Here’s How EHS Software Is Used at Oil and Gas Refineries

As energy demand continues to grow, and productivity grows too, managing the health and safety of workers in oil and gas refineries becomes even more crucial. 

All oil and gas refinery companies must make safety their priority, even as rising demand, technological innovation, increased complexity, and the extreme working conditions of the industry combine to create ever-increasing challenges.

Of course, innovation also helps companies meet those challenges, in the form of ever-improving (and web-based) oil and gas EHS software systems for managing the health and safety of workers. Oil and gas refinery-specific custom software helps EHS professionals in this industry in all sorts of ways—here are a few of them.

1. Increases Data Quality

One of the most common complaints of EHS managers in the oil and gas refinery industry is that data is of poor quality. Without access to quality data, managers can’t make their best decisions about safety and risk strategy, equipment resources, which projects to develop, which teams to use, when to reserve rigs, and how to prioritize projects per all the above. That can lead to increased operational risk.

EHS software helps by:

• keeping documents updated
• synchronizing data with mobile devices
• systematically checking data quality
• integrating cross-facility and inter-company data systems
• providing consistent data

2. Helps Managers React to Catastrophic Events

When an incident occurs, managers need fast access to data so they can react quickly to events. EHS Incident Management software provides what they need to know quickly and in easy-to-manage formats that help managers do their jobs and respond strategically to incidents.

3. Helps Prevent Non-Compliance

With increased productivity, more demand, new areas of exploration, crude inspection, petroleum testing, and a more complex environment, refinery workers face increased risk at every turn. Thus, regulations are increasing every year. Requirements are more stringent than ever, and no company can risk non-compliance both for their workers’ sake and for the sake of their bottom line.

The right EHS software automates many compliance-related activities that facilitate safety and compliance:

• audits and inspections
• reporting
• risk management applications for worker safety
• customized support, (e.g. for measuring leaks)

Conclusion

The capabilities of software for EHS professionals working in the gas and oil industry goes beyond the three important functions listed here. Customizations and applications cover everything from asset management to data protection as well as identity protection, collaboration, and governance throughout a company. Innovations in information technology have changed the scene for EHS professionals in this field, and we’ve only begun to see the impact that software can have on the lives of workers, managers, and the environment.

For advice on finding the best EHS software for your oil and gas operations, read What to Look for in Oil and Gas EHS Software.