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NEIL SHEPHERD, Marketing Manager, Draeger Marine and Offshore & Draeger Hire

Industry events — most recently Offshore Energies UK’s (OEUK) HSE Conference 2025, which took place in Aberdeen in February — serve as crucial reminders of this ongoing challenge. These gatherings provide a vital platform for industry professionals to come together, discuss best practices, and confront emerging hazards.Ìý

As well as acting as forums for sharing insights, they make us acutely aware of what is at stake when it comes to safeguarding the North Sea workforce and the reputation of the wider sector. But the challenge is to sustain that momentum, long after the conferences have concluded.ÌýÌý

Standards and improvements. OEUK’s latest Health and Safety Insight report, published in December, highlighted both the commendable work being done to uphold North Sea standards and the areas where significant improvements are needed. The report indicated that personal injuries offshore rose last year, while mental health challenges among the workforce also appear to be becoming more prevalent, an issue that demands just as much attention as physical safety hazards.Ìý

Moreover, while hydrocarbon releases had been trending in the right direction in previous years, OEUK reported that they remain at a stubbornly high level, showing no further decline.ÌýÌý

Fig. 1. The upstream industry must guard against settling into HSE complacency, with companies stagnating on health and safety practices.

Avoiding HSE stagnation. Similarly, a senior figure from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) used his speech at OEUK’s HSE Conference to caution against stagnation in health and safety practices, Fig. 1. He warned that the industry was at risk of settling into complacency, where regulations and enforcement efforts were no longer driving meaningful improvements. His call to action was clear: companies must do more to actively mitigate risks and prevent serious incidents before they occur.Ìý

I don’t for a second believe that operators are deliberately shirking their safety responsibilities. However, these findings and warnings serve as a stark reminder that the industry must remain proactive. It is not enough to maintain the status quo; companies must constantly strive to be one step ahead, anticipating risks and addressing weaknesses before they result in harmÌý

Fiscal and regulatory challenges. Nobody can deny that North Sea operators and supply chain companies are under considerable pressure. In recent years, the sector has faced the burden of the Energy Profits Levy, navigated generational geopolitical conflicts, and grappled with inflating costs, among a host of other challenges.Ìý

And uncertainty still looms large. Questions persist about the future of current licenses, the awarding of new ones, and the potential for further tax changes that could impact investment and operations. The industry is operating in a climate of unpredictability, where long-term planning is increasingly difficult.Ìý

Safety remains the priority. Yet, despite all these challenges, one thing must remain non-negotiable: the safety and well-being of the workforce. The top priority for the industry cannot and must not change. Safeguarding the health and safety of all workers and putting every possible procedure and piece of equipment in place, to ensure they return home to their loved ones safe and sound, must always come first.Ìý

As a trusted provider of advanced safety solutions, Draeger DMO is committed to supporting the offshore workforce with cutting-edge equipment and technologies designed to mitigate risks, enhance emergency response, and safeguard lives. From state-of-the-art gas detection systems to world-class respiratory protection and fire safety solutions, Draeger ensures that workers have the tools they need to operate in some of the most challenging environments.Ìý

Integrating this high-quality technology with robust training, real-time monitoring, and a culture of continuous improvement is essential to preventing incidents before they occur. But it takes more than equipment and training to meet the needs of an ever-evolving risk landscape.Ìý

Working together. Regulatory bodies, operators, and supply chain partners must work in unison to address existing gaps, identify new risks, and foster a culture where safety is embedded into every aspect of offshore work. There is no room for complacency, and there is no acceptable level of risk when it comes to human life.Ìý

The challenges facing the industry are complex and multi-faceted, but ensuring a safe working environment must remain the foundation upon which everything else is built. The cost of failure is simply too high.Ìý

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NEIL SHEPHERD joined Draeger as marketing manager for Marine, Offshore and Hire in July 2024, following a five-year stint as marketing director for Stavanger-based IK Group.  Prior toÌý creative.  Mr. Shepherd is a member of the Charter Institute of Marketing and is working towards becoming fully chartered.Ìý

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