Essential Offshore Safety Training: BOSIET and HUET
The Energy Industry operates in some of the most dangerous environments in the world, and those working offshore face a range of potential hazards, especially during helicopter travel to and from offshore installations and vessels.
OPITO offers a broad range of safety training courses designed to help mitigate these risks, including Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET) and Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET). Both of which have been designed to standardise personal safety around the world and provide offshore workers with the knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively to emergency situations.
BOSIET: Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training
Who is this training for?
BOSIET is intended for individuals new to the offshore oil and gas industry or those returning after a period of absence. This training is specifically designed for personnel travelling by helicopter to offshore installations, where they will be supplied with different types of safety equipment, including a rebreather emergency breathing system (EBS), a compressed air emergency breathing system (CA-EBS), or no breathing system, depending on the specific training programme.
What does BOSIET cover?
BOSIET introduces learners to the safety issues and emergency response procedures relevant to offshore installations. The training also focuses on ensuring participants are prepared for the specific risks associated with offshore helicopter travel.
Identifying Offshore Hazards
Learners are taught how to identify common hazards specific to offshore installations, such as fire, gas leaks, and extreme weather conditions. They also learn how these hazards are managed to ensure safety through the implementation of controls and emergency procedures.
Understanding Safety Regulations
Learners will gain an overview of essential safety regulations, as well as basic safety management concepts that guide everyday operations in offshore environments.
Helicopter Emergency Procedures
BOSIET includes simulated helicopter emergency training, where learners will practice using safety equipment and following emergency procedures. The focus is on escaping from a helicopter following a ditching, ensuring workers can react swiftly and effectively under pressure.
Sea Survival and First Aid
The course also covers essential survival techniques in the event of a helicopter ditching or evacuation at sea. This includes practical training in first aid, fire-fighting techniques, and self-rescue methods in low visibility conditions such as smoke-filled areas.
By the end of the BOSIET course, learners will be equipped with the foundational skills to respond confidently to emergencies, ensuring they can work safely in offshore environments.
HUET: Helicopter Underwater Escape Training
Who is this training for?
HUET is designed for offshore workers who regularly travel to and from offshore installations or vessels by helicopter. Like BOSIET, HUET participants may either have no emergency breathing system or be equipped with a compressed air emergency breathing system (CA-EBS) or a rebreather emergency breathing system (EBS), depending on the specific HUET programme. This training is especially important for personnel who may face emergencies while in transit, as it focuses on helicopter-specific safety and escape techniques.
What does HUET cover?
The HUET course provides in-depth training to prepare workers for emergency situations involving helicopter travel. It focuses specifically on the procedures and techniques needed to survive and escape from a helicopter in the event of an emergency.
Simulated Helicopter Ditching
The core of HUET is the practical simulation of a helicopter ditching. In a controlled, safe environment, learners will practice escaping from a helicopter that has landed in water. The focus is on following escape procedures and ensuring that learners are confident in their ability to react under pressure.
The training equips delegates with the critical skills to safely exit a helicopter and survive in challenging conditions, significantly reducing the risk of injury or worse in the event of an emergency.
Why Are BOSIET and HUET Crucial for Offshore Workers?
Helicopter travel is one of the primary methods of transport for offshore workers, but it also involves inherent risks. As part of OPITO’s commitment to improving offshore safety, both the BOSIET and HUET training programmes provide essential skills that enable workers to respond appropriately to emergencies.
BOSIET and HUET training is internationally recognised and are required for all offshore personnel travelling by helicopter to offshore installations. By completing these courses, delegates not only meet regulatory requirements but can also gain confidence in their ability to respond to emergencies.
With over 240 OPITO-approved training centres worldwide, these courses are delivered in a wide range of locations, ensuring offshore workers across the globe have access to this vital safety training.
For more information on OPITO’s safety training programmes and how they help ensure the wellbeing of offshore workers, visit our website.
