Rig Medics UK

Your very first safety induction……

I’m doing this as a separate guide.

Not because it’s a huge deal – but because I personally found it totally confusing. Once you’ve done it once – it’s never as confusing again. Each installation will have some variations –I’ve tried to include the items which will be common to any installation here.

OK – it all starts here.

Your first time on any installation (and on an installation you haven’t visited in a while), you will have to go through a Safety Induction.

So, you’ve just been told which cabin you’re in. Wait!! Don’t rush for your cabin until you’ve been told where and when your Safety Induction is.

My first question is always –‘is any of it outside and do I need my safety clothing?’. If it is your first time offshore, make sure and tell them you will need some PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). This is a hard hat (usually green), a set of coveralls, safety boots and safety glasses.

Everyone finds the first one confusing – and doesn’t remember anything! Don’t’ worry about it. Just take in what you can. Although if it is the Medic’s job to do them, try and take notes.

In a couple of days you’ll know where the important things are – the galley, the Bond (the onboard shop) and the TV room. Oh yes – and the sickbay J

Often a film will be shown first – although this is not a legal requirement. These films will tell you a bit about the installation, the safety culture and what is expected of you. They are also unfailingly naff and quite boring!

The purpose of the induction is to let you know:-

Exactly what you do in the case of an alarm going off.

The different types of alarms will be described to you.

It will show you your muster station -

(The medic almost invariably musters in the sickbay with the First Aid Team).

There will be a check-in system at the Muster point – usually a card with your name –

Or simply a list of names to be ticked off.

Familiarisation with the layout of the installation structure –

And where your Lifeboat is located (you will be allocated to a specific lifeboat).

Safety and First Aid Equipment.

The familiarisation tour will point out the location of Break Glass fire points for raising a fire alarm – fire extinguishers and hoses –

and the Emergency Eyewash and First Aid box locations.

As medic you will be responsible for checking the Eyewash and First Aid boxes.

Safety culture –

This will include safety booklets showing company safety policy and procedures.

These will often have a plan of the installation in them – very useful.

Safety documents (stop cards, haz ops, PTW, COSHH etc)

The name of the person who is your safety representative onboard.

Times of general safety meetings.

Onboard Living Courtesies.

This includes stuff like not wearing work clothing inside the accommodation – coveralls and boots etc. Keeping the noise down in the corridors as nightshift will be sleeping, what times the Bond opens and when the mealtimes are

You won’t remember everything – but it will fall into place very quickly. Honest!

Most similar installations have similar layouts. One Jack-up will be similar to another.

A semi-sub will be similar to another. Once you’ve done one type – they tend to blend into one homogenous entity.

Questions you might want to ask ;

Who normally does the inductions? (find out if it’s you!!)

When are the emergency/fire drills held?

What happens with laundry?

How quickly will you get laundry back?

Which phones can you use to call home?

What is the internet access like?

Medics often undertake the duties of the Safety Induction – a crib sheet should  be available for you to follow.  I will upload a typical one to let you see what they are like.

Now, as they say on Hill St. Blues (Editor - showing your age there G!!),

………..let’s be careful out there…..