Develop energy sector safety culture

ENERGY Chamber chief executive officer Dr Thackwray Driver has advised the fledgling Guyanese energy sector to develop a culture of safety if it is to optimise opportunities available in the sector.

Driver was addressing the Guyana Safety Forum at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Guyana on December 6. His speech, which is contained in the Chamber’s latest newsletter, drew examples from TT saying the South American country could learn from its Caricom neighbour.

He said one of the major barriers facing small contractors and service companies wanting to do business with international oil and gas companies is meeting the high safety, health and environmental standards demanded of suppliers.

Driver said international operators would not lower their standards to accommodate local contractors and the onus is on Guyanese companies to ensure that safety is a top priority.

“Meeting the high safety standards of operating companies can be a challenge in countries with new hydrocarbon industries, such as Guyana. This is especially the case if the country does not have an existing well developed national legislative framework and a history of a strong safety culture in other sectors. Note the word “and”; having good legislation is useless if it is not implemented,” Driver said.

For most local companies in Guyana, he continued, meeting the high standards of international operator companies will involve a serious step change. Driver said Guyana had to develop a cadre of “well-trained, seasoned and certified Guyanese HSE professionals who will discharge their responsibilities ethically and professionally. “

While the local private sector would have to “internalise a safety culture and understand that you cannot buy certification and you cannot buy safety.”

“If your objective is just to meet the requirements set by operators, you will fail. If your objective is to become a leader in safety and build a robust safety culture in your company, then you will be able to meet the requirements. Meeting the requirements is a measure, not an objective.”

He said the Safe to Work initiative implemented by the Chamber helped local energy service companies meet international oil, gas and petrochemical operator company HSE requirements while raising the overall levels of contractor safety management in the country.