The Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority has issued safety orders to oil and gas giant Equinor over two incidents in the North Sea relating to potential asbestos exposure by staff.
During work in May of 2020, the first likely exposure incident occurred during work to replace brake bands on anchor winches at the Velsefrikk field, west of Norway. The exposure is expected to be due to the brake bands containing asbestos.
No personal protective equipment was worn by the workers involved, and the task of replacing bands by cutting them is expected to be the source of the exposure.
It was not reported to the PSA at the time, and was instead noted when an audit was conducted throughout October and November of last year.
In January of this year, the second exposure occurred at the Gullfaks field, when staff were working to remove exhaust channels for an emergency generator.
Work was stopped when concerns were expressed about the potential presence of asbestos, which was later confirmed in the insulation. Personnel involved were likely exposed to asbestos and there were no respirators worn at the time.
In the PSA review, it was found that in both cases, Equinor had failed to adequately protect its workers from the health and safety risks of asbestos health hazards. No health and safety assessments were conducted at the time, and workers were at risk of “acute and long-term effects” from asbestos exposure.
Equinor is due to respond by mid-June with an action plan.
Asbestos has long been used in the oil and gas industries due to its fire retardant qualities and has historically been used in “insulation, fire-proof clothing, and drilling mud.” It is prohibited by most countries, and Norway banned its use in 1980.