Publication: A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF OCCUPATIONAL HELTH, MEDICAL AND SECURITY MEASURES IN OFFSHORE PLATFORM AND VESSEL OPERATIONS
Date
2026
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IMU University
Abstract
The offshore oil and gas industry remains one of the most complex, hazardous, and strategically significant sectors of the global economy, with operations conducted both on fixed platforms and on offshore vessels such as tankers, floating production storage and offloading units (FPSOs), and support vessels. While both environments share the overarching goal of ensuring safe and efficient energy production, they differ substantially in terms of occupational health risks, medical readiness, and security challenges. This report presents a comparative evaluation of occupational health, medical, and security measures implemented in offshore platforms and vessel operations, emphasizing their effectiveness, limitations, and adaptability in mitigating workplace hazards and safeguarding personnel. The study adopts a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on occupational health and safety (OHS) frameworks, maritime medical standards, and international security risk assessment protocols. A semi- structured interview was conducted with the participant to obtain in-depth insights while allowing flexibility for emergent themes. This method facilitated the collection of rich qualitative data by combining guided questions with open-ended exploration. The report evaluates vessel-specific risks such as dynamic marine conditions, piracy, and prolonged isolation against platform-based hazards, including confined spaces, high-pressure systems, and process-related incidents. The findings revealed that offshore vessels often face higher incidence of acute injuries and security threats due to mobility, navigational risks, and exposure to external aggressors, whereas fixed platforms are more prone to process-related accidents and chronic occupational illnesses linked to long-term exposure to industrial environments. Medical preparedness also differs platforms typically benefit from more stable infrastructure and onsite medical facilities, while vessels rely heavily on telemedicine, limited onboard medical staff, and rapid evacuation protocols, which are frequently constrained by weather and distance to shore. Security assessments further highlight the vulnerabilities of vessels to piracy and armed robbery, requiring layered defensive strategies beyond conventional OHS measures. This report argued that while both platforms and vessels have established frameworks for health, medical, and security management, significant gaps remain in the integration of these systems, particularly in dynamic vessel operations.
Description
Keywords
Occupational Health, Occupational Medicine, Telemedicine, Ships, Petroleum, Safety Management, Risk Assessment