Incorporating Digital Solutions to Foster Greater Remote Engagement with Personnel

Abstract

Like most business sectors, the oil and gas industry had to adapt to virtual meetings and working from home in the new reality of the global COVID-19 pandemic. This has introduced new complications to completing activities that traditionally require personnel to be on site and collaborate in teams. This paper reviews digital initiatives that allow workers to collaborate virtually on EHS (Environmental, Health, & Safety)-driven practices such as safety audits and engage remotely for improved morale. Specifically, the paper reviews the recent implementation of digital connectivity solutions for remote workers to join virtual ‘Safety Walk and Talks’ in processing facilities and offshore platforms. It also reviews programs to promote connectivity between workers, including virtual town halls and online coffee-hours conversations. While these digitally enabled remote engagement initiatives are still relatively new, they have quickly provided benefits to the safe operation of offshore assets and the morale and mental wellbeing of the workforce. The first virtual ‘Safety Walk and Talk,’ which was conducted in Indonesia, brought together a cross-functional team that was split between a few in-person attendees and a majority of people joining virtually from remote locations. While the digital connection was not seamless, this first-of-its-kind virtual meeting proved the concept. The process improves EHS metrics by minimizing travel of teams to and from the site. It also keeps more people out of potentially hazardous work environments and minimizes exposure to coronavirus or other health hazards. Other digital connectivity measures such as virtual town halls and worker-submitted videos have increased engagement between management, workers, and teams located around the globe. A virtual ‘Coffee Roulette’ program, in which workers spin a virtual wheel that connects them with other employees for informal chats, has allowed people to make new connections and feel less isolated.