Safety is my job

Fiona Barclay works as a Graduate Site Engineer/Process Safety Engineer on BP’s Clair Ridge production and drilling platform west of Shetland.

Fiona, can you describe an average week?

We start the day with a team safety brief, where we discuss safety and what has changed on the plant in the last 12 hours. There is a great safety culture offshore, everyone is empowered to speak up and can stop the job for any reason. As the graduate site engineer I provide engineering support offshore, whether that be plant modifications, optimising our operations or how we complete jobs safely and efficiently.

How important is Process Safety in your work?

Any plant changes must be risk assessed using a suitable method, as part of the Management of Change process e.g, what is the risk associated with decreasing the set point of a nuisance alarm. I also review any process excursions, it’s important to fully understand the root cause, and make sure any lessons learned are communicated and acted on. What achievements in process safety have given you the most satisfaction?

I recently completed a project to improve the safety and efficiency of leak testing offshore in bp’s North Sea region. (This project is described on the SIG website)

Can you outline the skills and experience that are important in your job?
Having an analytical mind and the ability to problem solve is key

In addition being able to communicate with people from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience is vital – whether that’s a technician who’s worked offshore for 30 years or someone offshore for the first time. Having courage to speak up when something isn’t right or to question the norm is also valuable in keeping our people and plant safe.

Fiona Barclay, Graduate Site Engineer/Process Safety Engineer (Image provided by the author)

How does your work contribute to solving society’s grand challenges?

I lead the “Clair Ridge Green Team” which actions ideas that are submitted by the offshore workforce around emission and waste reduction. I also participate in multi-discipline focus sessions to create a carbon reduction plan for the asset. This involved brainstorming opportunities to reduce emissions – for example: no routine flaring, efficient use of gas turbines etc.

As a young engineer I care about the environment and I strongly believe working in the energy industry gives me the best opportunity to drive change and contribute towards a cleaner future for the planet.

Do you have any advice for an engineer who wants to work in Process safety?

Process safety is part of every engineer’s job – we are all responsible for the safety of people, the environment and our plant. In your early career learn as much as possible - I’d encourage you to speak to a process safety engineer and try to get involved, even as an observer with any ongoing process safety projects, to see how process safety aspects are applied in “real life”.