OPITO – IMIST
The oil & gas industry operates in some of the most dangerous environments in the world.
Hazards are expected in this setting and must be controlled.
Improvements in technology, workforce involvement, infrastructure care and rig operations have
led to recent reductions in injuries and incidents but, it is recognized, more still needs to be
done. It is believed that improved base line safety training is likely to improve the situation by
ensuring that all personnel have the necessary safety awareness and basic skills training to
recognize and avoid risk.
To address this need, companies in the UK North Sea, along with Step Change in Safety,
agreed to develop an introductory training program that would introduce the key safety
elements required by all employees.
Employers, through the Middle East Africa and Asia Pacific Employers Forums, from oil and gas
regions around the world have asked for an equivalent program to be developed to meet the
global needs of the oil and gas industry. In response to this request, OPITO, in conjunction with
industry representatives, has developed an International Minimum Industry Safety Training
standard suitable for use irrespective of location.
The course can be offered at an OPITO approved training establishment or be employer led
(OPITO approval required).
The OPITO “International Minimum Industry Safety Training” (IMIST) is highly recommended
for all inexperienced employees in the Oil & Gas Industry.
This introductory safety training program is designed to introduce the fundamental safety
elements of the oil & gas industry to new starts, giving an appreciation of the potential hazards
and controls that might be encountered by personnel. Each unit has been designed to focus the
delegates’ attention on their personal responsibility for safety thus influencing their behavior
and attitude towards their co-workers, the oil and gas operations and the environment.
MODULE 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENT
1.1 Major hazards that could occur in oil and gas operations
1.2 Daily hazards associated with living and working in oil and gas operations
MODULE 2 WORKING SAFELY INCLUDING SAFETY OBSERVATION SYSTEMS
2.1 The legislative framework surrounding oil and gas operations
2.2 Significant safety practices that have arisen with common regulations
2.3 The significance of a Safety Case and personal access to the document
2.4 The role of safety committees, safety meetings and safety representatives in oil and gas
operations
2.5 Toolbox Talks – what they include and where and when they should be held
2.6 The function of a Safety Observation System and how to carry out an intervention
2.7 Understanding how personal actions might influence safety
MODULE 3 UNDERSTANDING THE RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS
3.1 The difference between hazard, risk and controls
3.2 The steps of a risk assessment and the use of a risk matrix
3.3 Applying controls to bring the risk down to ALARP
3.4 The need for continuous risk assessment
MODULE 4 TASKS THAT REQUIRE PERMIT TO WORK
4.1 Objectives of a PTW system and how permits are generated
4.2 Using a PTW and how to re-instate the permits after breaks
4.3 Personal responsibility in the PTW system
MODULE 5 PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IN MAINTAINING ASSET INTEGRITY
5.1 The concept of asset integrity
5.2 Why some items and systems are safety critical
5.3 Employer responsibility for asset integrity
5.4 Personal responsibilities for asset integrity
Continued.
OPITO Approved Standard
International Minimum Industry Safety Training (IMIST) Standard
© OPITO
Revision 0 (Nov 2010) Amendment 4 (Jan 2013) Page 8 of 33
MODULE 6 USING MANUAL HANDLING TECHNIQUES EVERY DAY
6.1 The source of manual handling hazards in oil and gas operations and the types of
injuries that might be sustained
6.2 Factors contributing to manual handling incidents
6.3 The importance of ergonomic design and the best methods for manually lifting objects
6.4 Team operations and communication methods
6.5 How mechanical aids reduce manual handling incidents
MODULE 7 CONTROLLING THE USE OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
7.1 Regulations and guidelines dealing with chemical hazards in oil and gas operations
7.2 The sources of chemical hazards in oil and gas operations
7.3 How personnel come into contact with hazardous substances
7.4 Sensitization and the difficulties of monitoring its effect
7.5 Hazard symbols and common examples in oil and gas operations
7.6 Employers’ duties under regulations for hazardous substances
7.7 Employees’ duties with regulations for hazardous substances
7.8 Reading labels on chemicals and using MSDS
7.9 Monitoring workers’ exposure
7.10 PPE specific to chemical applications
MODULE 8 KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES OF WORKING AT HEIGHT
8.1 What is meant by working at height and factors to consider before commencing work
8.2 WAH hazards and how they can be controlled
8.3 Basic use of ladders, scaffolding and MEWPS
8.4 Signing for and being responsible for tools aloft
MODULE 9 BEING AWARE OF MECHANICAL LIFTING ACTIVITIES
9.1 The magnitude of objects to be lifted in oil and gas operations and why lifting hazards
need to be controlled
9.2 Roles of the Competent Lifting person, the Banksman, Slinger and Rigger
9.3 Personal responsibility such as obeying area restrictions and keeping clear of lifting
operations
Persons successfully completing the nine introductory training modules will be issued with an
OPITO endorsed certificate for the Oil & Gas Industry International Minimum Industry
Safety Training (IMIST) Program.
Certification is valid for 4 Years. It takes around 3-4 hours to complete.
