French energy giant Total has been issued with a safety notice after it “failed” to adequately assess the safety risks around changing offshore rotas.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued the notice following an inspection of the Shetland gas plant, where workers are being moved from a two weeks on, three weeks off rota (2:3) to a 3:3, 3:4 pattern.
It states that Total failed to sufficiently assess the “fatigue risk” arising from the change for workers carrying out tasks to control major accident hazards.
Total has been contacted for comment.
The notice was issued in February, with Total being given until the 30th of August to comply.
Last month, Aker Solutions workers at the plant went on strike in opposition to the “hated” rota, which has repeatedly been a cause of tension for oil and gas operators.
A study last year produced by RGU stated workers on 3/3 schedules were nearly twice as likely to experience ill health as those on 2/2.
Last month’s strikes were later called off when the majority of members accepted new contracts.
That followed similar action for Total workers at the plant who voted to strike at the plant amid changes to rotas which were averted thanks to an increase in pay.
More follows.
