A new safety training and competence standard which aims to cut the number of deaths and injuries to oil and gas workers behind the wheel has been unveiled by industry standards setting body OPITO.

Driving related incidents are the single largest cause of fatalities among oil and gas producers. With an average 1.2million people killed and 50 million injured each year globally, the World Health Organisation predicts road deaths will rise by 66% by 2020 as traffic volumes continue to increase around the world.

OPITO was asked by employers in the Middle East and Asia Pacific regions to create a minimum training and competence standard for workers required to drive as part of their job role.

Following a lengthy consultation process with employers and specialist training providers and a successful pilot course at the Enertech Training Centre in Doha, Qatar, the Safe Driving at Work Standard has now been rolled out internationally.

OPITO International managing director Ian Laing said: 'The vast majority of reported road deaths take place in developing countries which account for over 85% of the overall figure however, of the numerous safety issues surrounding any upstream project, road safety is of paramount importance no matter which geographic region you are operating in.

'Roads to well sites are busy with traffic carrying equipment and workers and as risks to road safety become greater, oil and gas companies must look to eliminate all road traffic accidents, injuries and fatalities.

'The standard has been developed to reflect today's working environment and provide, for the first time, quality assured OPITO accredited training for those required to drive by their employers.

'In addition to improving the practical aspects of a driver's ability, the training will also address the attitude and behaviour component of safe driving as driver attitude has been identified as one of the greatest influences in improving safety.'

It is hoped that the basic standard will be further developed in the future to encompass specialist standards for desert or off-road driving and transportation by heavy goods vehicles.

Tags: OPITO International