Oil and Gas UK announce further restrictions to combat coronavirus

Offshore workers performing roustabout duties

OIL and Gas UK has announced that workers who are returning from “category two” countries will no longer be allowed offshore, regardless of whether they’ve shown symptoms of the.

Previously, the ban had only applied to those returning from “category one” countries or had demonstrated symptoms of the virus.

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OGUK has confirmed that they are “not far away” from removing those with confirmed virus sufferers from rigs. However, search and rescue helicopters will only remove a person if their condition is life-threatening.

Jake Molloy, RMT regional organiser, said:

“We’re going to have to get over that bump with helicopter operators. If we do not, we could have a scenario similar to the Diamond Princess cruise liner in Japan. Quarantine on an oil installation is like quarantine on a ship.The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system circulates air. It can quickly create a scenario where everyone is in quarantine. We’ve got to avoid that at all costs and I hope we can find a solution.”

OGUK is also working with HPS to  organise protocols for “lockdown” scenarios for if a coronavirus case is confirmed on a UK oil rig.

Safety and engineering experts are to deliver talks at PIM’s upcoming integrity management event.

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