Worker Safety and Incident Prevention
Harnessing advanced technologies and proactive planning for unmatched workforce safety
Transportation safety and technology
Mechanical lifting
Machinery safety
Emergency response
Transportation safety and technology
We cover the equivalent of 25 trips around the globe each day, utilizing a fleet of over 25,000 vehicles, operated by approximately 26,000 dedicated employees and contractors. Recognizing that land transportation poses significant risks, we consistently adopt industry-leading practices, often surpassing legal requirements. Notably, we installed the first driving improvement monitors (DIM) in the 1970s and mandated seat belts in the 1950s. These proactive measures have resulted in a remarkable reduction in automotive accidents, ensuring our workforce safety with zero fatalities during the past three years.
In 2023, our commitment to safety was acknowledged by Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS), the collaborative global group of traffic safety leaders, that ranked SLB as the second-best performer across the companies in its category.
Continuing our journey to enhance driving controls and practices, we've developed an internal application that serves as a comprehensive platform for safe journey management. From road risk assessment to pretrip authorization, vehicle checks, load securement inspection, driver certification, compliance, fatigue assessment, and trip monitoring to posttrip vehicle condition reporting—our application covers it all. Recently, we've added training, coaching, and awareness content, allowing us to directly engage drivers with videos, posters, and awareness campaigns, overcoming communication bottlenecks. Moreover, we've introduced gamification features to boost engagement and reward correct practices and behaviors.
Our ongoing efforts include enhancing the app with smart-routing capability, assessing road risks based on selected routes and real-time weather and environmental conditions. Additionally, we're integrating a chat feature with the Global Journey Management Center (GJMC), acting as a control tower for all trips.
To further elevate safety, we've deployed integrated AI-powered video telematics solutions globally. This technology detects and warns drivers, providing insights into risky behaviors, fatigue, and distractions, fostering self-coaching and safe habits.
Embracing innovation, we've introduced virtual reality (VR) and driving simulators in our training programs, creating a safe environment for drivers to navigate challenges, such as adverse weather conditions (e.g., snow, black ice) and the often-remote driving environments we operate in, addressing issues like animal collisions and challenging terrains.
Safety remains at the forefront of our journey, and we continue to invest in cutting-edge technologies and training methods to ensure every trip is a safe one.
Mechanical lifting
Lifting operations are a daily occurrence, spanning all divisions, business lines, basins, and geounits. While essential, lifting and moving heavy loads present inherent dangers, carrying the potential for personnel if not meticulously planned and controlled.
Our commitment to secure mechanical lifting operations revolves around the 4 Pillars of Mechanical Lifting. By adhering to these principles, planning meticulously, and executing the plan, we strive to ensure the safety of our lifting operations across SLB. This is supported by a network of subject matter experts and mechanical lifting champions who provide global assistance.
To enhance our mechanical lifting practices, we've deployed various tools worldwide:
- A comprehensive mechanical lifting training catalog
- Training for each mechanical lifting role, ensuring competence throughout the organization
- Collaboration with industry-leading training companies for mobile-crane, work-at-height, load-securing, and dropped-object training
- A dedicated digital lift planning application, accessible to all employees and contractors in nine languages, featuring load-factor calculations, start-work checks, and risk-assessment tools
- Lifting role competency program and assessments, supported by dedicated country and site mechanical lifting champions
- Learning from normal work through best practice templates, case studies, and lift plan reviews
- Learning from high potential (HIPO) and incidents through early incident notifications, alerts, and investigation reviews
Machinery safety
In 2023, SLB introduced a dedicated machinery safety standard and body of organizational knowledge (BOOK), complemented by a digital global machinery register (GMR). This initiative aims to
- decrease the risk or probability of accidents by identifying high-risk machines, facilitating the implementation of additional safety features or enabling a replacement strategy
- prevent recurring incidents by directly sharing recent early incident notifications (EINs) and safe alerts with operators and supervisors, eliminating administrative hurdles and allowing a focused approach on critical tasks
- expedite the retrieval of specific content from the machinery BOOK relevant to a particular machine. This includes inspection checklists, safety requirements, engineering controls, examples of virtual hazard analysis, risk control, and Design for Health, Safety, and Environment (DHSE) projects.
Emergency response
SLB has established a robust emergency response plan (ERP) at each location, ensuring preparedness for various emergency scenarios, from evacuations to hazardous substance releases. Regular drills, recorded in a global online QHSE business system, contribute to ongoing readiness.
The global Business Continuity, Emergency, and Crisis Management Standard, guided by a risk-based approach, incorporates leading initiatives like the Harvard School of Public Health's National Preparedness Leadership and Meta-Leadership programs. This framework facilitated an effective global response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Each SLB site assesses potential emergency situations, implements ERPs, conducts local drills, and follows standardized global flowcharts and checklists. Lessons learned from drills and actual emergencies inform continual improvement efforts.
Crisis management teams (CMTs) and emergency management teams (EMTs), each comprising nine core members from varying SLB business functions, are strategically positioned. Designated centers equipped to support regional CMTs, country EMTs, and site-specific emergency response teams ensure a coordinated response. Technical expertise is consistently available through global operations control centers.
Regular drills, conducted at various levels globally, practice coordination for a range of scenarios. Annual cybersecurity drills complement operational scenarios, enhancing overall preparedness.
SLB employs standardized tools and guidance, including a global online risk-mapping tool, emergency response assessment tools, and a comprehensive global reference manual. An incident response application, linked to a global crisis and emergency management portal, aids in real-time communication and decision making.
Training programs, including CMT and EMT courses, involve senior leaders in practical exercises, translating theoretical knowledge into practical skills. Ongoing support from subject matter experts ensures continuous improvement.
For emergency communications, SLB maintains open channels for the public to report chemical emergencies. Internally, reporting options include the EthicsLine, online QHSE business system, and a mobile reporting application, all emphasizing transparency and accountability.
