Online Tool Helps Assess Drilling Safety

A newly created online assessment tool aims to help drilling employers reinforce the competency of roustabouts.

Developed as part of the OPITO Skills Screening online tool, a comprehensive question bank has been created by the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) with input from members Awilco (UK) Ltd, Transocean, Valaris, COSL Drilling Europe and Diamond Offshore.

OPITO, a not-for-profit skills organization for the energy industry, said its Skills Screening tool provides an accessible online solution for organizations looking to assess the knowledge and understanding of current and potential employees across a wide range of disciplines and roles, including banksman slinger, pipefitter, process technician and rigger. Users have the flexibility to conduct assessments on and offshore and results are instantly available.  

The new Roustabout assessment contains a variety of role specific questions that have been reviewed and tested with the current offshore workforce to ensure the language and content is fit for purpose.

There are more than 8,500 roustabouts employed in the oil and gas industry in Scotland alone, making up 5% of the total UKCS workforce.

Mark Cullens, director at OPITO, said, “Working alongside the drilling community has allowed OPITO to offer a robust, relevant assessment option for employers to ensure their roustabouts have the knowledge to carry out their role competently. I look forward to continuing this work with the IADC and its members as we look to develop a Floorman assessment in the coming months.”

Derek Hart, regional director at IADC, said, “This initiative will assist drilling contractors and others with their selection process when hiring roustabouts. The development is another good example of industry working together with OPITO for the benefit of the whole oil and gas industry.”