21 November 2024
Last month, SES reached a remarkable achievement: one year without any safety incidents in the workplace. It’s no secret that the oil and gas industry is inherently high-risk, and ignoring processes and procedures could be fatal. Which is why HSE is ingrained in every aspect of the company’s operations.
To celebrate their latest milestone, we caught up with QHSE Lead, Roy Moore, who shares his top tips for keeping your business safe.
A Culture of Safety
Health and safety have been SES’s top priorities for years, with the company consistently emphasising that no task is worth compromising employee well-being, and everyone working together as a team to ensure jobs are completed safely, on time and within budget.
This focus has paid off for the team, as there has only been one minor incident in the past five years. This is a testament to the strength of both the team and SES's safety protocols.
The key to our success lies in its comprehensive approach to safety. Monthly safety meetings, daily pre-start meetings, and safety observation report cards form the backbone of the company’s safety procedures.
These processes aren’t just about ticking boxes—they're about creating a culture where safety is always top of mind. By continuously discussing safety protocols and encouraging employees to report issues, SES ensures that safety is an everyday practice, not just a reaction to incidents.
Empowering Employees
One of the standout elements of SES’s safety culture is employee empowerment. At SES, every team member has the authority—and the responsibility—to say no to unsafe work.
Whether it’s a tight deadline or a complex task, employees are encouraged to prioritise safety over productivity - and to ask for help when it is needed. This empowerment is vital in maintaining high safety standards, especially during busy periods when the time pressures can increase the risks involved.
SES uses tools like the "Take5" safety check, which prompts workers to perform a 360-degree safety assessment before starting any task. This proactive measure helps combat complacency, a common challenge when performing repetitive tasks. Safety committees, which includes employees from all disciplines, including management, also play a key role in identifying and addressing potential hazards, ensuring that safety concerns are escalated to management for swift action.
Training and Continuous Improvement
SES takes employee training seriously, requiring all staff to undergo regular safety training, with additional courses for specific roles such as forklift operators and power tool users. This not only ensures that employees are well-equipped to handle their tasks safely but also keeps safety protocols fresh in their minds.
Complacency can be a silent enemy, which is why we believe that training isn’t a one time event - the team is in a constant process of learning, updating skills, and staying vigilant.
Balancing Safety and Productivity
Our aim is that everyone goes home from work each night in the same state as they left in the morning - if not better. Which is why one of our core principles is that safety comes before productivity.
This can be a challenging balance, especially in an industry where customer demands can be high and deadlines can be tight. But at SES this is a non negotiable. If a task cannot be completed safely, we will find another way to get it done.
At SES, we work as a team, and will always ask for help to ensure we deliver on time but without compromising on quality or safety.
This commitment to balancing safety with productivity ensures that SES delivers the best service to its clients without compromising the well-being of its employees. It’s a delicate balance, but one that SES handles with care and expertise.
Looking Ahead: A Bright and Safe Future
While SES is proud of its one-year incident-free record, the company isn’t resting on its laurels. Continuous improvement in health and safety is a key focus, with better communication and empowerment playing central roles in their strategy. SES’s commitment to fostering a strong safety culture has not only made the workplace safer but has also strengthened the sense of teamwork and accountability across the organisation.
As SES continues to innovate and grow, it will do so with the same dedication to health and safety that has brought it to this point. By empowering employees, maintaining rigorous safety standards, and always striving for improvement, SES is not just a safe place to work—it's a company that values its people and is committed to their well-being every step of the way.
Here’s to another year of safe, productive, and successful operations!
