Landmark Oil & Gas Workforce Publication Returns for 2023

A landmark oil and gas workforce publication makes its return today following a four-year break. Tea Shack News is written by members of the workforce to cover industry news, safety advice, and the thoughts of those working in the oil and gas industry.

First published in 2014, Tea Shack News was originally created by the HSE and Step Change in Safety as well as spending some time as a supplement within EnergyVoice. It was a familiar sight to many working in the industry, providing both information on subjects that matter and light entertainment in the form of a popular regular quiz. The rebooted edition sees the publication brought to life with a new injection of colour, new industry avatars who will become familiar faces, and the news and views that matter to the energy workforce.

The quarterly publication features:

• Lessons Learned & Best Practice
• Reward & Recognition
• Innovation & Ideas
• Regular Quiz

The publication is now championed by the Step Change in Safety Workforce Engagement Support Team (WEST), whose purpose is to support the workforce through proactive engagement to improve safety for the oil and gas industry.

Bryan Begbie, HSEQ Team Leader with Bilfinger and Co-Chair of the WEST team says, “We made the decision to bring back Tea Shack News as it was always a welcome sight in the tea shacks offshore and at heliports. As it’s written in conjunction with members of the workforce it’s also an opportunity to have your voice shared whether you are part of the workforce, leadership, member companies, Unions or the HSE. We are delighted that it has had a shake-up and is back in front of those who make the energy industry tick.”

Commenting on the return of the publication, Steve Rae, Executive Director of Step Change in Safety says, “For those working offshore, Tea Shack News was always a ‘well kent face’ and a bedrock publication in the industry. Its absence did not go un-noticed and was often mentioned during my ‘Boots on for Safety’ visits offshore. It returns with a new lease of life and an excellent mix of topics and ideas being added into the publication. It now comes fully digitised which makes it accessible via mobile devices as well as from our website. There are interactive quizzes which can be accessed through QR codes so that the workforce can take part via their personal mobile devices. Paper copies can be printed so that they can be picked up and read when WiFi is unavailable.  We want to provide something which is educational with an element of fun, but most importantly a platform where the workforce can share their voice across the wider industry. We can all learn from each other so the sharing of information and shining a light on a specific matter which is relevant to a working day/shift or team is important. We also want to recognise the unsung heroes of the industry through our rewards and recognition section as opportunities to do so can be limited. Safety will always remain at the forefront of the publication as we continue to work to positively influence the offshore energy industry’s safety culture.”

Issue 1 of the rebooted Tea Shack News is available now and includes articles from Bristow, the HSE and includes a personal perspective from ESRs on how they view their roles offshore. Read here: https://www.stepchangeinsafety.net/teashack-news/

Got any interesting ideas or stories you'd like to share with the rest of industry? Anyone you'd like to recognise for being a safety champion? Contact editor@teashack.news for inclusion in future issues.

Read the latest issue of the OGV Energy magazine HERE