When an emergency arises, such as a fire, gas leak, or equipment failure, the ability to account for all workers quickly and accurately is critical to preventing injuries and fatalities. Traditional mustering procedures, which rely on manual checks and headcounts, have often proved inefficient, especially in the face of urgent situations.
However, with the rise of connected worker technology, real-time mustering is revolutionizing how the oil and gas sector ensures the safety of its workforce. This blog explores the role of real-time mustering, powered by innovative connected solutions, and its growing importance in improving emergency response times, compliance, and overall worker safety.
What is Real-Time Mustering?
Mustering is the process of accounting for all workers during an emergency evacuation. It typically involves gathering workers in a designated area, or muster point, and checking that everyone is present. In traditional systems, this can involve using paper logs, manual headcounts, and communication via radio or phone. However, this process can be slow, error-prone, and inefficient, especially in large, hazardous, or remote oil and gas sites.
Real-time mustering, on the other hand, leverages connected worker technologies, such as wearables, IoT-enabled badges, and GPS tracking, to instantly track the location of every worker, ensuring an accurate and immediate headcount. This technology enables supervisors to verify which workers are at muster points, who may still be in dangerous zones, and whether all employees are accounted for, all in real time.
Key Benefits of Real-Time Mustering
1. Improved Worker Safety and Faster Response Times
In emergencies, every second counts. Real-time mustering enables faster headcounts, ensuring that the safety of workers is prioritized. Traditional systems, often relying on human judgment and manual logging, can take several minutes or even longer, putting workers at risk. Real-time tracking, however, can instantly show who is safe and who might still be in a hazardous area.
Case Study:
One example of real-time mustering improving emergency response comes from a major oil and gas company that implemented connected worker technology across its offshore platforms. In an emergency evacuation drill, the company reported a 30% improvement in evacuation time, with all workers accounted for within minutes of the alarm sounding. The system used RFID-enabled badges that automatically checked workers into designated muster points, reducing the risk of missing anyone during the evacuation.
2. Enhanced Compliance with Safety Standards
Regulatory bodies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE)regulations require companies in high-risk industries to maintain strict safety standards, including ensuring all workers are accounted for during emergencies.
With real-time mustering, oil and gas companies can automatically track compliance with these safety standards, eliminating the need for manual documentation and audits. Digital records are automatically created, making it easier to demonstrate compliance during safety inspections or audits.
Research Insight:
According to a Deloitte report, oil and gas companies using connected worker technologies like real-time mustering are 25% more likely to meet compliance standards during safety audits compared to those using traditional manual methods.
3. Reduction in Human Error
Human error is a major cause of incidents in the oil and gas industry. Real-time mustering, through automation, significantly reduces the chances of mistakes during emergency evacuations. By ensuring that the worker’s location and status are automatically updated, companies can eliminate inaccuracies that arise from manual checks, which are often caused by stress or miscommunication in emergencies.
Example:
A global energy company implemented real-time mustering on its onshore and offshore rigs. They found a 40% reduction in incidents related to human error during evacuations. The workers’ badges communicated their exact locations to the central system, so no worker was left behind or missed during a headcount.
4. Better Communication in Remote Locations
Oil and gas operations are often located in remote areas, where traditional communication methods like phones and radios may not be reliable. Real-time mustering overcomes these communication barriers by using connected devices that automatically sync with central systems, allowing for seamless communication between teams, even in areas with limited connectivity.
Case Study:
On a remote oil rig in the North Sea, a real-time mustering system allowed emergency response teams to stay in contact with personnel who were spread out across the site. Using the system, the mustering process was streamlined, and workers were directed to safety areas via automated alerts. This resulted in a 50% faster evacuation process compared to previous emergency drills.
5. Better Resource Allocation and Data-Driven Insights
Real-time mustering systems also provide valuable data that can help companies improve their safety protocols and allocate resources more effectively. By collecting information on evacuation times, worker locations, and response efforts, companies can analyze trends and identify areas for improvement in their emergency response strategies.
Real-time Mustering is the future
In the oil and gas industry, worker safety cannot be compromised. Real-time mustering, enabled by connected worker technologies, is transforming how companies ensure their workforce’s safety during emergencies. The technology provides faster response times, reduces human error, ensures compliance, and helps companies operate more efficiently.
By adopting connected worker solutions, the industry is taking a significant step forward in improving safety protocols and protecting its most valuable asset—its workers.
Boost your site’s safety with real-time mustering! Learn how Tracklynk’s connected worker technologies can help you ensure that no one is left behind. Schedule a demo today!
