Life Saving Actions

Table of Content

Intro

All workers should be aware of the most critical safety hazards found at their worksites that have caused worker loss of life within the industry and actions they can take to minimize their exposure. Personal safety improvement in the onshore Oil and Gas industry can be achieved by implementing and training on a program, typically called LIFE SAVING ACTIONS (LSA), that educates and emphasizes the most critical safety hazards and what steps workers can take to protect themselves and their colleagues from them

How to Implement a Life Saving Actions Program

It is vital to worker safety that critical worksite hazards are addressed with life-saving actions designed to mitigate worker exposure. Workers shall be aware of the most critical safety hazards found at their worksites that have caused worker loss of life within the industry and actions they can take to minimize their exposure. 

The Onshore Safety Alliance provides flexibility in how a participant meets the objective of OSA Participant Action 2 – Implement a Life Saving Actions Program but strongly encourages the use of the 9 IOGP Life Saving Rules as guidance to follow for companies new to the effort.  We support the IOGP’s stated intent that standardization of Life-Saving Rules across the oil and gas industry will:

  • Enable better transfer of knowledge, experience and lessons learned,
  • Increase individual awareness and ownership of critical safeguards that prevent fatalities,
  • Provide a step towards an industry-wide common safety language, and
  • Improve clarity and allow consistent use by contractors and operators doing similar work across the world

Data Trends

Data information specific to onshore operations is limited, but there are approximately 9000 independent operators in the U.S. onshore exploration and production segment – a number that is vastly larger than the refining and offshore segments. With such a large number of companies, there is a need for consistency and improvement of safety practices across the onshore industry.

Work-Related Fatalities in U.S E&P Operations

This chart tracks oil and natural gas exploration and production (E&P) worker fatalities and fatality rates from 2003 to 2019. While annual fatalities vary significantly from year to year, the overall fatality rate declines over the period, indicating improved worker safety outcomes relative to workforce size.

Work-Related Fatality Rate versus Rotary Rig Count

Line chart comparing the E&P fatality rate per 100,000 workers and rotary rig count from 2003 to 2017. Both metrics fluctuate over time, generally declining after 2014. The fatality rate ranges from approximately 15 to 32, while the rotary rig count ranges from about 500 to 2,000.

U.S. Onshore Operations Statistics

9000

There are approximately 9000 independent operators in the U.S. onshore exploration and production segment – a number that is vastly larger than the refining and offshore segments.

62%

According to NIOSH, 62% of fatalities in 2017 were to servicing company workers.

376

In 2008-2017, 376 people lost their lives in fatal incidents that might have been prevented by following one of IOGP's Life-Saving Rules.

Join the OSA Safety Program

Through OSA Participant Action 2, companies take steps to implement a life saving actions program so that their workers are aware of the most critical safety hazards found at worksites.

Become a Participant

Industry Examples of Life Saving Actions Programs

With the revision of Report 459, IOGP launched a simplified set of Life-Saving Rules to provide workers in the industry with the actions they can take to protect themselves and their colleagues from fatalities.

IOGP Life-Saving Rules

Marathon Oil has implemented our Life Critical Expectations.  These expectations clearly define the non-negotiable actions all workers must take in order to perform work safely on its jobsites.

Marathon Oil Life Critical Expectations

The H&P Life Belts set out clear, simple, and consistent expectations focused on activities with the highest risk. 

Helmerich & Payne Life Belts

Chevron has implemented within their organization a life saving actions program called Save Your Life Actions.

Chevron Save Your Life Actions & Start Work Checks

Patterson believes the safety and well-being of its employees and the protection of our environment is a cornerstone.

Patterson Cornerstones for Life

The Hess Rules are about putting people first, acting with integrity, performing to a high standard and acting responsibly.

The Hess Rules