Warning over North Sea safety standards

The improvement in safety on North Sea platforms has been welcomed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), but it has warned against complacency.

Official figures for 2011-12 showed a reduction in hazardous leaks of oil and gas, while the number of serious injuries and fatalities fell from 152 to 131, even though the latest figures included two fatalities.

Head of the HSE's Offshore Safety Division Steve Walker welcomed the news, but added:  "Although those in 2011-12 are the first ones to be recorded in our statistics since 2007, they are a tragic reminder that this is a high risk industry and safety must remain a priority."

Providing PPE equipment like safety helmets is one of the tasks those in charge of safety can ensure to uphold safety standards.

There may be a sudden demand for PPE items for use in the oil industry in Ireland after Providence Resources discovered a large well off the south-eastern coast at Barryhoe.

According to the firm, this find may consist of as much as 1.6 billion barrels.

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