Functional Status of Workers In Oil and Gas Industry In the Arctic and the Ways of Their Optimization

Abstract

The article is devoted to one of the research areas of the thematic network' members "Working in the Arctic," the University of Arctic. The study was sponsored by the Russian President's grant for state support of young Russian scientists - PhD (MK-7500.2016.6). The aim of the present research is to study the dynamics of functional states of oil and gas workers of different professional groups during shift-in period in the Arctic and the development of measures to optimize them, and developing recommendations to optimize the functional state of workers in the Far North (to increase efficiency, reduce fatigue), as a factor of security and labor protection in complex natural and industrial conditions of the Far North by improving the efficiency of PPE. The study involved 70 oil and gas workers in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug of Russian Federation (the shift-in duration was 30 days) between the ages of 24 to 60 years (mean age 38,7 ± 9,7) from March to April 2015. Research methods are questioning, a complex visual-motor reaction (CVMR), "variation cardiointervalometry" (VCM); descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of variance MANOVA. Treatment was carried out using the software package SPSS 22.00. Studying the functional states' dynamics of oil and gas employees during the period shift led to the conclusion that, despite the increase in the efficiency by the end of the shift period, there has been a pronounced decline in of working capacity for all employees (which is confirmed by both psychophysiological and psychological methods). The group at highest risk about level of efficiency and its reduction by the shift end include: drivers, operators of oil and gas, engineering and technical workers (due to the high intensity and complexity of the activity). For these staff' categories are necessary to provide special programs for the prevention of fatigue and increase working capacity. One of the ways to optimize of working capacity of oil and gas staff in the Arctic is the selection of the optimal special clothing and personal protective equipment.

US research needs related to fatigue, sleep, and working hours among oil and gas extraction workers

“…Among occupations on remote onshore sites, drivers showed the greatest decreases in working capacity, as measured by visual‐motor responses, across a 2‐week work block 69 …”

“… Functional status: Pronounced decline in working capacity of all onshore employees as shift block progressed, with drivers showing the most pronounced effects 69 For day‐shift workers working 30‐day shift block in a remote onshore area, impaired functional status for 42% at beginning, 33% at middle, and 43% at end of work block 50 Self‐reported difficulty concentrating during night shift 64 …”

“… Among offshore workers who worked overtime, sleep duration was negatively associated with job demands 95 Fatigue reported more often by oil workers in positions with greater job responsibility and by those who performed more than one type of work 88 No significant relationships between job category and sleep quality and duration among offshore workers 56 Among occupations on remote onshore sites, drivers showed the greatest decreases in working capacity, as measured by visual‐motor responses, across a 2‐week work block 69 Among seafarers supplying offshore rigs: Significant associations between: (1) high job demands and acute and chronic fatigue 96 and (2) low levels of job control and mental fatigue 97 Significantly higher levels of physical and mental fatigue reported by temporary/apprentice workers compared to permanent workers 97 …”

“…Pronounced decline in working capacity of all onshore employees as shift block progressed, with drivers showing the most pronounced effects 69 …”

Особенности Саморегуляции Работников Различных Групп Профессий Вахтового Труда На Крайнем Севере

“…Предприятия нефтяной, газодобывающей, алмазодобывающей, лесной промышленностей, применяя вахтовую организацию труда, требуют от сотрудников максимальной отдачи в сложных климатогеографических, производственных и социально-бытовых условиях. Способность саморегулироваться очень важна при работе вахтой в экстремальных условиях Крайнего Севера [1,2,3]. Осуществление профессиональной деятельности вахтовым методом на Крайнем Севере воспринимается работником не просто как выполнение функциональных обязанностей, а как работа в ситуации постоянного преодоления комплекса климатогеографических («полярная ночь» и «полярный день», выраженный дефицит ультрафиолета, частая смена воздушных масс, ветер, пониженные температуры, высокая влажность, колебания концентрации кислорода, перепады барометрического давления, излучение различных волн, недостаток фтора, кальция, магния и др.…”