed immediately that people that I worked with for six months, viewed and treated me differently. I asked why, and they said I became a person who would get them in trouble. I had not changed. But they, my coworkers, insisted that I would.
Almost 50 years later, nothing has changed and yet there is still a distrust between operations and safety. Oh, you could ask anyone if this is the case in their company and they would deny there is any distrust. However, the evidence does not support the claims. I do think it is veiled a little better.
A safety professional does not rely on being liked by those they work with. While it is nice to be liked, it is more important to be respected for being honest, loyal, empathetic, informed, knowledgeable, and “cool.”
Regardless of what kind of safety professional you have, we as safety professionals take a great pride in our work when our company is successful at seeing that no one gets hurt. We enjoy Christmas so much more. Usually when a company is successful in safety, they are successful financially as well. Safety is a core value. It enables everyone to enjoy the holidays.
Now more than ever, due to Covid and the way society is becoming, safety will become more important and harder to maintain. Situational awareness will become paramount. Driving will become more dangerous. Disease control will take much more time to become a non-factor. Times are changing and we must change with them.
I hope you have a safe and merry Christmas! I hope 2021 is better than 2020. Oh yeah, earlier I asked when is the last time you saw a happy safety guy… it’s usually when he retires. See you next month!
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Dusty Roach is a safety professional based in Midland. He is also a public speaker on subjects of leadership and safety, and he maintains a personal website at dustyroach.com.