Unprecented Uptake for Petrotechnics OPITO Approved Control of Work Training Since Launch

ABERDEEN, Scotland, July 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Petrotechnics, the global leader in transforming frontline performance and improving operational risk, has experienced an unprecedented uptake in its OPITO approved Control of Work (CoW) for Performing Authorities training since its launch in late 2012.

The course, which launched in October last year has already trained more than 500 people. The programme was developed after strong demand from both the ISSOW (Integrated Safe Systems of Work) User Group and STEP Change in Safety, and Petrotechnics predicts a total of 700 personnel will be put through the training by June this year.

Petrotechnics' product support manager, John Broomfield, said: "The success of this course is for the most part due to the dedication of the Petrotechnics training personnel who have helped make a difference in the Oil and Gas industry. The combination of 10 years experience in providing CoW solutions and demand from the market has enabled us to craft an unparalleled training course where Performing Authorities can take the knowledge gained to the workplace allowing them to perform much more confidently and efficiently in hazardous environments. The continued support of OPITO in this venture aids its success."

The course aims to provide a richer and enduring learning experience for the participants. Delivered in four modules, the training covers; an introduction to control of work, task risk assessment, controlling work activities, handover work suspension and completion and concludes with a final assessment.

As the first organisation to adopt the training course, a major North Sea Operator have put more than 450 people through the course receiving positive feedback from those who undertook the course.

Broomfield added: "The course is aimed specifically at Performing Authorities to provide them with the skills required to carry out their roles safely. The initial and projected numbers for those undertaking the CoW for Performing Authorities course are a strong indicator of the continued need for a course like this and we look forward to providing the training to more operators."

As a result of the success with the operator, Petrotechnics is now providing training to other North Sea operators over the coming months, as it looks to meet demand from the industry for Control of Work training.

Petrotechnics can deliver the course at any mutually agreed premises anywhere in the world providing flexibility that is seen by operators as a real asset when undertaking the training.

Petrotechnics has been an active participant of the Oil and Gas Industry ISSOW User Group since it was formed in 2007. The group was originally established under the auspices of STEP Change in Safety and is now managed by UKCS upstream oil and gas operators.

Notes to editors

Petrotechnics' Operational Performance & Predictive Risk solutions can enable organisations to intelligently embed, automate and manage its frontline work processes while giving them the means to measure and extract meaningful insight and operational intelligence, providing organisations with confidence that they have the ability to deliver on targets while removing uncertainty around this key area of operational risk.

Over the last 12 years, Petrotechnics has pioneered, proven and successfully helped organisations in hazardous industries increase operational efficiency and improve safety in the riskiest part of their operations. More than 40,000 people at 350 sites in 22 countries in hazardous industries currently use Petrotechnics solutions on a 24x7 basis. Petrotechnics has its headquarters in Aberdeen, UK and offices in Houston, USA, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Russia to support its operations and global customer base.

Media contact

Fifth Ring Integrated Corporate Communications
Hannah Blewett +44-1224-626288
hannah@fifthring.com