Can anyone offer me some advice on breaking into the Oil & Gas Industry (safety Role). It seems like the proverbial chicken before the egg scenario, where you have to have experience of 5 years plus before there is any likleyhood of being accepted? I have previously operated in dangerous environments Very high pressure hydraulics, pneumatics, Nuclear power and many others so am fully aware of hazards likely to be encountered. Even signed up for the Nebosh Oil & Gas certificate.

Good morning The oil business is classed as a 'High Risk' occupation, and rightly so. This is especially true to offshore operations, where if things go wrong you can't simply run away! More and more operating companies are now insisting that Safety Officers/Advisors hold worldwide recognised safety qualifications, so a NEBOSH would not be a bad thing to have in your back pocket. For some reason many Safety Officers in O&G, especially those operating internationally, do not invest in themselves and have the attitude "I've been a safety hand offshore for X number of years without any qualifications, why should I bother now". For some unknown reason many of the guys with this attitude are ex Crane Operators who have suffered heart attacks? My answer to these guys is - If you ever have to go to an inquest or court due to an incident and you are asked what formal qualifications you hold and you say "None" there will be raised eyebrows all round, especially from the Judge and Jury! I would look at the NGC and the Fire Safety & Risk Management NEBOSH courses. The oil industry is going through a mini boom at present, so you may be lucky enough to get your foot in the door.