The generation gap: the risks of a workforce in transition

Human factors key in successful and efficient safety practices

Skills shortages in the workplace and different generational safety knowledge and training expectations are seen as challenges to workplace safety provision over the next year, a new research study has reported.

Dräger’s latest Safety and Health at Work (2024) report  revealed that over three quarters (78%) of people believe that skills shortages in the workforce is an issue in their organisation, while 76% identified a younger workforce with different levels of knowledge, and higher training expectations as areas that businesses need to address in the next 12 months. The majority of those involved in the study (94%) felt that the Health and Safety at Work Act – the UK’s primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety which was introduced fifty years ago – should be overhauled in light of modern working  styles and changing workplaces.

More than a third (38%) of those involved in the study believe their employer is ultimately responsible for their health and safety at work, with 27% stating that they feel the Government is predominantly responsible. However, in the younger generation there was more likely to be a belief that the Government is responsible – a third (33%) of Gen Z believing this compared with only a fifth (20%) of the older Baby Boomer generation.

Why Does This Matter?

In an industry where competition to attract the best talent is fierce, energy businesses must align with the expectations of the emerging workforce. A comprehensive health and safety provision that includes careful and thoughtful consideration of factors such as mental health, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues, alongside more traditional requirements, is crucial in modern workplaces.

At an operational level, having an effective risk management strategy in place is essential for ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. Perceptions of the economic value of safety expenditure can sometimes become obscured. While the value of safety cannot be questioned, the cost of providing it can and investing in the right places is paramount.

With ever growing pressure on efficiencies in oil and gas, how do companies begin to tackle these challenges?

Dräger, a leader in the fields of safety and medical technology, has 135 years’ experience supporting businesses with workplace health and safety, and has experts in the marine and offshore sector providing support on the ground to clients across the oil and gas and renewable energy sectors.

Formal Training

The Safety and Health at Work Report 2024 showed that 93% of respondents expect formal safety training as opposed to simply shadowing or being shown by colleagues. However, only 63% of respondents feel that this expectation is being met by their employer, and from a generational perspective, the study showed that there was widespread agreement (76%) across all generations that younger workers have a higher expectation of training and safety workshops.

As the only safety equipment manufacturer based in Aberdeen, Dräger has helped companies and teams across the energy industry through its recently refurbished base in the city, which includes training facilities for courses such as confined space entry and leg entry, and training courses including Authorised Gas Tester (AGT), Breathing Apparatus (BA) wearer and maintenance training.

The Correct Equipment

Beyond training, it is imperative that staff are provided with suitable and appropriate equipment which meets safety standards. Safety equipment is simply not an area that can be compromised. However, budgets can be used more effectively by employing more efficient solutions and exploring better ways of working.

For example, while many organisations are likely to lease vehicles for business use, and will recognise the cashflow benefits in doing so, they won’t necessarily have considered leasing or renting to fund other capital items such as safety equipment.

Dräger has a vast fleet of safety equipment that can be hired, often at very short notice, reducing overall project costs while utilising the most up-to-date safety equipment which has been serviced by Dräger’s specialist technicians.  These technicians are also available to support challenging work scopes and manage the equipment on site, as well as offering any on-site training or maintenance.

Dräger has seen a worrying number of equipment services not being carried out by people who are properly trained to do so. Servicing by trained technicians is vital to ensuring workplace safety across the range of safety equipment, whether for life jackets or breathing apparatus.

Companies need to ensure that the person carrying out the servicing and checks has “appropriate practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of the equipment, as will enable them to detect defects and assess their importance”. It’s not a grey area. This is the law.

Again, this is where hiring can provide a financial benefit to customers, as Dräger ensure all the equipment is serviced to the highest safety standards.

Technology

While the digitalisation of processes is helping streamline the delivery of work, the application of digital technology is also helping to make workplaces safer, both onshore and offshore.

Systems that enable the collection of real time data allow safety managers to more easily review the information they require to ensure colleagues are safe – whether it’s checking when a gas detector was last tested and serviced or whether an alarm was acknowledged by another user, they can access the data swiftly regardless of where they are in the world.

Being able to transfer data in real time can reduce errors and save operators both time and costs, and is something Dräger delivers to customers every day. Robust safety procedures in a high risk sector such as the energy industry is essential. Keeping people safe and protecting assets is key to operational success. While, it can seem a daunting task, expert advice can help direct your focus to what is appropriate for your business.

Read the latest issue of the OGV Energy magazine HERE