According to the newspaper, more than 300 oil and gas workers were killed in highway crashes over the past decade, the largest cause of fatalities in the industry. And safety advocates voice concerns over the high numbers of traffic fatalities at a time when the industries are on a dynamic growth trajectory.
The statistics and this story are a stark reminder of the dangers of working as a support services contractor in the energy and extraction sectors. Support companies must remain vigilant in developing and maintaining safety-training programs to protect their workers and reassure their clients that working safely is a top priority.
Would you like to talk about the strides your company has made in safety training? Do these programs result in fewer lost-work days, fewer injuries among your workers and a more satisfied workforce? We’d love to share your efforts with GOMC readers in hopes that we can help lead the industry into a safer tomorrow.
If you have a comment, question or suggestion for a future blog post, please let me know by email at editor@gomcmag.com.
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Well now DuPont is looking to reward you for working in filthy situations. The company recently announced its second-annual DuPont Tyvek Dirty Work Photo Contest, and is inviting North American industrial workers to submit a photo of the grimiest job they’ve performed while wearing a Tyvek protective suit.
“Every day, millions of workers throughout North America get themselves dirty as they work on some of industry’s messiest jobs, particularly in oil and gas and environment,” said Dave Kee, North America marketing manager, Industrial Protective Apparel ─ DuPont Protection Technologies. “This is our tribute to the many people who use DuPont Tyvek protective apparel to keep safe and clean while doing their jobs.”
To learn more about the contest and see some of last year’s dirtiest winners, go to www.tyvekphotocontest.dupont.com.
If you have a comment, question or suggestion for a future blog post, please let me know by email at editor@gomcmag.com.
]]>“The iPads not only get the school children excited about the lessons, but also allow children to learn at their own pace,’’ said school superintendent Gary Wilz.
Boston-based Target builds and operates accommodations for oilfield workers in North Dakota and Texas. Construction of the Stanley Hotel began during the winter and will be complete by this summer. The complex is adjacent to the company’s Stanley Cabins, and will expand the overall complex to 500 beds.
To staff this and its other operations, Target has hired 600 workers over 18 months and expects to add another 300 employees this year.
If you have a comment, question or suggestion for a future blog post, please let me know by email at editor@gomcmag.com.
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To see how the new technology works, check out this video demonstration produced by the two North Dakota-based companies:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvrM0Ykf16U
Just like thousands of energy industry workers are flooding into North Dakota to extract valuable oil reserves locked miles below the ground, so are environmental services and oil industry support service companies working toward solutions to important environmental challenges. Developments like this one could help build the confidence of North Dakotans that oil can be extracted safely and efficiently.
If you have a comment, question or suggestion for a future blog post, please let me know by email at editor@gomcmag.com.
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“We believe this joint venture will add value to Bakken crude. It will provide value to southwestern North Dakota communities by providing steady, good-paying, long-term jobs and through the two companies’ longstanding commitment to the communities in which they operate and serve,” Terry D. Hildestad, president and CEO of MDU Resources said in the release.
For more information, check out the complete press release:
If you have a comment, question or suggestion for a future blog post, please let me know by email at editor@gomcmag.com.
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Matt Underhill, Managing Director of Hays Oil & Gas comments: “This level of confidence has far surpassed that which we have seen over the last few years, and contrasts significantly with the wider economic outlook. With confidence comes salary increases and this is reflected with an increase in the average worldwide salary for professionals and skilled employees in the industry to $80,458 per annum, up 6.1 percent in the past 12 months.
Duncan Freer, Managing Director of Oil and Gas Job Search, comments further: “The oil and gas industry is certainly in good shape and this is coming through loud and clear in our data. There has been a distinct move to employ permanent staff rather than contractors for many oil companies, demonstrating a confidence amongst employers in hiring new staff to cover future workloads. This is not to say that contractor demand is falling, with a multitude of new projects coming on line through the year, rates in this sector of the industry are still rising. “
To learn more, go to www.oilandgasjobsearch.com.
If you have a comment, question or suggestion for a future blog post, please let me know by email at editor@gomcmag.com.
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Mon-Dak and its owners, father-and-son team Curt and Beau Vachal, were featured in GOMC for their septic service work in North Dakota. Read the story here:
http://www.gomcmag.com/editorial/2011/12/been_there_done_that
And now the Vachals are making headlines in the Bismarck Tribune for a plan to solve the problem of treating an estimated 500,000 gallons of waste produced daily by thousands of workers on oilrigs across the state. Read the story here:
The Vachals’ initial plan, which has received local zoning approval, would include building a lagoon with a 10-million-gallon capacity in Mountrail County. They then hope to expand further into oil country with three more lagoons. They say the lagoons are needed as municipal treatment facilities can’t handle growing wastewater flow.
If you have a comment, question or suggestion for a future blog post, please let me know by email at editor@gomcmag.com.
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Click on our Contractor Profile about Target Logistics right here
http://www.gomcmag.com/editorial/2012/01/home_on_the_range
Rather than the old term, “man camps,’’ Target CEO Brian Lash likes to call his company’s housing and food service “lodges,’’ and he explains why in the story. He believes a cozy place to sleep and recreate and high-quality meals around the clock translate into happy, productive workers. Read on to see how the Target staff meets those goals.
If you have a comment, question or suggestion for a future blog post, please let me know by email at editor@gomcmag.com.
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Here’s wishing you and your crews a relaxing and meaningful holiday season! We’ll be talking to you again in 2012.
If you have a comment, question or suggestion for a future blog post, please let me know by email at editor@gomcmag.com.
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One thing has become abundantly clear to me when reaching out to support services contractors in the gas, oil and mining sectors. You’re all extremely busy serving the needs of your customers. The growth and technological advances in these industries has been breathtaking and exciting. I can say with confidence that these sectors have enjoyed more dynamic change over the past year than just about any other.
I know you all have a full plate right now, and the stakes to providing quality and prompt service for your customers have never been higher. So I truly value when you take a moment from your busy day to respond to something you see in GOMC. Your concern about industry issues, contracting best practices or anything else discussed in the magazine shows a desire for greater professionalism. You want GOM contractors to be perceived as always advancing and keeping the best interests of your customers in mind.
If you haven’t already, please take a moment to look at my December column here: http://www.gomcmag.com/editorial/2011/12/youre_no._1. If you have any reaction, or want to suggest a story for 2012, please let me know by email at editor@gomcmag.com.
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