A need has been identified that relates to the gap in practical skills and knowledge of employees working at NDPC. The purpose of this document is to present an implementation of training on behalf of the Nigerian (NPDC). The proposal is to carry out training in Health and Safety, specifically for the Oil & Gas industry. The programme also aims to provide the following:

• First Aid,
• Life Support; and
• Advanced Life Support Training.

The course can be provided with the following options available:

1. The full training in Nigeria, length of training will be dependent on the course undertaken.
2. The full training in the United Kingdom, length of training will be dependent on the course undertaken.
3. Training induction in Nigeria with work place assignment modules to be completed with a individual mentor over six months, dependant on the level undertaken course training would start at one half day to two days.
4. Training induction in United kingdom with a work place assignment modules to be completed with a individual mentor over six months, starting at one day but then they would also complete first aid training, length of that training would be dependent on the course undertaken.
5. Course Introduction depending on the course and level, can be adjusted to suit the companies operational requirements.
6. Scope of Training will be equivalent to a IVQ/NVQ level 2, 3, 4. The training will be specific to the gas and oil

All successful applicants will be given membership of the International Institute of Risk & Safety Management (IIRSM) dependant on their pass, qualification

The following courses:

• The First Aid,
• Life Support; and
• Advanced Life Support Training

Are separate courses, but can be arranged to run concurrent with other courses.

The training programme has been written specifically for the Oil and Gas market in mind. This course will be scrutinised by International Institute of Risk Safety Managers (IIRSMs). Once the course and its contents have been approved, the organisation will then release the course contents. It should be noted that the course is based on an already approved set of criteria, so it is not envisaged that there will be any major problems in finalising approval for the course.

The purpose is to offer training approved and certified by IIRSMs. They have been chosen as the preferred authorising training evaluator, due to the fact that they provide internationally recognised Health and safety expertise and enhancement of the status and reputation of the health and safety training provided by GTC to the Oil and Gas market place. IIRSM are already well known in the market place.

In order to meet their high standards and to ensure they are maintained all approved training centres and specific training courses, must demonstrate that the training satisfies the high standards needed to meet the requirements of internationally based occupational health and safety training, IIRSM have introduced approved training accreditation scheme, audited by them to ensure international acceptance of the training provided.

The Scheme provides the credentials of all the trainers and training approved training courses. International centres with qualifications fully accepted by the government in Nigeria and in the industry across the Middle East, and beyond. Approved centres will have demonstrable experience in delivering specialist qualifications in the field of health and safety, environmental, fire prevention and safety risk management. The centre trainer and course are all approved by IIRSM and have been satisfied that the content and quality control criteria are in place to ensure the quality of the course and training.

This approved course will both enhance the reputation and protect the revenue for organisations recognising that “a safe rig is also a productive one.”

As an Approved Centre, together with Approved Course and Approved Trainers the recipient will be benefited with an externally approved, professionally based, quality assurance process. In turn, this will also facilitate alumni to gain internationally recognised and approved membership of IIRSM.

By using the auditing of our training through the IIRSMs our centres will be able to demonstrate that they meet the exacting requirements and provide the highest levels of training and internationally recognised qualifications in the exacting specialist area of occupational safety and health. The recipient will enhance their skill sets putting safety and revenue protection at the fore by offering accredited high quality qualifications that meet their job specific role by internationally defined criteria.

Transco Transports Natural Gas, maintains the supply infrastructure, and operates the national gas emergency service. Through its integration of health and safety into overall business management, and a partnership approach with employees and safety representatives, injuries were substantially reduced.

The challenge

In 1998 there were 543 lost time injuries (LTIs) to Transco’s 15,300 employees. This level of pain and suffering to its workforce was unacceptable to the company, which believes safety is paramount. In addition, it was a significant cost to the business.

What did the company do?

• Regular meetings – health and safety on agenda of all management meetings plus frequent specific meetings between managers, safety representatives and safety advisors
• Accident investigation – a manager and a safety representative investigate LTIs on the day they occur, and lessons learnt are promptly shared with staff.
• Line managers take responsibility – clear allocation of responsibility to line managers, held accountable through staff performance process, and supported by safety management training
• Easy reporting by employees – hotlines established with one telephone number for staff to ensure hazards and incidents are reported and resolved.
• Effective communications – monthly briefings for staff on issues and improvements using photos and videos.

Business Benefits

• Health and safety leadership skills transferable to other areas of business performance
• Over 80% reduction in lost time injuries from 35.5 per 1000 staff in 1998 to 6.6 in 2003
• Approximately £4.5 million savings through improved injury rate
• Acknowledgement of improved performance, enhancing staff morale and pride
• Improved reputation with key stakeholders

Health and safety benefits

• Over 80% reduction in the number of accidents, incidents and injuries
• Improved incident investigations, with prompt sharing of lessons learnt to prevent recurrence
• Improved safety culture – ownership at all levels with the commitment and competence to improve
• Significant increase in the reporting and resolution of hazards and near misses

‘The Partnership approach between Transco and its employees demonstrates commitment and involvement, which helps to sustain focus and improvements in health and safety.’

Ellis Brodrick, GMB Chairperson, Transco Joint Industrial Council

‘We believe all workplace injuries, illnesses and unsafe behaviours are preventable’

Bill Russell, Director of Safety

Cost Benefits

Health and safety has been integrated into normal business processes. So, explicit costs are hard to calculate, but major costs include:

• £2.5m for the Safety Charity Challenge, with donations to charity triggered by employees spotting and eliminating workplace hazards
• £600,000 direct costs of safety management and behaviour training.  

In 1999 Transco calculated the cost of each LTI to be £6000. This included costs for non-availability of employees including, lost production, investigation costs and civil claims. The reduction in LTIs has saved about £4.5m over 4 years. There are also savings from reductions in non-lost time injuries and incidents, and from a reduction in civil claims.

Leadership

The directors have supported the process from the start through regular communications, time at management meetings and, most importantly, getting out meeting employees.

Worker involvement

Working with employees has been fundamental to the initiative’s success, with GMB and Unison Safety Representatives involved throughout. This includes joint meetings, communications, training, investigations and inspections.