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900 Oil and Gas Safety Management
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SMS and Wellsite Analysis

Plan for Wellsite Analysis

When planning for an oil and gas wellsite analysis, be sure to include the following four processes:

  • Comprehensive baseline survey
  • Change analysis
  • Job hazard analyses (JHA)
  • Periodic and daily safety inspections
To measure improvement, you must start with an initial baseline survey.

The Comprehensive Baseline Survey

A comprehensive baseline survey and analysis is a first attempt at understanding:

  • the potential hazards that may exist at a new wellsite, or
  • the hazards that currently exist at a working wellsite.

It establishes initial levels of exposure (baselines) for comparison to future levels uncovered in follow-up surveys and analyses, so that changes can be recognized. Basically, the baseline survey tells the employer what the starting point is.

A comprehensive baseline survey should include a review of previous accidents, injuries, and illnesses; complaints; previous studies; etc. Comprehensive surveys should be performed depending on the business size and nature of the hazards at least every three years by private consultants, insurance company, and/or state-funded programs.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-1. What process is the first step in understanding the potential and actual wellsite hazards?