This paper discusses the potential implications of fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) operations is respect of fatigue on the health and performance of individual employees and the operational safety and efficiency in such oil and gas operations. Several studies have shown that there is an association between working hours, shift work and workers’ health, alertness and performance. Fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) operations transport individuals temporarily to and from the worksite in geographically remote areas, crossing multiple time zones, instead of relocating the employee and their family. Following travel to a different time zone or a change from day shift to night shift, the circadian clock changes and needs time to adjust. During this adjustment period, employees’ alertness and decision-making ability is affected. FIFO workers invariably work shifts, with a 12-hour shift pattern being the most common, particularly in the offshore sector, with individuals often working without rest days during their tour of duty. This paper defines fatigue, explores its impact on human physiology and introduces the challenges that fatigue presents for both workers and their families in the context of FIFO operations. Careful planning, travel management, diet, sleep environment, lifestyle management, and other important factors are necessary to address fatigue. Fatigue management systems need to be comprehensive and multidisciplinary in nature. Strong leadership support and stakeholder involvement are crucial elements in the implementation of a fatigue risk management system. In addition, training at both the management and operator level is critical to implement fatigue risk controls to adequately address the aspects of FIFO operations both in and outside the workplace. The paper introduces an IPIECA-IOGP guidance document which provides managers with an outline of the fatigue issues inherent in FIFO operations and guidance on: the nature of fly-in, fly-out operations, travel, fatigue risk management systems, training, accommodation, sleep and fitness for task in relation to FIFO operations. The document includes an extensive and detailed checklist for all personnel with related responsibilities on how to manage FIFO operations and a fatigue impairment checklist for supervisors.
The OGP Health Subcommittee has issued guidelines, which target both line management and the company health professionals, to reduce health risk while working in the heat. Work in dry or moist heat poses a number of hazards Health related problems due to the heat might appear at various temperatures. Although this document is intended primarily for desert and jungle regions, it is not limited only to these conditions. Different aspects of preventing heat-related health problems are presented. The brain cannot survive when its temperature exceeds 44–45°C (113 °F). When the blood's temperature rises above 37°C (98.6°F), special centres in the brain initiate the body's heat control mechanisms Lack of water replacement, or dehydration, is the major factor in most heat disorders.Drink regularly even if not thirsty.The routine use of salt tablets is not recommended. The document gives general and specific advice on how to improve employee awareness through education and training. Recommendations for managing and reducing heat exposure on the work site and how to optimise the medical organisations are given. Health problems due to extreme heat and humidity are defined and described in some detail. The heat may exacerbate psychological conditions. Conditions that are more thoroughly described are: transient heat fatigue, heat syncope, hyperthermia, heat cramp, heat exhaustion, hyperpyrexia or heat stroke, dehydration, muscle related problems and skin related problems. Introduction This guideline is prepared for OGP members and aim at preventing all incidents that being injuries, illnesses or fatalities. It addresses line managers as well as company health professionals. The basics of body temperature: The body functions generating heat are called metabolic factors. As workload increase heat generated by the body must be evacuated. Air temperature, heat radiating from the sun, air speed and humidity are calledenvironmental factors. They areaffecting the body'stemperature as it works.
Malaria is a parasitic disease that affects an estimated 500 million people in the world. It kills two million people a year, more than any other disease, and is currently endemic in over 100 countries. Within the oil and gas industry, malaria is a major cause of sickness in high malaria risk countries and an significant cause of death from an occupational illness. Although the biology of, and defence mechanisms against, Malaria have been known for some time, fatalities amongst Oil & Gas personnel on assignment to Malarious areas still occur. This paper summarizes the key elements of a comprehensive strategy on Malaria Management to be released in May 2006 by the joint Health Committee of the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (OGP) and the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA). If a company is considering business opportunities in malarious settings, it is critical to consider development of an appropriate MMP for all phases of the business activity. OGP and IPIECA member companies support the managements systems approach, and that management system should include a suitable malaria management program based on a full assessment of the risks and measures to address such risks In addition to their own workforces, this program may cover a variety of contractors and suppliers. Overall, an integrated approach, using primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, is likely to have the greatest chance of success. This paper outlines a basic strategy for such a management system, called a Malaria Management Program (MMP), and is a summary of good practices which form the basis for a new publication from the OGP-IPIECA Health Committee ‘Guidelines for Managing Malaria in the Oil & Gas Industry’. Understanding the Malaria lifecycle: the key to implementing an MMP Malaria is a parasitic disease caused by 4 different species of the parasite Plasmodium: P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae. The parasite is transmitted by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. P. falciparum has the most serious effects and can lead to death. The other three types are less severe and rarely fatal, although they can cause recurring bouts of malaria many months. and even years after the initial infected mosquito bite. MMPs are multi-disciplinary and integrated efforts that combine expertise and strategies from human and vector biology, environmental management and medical education and intervention. Because the MMP framework is built around the principles of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, which in turn control different aspects of the disease, in order to develop and implement an MMP, it is necessary to understand the biology of malaria infection so that an approach targeted at the various access points in the infection chain may be developed. Reference should be made to Figure 1. In the MMP, multiple levels of prevention can be specifically defined so that an integrated programme can be systematically developed, as follows:Primary prevention is considered to be eradication and is focused on vector control strategies. Within this level, there are three main categories which in turn rely on reducing vector density, shortening vector longevity, and blocking contact between man and the vector.Secondary prevention is based on controlling and reducing risks. Within this level, strategies include the full range of personal protection and behavior modification measures.Tertiary prevention is treatment of disease in order to prevent impairment and subsequent disability.
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