Oil sector safety improvements call

Aug 24 2010

The oil and gas industry has been urged to improve safety for its offshore workers after latest figures showed an increase in major injuries last year.

A total of 50 were reported in 2009/10 - up 20 on 2008/09 and higher than the average of 42 over the previous five years, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Offshore Safety Statistics Bulletin provisional data showed.

Over the last year there was also a marked rise in the number of major and significant hydrocarbon releases, which are regarded as potential precursors to a major incident.