Fundamentals of Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) in Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, and Power Plant Industries

 

Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) is a fundamental pillar in high-risk industries such as oil & gas, petrochemical, and power generation.

1. Background and Importance of SHE

Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) is a fundamental pillar in high-risk industries such as oil & gas, petrochemical, and power generation. These sectors involve hazardous materials, high-pressure systems, and flammable processes that demand rigorous control and responsibility. SHE ensures the protection of people, assets, and the environment — contributing to long-term operational sustainability.

2. Common Causes of Incidents and Health Hazards

  • Human error – lack of training, misjudgment, or fatigue.
  • Mechanical failure – equipment malfunction, corrosion, or overpressure.
  • Unsafe procedures – neglecting SOPs or taking risky shortcuts.
  • Weak safety culture – lack of leadership engagement and accountability.
  • Poor emergency preparedness – untested plans, lack of response drills.

3. Regulatory Frameworks: Local & International

Indonesia Regulations:

  • UU No. 1 Tahun 1970 – Occupational Safety Act
  • PP No. 50 Tahun 2012 – SMK3 (OSH Management System)
  • Permen ESDM No. 38/2017 – Safety Management for Oil & Gas

International Standards:

  • ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety Management
  • ISO 14001 – Environmental Management System
  • OSHA Standards (USA)
  • API RP 75 – Safety and Environmental Management Systems
  • IEC 61511 – Functional Safety for Process Industry

4. Notable Industrial Accidents & Lessons Learned

Piper Alpha (1988): Offshore platform explosion due to miscommunication during shift change. Lesson: Always verify PTW and isolation systems before restarting operations.

Texas City Refinery (2005): Overfilled distillation tower caused vapor cloud explosion. Lesson: Maintain instrumentation and conduct regular safety audits.

Fukushima (2011): Nuclear plant meltdown after tsunami impact. Lesson: Plan for natural disasters and worst-case scenario modeling.

5. Key SHE Systems and Practices

  • Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment (HIRA)
  • Permit to Work (PTW) – hot work, confined space, electrical isolation, etc.
  • Emergency Response Plan (ERP) and regular drills
  • PPE Compliance – gloves, helmets, fire-resistant clothing, etc.
  • Monitoring – air quality, noise, chemical exposure levels

6. Developing a Strong SHE Culture

  • Management commitment must be visible and consistent
  • Encourage “Stop Work Authority” for all personnel
  • Reward safety compliance and hazard reporting
  • Conduct safety leadership training
  • Promote safety awareness campaigns

7. How Individuals Can Contribute

  • Be alert and aware of hazards around your work area
  • Never bypass safety systems or ignore alarms
  • Report unsafe acts or near-misses
  • Encourage others to follow safety procedures
  • Participate actively in toolbox talks and training

8. Conclusion

Safety, Health, and Environment is a shared responsibility that goes beyond mere compliance. By applying best practices, learning from past failures, and cultivating a safety-first mindset, we can protect lives, reduce operational risks, and ensure environmental stewardship.

“No Job is so Urgent that it Cannot be Done Safely.”

📎 SHE Supporting Materials and Tools

To help readers better understand and implement SHE practices, the following resources are provided:

✅ General SHE Checklist

  • ✔️ Site-specific risk assessment completed?
  • ✔️ Permit to Work (PTW) issued and valid?
  • ✔️ All personnel trained for the task?
  • ✔️ Emergency evacuation route posted?
  • ✔️ First Aid Kit available and accessible?
  • ✔️ Fire extinguishers inspected and functional?
  • ✔️ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worn by all workers?
  • ✔️ Toolbox talk conducted before starting the job?
  • ✔️ Chemicals and hazardous substances labeled and stored properly?
  • ✔️ Housekeeping standards maintained at work area?

📋 HIRA Template (Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment)

NoActivityHazardImpactRisk LevelControl MeasuresResponsible
1WeldingFire, SparksBurn injury, fire spreadHighPPE, Fire Blanket, Fire WatchSupervisor
2Crane LiftingLoad FallingInjury, FatalityHighInspection, Exclusion ZoneLifting Team

🛑 Permit to Work (PTW) Template

Permit Number______________
Type of WorkHot Work / Confined Space / Electrical / Lifting
Location______________
Work Description______________
Start Date/Time______________
End Date/Time______________
Issued By______________
Accepted By (Supervisor)______________
Precautions TakenFire watch, barricade, gas test, etc.
AuthorizationSignature & Date

🚨 Emergency Response Plan (ERP)

  • Emergency Type: Fire / Explosion / Chemical Spill / Electrical Shock
  • Alarm Type: Siren / Bell / Verbal Alert
  • Assembly Point: North Gate Assembly Area
  • Emergency Contact: Site Safety Officer – +62 812 xxx xxx
  • Evacuation Route: Posted on notice boards and at every exit
  • First Responder Roles: Fire team, first aiders, security
  • Drill Frequency: Monthly fire drill and annual full-scale simulation

📊 SHE System Infographic

This infographic summarizes the major components of a standard SHE management system.

This infographic summarizes the major components of a standard SHE management system.

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