Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), describe processes or activities like, planning, implementation, control, optimization that are carried out by companies to ensure the protection of the working environment.
In addition, the following abbreviations are also used to describe this process:
- Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE)
- Safety, Health & Environment (SHE)
- Environment, Health & Safety (EHS)
These factors are particularly important for industrial companies in the energy sector. The contents of HSE management includes identification and analysis of workplace hazards, development of uniform guidelines, training and education of personnel in the areas of accident prevention, reaction to accidents, emergency precautions, fire and noise protection, safety measures when travelling, environmental protection measures, and much more.
Below, we expand in the different components of HSE and their importance.
HSE: Health
The health function deals with the well-being of the employees as they live and work. It tries to promote their health and conduct activities in a way to avoid harm to the health of employees and others. Typically this concerns chemical and physical aspects on the environment.
HSE: Safety
This factor promotes the prevention of injuries during operations and duties. It is associated with activities with high standards of safety consciousness and discipline that this principle demands.
HSE: Environment
The environmental function focusses on the effects that rig activities have on the natural resources. This includes reduction of emissions, effluents, resource management (waste, water, materials) and discharges of waste materials harmful to the environment. The promotion of environmental protection is a continuous process seeking improving of efficiency.
The following environmental issues are considered part of a comprehensive assessment and management program that addresses project-specific risks and potential environmental impacts:
- Air emissions
- Wastewater / effluent discharges
- Solid and liquid waste management
- Noise generation
- Terrestrial impacts and project footprint
- Spills
Within the Oil and Gas industry, when petroleum is transported, safety and environmental issues are continuously studied and assessed to avoid any type of problem that could affect those involved and the environment. This process can be very sensitive both on land and sea. Marine traffic of oil has increased during the past years, which in turn increases the risk of accidents which includes oil spills, collisions, mistaken manoeuvres at loading and unloading terminals, running aground, fires and other types of accidents on board.
How is HSE done?
- Assess HSE matters before entering into new activities and reassess them in case of significant change in circumstances.
- Require contractors working on their behalf to apply HSE standards fully compatible with their own.
- Recognise the concerns of shareholders, employees and society on HSE matters, provide them with relevant information and discuss with them related company policies and practices.
- Develop and maintain contingency procedures, while co-operating with authorities and emergency services, in order to minimise harm from any accidents.
- Work with governments and other players to development and improve regulations and industry standards which relate to HSE matters.
- Conduct and support research towards the improvement of HSE aspects of products, processes and operations.
Companies are constantly researching new technologies to allow them to reconcile their operations with the protection of the environment and the safety of their workers.
WTS Energy prides itself of having reached +7 years of LTI free environment in Gabon. We pledge to continue providing the best services to our clients with the highest level of protection for our trusted talent pool.
