Building a Zero-Incident Safety Culture in Oil & Gas

Every major incident in the oil and gas sector begins with a missed signal—a neglected checklist, a warning ignored, a rushed procedure. The price? Lives, millions in asset damage, and irreversible reputational harm. But there’s an alternative: a zero-incident safety culture that’s proactive, not reactive. With the right approach, you can protect both people and profit.

What Is a Zero-Incident Safety Culture?

A zero-incident safety culture is a unified mindset across your organization where every team member—from the boardroom to the rig floor—prioritizes safety as a non-negotiable. It’s not just about ticking compliance boxes. It’s about engraining hazard awareness, accountability, and continuous improvement into the daily rhythm of operations.

Why It Matters: Beyond Compliance

• Protect Lives: Safety is the most direct way to preserve the well-being of your workforce.

• Boost Productivity: Fewer incidents mean less downtime, smoother project execution, and fewer costly investigations.

• Win Contracts: International EPCs and Nigerian NOGICD contracts often hinge on proven HSE performance.

• Drive Culture: Companies with visible safety commitments report stronger morale and better retention rates.

Case Study: How One Nigerian Operator Achieved 18 Months LTI-Free

In 2022, a Lagos-based offshore operator partnered with XOM Services to overhaul its safety program. Despite a turbulent project startup, the client successfully maintained zero lost-time incidents (LTI) across a complex subsea tieback campaign spanning 18 months. How?

• Weekly toolbox meetings became tactical safety huddles

• Near-miss reporting rose by 340%, improving predictive risk controls

• Digital checklists and automated alerts flagged procedures in real time

• Safety KPIs were integrated into procurement and contractor scorecards

The result? ISO 45001 certification was renewed with commendation, and the client won a follow-on contract through an international EPC bidding round.

Five Steps to Build Your Zero-Incident Culture

1. Leadership Ownership: Safety must be modeled by senior leadership—seen, heard, and enforced.

2. Behavior-Based Training: Move beyond compliance manuals to active coaching on job-specific risks.

3. Data-Driven Monitoring: Leverage digital logs, dashboards, and real-time alerts.

4. Reward Reporting: Incentivize hazard identification, near-miss disclosures, and improvement suggestions.

5. Local Engagement: Tailor interventions to local operations and language for better team uptake.

Explore how we embed these approaches through our [Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) Solutions].

Aligning with Global Standards & Nigerian Content

XOM Services aligns all safety programs with:

• ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001

• DPR and NOGICD HSE Guidelines

• International safety expectations across EPC markets including OSHA and IOGP best practices

This dual alignment ensures our clients meet local regulatory demands while remaining competitive on global bids.

Build Smarter. Work Safer. Start Today.

Whether you’re bidding for a NOGICD project or operating across international EPCs, safety isn’t a checkbox—it’s your edge. Let XOM Services guide your transition from reactive safety to risk-led resilience.

Request a tailored HSE audit or explore our [Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) Solutions] to begin your journey.