QHSSE
What is QHSSE?
The five components of a responsible corporate management approach to QHSSE based on the belief that all accidents are preventable with training and engaged leadership.
- Quality – Provide services of the highest caliber by meeting customer expectations and delivering value.
- Health – Provide a sustainable workplace and work practices, delivering world-class performance and care.
- Safety – Provide a threat-free work environment for employees.
- Security – Manage potential threats to operations, reputation and assets.
- Environment – Prevent pollution and reduce waste.
Why is QHSSE Imperative in the E&P Industry?
People’s lives and livelihood; fragile environments with interdependent ecosystems; communities of every shape and size; reputational risks; expensive equipment; shareholder value – each of these are impacted by the E&P industry every single day. As a culture, everyone recognizes that “safety second” is not politically correct, yet some organizations prioritize profits above all else. While those companies do not express this sentiment in advertising or policies, their actions, planning and how they conduct business suggest otherwise.
Safety, sometimes as an afterthought, could mean a corner cut here and a dollar saved there. The use of first-aid trained crew members exclusively as a substitute for on-board licensed medical professionals is one example. The practice of recruiting independent contractors to fully staff a project versus employing a dedicated, cohesive team of full-time employees is another example. A “safety second” mindset can have a lot of faces, but it is rarely out front.
E&P ranks among the most hazardous of business sectors with the potential for a major accident ever-present. Serving the oil and gas industry with operations around the globe, most projects are incredibly complicated and inherently dangerous. Without strict protocols in place, the likelihood of risk to health and the environment grows exponentially. Thus, among the five QHSSE elements, safety is decidedly paramount to the industry and upon which the other components must rely.
Image courtesy Alexey Shmatkov.
Why is QHSSE Important to NCS SubSea?
Quality, Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (QHSSE) management is fundamental to the culture and operations at NCS SubSea (NCS). QHSSE is not merely an add-on or afterthought, but the very foundation upon which our company was built – it is our way of life. At NCS SubSea, priorities change, but preconditions do not. Failure and loss are unacceptable impediments to a strong work culture and healthy individuals. There is nothing we do worth injuring anyone or anything. There is no project worth harming the environment. There is no operation worth damaging our assets or those of our clients.
Offshore team preparing ultrahigh resolution streamer for deployment.
Which Key QHSSE Statistics Do We Track?
We evaluate our success as an organization by establishing and tracking QHSSE statistics from personal injuries to environmental incidents and beyond. We also monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) including task-risk assessment, procedural reviews, shift-change briefs and toolbox talks.
| QHSSE CATEGORIES | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | *2020 |
| Manhours/Exposure | 65,104 | 61,440 | 74,183 | 73,254 | 78,554 | 79,994 | 174,657 | 27,906 |
| First Aid Cases | 6 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Environmental Incidents | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Hi-Potential Near Misses | 8 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 0 |
| Equipment/Property Damage | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Restricted Work/Transfer Cases | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lost Time Work Cases | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total Recordable Injury/Illness Cases | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fatalities | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What is Our Goal Zero Pledge?
No Harm to People, No Harm to the Environment, No Harm to Assets.
Goal Zero is not merely a goal at NCS; it is our pledge. We take our commitment to the environment and the communities in which we operate seriously. When an organization couples this culture with effective communications, they have success.
NCS SubSea is committed to providing a workplace that is both safe and healthy for personnel while minimizing any adverse impact of our operations on the environment. The fundamentals in terms of achieving Goal Zero shall be achieved by all personnel adhering to the following initiatives:
- Exercising their Stop Work Authority to interrupt unsafe acts or unsafe conditions
- Reporting injuries, incidents, illness, and property damage of any nature
- Establishing appropriate safeguards and controls against all identified risks to its personnel, property and the environment
- Continuously improving all aspects of our operations to promote greater effectiveness, communication, and reduction in loss
- Ensuring compliance with mandatory rules and regulations, and to gain additional knowledge recommended by industry organizations
What is Corporate Social Responsibility?
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a self-regulating business model that helps a company be socially accountable — to itself, its stakeholders, and the public. By practicing corporate social responsibility, also called corporate citizenship, companies can be conscious of the kind of impact they are having on all aspects of society including economic, social and the environmental. To engage in CSR means that, in the normal course of business, a company is operating in ways that enhance society and the environment, instead of contributing negatively to them.
What is Our CSR?
As a member of the OYO Group of Companies, NCS SubSea (NCS) is committed to sustainable social development. Our mission is to achieve sustainable social development through the application of science and technology that reduces risks and identifies opportunities for maintaining and developing the social framework in which our business activities occur. In all business activities, we strive to be good stewards to the natural and cultural environments in which we operate, while simultaneously developing techniques and methodologies that allow us to safely and responsibly develop the natural resources that power our global society. At NCS, all operations ensure that local and national sustainable development strategies address legal, ethical, commercial and social expectations to ensure fair decision making at all times. Specifically, all operations diligently strive to:
- Reduce our carbon footprint – We will invest in the latest technologies, processes and equipment to reduce our daily carbon footprint.
- Improve labor policies and embrace fair trade – All operations will pay a fair wage for work performed by personnel, both nationally and internationally. At no time will child, slave or indentured labor be used, regardless of local customs or laws. We will conduct business fairly and honestly with the highest levels of integrity at all times.
- Integrate environmental considerations with all corporate policies – We are stewards of this earth, and as all stewards, we will treat it with respect and honor. At all levels, our corporate policies and operational documents will consider the environmental impact and strive to reduce that impact.
As a US-based company, NCS SubSea will apply the protections provided in the Bill of Rights and the US Constitution to all operations, regardless of location. Additionally, NCS recognizes the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights General Assembly Resolution 217 A to supplement areas not specifically addressed in US Law.
What Lifesaving Rules Do We Follow Without Exception?
Permit
Work with a valid work permit when required.
Safety
Obtain authorization before overriding or disabling safety critical equipment.
Drinking
No alcohol or drugs while working or driving.
Gas
Conduct gas tests when required.
Fall
Protect yourself against a fall when working at height.
Driving
While driving, do not use your phone and do not exceed speed limits.
Protection
Verify isolation before work begins and use the specified life protecting equipment.
Load
Do not walk under a suspended load.
Seat Belt
Wear your seat belt.
Space
Obtain authorization before entering a confined space.
Smoking
Do not smoke outside designated smoking areas.
Journey
Follow prescribed journey management plan.