Safety first: the role of HSRs

The Regulator 2022 - Issue 2 

Safety is the number one priority for offshore energy and an integral part of maintaining a high safety standard are the Health and Safety Representatives.

At DISER’s initial Safety Stakeholders Group public forum in 2018 (set up to review the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act), 100 per cent of participants voted HSRs as the most important part of ensuring offshore safety. As a key player in the space, Ross Wilson considers this all the motivation he needs for his hard work. 

“I most definitely feel like I’m making a difference as an HSR – attending the forum, along with participating as an active member of the Safety Stakeholders Group over the past three years, really highlighted the important role we play.”

“Having worked offshore for almost 25 years, I feel I’ve seen a good amount of the operations that occur, ranging from drilling to maintenance and production.

“Hopefully that experience can bring something to the table when representing the designated work group I am a part of and all of the other work groups that make up the offshore team.”

Ross feels he played an instrumental part in bringing together the tripartite agreement between the business association representatives, union representatives, and NOPSEMA for the annual HSR forum after promoting this during the Safety Stakeholders Group meetings.

By connecting representatives through platforms such as NOPSEMA’s HSR forums, Ross wants to encourage people to share their experiences and lessons.

“We want to let people know they are not alone and that there are others are probably going through the same things – there is always someone to talk to."

Ross says most people don’t stick their hand up for the role but those that do are often pleasantly surprised. After all, being a HSR is a voluntary position and secondary to the job you are employed to do.

Having been a HSR for seven years, Ross says while the role can be difficult at times, the positives far outweigh the negatives. “I have to say I do enjoy it, particularly the learning opportunities from the people you work with."

“When you see that people have confidence in you to openly share their concerns it really drives you to do the best you can."

“Some engineers have even listed me as a knowledgeable other to provide feedback to their supervisors for yearly appraisals. “If you don’t have a good relationship with someone, or are at loggerheads, then you wouldn’t be asking them for feedback in your appraisals.

“I take it as great compliment, it shows the kind of professional relationships, and outcomes, you can achieve in this role.” Ross is the first to admit the role comes with challenges, namely the additional work and stereotypes that can come with being a health and safety representative.

“We’re not out to cause problems or interfere with work and progress, we’re here to represent the designated work group we are a part of.” “We act as the point of communication for consultation where changes are proposed and most importantly, we ensure everyone gets home safely at the end of the day.

“The aim is to work with people to achieve these goals rather than against them."

“It’s equally important to articulate the positive outcomes and not just the concerns."

“It’s all about safely producing oil and gas, if everyone remembers that goal hopefully any other thoughts can be put aside to focus on this.”

Ross also speaks highly of his fellow HSRs in Bass Strait: “The support network is fantastic, anyone new to the role is warmly welcomed whether you’re directly hired by the operator of the facilities or from one of the many contract groups.” “While we’re all busy in our own roles, it’s never too much trouble to have a chat to one of the other HSRs to seek guidance, support or feedback on a topic you are dealing with.”

Like many working offshore, Ross is no stranger to hard work. While offshore, he fulfils his HSR role alongside his responsibilities as an Operations Technician.

Not one to slow down, he returns home to a young family and an 85-acre beef farm in Neerim Junction, Victoria. “I go from one intense job to the next,” he says. “Really, I just like to have a go, there’ll be plenty of time to take it easy down the track. “For now, I enjoy what I do and will keep doing it as long as I can.” He insists that becoming an HSR it doesn’t have to be a daunting undertaking.

“There are opportunities to become a back-up HSR, which gives a soft start into role and allows you to learn the ropes.” To anyone out there thinking about becoming an HSR, Ross has some simple advice: “At the end of the day, the only way you’re going to find out is by giving it a go. I’m in my second term so it can’t be that bad.”

Ross is one of the HSRs for Shift 2 Operations Technicians at Esso Australia’s Gippsland Operations, Offshore Bass Strait, covering multiple producing facilities.