Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) recently joined the Australian oil and gas industry in recognising ‘Stand Together for Safety’, a month-long event in May held annually, contributing to improved and sustained safety performance. It is facilitated by the industry’s peak national body, APPEA (Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association).
The 2012 Stand Together for Safety theme is 'Keeping it contained: What's your responsibility' focussing on the role of the operator and individuals in maintaining barrier integrity.
The three key objectives of Stand Together for Safety are to:
- Reinforce that safety always comes before any other consideration
- Provide an opportunity for people to step away from their jobs and have a structured discussion about improving safety
- Provide an opportunity for senior managers and the workforce to engage with each other on safety
Frontline workers are generally the largest group in the workforce. Too often, the safety messages that trickle down to this group become diluted. However, if senior management takes the time to discuss safety issues "in person", and to effectively engage in safety discussions, then this group of workers is likely to feel more involved and take more ownership over their own safety and safety on site.
This event aims to promote and reinforce the concept that everyone has a role to play in safety. This event helps bring safety conversations and awareness to the forefront of everyone’s minds, no matter what part they play in the running of the business.
“’Keeping it contained’ is directly related to SKM’s approach to Safety and Wellness through adaptive thinking and empowerment all of our stakeholders to actively participate and improve our work methods. “We place the utmost importance on Safety by Design, leadership practice and personal commitment to safety outcomes”, said Alan Fotheringham, Group Manager, Energy.
During the ‘Stand Together for Safety’ month SKM participated in a number of safety initiatives:
- The Visible Leadership Passport - Mick Hyde, Manager, SKM Team Learning and Peter Power, SKM’s Group HSE Manager, Capital Projects were raising awareness of the importance of competent and concerned supervision. SKM presented at a number of conferences and will be engaging with industry, associations and regulatory authorities to develop ideas for improving the overall safety leadership framework for supervisors.
- The introduction of a comprehensive travel risk management program designed to protect the wellbeing and security of people who travel as part of their work at SKM.
- Participation in Australia’s premier oil and gas conference, Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) 2012, in Adelaide 13-16 May. During the event, SKM held an interactive Q&A forum, ‘Social Licence to Operate; Obtain, Maintain....& Enhance’.
- Kelvin Genn, General Manager, Safety and Wellness at SKM presented at The WA Safety in Construction Conference on 25 May. Kelvin examined the challenges encountered with virtual teaming for design delivery, and the value for building user centred design into the construction industry methodology for Safety in Design.
More about Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM)
Sinclair Knight Merz is a leading projects firm, with global capability in strategic consulting, engineering and project delivery. It operates in three regions: Asia Pacific, the Americas and EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa), deploying some 7,000 people from more than 40 offices while serving the Buildings and Infrastructure, Mining and Metals, Power and Energy, and Water and Environment sectors. Formed in 1964 in Sydney as a private company, SKM has retained its independence through employee ownership, with fee income now greater than A$1 billion.
