Organizational factors influencing safety in oil and gas processing industry : focusing on the impacts of cost cutting and culture of safety

Abstract

This article highlights the need of establishing Abdract: a positive safety culture within safety critical industries such as offshore oil and gas sector, as a vital part of their safety management systems. Obsessive cost cutting drives currently happening in the oil and gas industry is recognized as a deterrent to positive safety cultures. If not properly managed within bounds, such cost saving actions may potentially lead to long-lasting negative repercussions. The key role of regulative authorities in this scenario is discussed. In trie context of Sri Lanka, urgent necessity of a robust regulative framework and an able enforcement authority is emphasized, in order to safely utilize any hydrocarbon resources available in the Sri Lankan territorial waters.