Health and safety in the oil and gas industry

The oil and gas industry remains a key component of the UK economy and continues to play a major role in energy security. It is also an industry that directly supports tens of thousands of jobs. While the construction industry is regarded as the most dangerous from a health and safety perspective in terms of the number of reported injuries, many workers in the oil and gas industry face potential workplace hazards as a matter of routine.

Understanding the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH)

The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH) require companies that work with or store hazardous substances to implement stringent risk reduction strategies and formulate plans that will limit damage and avert major accidents if a dangerous situation arises. The legislation was enacted following serious accidents involving hazardous chemicals, such as the Flixborough disaster in 1974, when an explosion killed 28 people and injured 36 others.