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Better safe, than sorry

Published by , Editorial Assistant
World Pipelines,


Eric Farmer, Vice President of Clinical Operations, RMI, offers guidance on increasing operational efficiency on pipeline sites with health and safety.

Better safe, than sorry

Pipeline construction is accelerating. Globally, a total of 41 999 miles of pipeline is currently under construction while another 80 557 miles are in the planning stages. Europe continues to expand its gas pipeline networks as it seeks to reduce its reliance on Russia, and both China and India continue to build out their pipeline infrastructure.

Reducing operational downtime and improving efficiency is essential to ensure that these projects are delivered. Safety is a crucial determinant of operational efficiency in a high-risk industry such as oil and gas, and robust health, safety and environmental practices are paramount to protect workers and scale pipeline infrastructure.

The current landscape

The American Petroleum Institute (API) 2023 Performance Report shows improvements in pipeline safety across several key performance indicators over the past five years. Comprehensive safety management systems and robust safety programmes, including advanced inspection and leak detection technologies, contribute to safer working environments.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) between 2019 and 2023:

    Total pipeline incidents decreased 23% over the past five years.
    Operations and maintenance incidents impacting people or the environment declined 54%.
    Total equipment failure incidents impacting people or the environment decreased 50%.

The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) latest safety report indicates a similar trend towards safer operations in the oil and gas industry; its latest report indicates a 50% increase in safety hours. While it is positive to see incremental safety improvements, the recent offshore explosion in Louisiana highlights that there is still work to be done to protect workers and reduce avoidable incidents and deaths.

Planning and preparation

Trenching, excavation and controlled explosive operations on pipeline sites mean that workers are consistently exposed to an extremely hazardous working environment. A combination of harsh weather conditions, steep inclines, confined spaces, pipeline leaks, failed excavation attempts, and the use of heavy-duty machinery present a unique set of safety challenges that must be addressed to mitigate risk to human life and operational delays.

Without the proper foresight, site planning and a comprehensive approach from an experienced safety and medical provider, pipeline construction sites will continue to be extremely dangerous.

Assess and evaluate

Many pipeline construction projects operate on a tight schedule and may rely on short-service or independent workers to quickly fulfil roles and keep projects running on time. New personnel can expose the existing workforce to infectious diseases from the simple common cold to more serious viruses such as COVID-19 and Mpox.

Due to the physical nature of the work, operators who invest in preventative measures against illness and injury can see a markable decrease in lost time. Facilitating a pre-screening process is one solution to reduce the operational disruption caused by workers with an existing illness or health condition which often delay operations due to sickness or injury.

Pre-screening serves to protect both the employee and the employer. For employees, working with a medical provider ensures access to support, care and any medication needed to manage conditions while on a long placement. For employers, having a clear understanding of pre-existing conditions of their workforce, and working with a trained provider to manage the requirements of the workforce, reduces the risk of disruption during a project. Having the constant presence of a medical and safety professional who builds trusted relationships with employees also helps them to feel comfortable when reporting medical conditions, which, in turn, can stop them from escalating into more urgent cases.

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Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/special-reports/29012025/better-safe-than-sorry/

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