Source: GBC

Increasing business action to control disease and maintain a healthy workforce in the upstream oil and gas supply chain requires collaboration and commitment from a variety of stakeholders, and majors, contractors, government and non-profits/NGOs all have important roles to play.

This was among the key conclusions of GBC's second Oil and Gas Industry Technical Roundtable, co-sponsored by Chevron Corporation and Booz & Company, which helped all of these players to identify solutions for implementing effective disease prevention and risk mitigation programs.  The event also identified practical steps for oil and gas companies to encourage their suppliers to take greater action against HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria.

It is clear that oil and gas industry players have an important role to play-as well as considerable benefit to gain-in mitigating the impacts of HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria in geographic locations where high-prevalence zones converge with exploration and production operations.

Participants agreed that major oil companies should demonstrate leadership through their own adoption of best practices and by encouraging their suppliers to take meaningful action. While continuing to implement world-class programs for their own workers, they should share lessons learned with their suppliers and other business associates.

"Leadership outside of the corporate office - on the ground- of the senior most member is key," said Dr. Faiyaz Bhojani, Shell Oil's regional director for Health Services - Americas.

At the same time, it's also critical that contractors should embrace their role in controlling the three diseases and actively identify ways to engage, by developing partnerships with their clients and seeking guidance on program development from more experienced players. They can also encourage their own subcontractors to take action.

GBC's Oil and Gas Working Group, together with other industry stakeholders, will take a lead role in ensuring systematic follow-through on several action steps, including:

• Conducting a baseline assessment of oil and gas companies to understand the contractual clauses and contractor health management approaches currently in use.
• Creation of an online platform for majors and contractors to share tools and resources
• Development of tools to measure compliance/performance of contractor health programs

Continued supply chain engagement will help build momentum throughout the industry, paving the way for more assertive and proactive efforts to protect health, maximize productivity and demonstrate industry commitment to fight these pressing global health threats.

» Read Taking Action on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Across the Supply Chain: Oil and Gas Industry Dialogue

Originally published June 21, 2009