Resolution from Biennial Offshore and energy industrial organising conference about extended tours and fatigue

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/189/24

24th July 2024

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague

 

RESOLUTION CARRIED BY THE BIENNIAL OFFSHORE AND ENERGY INDUSTRIAL ORGANISING CONFERENCE 2024

 

EXTENDED TOURS AND FATIGUE

 

Your Biennial Offshore and Energy Industrial Organising Conference 2024 submitted the following resolution:

 

We call upon Conference to support our call. 

 

During the last oil and gas downturn, operators across the UKCS chose to extend offshore tours to 21 days (12-hour shifts, 3 weeks continuous). Operators justified this as an efficiency saving during difficult economic circumstances. 

 

This was done without any consideration of the health and safety impacts on workers. Additionally, cabin sharing increased and an extra bed was added on many installations (creating 2+1 conditions) again without any consideration of the impact on workers. 

 

Today, energy prices have rallied, and operators have enjoyed record profits. However, trade union members still work for longer and have limited privacy or quality of rest. 

 

This BGM calls on our National Executive Committee to; instruct our General Secretary to seek the support of our sister Trade Unions across the sector in demanding the Health and Safety Executive conduct an extensive assessment of the health effects of long hours and poor accommodation standards on workers.

 

            In connection with this, at its meeting on 23^rd July 2024, your National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from its Health and Safety sub-committee from when they met to consider the matter:

 

We note the decision of our Biennial Offshore and Energy Industrial Organising Conference.

 

The General Secretary is instructed to act in line with the resolution and conduct an analysis and survey of appropriate members, taking into account any previous relevant surveys undertaken, prior to approaching other relevant unions for support.

 

Relevant Branches and Regional Councils to be notified.

 

            I am acting in line with these instructions. Please bring this circular to the attention of all relevant members.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary