Integrating HSE With Personal Life
Authors: Kha Murad Ali 
Published: December 2007

Introduction

Despite all HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) arrangements (e.g. best engineered facilities, systems/procedures, Training, PPE etc) it's a challenge for companies to ensure accident free workplace in which individuals do not commit ‘at risk behavior’. This challenge becomes a monster should any E&P company is engaged in a developing country where HSE culture and awareness have not achieved a maturity level.

This paper shares the experience and results that Eni had by adopting a sort of behavior regulating model in a developing country (Pakistan). The philosophy behind the evolution of this model was that humans are motivated to or refrained from something should they have the awareness of the ‘Reward’ (that they could get) or ‘Fear’ of consequences (that they could encounter). This model was developed taking into consideration the local culture, traditions and general human sentiments/emotions.

Implementation of this model achieved substantial reduction in ‘at risk behaviors’ at work sites and hence substantial reduction in accident frequency over a period of 3–4 years.

Country Background

Pakistan is a developing country that is divided administratively into four provinces i.e. Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan and NWFP (North west frontier province). The country's population is dominated by 97% Muslims with a minority of 3% that includes Hindus, Christians and others. The dominant geographical feature on the map of Pakistan is the Indus river that flows from north to south of the country.

Archeological remains have identified that a number of old civilizations (e.g. Moenjodaro, Harappa), belonging way back to thousand years, existed along the bank of Indus river.

The general society in Pakistan comprises of well-knit family system. In this family set up, one individual (mainly father) of the family earns the livelihood and others depend on him. As the earner of the livelihood, he plays a vital role in ensuring family plans are fulfilled and accomplished. The whole family suffers should something happen to this bread and butter earner. There are no social security mechanisms in place from the Government to support families in situation of crisis.

In masses it is generally believed that anything good or bad that happens to anybody is from God. Meaning that should somebody got hurt or killed in an accident even because of his/her silly mistake is termed as act or will of God. This misconception has developed a general mindset, among general masses, of not considering any HSE measure(s) prior to initiating a job. This coupled with bad economical situation in general has engrained in minds of people that Health, Safety and Environmental aspects and measures are leisure items/activities of rich people/countries. For example in general safety shoes, gloves, goggles etc are regarded as luxury not as necessary items for getting the task done safely.

Eni in Pakistan

Eni started its Pakistan operations back in 1987 with the acquisition of one exploration block in south east of the country. Eni started its operations that involved a variety of E&P activities in an environment that had zero awareness of HSE. HSE awareness within the general public was non-existent. ‘At risk behaviors’ were a routine for the workforce whilst doing their routine jobs. Since the workforce did not have any awareness of HSE therefore they were even not bothered to stop some one involved in doing some work in disastrous way that can jeopardize his own as well as others safety. Some of the common ‘at risk behaviors’ at the worksites and generally in the Pakistani society are demonstrated in following pictures. This high incidence of ‘at risk behaviors’ resulted into a variety of incidents and accidents.