Tragic events and big disasters carry lessons for the oil industry, notes Magne Ognedal, director-general of the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA), and calls on it to do more to reduce the risk of major accidents.

“Managements at the various players have a special responsibility here,” he emphasises. “Safety can’t simply be measured by the number of personal injuries reported.

“Managers must maintain an overall view of major accident risk. I firmly believe that the industry can do a lot more in this area.”

"At the same time, Mr Ognedal says the individual employee has a personal responsibility for their own safety and that of others. Procedures must be followed.

“It’s simply not permissible to sit back and become nonchalant,” he stresses. “You’ve got to maintain a respectful attitude towards your work.

“But we can’t only focus on individuals and personal injuries. The risk of major accidents is inherent in the industry. That’s a challenge we must overcome, and it calls for good management.”

Magne Ognedal is opening speaker at the HSE Lunch during ONS 2008.

Tags: Petroleum Safety Authority