By Ken Park, clinical director, TAC Healthcare Group
In the last year, the Covid-19 pandemic has increased the risks of working in what was already one of the most hostile environments on Earth. But, with the first anniversary of the outbreak not long in our collective rear-view mirrors, offshore workers in the North Sea are facing a twin threat: emerging new variants of the virus and increasing Covid-fatigue and complacency.
By Michael Reid, managing partner, Meston Reid & Co
For many years in the North East of Scotland, the personal service company (PSC), otherwise referred to as a one-man company, has become a fairly standard way to provide services, particularly in the oil and gas sector, due to a mixture of employment law and tax law.
UK ministers are considering a ban on new oil exploration licenses in the North Sea as a move away from fossil fuels, a step that could hit jobs and the Scottish economy, the Telegraph reported.
By Lynne Gardener, sector MD, engineering and industrials, AMS
The skills deficit in energy is a source of concern that has increased rapidly for employers. With global authorities cementing their commitment to reaching net zero targets by 2050 at the latest, the pressure is on for energy companies to deliver against substantial sustainability targets. But a dearth of trained resources has the potential to hinder this growth.
With just hours until the Chancellor’s Budget, the RMT Union has called for creation of a £220million annual “Just Transition Fund” for offshore workers.
A leading Scottish economist has said the greater exposure to the “economic fallout” of the Covid-19 crisis suffered by Aberdeen and wider north-east, compared with other parts of the country, must not be forgotten in post-pandemic rebuilding efforts.
While COVID-19 and Brexit have dominated the agenda for oil and gas businesses in recent times - and rightly so I should add - there is a third issue that this industry is taking just as seriously. I am, of course, referring to IR35 reform in the private sector.
Oil major Total has handed risk management company DNV GL a three-year deal for the provision of a range of services across its UK North Sea portfolio.