US BSEE: Are your emergency procedures and equipment good enough?

An inspection of offshore sites in the Gulf of Mexico revealed:

• Inconsistencies in the documentation and recording of injuries and illnesses.
• Procedural gaps and possible flaws in working practices.
• Problems with medical support and evacuation resources.
• All which could affect the emergency response capabilities of facilities.  

The BSEE found that:

• It took an average of 6.8 hours, according to the evacuation reports, from the time an incident occurred to the time evacuees arrived at medical facilities.
• Medical supplies for facility personnel were inadequate.
• Offshore workers did not know where first aid kits were located or how to properly use them.
• Emergency action plans were out of date, difficult for workers to find, and contained incorrect contact information. In some instances, the plan was only known to the person in charge.
• Many operators could not show proof they had carried out medical emergency drills on a regular basis, even though it was a requirement.
• Several facilities had equipment obstructing high-traffic areas, creating trip hazards, blocking escape routes, and posing safety risks.
• Rescue baskets (“Stokes litters”) were found inoperable at several facilities, inconveniently located, unsuitable for hoisting during emergencies, and rarely included in drills.
• Although all facilities except one had automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), the equipment was not easily accessible, and only medical staff had been trained on proper use of AEDs.