Safety leadership and collaboration in the Queensland natural gas exploration and production industry

The industry in Queensland operates within a common geographical area and uses similar technologies with common hazards and risks. In terms of safety companies must be seen as one industry and not separate entities. As a result, collaboration on safety is a natural outcome, and in 2014 this led to the creation of the Queensland Natural Gas Exploration & Production Industry Safety Forum (known as Safer Together), an inclusive member-led organisation of a range of operating and contract partner companies. Initial emphasis was on the set-up/organisation and getting early engagement. With more than 80 companies signed up as members in the first 12 months, Safer Together made a strong start. The emphasis has now switched to delivery, and with all member companies feeling the strain of the industry downturn, working together has never been so crucial to ensure that safety is never compromised. This extended abstract presents a case study of what Safer Together is learning about the fundamental prerequisites required to ensure long-term sustainability and the success of the forum. Challenges discussed include: maintaining and increasing membership in tough times; ensuring senior leaders continue to be actively engaged, regardless of other business pressures; ensuring simple solutions don’t become too difficult to implement when rolled out to many different companies; avoiding initiative overload; and, demonstrating tangible value to member companies. This is not an easy journey, and more challenges lie ahead. But the enormous safety benefits make it the right thing to do as an industry.